Why i LOVE agility

[mrose_s]

While I love a lot of dog sports, agility is my favourite. I have never competed in anything with Buster, but plan to within a year (heres hoping) and once he becomes older and less willing to be so athletic, i'm putting in an order for a Koolie pup from working lines (started looking for breeders last week)

I like obediance a lot. But it appears that your dog must have a lot of concentration, in a relativly low drive situation.

I like flyball, and although your dog gets put into high drive. They know they're job is always the same, run, jump, jump, jump, jump, catch ball, get back.

But AGILITY combines both these, your dog is in high drive mode, but must retain complete concentration on you to direct them. The trust level between you and your dog has to be great or it just won't work.


I'm also planning on starting to visit some herding trials in the coming weeks, but have no idea how to track them down. I have a few years to lern how to pick a good herding dog before I buy a pup. I'd love to get into herding aswell, but i doubt I'll ever do that wil buster.

The other thing about me is, I don't think I would compete in a sport I didn't think my dog would do very well at. I know it sounds harsh, but there are only certain breeds/personalities I'd consider to compete in agaility with. Maybe its shallow, but i can't help it. ACD's, kelpies, koolies, BC's, JRT's are all on my list of agility breeds. While Greyhound is on my list of dogs i'd like to do therapy work with.

So there you go, why agility is the best sport ever

 

[BostonBanker]

Well, I'm certainly not going to argue with you that it's the best sport! Although, I must say, people that compete in obedience have my sincerest admiration, and I have seen people who train for agility in drive (maybe everyone does? These are nomally agility/ob people).

I love watching flyball, but wouldn't let my dog out there with that many other dogs in that kind of frenzy.

Maybe its shallow, but i can't help it. ACD's, kelpies, koolies, BC's, JRT's are all on my list of agility breeds.

I'll put my Mountain Cur against your herding dog any day of the week . She may not be insanely fast, but she's focused, never knocks bars (hello, BCs), and works her little butt off. I see the shirt all the time - "The best dog for agility is the dog you love". A friend of mine with a Viszla smokes the herding dogs on a regular basis. If you love herding dogs, by all means, get one for agility. But don't knock the other breeds when they beat you . hehe

 

[Agilitylabbie]

Agility is probably my favorite dog sport too. I love the teamwork aspect of it. It's a great way to spend time with your dog & get active. And there's no better feeling then when that lightbulb finally clicks on (for us or the dog, lol) or having that 'perfect' run. And I think I love it even more because of how happy Echo looks when he's running a course. He loves it!

Now, that's not saying that I hate other sports. We've taken a couple sets of classes in flyball, & while I'm not totally in love with it, it's a fun change of pace & Echo caught on very quickly.

One of my main goals has always been to do therapy dog work with Echo. We plan on getting our CGN at the end of this year & trying out for the St. John's therapy dog program.

The other thing about me is, I don't think I would compete in a sport I didn't think my dog would do very well at. I know it sounds harsh, but there are only certain breeds/personalities I'd consider to compete in agaility with. Maybe its shallow, but i can't help it. ACD's, kelpies, koolies, BC's, JRT's are all on my list of agility breeds. While Greyhound is on my list of dogs i'd like to do therapy work with.

If it's a sport that your dog is physically or tempermentally unable to do, than yes, I wouldn't put my dog in it either. I've met some people who turn their noses up at me & make rude comments when I go to trials, class, ect...because I own a breed of dog that typically isn't the greatest at agility (A LAB) Who cares?? Honestly...I'm not super competitive-I'm out there to have fun with my dog...but to each his own I know an agility trainer who has two aussies (one retired-the other just reached trialing age) who went out & bought a BC pup....not because she really wanted one, but because she felt pressured to have a breed that was considered to be one of 'the best' at agility(not that aussies aren't, but still..you know what I mean...) . I think that as long as your dog is healthy, you can try whatever sport you want! I've heard of an Afghan who got his herding instinct certificate & countless pitties who are therapy/service dogs. Anyway, that's just my .02$

 

[Agilitylabbie]

:hail: :hail: BostonBanker

 

[mrose_s]

Well, I'm certainly not going to argue with you that it's the best sport! Although, I must say, people that compete in obedience have my sincerest admiration, and I have seen people who train for agility in drive (maybe everyone does? These are nomally agility/ob people).

I love watching flyball, but wouldn't let my dog out there with that many other dogs in that kind of frenzy.



I'll put my Mountain Cur against your herding dog any day of the week . She may not be insanely fast, but she's focused, never knocks bars (hello, BCs), and works her little butt off. I see the shirt all the time - "The best dog for agility is the dog you love". A friend of mine with a Viszla smokes the herding dogs on a regular basis. If you love herding dogs, by all means, get one for agility. But don't knock the other breeds when they beat you . hehe

I love Meg, she's amazing no doubt. lol, and I suppose she's doing better than me. Anyone thats ever competed is further than me. i havn't even been able to go to classes. (i can't believe we have 4 dogs and I can't do anything with any of them)

I will admit I'm biased towards some breeds, kelpies particularily. And I love seeing any breed out there having fun. As long as they look liek their having fun, thats the important thing.

