Anyone try agility training...

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

I just found out that there is an agility training area about 10 minutes away from me.  I was thinking it might be a good way for Bailey to socialize with other dogs and be a great exercise/energy buster for her... 

She starts obedience training next month so I thought after that it might be fun for her.

 

Has anyone ever tried agility training with there doodle?

[Jane Smith]

I found one in my area too.  My girls really need more exercise and in this heat it's impossible.  I found an indoor agility place and my girls are starting the end of September.  I can't wait. 

[Cindy M, Zachary & the Frenchies]

Some places have puppy agility, which is more social and is more directed at focusing. Does not include the jumps, or keeps them at the level that are more like hops, this might be an options if your pup is under one year.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Good luck to you! Sounds fun! I wish Myla could do that.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm thinking she is still a pretty young puppy.  You will need to check with your Vet to be sure her skeletal structure is ready for Agility.  We didn't start Guinness in his first agility class until he was 10 months old (and he's a mini), and even then the course had to be adjusted.  He could only do very short jumps, and some of the other obstacles had to be tailored for the younger dogs.

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

Yikes, never thought about her little bones being ready for something like agility...

Thanks for the info...

[Kyoko]

Charlie loves agility! However, our trainer required the dogs to be a year old with completion of intermediate obedience classes. Having to have good foundation in obedience really helps with agility. ( i.e. if they don't have a solid sit stay, how can they wait at the start line?) How ols is your puppy? If she is still young, it may be something to think abot when she getss older. It's fun for us, too!! We also have Agility Group on DK.

[Kathy Janes]

Our boys love agility.  Where we train, they have to have at least completed puppy class.  Also, I hear the age of the dog needs to be considered as very young pups shouldn't do as much of the jumping.  But it really is fun for them and they are very good at it.  Mater has done it for over three years now, and Ozzie just started and learned so quickly from his big brother!  They have a blast - and have made lots of friends doing it, as have Tom & I!

[Kristen]

Berkeley is turning 2 and we're starting Agility for Fun in two weeks.  Our area also required them to be 1 year of age and have completed Dog Obedience 1 class.  Since this is just for fun, they just want them to have the basics before starting.  Some of the competitive agility classes may want more obedience.  While we waited for Berkeley to turn the right age for agility, we did Rally classes and he did very well.  Rally is basically just walking/sitting/staying commands performed through a course.  There are a ton of commands they learn and it really helped with his obedience, but was a lot more fun than a standard obedience class.  If you have Rally offered where you live I would highly recommend it after you finish the Puppy kindergarten and Obedience 1 classes.  Have fun - they are super smart and eager learners!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I always thought about doing agility with our Murphy, but never got around to it. Let us know how it goes. I would have to find an indoor one as well considering we just broke all records for the most consecutive days of over 115 degrees!