When to start trials?

[Deborah Brown]

Penny has taken classes since the fall and I've been debating entering her in a CPE trial at the end of the month.  On the plus side, she loves running courses; this one will be on her home turf where she is familiar; CPE is a "fun" environment and there won't be another CPE trial that we can attend at our training facility until the fall.  On the negative side, she is still a beginner and has some issues with reactivity. She is nervous around strangers and I think a whole day of being crated at a trial with a lot of people around might be a disservice to her.

She will be 18 months by the end of March so she has time.  Every time I decide to wait, someone at her class tries to talk me into bringing her to the trial.  So, wise agility people, what would you do?

[Stella]

Is she allowed to compete that young?? You could look out for a 'fun match' to go to, where you won't be under as much pressure. Depending on the temperature you could alternate between the crate and your car to give her a break from the crate. Alternately, only go for a morning or an afternoon so she isn't crated for as long.