Should I wait?

[mantine]

Grizzley - Aussie- is 6 months old. There is a place around here that has a "for fun" agility class they hold twice a year, once in fall and once in spring. Grizzley will be 8 months old when they have the fall class. I wanted to sign him up but started thinking....is that to young? I know they aren't supposed to do jumping until they are about a year. I am anxious to sign him up, but not at the risk of him getting hurt. Should I wait until the sping session?

[Dekka]

Depends on the class. I hate it when they call it for fun. All agility should be fun! I like pups to start when they are 4-6 months. But there is little to no jumping. (lots of games, recalls, contacts, and maybe a pole just off the ground.

[mantine]

I have to go there in September to sign him up so I will check it out then. So as long as there isn't a lot of jumping he should be fine?

[Dekka]

Ask them what they do with pups. If they say the same as everyone else (and they are not talking foundation skills, which seems to be what 'for fun agility means-agility with no basics) say no thank you. If they say no jumps, no weaving etc, then you are likely fine.

[adojrts]

Grizzley - Aussie- is 6 months old. There is a place around here that has a "for fun" agility class they hold twice a year, once in fall and once in spring. Grizzley will be 8 months old when they have the fall class. I wanted to sign him up but started thinking....is that to young? I know they aren't supposed to do jumping until they are about a year. I am anxious to sign him up, but not at the risk of him getting hurt. Should I wait until the sping session?

I am very curious and frankly I think I am missing something lol. What is the appeal of those classes i.e Agility for Fun vs taking agility classes that take a more structured format? Meaning those places with the 'Fun', that usually don't offer correct agility foundations or agility training from those who make it their life to provide solid long lasting agility training that if you choose, you can then carry on a compete?
Is it the thoughts that those who compete or are very dedicated to the agility sport are too serious? that we don't have tons of fun in our classes? that we train to much? that we may have expectations that are too high?


Curious and thanks in advance
Lynn

[AgilityPup]

I can't remeber how old Morrie was when we started, or how old Zeoy was, but our trainers wouldn't let us jump over 10 inches (for a 19 inch dog) for morrie, and only 8 for Zoey (a 13 inch dog) until they were 18 months, at that point, we started jumping what our dogs would have to do at a trial...

I think you could start, but if there is a lot of jumping, just go work on something else, avoid a lot of jumps... I can fathem maybe one or two, but remeber you're baby is still growing.:) Good luck! :)

*Sighs* I love Agility.

[mantine]

I am very curious and frankly I think I am missing something lol. What is the appeal of those classes i.e Agility for Fun vs taking agility classes that take a more structured format? Meaning those places with the 'Fun', that usually don't offer correct agility foundations or agility training from those who make it their life to provide solid long lasting agility training that if you choose, you can then carry on a compete?
Is it the thoughts that those who compete or are very dedicated to the agility sport are too serious? that we don't have tons of fun in our classes? that we train to much? that we may have expectations that are too high?


Curious and thanks in advance
Lynn

I have never gotten into agility before, and I am looking around to see if there any other choices for agility training in my area. I did not mean to offend anyone who competes so I hope you didn't take it that way, the place that offers the class called it a "for fun agility class" so thats what I called it here...this is what is says on the website "Agility for Fun - a set of 8 classes that are taught in the training area beside Bow Wow boutique. This class is not intended to get you ready for competition, but to teach you a safe way to have fun with your dog. This class is held once in the Spring and the Fall. Cost of the Class is $75.00." Website is http://www.bowwowboutique.net/training.htm

I just figured it would be a fun way to start out to see if I like it and if Grizzley would like it and I can take it from there. Now that I am reading your replies I see that there is a good and bad way to start out, that is if I do ever want to compete he needs to be taught correctly the first time, which is why I am looking to see if there are any other agility classes in my area.

Lynn: I don't think if you compete you are to serious, if anything it sounds like serious fun :lol-sign: and I am sure you and the dog have a great time while doing it, so I hope you don't think I was trying to insult anyone by saying I was taking an agility class for fun and that I think beacuse you compete you take things to seriously, I did not mean to come off that way at all.

[adojrts]

Christine;
Oh no, I am absolutey not offended. I am just very curious because it seems that so many people seem to start out by taking those kind of classes.
Although you seem to be getting some education first and at least you are looking at other options......smart. When I started in agility, trying to find info/trainers or clubs even on line was very difficult. Of course by the time I did find a good trainer some damage had been done lol.
I guess that is why I find it so interesting, considering that all that info is now on line and it is much easier now to locate a good trainer.
Wishing you the best of luck!! Hey a word of warning............agility can be very addicting lol.

Lynn