How long did it take to train for agility

Silaria said:
I never said I agreed with this, just that I know of some that do it. ;) We've actually had students ask us why it was taking so long because it felt like we are moving so slowly. We take it slowly (we break our beginner classes down into 3 different classes, each progressively harder than the next) so (1) the dog doesn't get hurt - THIS is the most important reason; (2) so the dog really has time to learn the skills needed; and (3) so the handler has time to learn how to communicate with the dog. Once explained this way, most of them get it and appreciate that we are concerned about the dog's wellbeing.
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I know that you don't recommend that- I was just saying it takes way longer than 20 weeks to get proficient at any of the skills that you need. Plenty of people want to skip ahead but there are no shortcuts.
Sheep is lucky that he lives near a very nice indoor venue where a variety of trials including AKC and Nadac are held. I don't know where the training area is but I know that there are clubs in that area that should be able to provide a solid foundation for the brown dog:winkgrin:
 
I actually think the big thing that determines when people start trialling is really how long it takes the handler to learn. Most dogs pick up the equipment fairly quickly, but there's a lot for the handler to learn about managing their dogs, how their dog moves and manoeuvres, how to run a course and of course, just being confident about what they are doing. An experienced agility person will always get a dog to trial quicker than an inexperienced person. With doing flyball you've learnt how to read and communicate with your dog, you know how your dog moves and learns, and your dog will be more confident with equipment and working away from you (you may need to work on getting them to watch you - flat work). So you'll be way ahead of everyone in classes. I'd say, once you have a solid weave (and that can take months) you'll probably feel like giving it a go. Most of the flyballers I know who did agility after flyball were trialling within 6 months - never undervalue the skills you have doing flyball.

This may throw the cat emongs the pigeons, but I don't think 20 weeks is unreasonable if you are confident, your dog is confident and you're willing to do some practice outside of class.
 
With training and competing, you also have to keep in mind that many venues do not allow dogs to compete until they're 15-18 months old. Also, many recommend that you limit jumping, weaving and full height equipment until your dog is done growing. You can do some foundation training when they're puppies, but you can't really fully train them until they're done growing.

I didn't even know about agility until my dog was over a year, so she had no foundation training. I started classes when she was a little over a year old and didn't compete with her for about 2 years. We ha
 
take4roll10 said:
With training and competing, you also have to keep in mind that many venues do not allow dogs to compete until they're 15-18 months old. Also, many recommend that you limit jumping, weaving and full height equipment until your dog is done growing. You can do some foundation training when they're puppies, but you can't really fully train them until they're done growing.

I didn't even know about agility until my dog was over a year, so she had no foundation training. I started classes when she was a little over a year old and didn't compete with her for about 2 years. We ha
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7 and 5 now so not an issue ;-)
 
So I'm probably the odd one in this crowd because we have been training for over 2 years and we're still nowhere close to being ready to trial. The biggest difference is for us, agility class is just a fun thing we do once a week. I still don't have any plans to compete with her. Flyball is our main thing, and agility isn't something that I can afford to do and play flyball. We started taking an agility class to see if it would help with her focus in flyball, and it did. Then I just kept taking her to class because I could tell she genuinely loved it. So she can do pretty much every obstacle except weaves, and she still flies off the a-frame (doesn't do 2 on 2 off). We're working on both. I just don't put as much time and energy during the week as I should, especially if I wanted to compete. People who have asked me when I'm going to enter her in a trail have gotten the response, "when she can weave and I get a big raise" lol. So I think my point is, the amount of time it takes to train depends on how determined you are to compete.
 
