Dog Agility

[Fazzie]

Hi, I recently purchased a border collie, hes coming up 7 months old, he can do basic commands, sit, stay, down, close etc. Does any one know how I can get into agility with him, and if so how old do they start, any clubs/info would be great im in south wales

 

[FinnishLapphund]

In Sweden no dog club will allow you to participate in an agility-course before the dog is 1 year old (maybe with the exception of Chihuahua's and such perhaps, but I think even they have to wait). Agility is after all about jumping + speed, and they want to be somewhat certain that the skeleton more or less has finished growing and that the muscles are ready for the extra strain, because to participate in a course is not the same as having a jump now and then during walks or up in a sofa.




from Sweden.

 

[MarleyandDarcy]

Fazzie,
Most clubs do not let puppies start jumping until they are 12 months old, but there is plenty of foundation work to be done before that! which many clubs now also do. I start doing foundation stuff about 6-8 months old - teaching lefts/rights, waits in front of jump poles on the ground, sending on using toys etc.
If you go on www.agilitynet.com there should be somewhere on there an A-Z of clubs.
Or join the forum and ask there is bound to be someone who knows of a club in S.Wales

We are all quite friendly on there

Beware though...... once you have started you might get a bit addicted!!

 

[Fazzie]

Ok thanks for all your help. I thought we'd have to wait until a year . I'll take a look at that website, and see if they are any training classes we can start off in.
Im hoping to get addicted, so thats no worries