Noahs Ark

Thanks for info, esp bordacollies4me appreciate the info. I will look up those websites today and see if I can get some of tthose books etc, I don't know whether they are available in NZ or whether I have to buy elsewhere. We are going to have a look at a ag show in March so will ask around there as well. Oscar (my pappy) might be more interested in flyball as he is obsessed with chasing after balls and retrieving them (He is better at retrieving than my two golden retrievers!! lol) but I think I will find agility more challenging for me, we'll see how he progresses, I just want him to have fun and get a bit of stimulation. Any other tips and tricks will be awesome, thanks.

their is loads of stuff you can be doing with your new puppy in preperation for Agility Restrained recalls- you simply can't do enough of these Circle Work- getting your pup do run beside you around in circles, with the pup on the inside and outside on both sides of your body Hand Targets- this is the start of my Contact training... Can build confidence walking on a small plank on the ground, once confident put a couple of bricks under to raise it off the ground... Once the pup has been taught to target a piece of perspex, or icecream lid, this can be added to end of plank for a 2on 2off nose target... may not be real important for a little dog but is still something taht can be taught to a young dog... Start Line stay- Sit Stay.. VERY Important we all need a solid start line from our dogs Teach your pup directional commands- spin left and right can be used later on to help direct over jumps Puppies believe it or not can start jump training, but i use jump bumps. which are pvc pipe cut in half when laid on the ground looks like a speed bump... for a Papillon i would use 3inch pipe cut in half... You can add jump uprights to the jump bumps, practise start lines also start handling manouvres- 90degree turn, 180 degree turn, 270 degree turn, speed circles, Front cross, rear cross, Pull Through, Push through, Serpentine... Crate Training, pups can learn self control, finding entrances is just a great way to spend time training your puppy I fully reccommend you purchase Greg Derretts Agility Foundation Training and Susan Garretts Success with one jump, and Crate Games, another good one is wendy papes Games to enhance training.. has 16 tug games you can play with your dog/puppy these can be purchased at www.airdogs.com.au or www.agilityclick.com Good Luck with your training sounds like you are off to a great start all ready

Hi all, I got a very focused little 6mth papillon who is very active and robust for a little fella. I'm thinking of putting him into agility when he gets old enough. Are there any games/tricks I can teach him now that will make agility training a bit easier later on? He already knows the basics (sit, down, stay) plus he knows find, shake hands, high 5, crawl, beg and roll over, but he always wants more to do - I think he is a border collie in disguise ;) Any suggestions would be great as I am a novice at agility stuff. Thanks