Agility...

["grey ghost"]

Hey y'all...lol
I just have a few questions...I have an adorable little black and brown mixed breed terrier, although he has alot of poodle in him...(i think). Anyways...sometime in the near future, I would like to enroll him in agility classes or maybe flyball, and i'd like to know if any of u think that would be a good idea and tell me what you know about agility if u have perhaps gone in it or you are in it with your dog. Any suggestions, tips, ect. would be greatly appreciated!

thanx

*~*"grey ghost"*~*

[poodlesmom]

Farley has had a few intro. agility classes & he loved them. Here's the few things that I have learned. 1st off serious agility training shouldn't be done with puppies as there is alot of jumping which isn't good until they have matured more - your vet can give you more precise info. But you can start with lower jumps done occasionally. Another thing I have learned is that the dog really needs to be able to do obedience work reliably off-lead but until then the preliminary agility training can be done on-lead. Alot of the beginning steps can be done at home improvising. You can use a broom stick laid over a couple of cinder blocks for lower jumps, sheets draped over different things for a "tunnel" effect, a piece of plywood put on 4 cinder blocks for a "stay" table. You can use long dowels or tent poles for weave poles. You can even make simple jumps using PVC pipe and a hula hoop for a ring to jump thru. One of the main things I found was to take it slow getting them used to the different equipment so that they feel comfortable with it. I think this is a great activity for them and I am hoping to have Farley do more of it once he's thru his obedience levels.

["grey ghost"]

Thankyou very much for your advice and such!

*~*"grey ghost"*~*

[animalluver#1]

Originally Posted by "grey ghost"

Hey y'all...lol
I just have a few questions...I have an adorable little black and brown mixed breed terrier, although he has alot of poodle in him...(i think). Anyways...sometime in the near future, I would like to enroll him in agility classes or maybe flyball, and i'd like to know if any of u think that would be a good idea and tell me what you know about agility if u have perhaps gone in it or you are in it with your dog. Any suggestions, tips, ect. would be greatly appreciated!

thanx

*~*"grey ghost"*~*

Well, my dog Max jumps and trots over things but, it's kind of hard to teach. Eventually they get the routine and agillity that they need.

[Snark]

Look for an agility trainer in your area - most will offer 'foundation' classes for beginning dogs/young dogs/people that stress learning the obstacles in a safe manner and how to handle (guide) your dog through the obstacles and around a course. There usually isn't any jumping except for maybe bars on the ground and teaching your dog to go through the jump standards when directed (not as easy as it sounds!)

[Dizzy]

Another OLLLLDDDDD thread.

2005????