shoemonster Posted July 17, 2006 Share Posted July 17, 2006 I know different clubs have different rules on the min age to start agilty My 2 staffords have just turned one, and we were mucking around with the agility equipment over the weekend and I'd like to start them Are they an ok age? As long as we don't over do it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted July 17, 2006 Share Posted July 17, 2006 I'd say it depends on how seriously you are going to train and what obstacles you want to train on. My club doesn't allow people to start training until their dogs are 14 months old. When you think about comparing a 14month old toy breed with a larger breed, you can see that age is merely a guide. The ideal time to start doing jumps and other obstacles that put pressure on joints (that includes weavers) is when your dog's growth plates have closed. The only way to know that for sure is an x-ray. If your dogs are not lean and super fit, I wouldn't do more than poles and contacts on the ground and tunnels. I wouldn't do those things until at least 14-15 months. Its all to easy to break a dog... err on the side of caution. I wouldn't start doing much until you start classes. Its far to easy to train bad habits that then have to be undone unless you are experienced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoemonster Posted July 17, 2006 Author Share Posted July 17, 2006 (edited) They are staffords, so I guess I should try to find info on when they are considered to be finished growing The mucking around we were doing was only cause we were up at best friends retreat (I can't shut up about that place!!!) who had the equipment, not something I would be doing again until we start classes At the moment I just want to start the ball rolling and teach them the commands, etc, and as they get abit older start trianing more heavily They are very lean and very fit so that part won't be a problem at least! Thanks Edited July 17, 2006 by shoemonster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Posted July 17, 2006 Share Posted July 17, 2006 I think 1yo is fine, depending on the breed. Large breeds I wouldn't start till later but a Staffy at 1yo would be ok. Are they carrying any excess weight ? That would be my only concern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoemonster Posted July 17, 2006 Author Share Posted July 17, 2006 (edited) Nah, no excess weight on them I am very proud of their condition!!! Pic of both of them, after running like loons on the beach this weekend Edited July 17, 2006 by shoemonster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tiggy Posted July 17, 2006 Share Posted July 17, 2006 I love your dogs. Are they brother and sister? I was also wondering what age to start Agility training my Staffy so I'm glad you asked. My girl is 8 months, we've done basic obedience and now I'm starting groundwork with her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J... Posted July 17, 2006 Share Posted July 17, 2006 At my previous club you could start agility as long as your dog was 12 months and over. I'm not sure what that included.... At my current club, we have a beginners agility class for young dogs from 6 months up. We're doing basics like focus, following hands, motivation and reward, equipment familiarisation, contacts, tunnels, hurdles (on ground), tyre (on ground) etc. Not allowed to do any jumping until they're 18 months. We also spend some time watching the more advanced dogs and learning things like body language, following courses etc. We're told to erase the word NO from our vocabulary The most important thing is that the dogs enjoy it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoemonster Posted July 17, 2006 Author Share Posted July 17, 2006 (edited) Thanks Tiggy They are 2nd cousins (Eddie's granma is Molly's great grandma!!!) They are 1 day apart in age I'm going to go to the beginners agility on wed night at my club and see what age they recommend and if we can start basic stuff Eddie is in green class in obedience which is the start of off lead work and Molly in pink, almost ready to go into green with Eddie so they have the foundations, I also do freestyle with them so they know leg weaves and through etc I am really looking forward to it Edited July 17, 2006 by shoemonster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheres my rock Posted July 17, 2006 Share Posted July 17, 2006 hey shoey your two would be great candidates are definately fit enough and have good off lead control well except when being chased down by a naughty sheltie lol if we go agaiity together i hope eddie wont run and hide when he sees connor charging through a tunnel lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoemonster Posted July 17, 2006 Author Share Posted July 17, 2006 yeah he probably will hide from the big bad sheltie Geez that was funny when he did that, sooky lala Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roxy's mum Posted July 18, 2006 Share Posted July 18, 2006 Hi Shoey, Just wondering what club you train at? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoemonster Posted July 18, 2006 Author Share Posted July 18, 2006 We train at Southern, in bangholme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leopuppy04 Posted July 18, 2006 Share Posted July 18, 2006 12mths is fine so long as you don't get them to jump the full heights or do the dog walk/A frame etc. what is left you ask? hehe - they can jump the jumps on the lowest, do the contacts (just not the full obstacle) and of course lots of tunnels!!!!! I find that this will be fine. Most of their serious growing is finished, but just make sure your instructors know how old they are They are soooo cute by the way!!!!!!! Go you for promoting staffys as how they should be - little cuddlebugs that love everyone (and i've met a lot that love every dog too with the little tails hitting their sides when they see one)! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoemonster Posted July 18, 2006 Author Share Posted July 18, 2006 lol so true Leopuppy, they are the cuddliest sooky dogs I will deifinitely let the instructor know their age too, so they don't push them further (cos they are very capable, and would be easy to get carried away) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fit for a King Posted July 18, 2006 Share Posted July 18, 2006 I agree with Leopuppy for MOST breeds 12 months and up but the larger or heavy breeds I would wait a little longer to do ANY jumping. While the growth plates are open - no jumping is my personal rule. I used to argue with a guy I trained with - he would let 3 month old pups train for agility INCLUDING a-frames, jumps etc - I quit as I really didn't agree and IMO he crippled a very young Llasa by letting it start so young with very inexperienced owners and the poor thing fell off a dog walk - was never the same - very, very nervous and they would get cross with it, I'd get cross with them in turn then he would have shots at me that the dog should know who's boss and should be FORCED to walk the apparatus. I walked out of training one night and never returned. Bloody idiot of a man. I often wonder whatever happened to the poor thing. Clueless trainer, clueless owners, not a good combination. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoemonster Posted July 19, 2006 Author Share Posted July 19, 2006 Yeah that i don't agree with at all, way too early Eddie fractured his sesamoids when he was about that age, and we were fairly careful with him, it happened so easily we didn't even know Thats why I want to be sure with him before we start, but would love to start the tunnels and basic commands now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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