 

[milos_mommy]

whilst we're talking about breeds, in our agility class, there were poodles of various sizes, dobermans, Cavaliers, bichons, shiba inu, finish spitz, labs, goldens, old english sheepdog, portugese water dog, wheaten terrier, ermm. a pomeranian who was SO good, and a 12 year who looked exactly like jen's riot. Ran nice and slow, but didn't miss a beat.

 

[doberkim]

some of us don't consider obedience to be a low drive thing... my dog can most definitely do obedience in MAJOR drive...

 

[BostonBanker]

because I own a breed of dog that typically isn't the greatest at agility (A LAB)

I was listening in on a conversation at an agility trial recently about what is truly the best breed for agility. The discussion started with observations on the jumping style of BCs, and how most of them have to have it altered to prevent them from pulling bars. Labs got big props for their ability to jump "correctly". As someone coming from a jumping background with horses, I can certainly agree with the discussion. Doesn't matter how fast your herding dog is if they pull a couple of bars every course.

Having said that, my next dog will probably be a herding dog; not because I don't think I can get a different breed to do well in agility, but because I like the temperament/drive.

some of us don't consider obedience to be a low drive thing... my dog can most definitely do obedience in MAJOR drive...

I was wondering about that. I know that the people I know who do obedience talk about training it in drive; didn't know if that was just because they are also agility people who like to work that way.

 

[Dekka]

Obedience is good. If you train it with high rewards you can get dogs to really really want to do it. (i have one dog that whines to get to 'play' heeling)

But IME to be good at agility is a lot harder than to be good at obedience. (at least comparting AAC/USDAA agility to CKC/AKC obed)

Many dogs can be good at agility. Yes the dog you love is the best kind..but I can love almost any dog I like to play agility with a dog that is as into it as I am. I don't like having to build drive/speed. But thats just me. It is easier in the lower levels to have success with a slower dog. (you have time to think while running, have time to call off etc) but trust me it gets frustrating when you run clean in Masters, but are consistently just over time.

 

[Agilitylabbie]

Labs got big props for their ability to jump "correctly".

Haha...no one told Echo that! But it's nice to know that the agility lab is appreciated...I'm gonna have to start trialing where you live:lol-sign:

 

[BostonBanker]

I don't like having to build drive/speed. But thats just me. It is easier in the lower levels to have success with a slower dog. (you have time to think while running, have time to call off etc) but trust me it gets frustrating when you run clean in Masters, but are consistently just over time.
__________________

I do agree to an extent. One of the reasons I want a herding dog for my next dog is that it has been an uphill battle building that drive into Meg. I feel like a cheerleader running around some days . However, I'm not going to lie about how amazing it felt to have her singled out in class the other day for the fact that her drive has just recently really switched on. Now I need to learn to run faster!

I just hate to see people think that they need to have a BC or a JRT if they want to be successful in agility. Like I said, I know a Viszla that regularly whoops everyones butt in the top levels, a little who-knows-what who constantly gets super-Qs in masters snooker, and a bunch of "other" dogs who do well. I certainly don't blame people for choosing one of the popular breeds if they really want them!

 

[Dekka]

I just hate to see people think that they need to have a BC or a JRT if they want to be successful in agility. Like I said, I know a Viszla that regularly whoops everyones butt in the top levels, a little who-knows-what who constantly gets super-Qs in masters snooker, and a bunch of "other" dogs who do well. I certainly don't blame people for choosing one of the popular breeds if they really want them!

I would say most working dogs are high drive. There are really fast labs and goldens, one of the most incrediable dog to watch weave (he doesn't bend..he just goes straight through, moving his head enough to push the pole to the side. His owner has taken to bringing extra poles to trials, as he breaks them-what drive!) is a giant Schnauzer. There are oodles of mini schnauzers zipping up the courses around here too. Of course there are shelties, JRTs and BC, but there are LOADS of Tollers..startig to encroach on the number of BCs at some trials. Tollers have been national champions regularly. Kelpies are doing very well too. There are some great corgis, and poodles, and dobes, and aussies.....

But most of the dogs that are really laying down the nice runs come from working backgrounds, from what ever breed.

 

[BostonBanker]

It sounds like you get a much bigger variety where you are! I'm jealous - it's pretty much BC, shelties and jacks around here. A few papillions and aussies thrown in for good measure, and then about 10% "other". I have yet to get to see a toller or a kelpie run...or a giant schnauzer! Very cool!

 

[MafiaPrincess]

I love the lady with Pande the giant schnauzer. Dekka and I went to the AAC nationals saturday. I really enjoyed seeing 5 or so american cockers run, as I've never seen any other than my own. Most weren't that drivey though which made me a little sad.

 

[CelticxConnections]

I have to say Agility is in my top three for favorite sports. That being said it is because I have not had a great agility dog and one first time I ran my doxie(one of the best dogs I've seen run) I was told that we only beat a golden because "There must have been some kind of mistake".

