ashan Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 My son really wants to take our pup to obedience and agility training as he saw some dogs working in a park last weekend. I think the pup would be quite good at agility but I dont know how young they should start. He is a border collie x kelpie and very active. Also how old do kids have to be before they can be the handler?? Any info would be greatly appreciated Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 (edited) Rules vary between clubs ashan. At our club, we allow junior handlers from age 11. We don't accept dogs for agility training before the age of 14 months. Some clubs offer puppy basics but we start straight on equipment. Your puppy will need some focus and control before commencing training on obstacles. Where are you? Perhaps we can suggest a club. Working dogs dominate agility - you've got the right kind of breeding for a good agility dog. :rolleyes: ETA: Doh! You are in Bathurst.. I don't know the closest club. Edited July 20, 2007 by poodlefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laffi Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 I think in general it's advisable for a dog (esp bigger ones) to be at least 1yo for agility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FGM Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 Josie, 5months old(maltesexshih tzu) and I have just started our basic training together at an agility club in qld.There are certain rules about young puppies jumping but they have no worries about training for agility.It can be a long process which takes time.I don't think they like them jumping before 18months old it can cause damage to their growing bones. http://www.adcq.com.au/index.php?act=viewDoc&docId=61 if you go to the above page it has links to clubs in NSW . Good luck!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiechick Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 Try this link for clubs in NSW - not sure how current it is. Best to ask around as you will find that the age differs from club to club. Our club takes puppies from 6 months in Foundation class but they cannot be promoted to the next level before 12 months, where they then begin working on lowered equipment. In Foundation class we do mainly flatwork handling exercises, restrained recalls, stays, attention exercises, targeting, etc. The only 'equipment' in use is a tunnel, very low table, plank on the ground, wobble board, perch, ladder, jump bumps and for dogs over 12 months in that class we introduce a set of 4 channel weaves. There is a lot of foundation work you can do with your pup before going anywhere near equipment. We allow child handlers but if under 13, they must have a parent supervising nearby. That rule will probably change from club to club too so ask around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monah Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 Try this link for clubs in NSW - not sure how current it is.Best to ask around as you will find that the age differs from club to club. Our club takes puppies from 6 months in Foundation class but they cannot be promoted to the next level before 12 months, where they then begin working on lowered equipment. In Foundation class we do mainly flatwork handling exercises, restrained recalls, stays, attention exercises, targeting, etc. The only 'equipment' in use is a tunnel, very low table, plank on the ground, wobble board, perch, ladder, jump bumps and for dogs over 12 months in that class we introduce a set of 4 channel weaves. There is a lot of foundation work you can do with your pup before going anywhere near equipment. We allow child handlers but if under 13, they must have a parent supervising nearby. That rule will probably change from club to club too so ask around. I want to join your club!! At ours we start on beginers agility for 2 weeks in beginers obed. (any age, mine is 5 months! and I don't want her jumping etc. so I'm a woose), my older dog was put straight onto competition equipement, no easing into it, she freaked on the high stuff, ok on all other stuff, so now I don't go and she'd love it. So now I'm more of a woose!! apparently. Nearest other club is an hour and a half away.Bugger, I'd never even make it after work) Any ideas anyone???What foundation work can you do with a dog? Sorry to hijack!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashan Posted July 20, 2007 Author Share Posted July 20, 2007 The link said there is 2 clubs in Bathurst (Thanks kelpiechick). I will ring them and see what they say. Thanks for the info though. My son is only 6 so I didnt know if they would let him. Lear is only 6 months and is a fear stage at the moment so I was wondering if it would be better to leave him for another month or start him now (has been 4 weeks since dropping out of puppy preschool due to him having really bad fear issues and I didn't want him to hurt the 7 week old babies there. I think he is quite intelligent as in the 6 weeks we have had him he has learnt to come, sit, drop, stay, shake and roll over. This is probably not all that unnormal but I think he's smart (and cute) Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashan Posted July 20, 2007 Author Share Posted July 20, 2007 I was wondering if some people who currently do obedience, agility and anything else could give me some idea of what is done in each as I am knew to this and dont know what would suit him best or the best combination of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J... Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 Ashan - I started my pup out in obedience and then did both agility and obedience from 6 months. We have a beginners class where we work on very small obstacles, obstacles that move, focus and control, hind-end awareness, startlines etc. We still do both, Darcy is 19.5 months old. She got her CCD title at 16 months and has two passes in jumping. She doesn't mind obedience but agility is her real love (and mine ). The early obedience stuff helped me a lot as Darcy is my first dog, so if you're new to it its a good start. Find someone who can help you out with the focus stuff, its not something I was ever taught in obedience but its probably one of the most important things you'll learn for both. Find yourself a good training club that is more positive/reward orientated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 (edited) Hi Alsan, I drive from Orange tp 15 min past Bathurst to go to agility school. Look at the ADAA ( Australian