RubyStar Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 I've been wanting to get into agility properly for a couple of years now (did it with Ruby a few years ago but just for fun for a few months), but I keep putting it off and off and off due to lack of time and wanting to get further in obedience trialling first. But the bug keeps biting me so I am thinking I had better FIND the time this year to pursue it. First of all, yes I know Labs aren't the best candidates for competitive agility, but I want to do it for fun with the aim to trial for fun (not saying there aren't some great agility Labs out there, cos I know there are!) I want to train and eventually trial with Millie as I believe she has more potential for it than Ruby. She was born with springs in her feet and has some speed on her!! So what I'd love to know is, besides joining a club, what are some basic exercises I can start teaching at home for some good solid foundations? I don't want to rush things, I want to teach her correctly from the start. Can anyone recommend any good agility DVD's that are a starting point for someone starting out, too? Any pointers/advice for an agility newbie?? Lastly, are there any Perth people starting agility for the first time too this year? Which club are you joining? I'm thinking of joining ACWA, but open to club suggestions Thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 I posted in the WA thread but what you can work on is your groundwork, running with the dog, with the dog on both sides. Have you worked her on your right side? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 (edited) There is a lot you can do at home in preparation for agility There is flatwork with no obstacles: Circle work/shadow handling foundation work for rear crosses send aways (send to toys/food, and then send and throw reward once they are moving) brush up on your shaping - nose touch to hand is very useful Decide on what contact behaviour you would like - you can do the foundation work for that at home. You can teach touching a target (nose or paw) for a static 2on2off behaviour, and then add that to stairs or a small plank One DVD I found very useful is Susan Garrett's Success With One Jump - lot of exercises you can do with one or no jumps. Edit: Also Hind End Awareness exercises - walking through a ladder or the Elephant trick where they pivot on a block. Edited January 29, 2010 by Kavik Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ness Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 RubyStar - Greg Derrett's DVDs would be a great starting point as would Susan Garrett's One Jump DVD. While Labs are known for agility there are a few around that compete - and I am pretty sure there are a number in WA that have competed or currently compete. Sue Hobgen's lab Diva does agility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitka Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 RS grate to see another lab out there Im starting this year with my lab x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leopuppy04 Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Circle work, circle work and then just when you think you've done enough - some more circle work Work on some nose touches on a target GD foundation - while outdated is a good starting point, as is SG's one jump DVD Hahaha - sucked in aren't you Work on Toy drive too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ness Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 (edited) Susan Salo Jump Grids are fun to do as well. Rock solid startline stays. The list of things to do is endless. Edited January 28, 2010 by ness Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitka Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Can someone explain what is circle work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ness Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Oh RubyStar - soon you will be collecting agility equipment for training with at the local park . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caffy Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 So what I'd love to know is, besides joining a club, what are some basic exercises I can start teaching at home for some good solid foundations? I don't want to rush things, I want to teach her correctly from the start. Can anyone recommend any good agility DVD's that are a starting point for someone starting out, too?Any pointers/advice for an agility newbie?? Thanks!! You should do a lesson or two with Sue. She will give you some ideas for you to take home and then you can find a club further down the track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyStar Posted January 29, 2010 Author Share Posted January 29, 2010 I posted in the WA thread but what you can work on is your groundwork, running with the dog, with the dog on both sides. Have you worked her on your right side? She's obsessed with my left side Think I've been reinforcing that heel position thoroughly with her I once tried heeling Ruby on my right and she looked so confused the poor dear, she ended up taking herself back to my left side So that is something I can work on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyStar Posted January 29, 2010 Author Share Posted January 29, 2010 Thanks for the tips and DVD recommendations everyone Is circle work where you practice running them in inside and outside circles and in opposite directions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 Thanks for the tips and DVD recommendations everyone Is circle work where you practice running them in inside and outside circles and in opposite directions? Yep Inside and outside circles on both right and left side. I find inside circles much more difficult! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyStar Posted January 29, 2010 Author Share Posted January 29, 2010 RS grate to see another lab out there Im starting this year with my lab x Woohoo Hahaha - sucked in aren't you Work on Toy drive too Yeah soon I will be one of those crazies who shops on CR every week Millie doesn't have a huge toy drive, only for her i-squeak :p I don't think things in her mouth, like tuggies, are comfortable for her. But she does love it when I play with her and get her worked up... Oh RubyStar - soon you will be collecting agility equipment for training with at the local park . No no, I'll just use yours when you move over So what I'd love to know is, besides joining a club, what are some basic exercises I can start teaching at home for some good solid foundations? I don't want to rush things, I want to teach her correctly from the start. Can anyone recommend any good agility DVD's that are a starting point for someone starting out, too?Any pointers/advice for an agility newbie?? Thanks!! You should do a lesson or two with Sue. She will give you some ideas for you to take home and then you can find a club further down the track. Not sure I'd want to bother Sue just yet ;) Do you think a club is not a good idea to learn some basics? Think I'll join ACWA if I do join one as I heard they are good for beginners. I'm not interested in a club that is quick to string sequences together before the dog knows the equipment properly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitka Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Millie doesn't have a huge toy drive, only for her i-squeak :D I don't think things in her mouth, like tuggies, are comfortable for her. But she does love it when I play with her and get her worked up... You can have some Of CJ's toy drive, she has way to much of it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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