I think my mutt would be outstanding as an obstacle course type dog. I think she'd just absolutly love it. Not sure how to go about this. She's a seven month old spaniel type border collie/lab mix kind of girl and she's got the moves. What next? I'd like to give it a try and if she didn't like it then I wouldn't force it. But I'm guessing she'd probably enjoy it.
2006-11-07 03:02:01 · 7 answers · asked by paganvegan 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Oh yeah, some border collie in there makes for a good prospect for agility! We have a 5 month old border collie puppy and knew we wanted to persue agility with her to give her a job, plus it's just fun for both!
Now when I started looking, my area had no one listed in the yellow pages offering any kind of agility training. Obedience was there, but not agility. I wanted to start in a puppy kindergarten that at least exposed my pup to some of the agility stuff. I went in search of our local Agility Club online and emailed them to ask for referrals for trainers. These people take this dog sport seriously and will refer you to trainers they have personally used, know and trust.
A solid obedience training is a must for Agility and is your first step. The lady we were referred to focuses on obedience with a bit of introduction to some of the Agility equipment to get the dogs exposed to some of the things, like the walk, tunnels and a small teeter. I am persuing all the obedience levels first and then by spring we'll be ready for getting into agility, which my trainer has someone she works with closely that we will be referred to for this. A puppy, under 15 months, should never jump anything taller than the elbows as the puppy is still growing and they can damage the joints if jumping too high, too young. So you have time with your 7 month to work on obedience.
I also found, that the referral we got from the Agility Club, had much better rates than those you find in the phone book who have facilities. They have a high overhead for renting/purchasing their facility and the prices were higher as a result.
Good Luck with this! It's a fun sport and a great way to give your dog something of a job to do!
2006-11-07 03:37:47 · answer #1 · answered by Shadow's Melon 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What you are wanting to do is called Agility. You can't start training until your dog is at least 1 year old (for safety reasons). When your dog is old enough, find a club where you can take classes. Google 'Agility and your city' to find one. Basic obedience is very helpful. A good recall (come) is essential as well as the ability to work off leash. You can do some confidence building exercises to help your puppy get ready. You can buy a tunnel for kids to work with for some practise.
2016-05-22 07:26:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Agility is a great sport, my basset hounds love it! It is good exercise for you and your dog and will help you build a stronger relationship.
Your best bet is to find an experienced instructor who focuses on SAFETY. It is easy to injure or frighten a novice dog by training too early or advancing too fast. Start now with basic obedience, then when she is old enough to start low jumps then go for it.
Another good reason to start with classes instead of on your own is the cost of building all those obstacles (even the cheap versions) and the room you need to set them up.
The good thing about agility is that there are venues in which mixed breeds can compete.
Have fun!
2006-11-07 08:37:23 · answer #3 · answered by DaBasset - BYBs kill dogs 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look for training or kennel clubs in your area, many of them will probably have agility classes.
You could also make some of your own equipment if you are handy. I made a whole AKC regulation course. There are many plans online, join the yahoo group agility equipment for plans as well as many people to give advice.
I would not do any high jumping with a 7 month old, wait until she is a year. Low jumps would be ok.
2006-11-07 04:26:50 · answer #4 · answered by whpptwmn 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Search your local area for agility training. Have your dog approved by your vet for this type of activity first though. Your vet could probably recommend local training centers. Spend some time at each facility and observe the training techniques as well as the trainers themselves so that you can ensure that you and your dog will be comfortable with your final decision. If you don't like the trainer, you're not going to enjoy his training and your dog will know it. You might also check facilities that train aid dogs. My neighbor is deaf and she took her Blue Heeler to training to be an aid dog and he learned obstacle courses there also.
I would love to take my mutt also as he would rock at obstacle training and would absolutely love it, but I can't afford it.
Good luck!
2006-11-07 03:13:07 · answer #5 · answered by KJ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I bet she would love it.
Here's a page that links to agility clubs to help you find one near you.
http://www.dogpatch.org/agility/agpage4.cfm
Also check the local humane society/SPCA. Some of them have classes too.
www.cleanrun.com is a good site to check. Clean Run is a magazine about agility.
Once you start having fun in classes and want to build your own equipment, search online and you'll find sites that teach you how to build inexpensive jumps and weave poles, pause tables and dog walks.
Welcome to the wild world of dog agility! I know you'll have lots of fun with your dog!
2006-11-07 03:44:30 · answer #6 · answered by bookmom 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
2 of my corgis I would think would do good in this as well and would love it but as for myself..I need to learn first too. I've been thinking about this alot lately. I hope you get the answers your looking for since I'm interested too.
2006-11-07 03:11:43 · answer #7 · answered by Ivory_Flame 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