Dog Agility Training

Question: How does one get involved in dog agility training?

(Posted by: November Gypsy on 2009-02-06 14:40:49)

I'm interested in getting involved in this sport, because I'd love to have that kind of motivation to excerise and, more importantly, because I'd love to spend time with a dog in that activity. The problem is, I have no idea how to get started...and what kind of dog would be good for this activity. I need one that would enjoy this sport but that could be good with kids (I have a little girl) and is affectionate! Can you help?

Posted by: Firefly 23 on 2009-02-06, 14:47:38

Most states have their own agility group or organizations. Try looking around your area and contact a few vets or humane societies for numbers. Dogs that excell in this area are herding dogs such as border collies, heelers, australian shepherds, etc. But really any dog would do well and enjoy with the proper training. You might want to also look into flyball and frisbee contests.

Posted by: Cherish P on 2009-02-06, 14:48:30

Terriers usually excel at agility however I have poms who had competed very successfully too, just about any dog can compete, they may not be goo but most find it fun. Look up dog obedience trainers in your area and ask if they train in agility as well

Posted by: Iris B on 2009-02-06, 15:05:33

Good on you for checking beforehand. Get in contact with a local dog trainer, they will help you get started. As for breeds, the best I have seen come from the working or utility groups. Then it's a matter of researching these breeds to find what would suit your lifestyle the most. Considering your daughter, you might want to steer clear of very large dogs or some of the herding dogs ( as they can be nippy ). In my personal opinion a Shetland Sheepdog ( Shelties ) might be good as their instinct to nip ( like Kelpies and Cattle dogs ) is not strong and I have seen many excel in this this field. They also make great family dogs. This is only one example, there are others out there. Good Luck

Posted by: yeehaneeha on 2009-02-06, 15:10:44

You can google for agility groups in your area. You can also look on the United States Dog Agility Association website, American Kennel Club, Canine Performance Events or North American Dog Agility Council and look at a calendar of events and look for agility shows near you. At the trial, you can ask a competitor if there is any info on the club or how to find out about agility. I believe all these organizations have junior handler programs if your daughter is interested. My brother and I started agility when we were 8 and 10. I do suggest if she wants to try agility, you each have your own dog and do your own training or else the dog doesn't always want to stay with the child and it's frustrating. Any dog can excel in agility. Maybe look on petfinder.com or your local shelter for a new member for the family. I really suggest looking at getting a dog around a year old. This way you can start training for agility right away and you will know that it'll be good with your daughter. I wouldn't suggest a herding breed or terrier for your first agility dogs. They have a lot of drive and it makes it harder for you to figure things out. Also, depending on your daughters age, terriers are not good with small children and the herding breeds often accidentally knock them over. I would check out your local rescues and see if a dog fits. Also, make sure you do your research on breeds of dogs before getting any.

Posted by: Agility Man on 2009-02-06, 19:36:29

You've got the right attitude about this: agility success is about being a team and looking forward to working with your dog. And first it's a pet before it's an agility dog. 1. Tons of things you'll need to be able to do before you ever tell your dog to take a jump or go up an A-frame. --good obedience performance, especially sit-stay, down-stay, heel and recall (since agility is done without collar and leash). --clicker savvy. It's the best way to train agility dogs. I don't know of a single top-notch agility trainer who doesn't use a clicker. --do tons of tricks work. Doing tricks builds a relationship with your dog. Your dog sees you as fun, you learn how your dog learns, and the tricks serve as agility competition warmups. 3. Picking a dog. AKC requires purebred dogs. Everything else, you can run any kind of dogs including mixed breeds of unknown heritage (I even know 2 people who compete avidly with deaf dogs). Any dog can enjoy agility and you can enjoy it with that dog. People will give you all sorts of advice about breeds but know this: --having the "right breed " (like a border collie or sheltie) doesn't mean you get a kick-ass agility dog. --the dogs that do the best at agility (in terms of winning at the highest levels, that make the US World Team) they are really difficult to own as pets. Oh, they're great dogs. But their handlers are fulltime dog people, the dogs are incredibly drivey, very stoic (so easily hurt), tremendous drive and focus--on the level that most of us would hate to have as a pet. In fact, since you have a young daughter, a herding breed is probably a terrible choice for you because of the amount of work it would require. They're obsessive dogs (the ones that win championships at the highest levels). Just get a dog that makes a good pet, is solid emotionally (scores all "3's " on a Volhard Temperament test), has good drive (likes toys, chases balls) and likes being around people. Any dog with those traits will have fun at agility and you'll enjoy working with. Here's my personal advice on picking a dog: --don't get a big breed (lab, golden, etc) because even if it's well-behaved, it's too easy to accidently knock over a young child or drag them on the leash when chasing that squirrel. I'd look for a smaller dog (terrier size maybe). --you're picking a pet first. So if you hate to vaccum, don't get a long-coated dog that sheds a lot. If you live in an apartment, don't get a dog that barks a lot. --recognize every dog is an individual. Not all dogs of the same breed (or even same litter) are alike in personality. That said, here are some dogs that are not big, they aren't as demanding of attention or activity like herding breeds and all have excellent track records as agility dogs: corgis, rat terriers, poodles, pomeranians, cocker spaniels, and papillions. There are good and bad examples of each of these dogs and the real test of how good a dog is, is the fit to your lifestyle (I used to own an 80 pound Malamute when I was 10 and living on a farm, now I own a 17 pound terrier and live in the suburbs. The Malamute was perfect for me then and terrible for me now and the reverse is true of the terrier). 4. Getting started specifically with agility: --go to agilityevents.net and find a trial near you. Go observe. Ask people "where is a local club? who do you recommend I take lessons from? " And once you've got a dog that is a year old, take agility-I. Even if you don't take other lessons, take them to start out. It will save you so much hassle and heartbreak from the mistakes that complete novices make. --get Ali and Joe Canova's book on intro agility. Learning agility from books is like learning martial arts or dancing from a book. But this book is the best one out there for novices. --you don't need much equipment to get started: 2 jumps, 6 weaves and a board. As a novice, that is all you really need (because you're working on technique and handling and focus before you ever get on a course).