Dog Agility Ass ?) site and it listes the agility school ( Paws Agility). They can advise you. There are some young dogs there. But I personally chose to socialise my rescue dogs and do obedience for a year or so until starting agility. I went to obedience school to learn to have my dogs working nicely with me, heel,drop,stand,sit and recalls. But also to socialise with other dogs. Agility is more to my liking. The dog is directed over a series of obstacles such as jumps,tunnels, see-saws,and ramps. Time is also counted. Your dog is well suited and would benefit from either with training. Heaps of time to enjoy him. Good Luck. PS Google "agility" and all the info can be found. Although somebody here will maybe have good links? Edited July 20, 2007 by skip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashan Posted July 20, 2007 Author Share Posted July 20, 2007 Thanks feralpup. I will To be a nusicence what do you love about agility??? (sorry just after some ideas on what each one is) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashan Posted July 20, 2007 Author Share Posted July 20, 2007 Fabulous thanks Skip. Do you have a number for the school??? I think someone else from here also goes there. Is it the one near Waramboll or something like that?? Do you know when the next training/ meeting is??? Would love to take my son first so he could see what it is about and what is done (he is also scared of dogs except his) PS Google "agility" and all the info can be found. Although somebody here will maybe have good links? Will do thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 (edited) Ashan, I do not think that there is any training school that will allow a 6 year old to take responsiblity for training a dog. How it tends to work is we train the parent to train the dog and once the dog is trained, the child puts the dog through its paces under parental supervison. Children are encouraged to attend and watch. That said, no school would prevent him from attending classes to watch. However, to take a child that is scared of dogs into such an intense environment, may be asking for trouble. Novice dog owners can allow their dogs to get too close and unintentionally frighten him. If you'd really like to get a feel for each sport, I suggest you try to find a trial in your area. You might also attend a training night and see what goes on before you sign up. I liken obedience to dressage in horses and agility to show jumping. The first builds focus and control on the flat.. the second takes it onto obstacles. Edited July 20, 2007 by poodlefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J... Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 (edited) I love the challenge & its highly addictive There's so much to learn, so many different things to teach your dog you could never get bored from it. Its a fair bit of work but when you manage to get that course or sequence right at training, or walk out of the ring with a pass at a trial - WOW!! If you do a search on youtube for agility + dog you'll see some good runs and training stuff on there!! EFS Edited July 20, 2007 by feralpup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashan Posted July 20, 2007 Author Share Posted July 20, 2007 Hi Poodlefan.... Yes that is how I thought it would run (in regards to my son) realsitically I just want him to watch so he could practice at home and when he is older he could then take over as he really wants to do it himself (now but I also agree that he is any where near old enough). He coped at puppy preschool surprisingly well and I think he would at training too (He is a changed child). I think I will take him this weekend and have a chat to the trainers and let them explain it to him (and me) and let him see what it is all about. It is just so strange to hear a child who was pertified of dogs 7 weeks ago beg and plead to take his puppy training. It has been an unbelieveable turn around. Thanks for the info on what each are I am not good with horses but I get your meaning. I think he would be much better at agility as he likes jumping obstacles (ie Ethans school bag that was in the hall when playing fetch) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashan Posted July 20, 2007 Author Share Posted July 20, 2007 (edited) Feralpup...............I will check it out thanks. I would prefer to do the agility and I think being bc x kelpie it would suit him better. Thanks for all your info. I think I have found a club near me so I will ring tomorrow and take son this weekend and if looks good will take pup next weekend. Might see you at a trial one day Edited July 20, 2007 by ashan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 The club I go to as does somebody else on this forum is at Wambool. Not too far and they are very experienced. They always know what mistake I am making and advise me how to fix it so easily. Really easy going, fun, positive rewards etc. The number is 632 94244. Train on some Sundays at 10am to noon ( not the first Sunday of each month ). Very quiet now as it is a bit out and cold as you know. But there is a competition at Wallerawang? on 28/29 next weekend if weather permits. I hope to be there although I haven't done much agility yet. Have you found another one at Bathurst? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashan Posted July 20, 2007 Author Share Posted July 20, 2007 Have you found another one at Bathurst? Hi Skip there is one at Wallerawang that I got off the ADAA site. I have spoken to the other person who goes to your too. Sounds like the place to go. There was also one in Kelso but I don't know anyone who goes there. We have to go to Sydeny next weekend but I was wondering if there is anything on this weekend??? If not I will make sure I get to the next date. Can't wait to go and my son is soooo excited. Hopefully meet you there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 The one listed at the adaa site is now at Wambool as they moved. I think they are busy away trialling this weekend ( look at the adaa site ?) and there is no training. I think so as I would have gone as I need to know more! They were nice enough to lend me a tunnel so I supose I will practice at home. Maybe I'll see you soon then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashan Posted July 21, 2007 Author Share Posted July 21, 2007 Cool..... I will try ringing them on Monday then. What level should he start in?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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