Agility rescue

**browneyes** · 03-12-2010, 03:35 PM

I plan on getting another lab this spring or summer and will be looking to find a rescue, probably male, somewhere between 3 and 12 months old. I would love to eventually train him to do agility, however, I've never done it and have no idea what personality traits I should be looking for. Could some of you that do agility give me some tips on the traits I should look for that would suggest that the dog may have an aptitude for agility?

**3TailsWaggin** · 03-12-2010, 05:58 PM

I'd look for one that has some drive and is willing to please you. Those two things really help with all training that you may do. Good luck!

**Deanna1002** · 03-12-2010, 07:56 PM

yes, drive and is just eager to do things with you.

Can't wait to hear about your puppers when he/she comes along =)

**brody** · 03-12-2010, 08:16 PM

I'd say willing to make you happy and wanting to please you is more important in a first agility dog than drive .. you can build drive
drive is lovely - but too much drive is challenging too

**browneyes** · 03-16-2010, 12:11 PM

Thanks to those of you that responded. I'll let you know how it all goes!

**Amber The Duck Dawg** · 03-16-2010, 01:45 PM

I would vote for confidence as the most important trait. A shy unconfident dog is going to be very unhappy at an agility trial. A confident dog will do well in that kind of enviroment. Drive is more a personal taste type of thing, so pick what you like or maybe toward your upper threshold. You want to stay away from a reactive dog as they can get into problems with all the pushy or out of control dogs at agility trials. Your dog will be a pet first agility dog second. watching how a dog reacts to a sudden noise that startles it and how quickly it recovers (or if it does) can give you an indication of some things. A dog that is startled and then recovers and then goes to investigate is a dog that will be ok in a show type enviroment.
A dog that runs and won't go back or that turns and shows agression should be avoided. Agility is the most physically challenging thing for a dog (there are a few more things that are more) so good body structure is a must. Less confirmation and more field type lab seem to do better at agility. Keeping the dog a bit on the lite side helps with health issues in agility.