Agility
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| I am no agility expert, but from what I have been told 18 mos is a good age to start. We just started Frankie in a class. He still would rather play with everyone than pay attention to me. But we are working through it. There are some wonderful people on here that will give you some great advice. Have fun. Lisa and Frankie |
Ecco just started, too, and like Frankie is more interested in playing with other dogs thanfocusing on me. That is, until it's time to do on of the obstacles, then she's totally focused.  |
Tiggy is nearly 3 and is still more interested in the other dogs.  Unless there's a chance to run the tunnel, then she's all business. With a younger dog, you need to be more careful of their joints. So lower jumps, less A frame etc. Different people have different ideas re age. Dawn or Kristine can help you more in that department. |
| As agility gets more refined as a sport, more and more options are out there. Popular here (midwest US) are training classes for those with the goal of entering and competing in agility. Casual classes are less geared for actual competing - in fact if you start that way and change your mind, you have a LOT of retraining to correct all the mistakes and shortcuts taken in the recreational classes. Also - puppy classes are available - they are targeted at the team (human and dog) who want to get a good foundation while the puppy is still young. It avoids all the no-nos like jumping and stressing growing bones and joints, but pretty much has you ready to go by the time your pup reaches structural maturity. They formally aren't available in my area, but if I drove 1.5 hours, I could find them.  Otherwise, good classes really spend a lot of time on foundation skills, which means NOT jumping right into running obstacles. If a class does that - they are not much more than playtime - not real agility in the sport sense.  Foundation classes are to avoid the pitfalls mentioned - lack of attention, running off to other dogs and people, unsafe behaviors when on obstacles, safe conditioning for the dog (and human) to prevent injuries now and down the road. The best results are starting out young (the dog) in classes like this, before bad habits develop, but we're not always that lucky.  I know Mim had to wait a really LONG time to get an opening for Tiggy in her school of choice.And - to answer your question - yes, agility would be a good activity. And 18 months is a pretty safe rule for OES to wait before doing full on agility. Check classes out in your area and see what your options are  |
| I would say that you will be fine, with a word of caution. I started my OES out a couple months ago at 14 months. If you have a good trainer, he/she will start with the basics - basic commands, body language, hand signals, contacts, etc. Long story short, you will be doing a lot of low impact work. However, if you have somebody who goes right into it, which I personally wouldn't recommend but to each their own, then there could be some issues. Make sure you ask a lot of questions first and express your concern to your trainer - he/should understand AND appreciate your concern. |
| In my area they have "puppy" agility classes. I think they have them divided in the 2 groups (10 weeks - 10 months) & (10 months to adult). I know the website states that for the puppy classes they do not use the weave poles and all the equipment is very close to the ground. I know this does not help you since Maddy is over a year old. She is still young and a large breed, wonder if the instructors would adjust the equipment for such dogs? Come on spring....we want sheepherding!  peg |
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