Pup and agility

[Flowerofthefen]

I know it's recommended that a dog doesn't start to do the agility jumps etc until they are 18 months old but is there anything that a nearly 8 month old small breed pup could do? She loves to jump and climb on things. Obviously I need to be careful of her young joints. We have an agility club field 2 mins away. Could she do the tunnels and weaves along with practicing general obedience?

 

[Jenko109]

I wouldnt do much weaving personally as it's harder going than it looks, but tunnels for sure.

You can also start teaching left and right.

Obedience classes will be the basis of your foundation at that age though.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I wouldnt do much weaving personally as it's harder going than it looks, but tunnels for sure.

You can also start teaching left and right.

Obedience classes will be the basis of your foundation at that age though.

Thank you. Possibly not worth starting anything yet then. I didn't think I'd be able to do much but thought I'd ask incase thinking had changed. That's again.

 

[Clodagh]

I think hoopers is a good base training for agility. Or may have dreamed that

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I think hoopers is a good base training for agility. Or may have dreamed that

Never heard of it so just just googled!! Your not dreaming!! Looks fun!! Not sure our closest agility field does that but I will definitely look to see if there are any classes about. Thank you!!

 

[Clodagh]

Never heard of it so just just googled!! Your not dreaming!! Looks fun!! Not sure our closest agility field does that but I will definitely look to see if there are any classes about. Thank you!!

I vaguely looked into it as a trialler recommended it to me, there were several local groups here so hopefully it’s quite widespread. I think it’s like trec for dogs? Obviously I never actually did it or I would know!

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I vaguely looked into it as a trialler recommended it to me, there were several local groups here so hopefully it’s quite widespread. I think it’s like trec for dogs? Obviously I never actually did it or I would know!

Just looked and a fairly close venue has pooped up. I will enquire!!

 

[MurphysMinder]

Most good agility clubs will offer foundation training, which involves teaching them to run through wings without poles , through tunnels etc. You could also do 2 x 2 or channel weaves but not proper weaves. If you look at Agilitynet good clubs in your area should be listed .

 

[Spotherisk]

You can start doing the basic agility stuff with just the poles on the ground,learning commands, turns, having fun!

 

[blackcob]

Early agility training is more about building drive, motivation and your relationship than introducing equipment (and weaves are one of the last things taught). This is a great puppy prep bible which includes games for those foundations and also teaches the basic handling moves but nearly all as flatwork suitable for older puppies.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Early agility training is more about building drive, motivation and your relationship than introducing equipment (and weaves are one of the last things taught). This is a great puppy prep bible which includes games for those foundations and also teaches the basic handling moves but nearly all as flatwork suitable for older puppies.

Thank you!!

 

[Ditchjumper2]

You can definitely start with Hoopers which will help to create drive. You can also introduce wings and poles on the ground. Agility training can start once they are a year, you just can't compete until 18 months.

 

[ihatework]

Mine started junior agility at 6 months.

Done a lot of block work training, directional stuff etc. At 9 months he is jumping lowest poles over short courses and the tunnel. No weave/equipment. But he is just starting some basic contact training.

At 12 months they start to do a little more.

 

[Teaselmeg]

Early agility training is more about building drive, motivation and your relationship than introducing equipment (and weaves are one of the last things taught). This is a great puppy prep bible which includes games for those foundations and also teaches the basic handling moves but nearly all as flatwork suitable for older puppies.

This ^^^

Find a good local club where they do puppy foundation classes. At this age all you want to do is build a relationship with the puppy and very basic stuff like driving through wings ( no poles) etc. Weaves is one of the last things people train, because of the movement it requires.

 

[MissTyc]

I did agility "polework" with my pup to teach waiting, obstacles names, lefts and rights, etc! She loved it and by the time she was fully grown and went to her starter class, we came across as right know it alls!

 

[Flowerofthefen]

We are starting ' agility' classes on Thursday evening. There will be another slightly older pup joining us which will be nice. Not sure what we will actually be doing yet!!