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Posted by agilebasenji on January 05, 2003 at 10:59:52:
In Reply to: Hi all.We\'re considering taking up agility - few ?s. :-) posted by Netti on January 05, 2003 at 08:55:17:
First off, I think agility is the MOST fun you can have with your dog. I think you and your dog will love it. There are quite a few people who will take the classes just to enjoy the time spent with their dog and don't intended to compete.
:How fit do you need to be?! I am not the healthiest of people but I take Jazmin (my dog) out for at least three half hour-45min walks a day no problem.
I think you'll be fine. There are a lot of different fitness levels as far as people go. There are ways of compensating for a person's limited abilities. Most of the people I know who are physically limited have dogs that are well trained to go out to the obstacle without the owner having to go with the dog. That's a little beyond Agility 101, but it sounds like you exercise more than I do and I just sprint with my dog and we're at the excellent level. I think we'd be better if I exercised more, but we do okay.
:Now about my dog. How old should she be? I have heard alot of conflicting views, from, start at puppyhood to wait until she's two years old.
You've heard different views in part because there are so many different breeds. You don't want to do full jump heights and many would also say competition weaves until the growth plates have closed. This is for the health and safety of the dog. Smaller dogs finish growning earlier than large dogs do. But there's no physical reason you can't start agility training very early as long as no/low jump heights and only use open weaves. (I plan on starting my next puppy as soon as I get her, but just baby stuff and just a few minutes at a time. I can see where training could be good, but an hour class would be WAY too much for a baby. Of course I will also have most/all of the equipment by this time.)
There may be trainers in your area who don't want to deal with "puppy brains" or are afraid of owners who really push their dogs. Or who require a certain level of obedience training before a dog starts agility. These can be sound reasons for the trainer wanting the dog to be a year or two before starting agility training.
:She isn't fat, but has big bones and alot of muscle.
Can you easily feel her ribs under her coat?
:But she is good at obediance and has passed a couple of beginners certificates at our training school. So from the sound of her, what do you thhink?! Will she be a good choice to do agility with. I think it would benefit her, as it would help her get rid of all that enery and give her mind something to think about.
I think she, and you, have a great deal of potential. But be careful as I've found agility to be very addictive. :-) It's great that she's already done some obedience and that the two of you have a working relationship. Now, I'll go ahead and give you some agility homework, try walking with her on your right side at least as often as she is on your left. If you've done obedience for a while this will feel very odd, but you need the dog to be able to work on either side in agility.
:My other query is - as she is a shepherd cross I am worried about hip displaysia and she does appear to have some very subtle signs. The vet is not too worried at this stage but I know it could affect what she is able to do. Would she still be able to do agility? I do not want to risk her health. Sorry for this very long post! But thanks for your help in advance.
Keep an eye on her, I use glucosamine and chondrotin on my old lab and it seems to help. I think with most clubs having a special lower jump height class, you should be okay even if she's mildly displastic. Of course I would also suggest Xrays so you can tell exactly where you stand. If you haven't gotten her spayed already, just get her Xrayed then. You will also need to avoid sharp angles to jumps and the Aframe if she is displastic.
Good luck and holler if you have any more questions and when you get the pics posted.