At what age did your dog start trialing?

[Flyinsbt]

I don't like to start serious agility training until my dogs are 18 months or so, so I'd tend to start trialing around 2. I think that's about when I started with Tess, though I can't remember for sure. Pirate, I know I started his training a little younger than I wanted, because I had a good foundation class available to start in. So he was 18 months when he started trialing. Not my ideal. He still hasn't started obedience. And I can't remember when I started obedience with my other dogs.

I don't see any reason why you shouldn't start dock diving with a younger dog, though. It doesn't have the repetitive actions, or intensive training. And it's low impact.

[Laurelin]

I just read this thread title as 'At what age did your dog start talking?'

[DJEtzel]

Originally Posted by Laurelin

I just read this thread title as 'At what age did your dog start talking?'

Bahahah! So glad they don't do that... :P Mine would never shut up.

[~WelshStump~]

Originally Posted by Laurelin

I just read this thread title as 'At what age did your dog start talking?'

3 months, his first word was "Water", no, I'm not kidding you either! Jinj was a VERY talky Corgi puppy, love me some talking Corgis . (I don't have video of him, but if you don't believe me Youtube search "talking Corgi" and entertain yourself for hours).

Okay, back on topic

[Finkie_Mom]

Kimma had her first rally trial when she was 1 year and 10 months, and finished up that title when she was 1 year and 11 months. We didn't attempt any agility trialing until recently, when she was 2 years and 10 months. I was told by instructors we could have started agility trialing sooner, but I am SO GLAD that I waited.

For future dogs, I have no problems doing obedience/rally trial when they are ready, but I don't plan to ever compete in agility before the age of 2 with any dog.

[sassafras]

Squash did his first CAT just shy of his second birthday, then started trialing in Rally and did his first skijor race shortly after he turned 2.

I think the 2 year mark, although I didn't really do it on purpose, was a good time. He's really noticeably matured mentally over the last 3-4 months. I probably won't trial in agility ever even though we've dabbled in it for funsies, but I would probably wait until after 2ish if I did.

[RottenFlower]

The only dog I've ever trialled was Clyde. He received his RN during his first trial in September 2011, so he was about 5 1/2 years old then. We only trialled once for his CD and that did not go over well. At all.

Kaia is about 2, and we only just finalized her adoption yesterday. I've gone ahead and registered her for CGC/CGC On The Town/Distraction Proofing classes, and after that, we'll definitely go on and get registered as a therapy dog team, take some Rally classes & OB classes. The place I'm taking her offers tracking/nosework as well so we may do that too.

There are two big shows here every year, in March & September. I don't think it's unreasonable to want to get her RN by September while continuing to train for her CD.

[Raegan]

Gatsby started agility training at a year and a half. He trained for two years and didn't get a day closer to trialing.

Marsh was three at his first trial. I got him in January, agility training started in May, he got his first Q in September.