Want to get 'into' agility

So, iv never really done any activities with my dogs, but since getting Simba, who is full of beans I have seriously considered agility.

But I have lots of questions! [sorry lol]

Does he have to be perfect with recall, sit, stay etc?

How old does he have to be before I consider starting him? [Hes 6 months at the moment]

How much are the courses, and for how long?

Anything else I should be aware of?

Any help or advice greatly appriciated

Hope some of this helps.

Thanks very much for your reply TBBS thats very helpful

I got a really helpful video from a charity shop for 10p!!

It is called "Agility Foundation training" by Greg Derrett-twice winner of the "Agility dog of the year" award. Found it really helpful as it is about control and getting your dog toy-motivated before you start on the equipment.

Someone at a club I used to go to had a Collie that was so keen and focused on the equipment that you got the impression that if left to her own devices she would just charge around all night on it!

Greg Derrett's foundation training DVD is definitely one to get, I was lent it by my first trainer and gave me loads of ideas although he does mention lots of the obvious. There are loads of other good DVDs on the market as well

I would probably insist on an 80% reliable recall because when I started agility with Eska, one or two dogs kept running off and wasting 5-10minutes of the class time which was so annoying. Especially if your dog's really fast, so your turn on the equipment's over within a few minutes!

6 months is pretty young to start full-on agility but there are countless things you can do beforehand, keep working on recall/sit/stay but also working with a tunnel, maybe a couple of jumps really low at 1-2 inches (or just a bar on the ground) getting him to recognise the equipment

Have fun!

If you can find any sort of foundations classes or pre-agility classes to take that would be wonderful! Our teacher begins with foundations classes and had puppies as young as 3 months in it. They did "jumps" that were basically just bumps on the ground, but it taught them drive and focusing forward. Plus she did a lot of shaping and games to build drive and get the dogs used to using their minds.

The classes were the best thing for us all!

You can teach a puppy from 7 weeks to hit a target mat, useful for contacts on the dog walk and A frame etc.

You can teach left and right.

You can teach down (is the table still used)

You can get a dog used to trotting over different coloured poles on the ground.

you can get a dog used to trotting between uprights

You can teach a dog self control ie to wait for a recall

Loads of stuff you can do.

One of the better things you can do is to teach your dog to be quiet.................... something that appears to be overlooked by the majority of agility handlers!

Agility is becoming so popular that most KC registered clubs have a waiting list. Our club occasionally runs beginner courses but otherwise will only accept a dog that can complete all the equipment. In that case, you will do best to look for a private club or trainer who can help you.

There was a notice of such a trainer starting beginner classes in my vet's waiting room just this morning so your vet could be a place to start.

In the meantime, as other posters have suggested, there is a lot of groundwork you can be doing which will give your dog a head start. Basic obedience and socialisation (so he isn't constantly running off to say hello to other dogs), a solid wait (an absolute must as you progress up the grades!) and good directional commands (which can be right/left, back/close or whatever works for you). Also, teaching him to go forwards. I spent a lot of time from when my pup was around 4 months down at the local playing field with a toy, encouraging her to go away from me, just short distances to start with, and then introducing directional commands. Circle work is another good one to get your dog used to running in parallel with you. Simba is an ideal age to start this sort of training.

You can expect to pay around £5 per hour in a group class which would normally comprise around 6-8 dogs. You will often have to pay for a group of lessons in advance.
Good luck - one thing you can be sure of is that he will love it!

Edited to add: there are a couple of shows being held at Catton Hall, Alrewas, at the end of May/beginning of June which could be useful for you to come along and have a look and possibly make some contacts? Let me know if you would like details.