I have been training Cleo since February. She is learning and picking up on everything fast. I started foundation work with her at a year old due to it being winter months. Then worked on jumps and getting use to the tunnels and chute in the house. I worked on that from time to until classes started. I took a 6 week beginner course. Then a 6 week advanced beginner course. But I also have equipment I bought for my house so I could practice things at home. And... I made my own teeter which was the best thing I could of done for her. She was terrified of the teeter. Now she loved it and when playing in the yard will randomly run over it. Due to weather issues, the intermediate classes were a week behind my class and held the day after so I was and currently am able to go to those two classes to get a feel for a tougher course. Once that is over tomorrow, we are starting competition classes on August 23rd. Week 1 is how to fill out the trial Entry Form. Week 2 is what to expect the day of a trial. (Dog measuring, check in, judges briefing, warming up your dog,etc.). Week 3 is Judge Calls (Refusals, Run bys, Wrong course, 4 paw rule…). Week 4 is Overview of the Worker Positions. Week 5 is review of all of the previous weeks.. Those classes will last until the Terre Haute trail on October 1st and 2nd. That will be Cleo's first trial. So we are excited!!! So in total by the time we get to our first trial we will have only been doing actual classes for 5 months and 6 days. But she started foundation work on February 8th. So in total when we get to the trial it will have been 7 months and 23 days! It really doesn't seem like it has been that long either. Good Luck!
 
Cleo2014 said:
I have been training Cleo since February. She is learning and picking up on everything fast. I started foundation work with her at a year old due to it being winter months. Then worked on jumps and getting use to the tunnels and chute in the house. I worked on that from time to until classes started. I took a 6 week beginner course. Then a 6 week advanced beginner course. But I also have equipment I bought for my house so I could practice things at home. And... I made my own teeter which was the best thing I could of done for her. She was terrified of the teeter. Now she loved it and when playing in the yard will randomly run over it. Due to weather issues, the intermediate classes were a week behind my class and held the day after so I was and currently am able to go to those two classes to get a feel for a tougher course. Once that is over tomorrow, we are starting competition classes on August 23rd. Week 1 is how to fill out the trial Entry Form. Week 2 is what to expect the day of a trial. (Dog measuring, check in, judges briefing, warming up your dog,etc.). Week 3 is Judge Calls (Refusals, Run bys, Wrong course, 4 paw rule…). Week 4 is Overview of the Worker Positions. Week 5 is review of all of the previous weeks.. Those classes will last until the Terre Haute trail on October 1st and 2nd. That will be Cleo's first trial. So we are excited!!! So in total by the time we get to our first trial we will have only been doing actual classes for 5 months and 6 days. But she started foundation work on February 8th. So in total when we get to the trial it will have been 7 months and 23 days! It really doesn't seem like it has been that long either. Good Luck!
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Wow, that's awesome that they offer competition classes! We don't have any such thing down here and fortunately my friends kept an eye on me and made sure Spirit got measured, we got checked in, etc.
 
Cara Sandler said:
Wow, that's awesome that they offer competition classes! We don't have any such thing down here and fortunately my friends kept an eye on me and made sure Spirit got measured, we got checked in, etc.
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I know! They normally have a competition class but not a specific one for Novice. This is the first year they are doing it because they have a lot of people doing their first trial at the October trial here in Terre Haute. Apparently this is going to be a big class. :eek2:
 
I was curious how long I trained before I competed and had to go find my post. :) I trained for 14 months before my first competition. Koji was 1 year 4 months old when we started and 2.5 years old for his first trial. We trained once a week and only started agility to have him burn off some energy and have a job. My trainer had suggested trialing, I honestly hadn't even thought about it going beyond the classroom. Koji is extremely food motivated. Funny enough, I had forgotten about the time we couldn't use treats and he was more focused on his job versus the food (I just read about that in my post about my first trial, haha). We continued with food because toys really wasn't his thing and he learned focus with time and maturity.

Koji wasn't ready in any sort of way. We only did runs like Tunnelers and Jumpers (no weaves/DW/AF). I recall trying a Standard run not too long after and Koji refused the AF. Yeah, we weren't ready. We learned "in the ring" as much as out of the ring. I also had to learn A LOT as a handler before Koji was ready.

For you, I think it might be faster/easier as you've trained them on Flyball. This was the first dog I trained beyond basic obedience; it was a whole new world! I agree with many other posters; depends on the dog AND the handler. :) I always remember how some people just couldn't get front crosses. Whole. New. World. Hehe.
 
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