Having worked with Duke my love of agility is renewed though. There is just something about getting a puppy ready to learn that makes you want to run. That and working with obedience dogs make you forget how much fun it is to run.

 

[mrose_s]

Obedience is good. If you train it with high rewards you can get dogs to really really want to do it. (i have one dog that whines to get to 'play' heeling)

But IME to be good at agility is a lot harder than to be good at obedience. (at least comparting AAC/USDAA agility to CKC/AKC obed)

Many dogs can be good at agility. Yes the dog you love is the best kind..but I can love almost any dog I like to play agility with a dog that is as into it as I am. I don't like having to build drive/speed. But thats just me. It is easier in the lower levels to have success with a slower dog. (you have time to think while running, have time to call off etc) but trust me it gets frustrating when you run clean in Masters, but are consistently just over time.

I know what your talking about Dekka, I understand how people do it for fun. But what i love most about it is the drive and the speed and everything. Haveing a "slow" dog (for need of a better word) would really frustrate me

Plus Buster is an awesome jumper, he rarly touches bars and will rarley even attempt soemthign he doesn't think he can clear.

Buster can be really difficult to build drive in though, which drives me mental some days. Some days all he wants to do is jump and weave and stop and stay and practice contacts, other days he just sits there and stares at me.

I know I don't need a working breed to be succesful, but I have to admit, Kelpies, ACD's and Koolies are my top three for their drive and their energy and as a breed, they are known to be succesful.

Hopefully my next pup (6 or so years away *sigh*) will be a Koolie form working lines. I want the best chance i can get to have a high drive dog.

 

[adojrts]

This is a great thread!!
Those high drive sink'n fast dogs regardless of breed come with a price, sometimes a very high price unless your a pro. Meaning it takes LONGER to train them and the training had better be COMPLETE. It is not uncommon for those dogs to take twice + as long to prepare for competing. Which costs more in training fee's etc but to run such a dog BEFORE it is ready will cost more in NQ's and bad habits that have to be retrained.
As a handler, you HAVE to be fit or at least have some excellent distance skills, obstacle discrimnation etc. That type of dog demands a handler to have high skills, if you don't well...........
The skills required of both the handler and the dog are much higher. Oh yeah, your timing had better be bang on as well, if you are late giving a directional by 1/1000th's of a sec it often results in a OC. You often have to tell those dogs 2-3 obstacles ahead to where they are going.
Unless you are a Pro, the Q rate and Titling rate is *usually* much lower than a slower Steady Eddie.
I have never had the luxury of running a slower dog, it was always all or nothing. I would never trade it, I would take the lower Q rate and the OC's any day because when it does come together and you lay down a flaming fast clean run that brings your fellow competitors to their feet cheering.......there is not another feeling like it. Of course its often very common to almost drop to the ground after those runs trying to breath. Oh yeah, try to remember that run..............its hard because you just don't have time to think, let alone remember it , you don't have time for a mistake and if you do make a mistake....you certainly often don't have time to fix it. lol.

There are certainly the pro's and con's of each style of running, it just depends on what you want or what you are capable of as a handler.
Or more importantly how much you are willing to wait, train and be dedicated to training such a dog while your friends are already out there running their dogs and Titling.

Just a few thoughts..........

Lynn

 

[Speed]

I'm enjoying this thread as well. When I adopted Speed I had no idea I was going to fall so hard for agility. I have wondered if I would have still adopted him if I had known more about agility. He has a lot of great qualities and is learning so fast that I have no regrets and no preconceived ideas that he should be great at it.

I think one reason I'm falling for agility is I use to compete in road bicycling and agility and cycling are alike in that you spend a LOT more time training than you do competing. I love having something to do with Speed. Whether or not he'll live up to his name remains an unknown and I also like the anticipation of competing one day.

Wondering if we'll be good in competition makes me read more and train correctly (well at least try...). I love to read so that's another reason I'm attracted to it.

Lois

 

[AgilityPup]

I know what your talking about Dekka, I understand how people do it for fun. But what i love most about it is the drive and the speed and everything. Haveing a "slow" dog (for need of a better word) would really frustrate me

Just have to say this - even though I am jumping in... My sister Amanda run with Morrie, hes slow, but if you're there, claping your hands and saying "come on buddy - you can do it!" and if you run, he goes faster...

I was 4 seconds over with a clean run my first agility trial, I ran in a Kee, and the owner (I "borrowed" her) said before I ran her "You have to chalenge her, if she see you going faster, she will go faster", so really, I dont think there is such thing as a "slow" dog, it just needs the right motivation - of course, I am weird, and a lot of people dont agree with me on a lot of things... Thats just my 2 cents.

 

[Dekka]

Oh motivation is key, but as I said I personally don't want a dog I have to constantly motivate. If you are in AAC/USDAA, and you have to run a head of the dog to get them to go, you won't make time. My dog who doesn't make time, runs, just not fast enough (much faster than me though lol)
At the lower levels the times are very generous. We were well under time in starters. LOL Dekka is often 1/2 the course time or less, but she is pretty fast.