New to Agility

S

Sheltie14wins

Forums Novice
As I mentioned in another thread, I am a newbie to the agility world. We started off with a cheapy set on a hunch that my male Maverick was somewhat born to do it. At 10 weeks old, he was hurdling over railroad ties (much to my dismay).

I ended up taking him to a fun with agility class to get a basic intro and boy did he take to it. He can complete almost all the obstacles. We took the class again with our female Ella Bleu, and she did not have as much fun with it. She would rather be with people, or rather, in somebody's lap who is petting her and telling her she is pretty :)

Last weekend, we went to our first agility competition to check it out. Not sure if I actually want to compete or not yet, but I do plan on taking actual agility lessons in the fall. And we got a little zealous, my BF (on his own) decided to build our own agility equipment. We have it all aframe, walk etc.

I like agility because thus far because A) it makes Maverick happy, he prances like a show dog. B) it is something we can do together C) It is great exercise for us both, and is something different from the typical walk and ball playing. I dare say I think he might enjoy the agility much more than the ball playing, and D) He is pretty high energy, and I have found it a good way to really channel his excess energy.

I have enjoyed reading the tips on here thus far about the different exercises etc because the last thing I would want is for either one of us to get heart.

He is pretty stubborn and took him a little longer to get his basic commands down, but he has them down now and I have to say the agility has really helped with his focus, and just made him an overall happier dog.

I might try one novice competition to see how he does, I would only do it, as long as he enjoys it.
 
I wasn't bothered about agility at one time but am now seriously hooked! It is a lot of fun! You are lucky to have a BF who will build an agility course for you!! :yes: It is such a nice sport, so I'm sure you and Maverick will have a lot of fun doing the training. Look forward to hearing all about it!
 
All I wanted was weave poles, and maybe an extra jump or two, and maybe a tire jump, then came the Aframe, the walk, and everything else. Now we say, it is all fun and games until it is time to build an Aframe...the intentions were good LOL.

It was theirs' and mine bday present. It was pretty simple to build, total cost maybe $350, had it all done in a few weeks. We are tweaking here and there as we find quirks. We had it all out at one point, but now that we know he can do it, we have to work on one piece at a time and fine tuning, which hopefully going for agility lessons will help. And navigating the courses, that is going to kill me....
 
How cool! I'm jealous. My husband built me a couple PVC jumps but they aren't great and he complained the whole time :lol: (Kidding--he's just not the handiest of guys!)
 
I started agility truing with Lacey a few weeks ago. We had been working at a park with a friend before so it was not all new to her. She is doing ok and I'm having fun even though I know I have a lot to learn.

I ordered jump cups and jump stands from Clean Run. Those are coming today, so hubby will get pvc and build them. I can't wait to have my own jumps to work with.
 
I love agility, I started six years ago with my lab, but only started competing in Jan 2013 with Merlin. It has been a steep learning curve going from a non-competitive pet dog class, to the proper stuff, but I love it. In fact I have gone from only competing once a month in the winter, to competing nearly every weekend!:lol:

I miss it like crazy when I don't have a competition to attend. The important thing, as you say, is to enjoy it and for your dog to enjoy it. I have found it a very friendly and very addictive sport:wink2:
 
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