Kowai Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 Hey guys Was wondering if anyone can give me a list or tell me about any agility dog clubs in Victoria? I'm currently a member of the Agility Dog Club of Victoria (in Altona) but my boyfriend and I aren't really enjoying it there so we'd like to find a new club, preferably near Werribee but we're willing to travel. The problem with the club we're at is just the late hours, overcrowding and not really any consistency with the trainers so its pretty impossible to be promoted.. My poor bf has been stuck in the introductory class for so long he's just frustrated and never wants to go anymore. (Due to boredom) Argh its frustrating.. I know that my Obedience club at Werribee runs Agility but I'd really like a club dedicated to it. If not I guess we'll just stick with the Obedience one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiechick Posted July 19, 2008 Share Posted July 19, 2008 There are only 4 specialist agility clubs in Vic. *Agility Dog Club Vic - not taking new members due to class sizes *K9 Club at KCC Park - not taking new members due to class sizes *Action Dogs at Doveton - no idea whether they are taking new members or not *Mitchell Agility at Broadford - no idea whether they are taking new members or not You may have to look at Obedience Club agility in your area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanglen Posted July 19, 2008 Share Posted July 19, 2008 Last I heard Action dogs was full too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke W Posted July 19, 2008 Share Posted July 19, 2008 When demand outstrips supply - someone usually steps in to increase the supply. I wonder why there is such a shortage of agility places? Is it an expensive and/or difficult thing to setup? Is it a shortage of experienced people? The cost of equipment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanglen Posted July 19, 2008 Share Posted July 19, 2008 No difference in setup than most clubs but the experienced trainers and a well set out foundation program is the big difference. The gear is expensive but would pay itself off, it's really the people skills. There are some amazing trainers out there but they only have so much time they can volunteer and the present clubs zap most of that out of them, some people donate so much time that it's often to the detriment of their own dogs. So many hanks goes out to those trainers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiechick Posted July 19, 2008 Share Posted July 19, 2008 Spot on the money Alanglen :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke W Posted July 19, 2008 Share Posted July 19, 2008 Sounds like a business opportunity! How many experienced trainers would come to a brand new club if they GOT PAID ? :D :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kowai Posted July 19, 2008 Author Share Posted July 19, 2008 Thanks guys I might actually check out what Nadac has to offer.. It looks like though theres not many clubs that offer it.. Its more that you just train on your own and go to the trials? I think it'd be better for Zach especially as he has trouble with his knees and I'd rather him doing a tunnel course than something that could hurt him :D Overcrowding seems to be a -huge- issue with the agility clubs.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacks4life Posted July 19, 2008 Share Posted July 19, 2008 There are only 4 specialist agility clubs in Vic.*Agility Dog Club Vic - not taking new members due to class sizes *K9 Club at KCC Park - not taking new members due to class sizes *Action Dogs at Doveton - no idea whether they are taking new members or not *Mitchell Agility at Broadford - no idea whether they are taking new members or not You may have to look at Obedience Club agility in your area. I recently enquired with Action Dogs and have been put on the waiting list. I have been told my friend, that had 2 friends that have joined, it can take up to 12months to get in?! I Would love another club in the south east for sure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helen Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 There are only 4 specialist agility clubs in Vic.*Agility Dog Club Vic - not taking new members due to class sizes *K9 Club at KCC Park - not taking new members due to class sizes *Action Dogs at Doveton - no idea whether they are taking new members or not *Mitchell Agility at Broadford - no idea whether they are taking new members or not You may have to look at Obedience Club agility in your area. I recently enquired with Action Dogs and have been put on the waiting list. I have been told my friend, that had 2 friends that have joined, it can take up to 12months to get in?! I Would love another club in the south east for sure! There are a few VCA affiliated obedience clubs that also have agility, maybe phone Dog Victoria or see their website for contact details. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staff'n'Toller Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Sounds like a business opportunity!How many experienced trainers would come to a brand new club if they GOT PAID ? :( Even still - it's a time thing. It's also a grounds thing, I know in my municipality, precedence is given to sporting clubs and we have been fighting for about 2 years for council to give us ONE reserve that we can use for dog activities. Then you need storage...more permits!! Cost of building a shed, then some a**holes come and burn your shed down- bam you've lost all your equipment. If you don't store all your equipment on the grounds you need someone with a 6cyl car to pull a trailer full of equipment, and petrol is of course sky high. If you want to train year round at night- you need floodlighting, then you need to pay more rent if you can even manage to get a grounds with floodlights. Clients want instructors who are very experienced and are trialling their own dogs to great things, if you are already working full-time, teach at an obedience club as well, it just becomes a huge drain, it doesn't matter about the money you are getting paid it's work/life balance. Instructors are always there for an hour before and after classes, you need more than one instructor, you need someone to run a 'desk' situation and do paperwork. Then you'd also need to be forking out to attend workshops with overseas and Oz experts each year- more weekends out of your slightly skewed work/life balance..... Get the drift??