Agility Classes
Does anyone here have any opinions on this based on experience? We did not do agility or training classes with our other OES and would like to try it with Brinley. But I don't want to just sign up for any old class. If anyone has any thoughts I would appreciate them. Thanks!  |
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OES can be GREAT agility dogs. I would contact the local kennel club or dog club in your area to find out more. The only recommendation I have is to wait until your pup is around 18 months or so (ask an expert) to begin the jump training as you don't want to put to much stress on her growing body. I am not an expert, just an interested observer who is also interested in agility for the future!! I love her name!  |
| Welcome to the forum! You should register!
You should look for some posts from our member "George". He's not into agility per se, but he does a lot of training with his dogs. At the annual rescue picnic I attend in New England, we always have an agility course and equipment set up. A few dogs are trained enough to use it. You could also teach your dog freestyle danicng; that requires no equipment, and is a real crowd pleaser. |
| I took Daisy to an agility class this summer and she loved it. While we didn't finish the class it was due to the heat and my returning to work which conflicted w/ the class.
We started the class after she had completed the advanced obedience class at PetSmart and waiting to start therapy dog training (which starts next month) and wanted something to do so that we continued to work together. I'm sorry we were unable to finish the class because she did really enjoy it, xcept that there was no play time w/ the other dogs. |
Thanks for the replies and information. I actually am registered but wrote that first post without logging in and then wondered why my username was "taken." 
I really appreciate the replies. I've read a lot of stuff on this site already and am looking forward to being active and asking/answering a lot more questions. |
| Our pup Chewie is 4 1/2 months, and will be doing agility, herding, obedience/rally and therapy dog work. he comes from show stock, and is show quality. Our breeder was thrilled we would be doing the performance type events, and showing that her OES can "do it all".
Chewie's relatives do obedience, rally and agility too. He already went to visit at the nursing home where my daughter works - they LOVED him! Chewie starts obedience classes in September. (I am a trainer and have a private school, my daughter will be training him) Definitely check around your area, talk to people about places to train that they would recommend. Stop in a visit places too, and find one that's a match for what you want to do. After a couple sessions of basic obedience, the sky's the limit for all the fun things you can do! |
| I am very interested in getting into agility type training with Walter as well...i'm not sure if i have the time to dedicate to full-on training for shows or trials, but i think it would be so much fun to do as a hobby. I can tell already with the little work that we've done in the yard (small jumps, cones, little ramp) that he could be very proficient on the big stuff. he's definitely fast, and he can definitely jump when he wants.
I've been careful not to overdo it, from the advice of others here, so as to avoid joint and bone trouble. It is very enjoyable/satisfying for me, and Walter seems to really enjoy it (when he can focus long enough)! I did just purchase a few books on the subject: The Beginner's Guide to Dog Agility (Paperback), by Laurie Leach Introduction to Dog Agility (Paperback), by Margaret H. Bonham Agility Training: The Fun Sport for All Dogs (Howell Reference Books) (Hardcover), by Jane Simmons-Moake Excelling at Dog Agility - Book 1: Obstacle Training (Updated Second Edition) (Excelling at Dog Agility) (Hardcover), by Jane Simmons-Moake Good luck - I'll be looking forward to reading additional posts also! |
| You can definitely do agility just for fun. The time you spend with your dog doing something fun is worth it all by itself. Then if you add in the bonus of both human and dog getting some exercise too, and it's priceless!.
I have a friend who started herding with her doberman as a way to wear her excess energy off. Now she is hooked on herding - she even bought her own sheep and recently got a border collie pup to work with! I did agility with my chocolate lab just for fun. We both enjoyed getting out and having a good time and being with other dog loving people. We did obedience competitively, and therapy dog work for fun. She also was a hunting fool in her younger days - she's mostly retired now at age 13, and goes for short leisurely hunts with my husband. |
| George - yep that's me. I work with a lady that teaches agility. She does not recommending the jumping until the dog is 2 yrs old, she even cautioned me about the jumping we're doing in Open, however my vet said that at 1-1/2 yrs for Barney, I shouldn't worry. Better safe than sorry.
I don't plan on taking the guys through agility, because with two titanium knees, I'm not supposed to do much running. |
| I always laugh when someone mentions agility and the OES. I know it can be done, I don't doubt that, but I know for sure that it couldn't be done with my OES! Clyde is almost 2 and only gets in the car my himself about 1% of the time (just the fact that he gets in sometimes is a miracle). If one of us has our legs up on the coffee table and Clyde needs to get by, he'll just lean on the person's legs that are in the way rather than jump or go around-- and not just for a minute. We timed him once and he stood for over 8 minutes until he finally gave up and sat down. We always joke that Clyde would just smash right through any agility equipment and not even attempt to jump, even if were only a couple of inches high!
On the other hand, my Komondor can jump like crazy. He's such a big boy, I want to get the go ahead on his hips before I do anything with him but I was thinking it might be a fun thing to do with him at some point. Maybe it'll motivate Clyde if nothing else! |
| We did one agility class with Toby when he turned a year old. He did absolutely great!! The instructor did say that he would need to be completely voice/call controlled because he was so fast that I'd never keep up with him and his hair could prevent him from seeing hand commands.
Two problems that we encountered. One, he was getting sore after class. His age and how hard he worked were thought to be the cause. We won't do anymore classes until after he turns 2 which is coming up. Two, and this is the funny one, his butt is so wide that it made it very difficult for him to do the dog walk. He actually fell off one night when it was at regulation height! It's okay though, I caught him. Apparently it was ridiculous looking too! The class was absolutely silent while I carried him like a baby back to the beginning and put him on the walk. Then they broke out in tears of laughter. |
Harry is starting agility classes on Sept. 9th. He is constantly leaping around the house. We waited until he turned one for starting classes and I understand from the instructor that he will probably go through three sessions of beginner level classes 1-3, each about six weeks in length before he will start getting homework. Most of the initial classes are to get the dog familiar with the equipment and how it works - plus I guess training me. So he will be about a year and a half before he really starts doing much. I would like to do agility with him becuase he has so much energy and he loves to do obedience homework because it keeps him busy. Although he doesn't always follow his obedience commands when I need him to - even though he knows them and practices them. I guess being a sheepie he figures it is optional  !
Good luck with your search. |
| I guess it depends on the dog.
Both of mine will jump through the hoop, and run and go through a tunnel etc. Bosley is very clumsy when he does it, though, and we just laugh at him. I know...we shouldn't....but it always looks like a huge effort. He is more like Clyde is. Dixie, on the other hand, is amazing. She moves like a deer...very agile and very driven....and FAST! Even in the house Dixie will bounce up on the couch over the back side, like no tomorrow. While Bosley slowly climbs up the front way. No jumping, just climbs up. I would imagine it is a plus when it comes natural to the dog. You guys make me consider getting Dixie into something more formal..Hmmmm.. |
| My female does agility, she's 14 months old and particularly loves the frame. on the other hand, I have to help my 13 month old male into the car half the time. A lot depends on the size and athletic nature of the dog - just like people. |
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