What kind of health checks do you do before going on to a competitive level with your dog? Is it sufficient for the vet to tell you the dog is physically sound from a basic look over, or do you do/want more than this?
I am not any where near ready for competition, only doing weekly classes so far, but wondered what others do to ensure their dogs are healthy and physically sound for this dog sport. I do plan to throw these questions at my agility trainer, but am curious as to what others see as needed before competing properly?
2007-10-02 09:15:22 · 8 answers · asked by Shadow's Melon 6 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Thanx, I'm well aware of the appropriate age to compete and I would never have a dog that wasn't UTD on vaccinations. I'm more interested in knowing anything beyond the basic vet giving a thumbs up that might be good to do before competing.
As for looking into agility... search for a local agility club in your area and ask them for trainer referrals. 3 months is too young to really do much and you would be best to start with a good obedience class, because a solid obedience is really a good idea to have before beginning in agility.
2007-10-02 09:27:33 · update #1
A basic vet check is ok......X-rays if you can...but you and your trainer should be able to tell during training sessions, and you after training sessions if the dog is holding up.
Keep the dog lean. Warm up and stretch before working. Walk down after working. We give joint supplements.
Don't laugh....but agility dogs ARE athletes....finding a good canine massage therapist and/or chiropractor is a good thing. They can feel and see very minor little glitches and give you good stretching exercises.
Also, (trainer lecture here) understanding what it is your dog is physically doing during agility can help you protect his body. Soften turns, try not to ask the dog to pivot on his landing front leg.......by angling dog's approach to jumps. Consider your contact behavior: 2 on and 2 off, lie down, running, the impact on his body. Things like that.
2007-10-02 13:34:14 · answer #1 · answered by Marna O 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Top 5 Agility Dog Breeds Border Collie Shetland Sheepdog Pembroke Welsh Corgi Jack Russell Terrier Australian Shepherd
2016-05-19 16:29:47 · answer #2 · answered by alexandra 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure he/she is UTD on all shots, and get a health clearance from your Vet.
Also, the dog needs to be of age. As in, full grown. If you start vigorous exercise in a large/giant breed dog at a young age, it can stunt their growth, and cause joint problems.
Your best bet is to ask your Vet if you dog is physically fit to do agility, and if he is of an appropriate age.
2007-10-02 09:21:29 · answer #3 · answered by Dog Section Regular 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Agility is so fun...and you have a great breed to participate in this fun activity. I took my dog Cee Cee to classes for a while....I never showed in agility....a fun match or two...but I didn't have a dog that was all that great at it....she was a cocker (of course) and she would have probably been better in tracking...her nose always got her in trouble! I think you should just make sure she is fit...exercise her regularly (which I'm sure you do) and make sure she is fully vaccinated (which I'm sure she is) have fun...and good luck in competitions when you are ready to compete!
2007-10-02 14:50:41 · answer #4 · answered by ♥ Liz ♫ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before we work ours really hard in the field we have a set of hip films taken to make sure that they have proper bone structure and alingment so they can stand the jumping and running and such.
We work our pups in the field but when they are 2 we have the xrays shot not only for the OFA rating but to make sure the dog will hold up to long trem field work.
I would think ou might have it done for agility as well. If you are going to have the dog OFA or Penn HIp rated.
2007-10-02 10:44:24 · answer #5 · answered by tlctreecare 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I want to train my dog for agility but i have no idea how..She's just a puppy.....c.a. 3 months old...and im just a teenager...i use a broomstick for the hurdles and a picnic table for the A-walk...what else can i use?? And where are the competitions? You seem to know a lot about this stuff....
2007-10-02 09:24:08 · answer #6 · answered by Breanna M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For your level of agility training, being UTD on shots is probably enough. If you were going to be doing serious training and lots of trialing then you'd probably want to get some x-rays too.
2007-10-02 15:41:11 · answer #7 · answered by Skittle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never done any special health checks for agility, but then I'm experienced enough to know whether my dog is fit (in good muscle tone and not overweight) and whether they're structually sound enough to be jumping repeatedly. But your instructor should be able to tell you that.
2007-10-02 09:33:16 · answer #8 · answered by DaBasset - BYBs kill dogs 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