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke W Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Sounds like a business opportunity!How many experienced trainers would come to a brand new club if they GOT PAID ? :( Even still - it's a time thing. It's also a grounds thing, I know in my municipality, precedence is given to sporting clubs and we have been fighting for about 2 years for council to give us ONE reserve that we can use for dog activities. Then you need storage...more permits!! Cost of building a shed, then some a**holes come and burn your shed down- bam you've lost all your equipment. If you don't store all your equipment on the grounds you need someone with a 6cyl car to pull a trailer full of equipment, and petrol is of course sky high. If you want to train year round at night- you need floodlighting, then you need to pay more rent if you can even manage to get a grounds with floodlights. Clients want instructors who are very experienced and are trialling their own dogs to great things, if you are already working full-time, teach at an obedience club as well, it just becomes a huge drain, it doesn't matter about the money you are getting paid it's work/life balance. Instructors are always there for an hour before and after classes, you need more than one instructor, you need someone to run a 'desk' situation and do paperwork. Then you'd also need to be forking out to attend workshops with overseas and Oz experts each year- more weekends out of your slightly skewed work/life balance..... Get the drift??? Loud and clear! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 What about using private land? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiechick Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 A lot of the same problems. I have space and a full set of equipment and would love to offer foundation and beginner classes but I would still need council permits, liability insurance, lighting or erect an indoor facility,(have nearly got the OH convinced about the benefits of a really big shed!) advertising costs, continuing professional development, plus continue my full time job to pay for all this as the money from classes wouldn't, that's for sure. Then there's all the wonderful paperwork that goes with operating your own business. It's something I would love to make a living from full time, but we don't have the 'agility population' here that they do in the US. (Where many people make a living from it) I already do a couple of private lessons with students from the club where I instruct, and have trouble fitting that in with working, instructing and trying to train my own dogs. Family life? What's that? Have thought about this long and hard and I think the only way you could make money full time would be to combine classes with something like running a boarding kennel, or another dog related business. Everyone's comments here have really got me thinking though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clicking Mad Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 (edited) ... Edited January 9, 2010 by Clicking Mad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staff'n'Toller Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 LOL we certainly could use a few left field ideas....that's for sure. :rolleyes: Agree with the big shed idea, you really do need a horse arena, which is why Doveton works- but I find it really hard training on their surface of chaff or whatever it is- great for horses but it wrecks my back! Mel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiechick Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 what about getting financial backing from a pet food companyor raising fees - but I suppose a small dedicated group of 15 paying $1000 a year would equate to ?how many people signed up at your average club? paying $100 a year? Ah, bugger it, charge members $10,000 a year like a good golf club and see the people knocking on your door? Heck, what do I know? Add poker machines in the club house, that would be sure to get the revenue flowing :rolleyes: Okay, gone too far now ... slinky away again with my pathetic ideas ;) I love the poker machine idea - too funny And I actually know someone who got some sponsorship for their training business from a pet food company for putting up an advertisement on the side of their shed. Unfortunately one of the conditions was visibility and I am on a 'no through road'- bugar! Staffn'toller, if I ever do get my shed I am looking at granitic sand for a floor - did a seminar on it in NSW and it wasn't too bad, the only dog I saw slip was a frenetic BC - and hell, they slip on grass too ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 I've got the arena but it isn't covered. Is river sand but has grass grown over it now so it is quite a good surface. Sand is less slippery than bark chip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sayreovi Posted July 26, 2008 Share Posted July 26, 2008 (edited) There are only 4 specialist agility clubs in Vic.*Agility Dog Club Vic - not taking new members due to class sizes *K9 Club at KCC Park - not taking new members due to class sizes *Action Dogs at Doveton - no idea whether they are taking new members or not *Mitchell Agility at Broadford - no idea whether they are taking new members or not You may have to look at Obedience Club agility in your area. I recently enquired with Action Dogs and have been put on the waiting list. I have been told my friend, that had 2 friends that have joined, it can take up to 12months to get in?! I Would love another club in the south east for sure! Ive been on the waiting list for K9 Agility for nearly 2 years, i figure they forgot me or havent allowed any one in since.....who isnt willing to instruct that is, last time i heard from them they asked if i could instruct.....i couldnt so i got rejected and others i know (who do instruct) got in. Easier to just buy your own equipement and use it at home Gotta be hard though there is alot of demand for training, i just dont like that they advertise then when you ring up to join, they say "ohh sorry too full for the next 6-12 months" Edited July 26, 2008 by tollersowned Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted July 26, 2008 Share Posted July 26, 2008 It sounds tough in these states! There are several in Sydney, and even the busiest that I know doesn't turn people away for being too full. I admit I mostly train alone in my yard, but it is great getting to a class when I can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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