Agility or not?

[Clifford, Cloud, Jake..and Kim]

There is an agility class starting tomorrow that isn't too far from us.  I'm considering signing both doods up for something fun to do in the winter but....I'm concerned that one or both gets a little freaked out and won't do it or they think it is a great time to play with the other dogs.  This could be a great 8 weeks or 8 weeks of torture (I'm flashing back to soccer and karate with our son).  We've never been to this training facility and I don't know the trainers so I have no idea what their tolerance will be for any skittish behavior they might exhibit.  At $180/dog it isn't exactly cheap entertainment.  What have others experienced with their first agility classes?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

When Guinness took an agility class, the trainer kept great control over the class.  They had five minutes (unleashed) to play together at the beginning, and then they went through the course a few times each session individually.  During this actual class time, all dogs not actually working were leashed along the side of the facility with their owner.  Our class was pretty small...as I recall there were only six dogs.  It worked out fine for Guinness.  When the class was over, the dogs again got about five minutes to play together.  I think I would have found it a little difficult to manage two together (unless DH was also involved).

[Clifford, Cloud, Jake..and Kim]

Thankfully DH would be coming along to help.  Oh, the visions of me trying to work with two at the same time....scary thought!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

If DH is there too, I'm thinking it should be really fun.

[Adina P]

Are there any prerequisites to the class?  Do dogs have to have a certain level of obedience or anything like that?  If not then yours might not be the only ones who have things to work on and the trainer would be prepared for that.

[Clifford, Cloud, Jake..and Kim]

This class suggests basic obedience, which both mine have had, but their off leash recall is terrible when there are distractions.  The first two classes are about focus and motivation so it might help them get into the zone for the rest of the sessions.

[Adina P]

Well...most basic obedience classes don't end with dogs having perfect recalls. Sooo...it may be fine.

 

Personally, I wouldn't do agility until my dogs were really solid (maybe not 100% but pretty darn close) around distractions.  That's just my preference.  I don't want to have to set us back in the work we do if possible.  But perhaps the trainer has some plans that may help polish recalls during class. I would call and talk to her.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I was actually debating this as well, Kim.  But have decided to enroll Peri in her trainer's "Better" Family Manners class, which includes the Canine Good Citizen test at the end.  Then on to Agility.  I think it is just personal preference. Our trainer only requires basic as well....

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I'd be calling to ask some questions or stop there and watch a class.  I had actually called one trainer to get some info and she was so dismissive of me on the phone - I knew right then I would never take my dog to her for anything.  It is a lot of money so I would do some checking first.

[Linda and Murphy]

Kim,

Murphy loved agility. I started him at about 12mos (too young for Murphy, probably). We were not very good but he was very enthusiastic. As one person said, "I've never seen a dog run with a smile on his face."   I'm sure Clifford will have stories to rival Murphy's. Oh,  Murphy said to tell Clifford its a great place to pick up chicks. ;-0

[Clifford, Cloud, Jake..and Kim]

Murphy, my mom says I wasn't a very good doodle today so I don't get to pick up chicks at agility.  :-(  I think she's ready to put me back in the puppy obedience class with a bunch of babies!  I am simply mortified at the thought and wish I had behaved better.  I didn't know about the chicks at agility or maybe I would have worked harder at being good.  These life lessons sure are hard on us teenagers!  (My big brother Alex says the same thing.)

[Linda and Murphy]

Clfford, that is such a bummer, dood. Tell your mom that you can behave (my brother does it all the time) and please let you go. I'm sure you are just bored at home.

Maybe you can be the "Official Tunnel Tester" like me. Tunnels are my favorite...I do those no matter what...and REALLY fast (I don't think mom likes that).  They decided that if I can't break the tunnel, its officially good for competition.

All of the dogs are cool....well except for this one Australian shepherd Thunder. Apparently, he thought I was a sheep and kept trying to herd me...nipping at my heels.

One lady told my mom that they shouldn't charge her because I was the entertainment.  

Be good, Clifford. Agility is so much more fun than being with the babies. Wish we could do it together. 

Your pal, Murphy

 

[Clifford, Cloud, Jake..and Kim]

After our annual visit to the vet today for Clifford's shots I decided he would be better suited in another obedience class.  For some reason he has forgotten everything we learned in our previous class and I had a hard time even getting him to walk nice (okay, in all honesty I had a hard time staying upright while he pulled me).  We need some serious refresher work - I was just hoping for something fun to do in the cold winter months ahead of us when walking outside is not always pleasant or safe.