Agility?

[IdahoLabs]

I know most of you compete in agility; what's the minimum age you'd consider competing with a dog, keeping hip/elbow health and clearances in mind? We've been taking some agility classes and having plenty of fun, and there is a show kind of close in January...

Thoughts?

[windycanyon]

I personally don't do much agility w/ my dogs until they are 2 and have had their OFAs since "stuff happens" in agility--- twisty courses that cause bad landings, bale offs of dogwalk, teeter, a frame, etc.. I will start them in a puppy class if available but the jumping is 6" at most in those classes. I try not to jump heights much more than elbow height until growth plates close.

I really want my dogs to have their CDX title first anyhow, since agility is more for fun around here.

[IdahoLabs]

Yep, the class has been 8" jumps in a dirt riding arena and a lot of concern over dog safety, just wasn't sure about competition. I've really just been trying to introduce him to a little bit of everything, especially since he's most moldable at this age, and then I guess as he grows older I'll figure out what he likes best/what we're going to focus on the most.

[kaytris]

depends on the size of the dog, but I would consider 18 mos to be the earliest. (Sophie is 4 now and we're just starting her competitive career). I wouldn't start a lab before two at the youngest.

[Milesmom]

Here's a cool agility video. It is a fun video to watch. My instructor sent it to us because with slow mo, you can really see the "stuff" that happens. Of course her angle was to point out the importance of safe contact handling and how the handler actions caused most of the problems that can be easily seen in this video. It is a cool video to watch.

YouTube - Agility competition "PRAGIL" (6.-7.11.2010 M

[brody]

2 generally
I did one little trial at 18 months but at a lower height than Sally jumps now and no contacts in the class we entered - for us it was a good experience
but I then ended up taking 2 years off (not the dogs or my choice) and it was the best thing for Sally

I have a 18 month old golden I have been PLAYING with for a year occasionally - he jumps 10 inches now - and is up to 5 obstacle sequences He will not be competing until he is at least 3 (if he competes at all)

[windycanyon]

Here's a cool agility video. It is a fun video to watch. My instructor sent it to us because with slow mo, you can really see the "stuff" that happens. Of course her angle was to point out the importance of safe contact handling and how the handler actions caused most of the problems that can be easily seen in this video. It is a cool video to watch.

YouTube - Agility competition "PRAGIL" (6.-7.11.2010 M

Ughhh, that hurt just to watch!!! Mata took an incisor out hitting a bar just right and crashing on top of it a few years ago.

[Milesmom]

It's a cool video though! It is giving me pause on how soon to return Miles to class. Of course, in class, we can keep it mild for a few weeks. It shows how hard are dogs really do try for us!

[Milesmom]

Hey Idaho Labs, have you talked to your instructor about it? What does he/she say? I know my instructor warned us at the beginning not to trial too early, we can build bad habits. However, after about 10 mos of training, he said we were ready. Although I had to ask, he didn't come up to me and say "you know, you are ready to trial....".

[Amber The Duck Dawg]

2-3 years old. depends on speed and build of dog. also depends how light on their feet your dog is. A dog that is running 6-7 yards per second should probably wait longer than a dog that is running 3-4 yards per second. Any dog should be ready for master type courses before running Novicem because you will blow thru novice and into open very quickly with most dogs.