Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 10:39 am Post subject: Starting Agility - a quick Q
I would like to have a go at this with my new foster staffy, Billy. I think he might enjoy it and thought it would be good to get him out and about too. I've found a club nearby, just wondering really how far along on the obediance stakes he needs to be? He's got excellent recall but if I tell him to sit he rolls over and shows me his tummy and 'stay' is not yet possible because of the tummy roll lol!
Helen, some clubs are more fussy than other and it's probably best to call and ask.
Some clubs are 'just for fun' and really just ask that you have a dog of sound temperament and one who's attention you can get with a toy, treat or command.
Other clubs prefer your dog to know heel, close, recall etc so that you will slot better into their beginners class.
Agree with Sarah. A good recall is probably the biggest thing, stay is not so important - but a wait command will be needed.
Depending on the club they will show you this as you go along or require a certain level of obedience beforehand. One club I was with needed you to get to a certain level through their obedience classes before you could join the display team, but you could still train at agility without that.
I was going to say the same as Sarah....Some clubs are fussier than others. Like Jill said, all you really need is a good recall and a bit of motivation. Although a good temperament around other dogs does make life so much easier too, it looks like he has that one cracked anyway .
Good that he's brill at recall then. And Jules thanks for your comments about him, he met three collies on saturday offlead and was very good with them, so that's a good sign too since they also seem to feature at agility I guess lol. He's been a star so far with other dogs, which is great.
He just wants to please, but does stick rather like a limpet to you. However he is very motivated on producing a tennis ball and I'm sure he would follow both me and a ball anywhere I wanted at the moment. He's a fast little fella and can jump, so that is good I think.
Sounds like I need to give this club a call and see what they say. Very many thanks again everyone
The club I go to is just for fun, and new dogs get used to the equipment and course on the lead first anyway. Even in the advanced class some of the dogs go around the course on the lead for whatever reason (e.g. dog aggressive).
On the whole, once the owner is familiar with the equipment and can navigate a course ok, and the dog is familiar with the equipment and is confident and enjoying it, the lead comes off. Some of the dogs at my club don't have great recall, but when they have their 'agility heads' on, this isn't a problem.
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