agility novice

[Hutchebs]

My daughter, 10 yo, and I were considering trying some agility training in our backyard this summer. We are wondering if there are any tips to begin?

[PrincessMugs7]

ummm I have no advice but I know there are people here that do it...

Miss Nilla is a PRO - her momsy is Wonka & Nilla here on PV - I'm sure Amy would be able to tell you more about it!!!

I think jwestoverpug knows a lot about it too...

Snifter does it too...and Bella's name on PV is Snifter...

I know there are others here too but brain fart has stopped all function to the brain...

[Snifter]

No agility until pug is at least a year old.

Make it fun for all (humans and pugs).

Make sure equipement is safe.

Keep sessions short.

I personally would enrol in an agility class to get a proper idea before you start doing it at home.

Have fun!

[Wonka & Nilla]

Miss Nilla is a PRO - her momsy is Wonka & Nilla here on PV - I'm sure Amy would be able to tell you more about it!!

No, Miss Nilla just plays at it for fun and exercise... I don't think she could ever compete due to her "issues." Loads of other people here on PV know a ton more about agility than I do. I hope they chime in to give you more tips and advice.

BUT..... I could tell you a LOT about Canine Freestyle if you are interested in that!!!! I do Canine Freestyle (dancing with dogs) with my black pug Wonka and we have a great time. Like agility, it's great for all dogs and is a terrific way for you to bond with your pug... it gives the dogs both mental and physical exercise and is tons of fun!

[GingerSnap]

No agility until pug is at least a year old.

Bella, I would assume that this is for the jumping parts of agility, but that the non-impact stuff would be OK. Are there trainers who will work with puppies in things like the tunnels and weave poles and things like that? (Or am I just wrong about the impact stuff entirely?)

[Zeus's Mommie]

I compete with both of my pugs Zeus & Thunder in Agility. We are actually running in a trial this weekend. My suggestions if to find your local agility club. Sometime you can find them by searching at cleanrun.com( www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.display&page_id=111 ). I would also reccommend going to a trial and watch what is going on. Ask people there questions. Most agility people are very nice and helpful. You can look at video's of my boys doing agility at www.youtube.com/user/AgilityPugs Let me know if you have any other questions.

Cassi & The Agility Pugs Zeus & Thunder

[Zeus's Mommie]

Bella, I would assume that this is for the jumping parts of agility, but that the non-impact stuff would be OK. Are there trainers who will work with puppies in things like the tunnels and weave poles and things like that? (Or am I just wrong about the impact stuff entirely?)

No weave poles either. They are very hard on a dogs body. A dogs body is not naturally meant to bend that way. You can start playing with tunnels, ground work, and foundational training.

[Snifter]

No weave poles either. They are very hard on a dogs body. A dogs body is not naturally meant to bend that way. You can start playing with tunnels, ground work, and foundational training.

Yes, I was surprised when I learned that weave poles are a no-no for young dogs.

Also things like A frames are pretty hard going. But tunnels are fun, yes, and getting a pup used to directional commands, perhaps by placing jumps but with the poles lying on the ground could be a good thing to do.

[easterndixie]

BUT..... I could tell you a LOT about Canine Freestyle if you are interested in that!!!!

PLEASE tell me about "canine freestyle"! Our Gog has lots of "issues" as well and we would LOVE to find a good way for her to get more exercise. (Both Shughie and Gog are already gold medalists in Freestyle Snoozing! )

[rockypug]

rocky loves doing the tunnel.....thats the only thing i do with him in the garden for fun because of his knee op etc i dont want him jumping but would of loved to do agility with him...
i have got a kids play tunnel and he goes through that on command cant wait fot the summer to start playing again...