question

[Zebbie]

How difficult is the competition in agilty? how many dogs reach the top? How much training does it take to get to the top of a sport like agility? Do some dogs seem to be better at it than others, or is it more of a training issue with the owner?? I am just curious as my little one is just starting, I am wondering how difficult it is to get to the top so to speak. I know I dream big, I was just curious what my chances are. My trainers think he has a great personality for agility, not too submissive nor aggressive. He is part ACD and part BC, he is a bit less heavy than a cattle dog, yet a bit more musculra than a border collie. he learns very quickly and tries very hard to understand what I want him to do. I think I found a beginner class which starts in June, I can't wait to get started.

[Dynamite Tess Again]

Zebbie

The most important thing to remember about agility is that it is fun. Yes, hold on to your dream of reaching the top, but please don't let this turn to obessession. Some people are using shock and prong collars in agility training. This is not what this sport is about and I feel very sorry for those dogs. Don't rely on your dog to get it right all the time, you have to be on the ball yourself. Ask people to watch how you run a course. Are your signals correct? Are you giving commands at the right time? Keep up with obedience, I don't know about America but over here dogs must have done some obedience classes to start agility training in many clubs. Also most clubs have anything up to a two year waiting list. I look at agility this way. Me and my dog enjoy it. I look on it as fun and anything that comes from it is a bonus. My husband runs Pepsi, a very shy dog. He made this sport fun for her and this little girl was bringing home the rosettes after 4 or 5 months training. I wish you luck in the sport, but remember, never stress out. Keep your cool and make it fun. Don't expect too much straight away. Some dogs learn quickly, some don't. Some handlers learn quickly, some never learn at all.

Take care, Val and her girls

[Zebbie]

I would never ever use any of those so called 'training' things on my dog!! YIKES

 

and your right, I wont worry so much and just try to have some fun with him and agility.

 

I was just curious as someone said it can difficult. I was more curious I think and anxious to get in a class. We are finishing basic training tonight.

[Dynamite Tess Again]

Zebbie

With regard to difficulty. Again, I don't know how things are in America, but over here a handler, in the early days, runs as much of the course with their dog as possible. When you first start you will probably be all arms. You may find yourself blocking your dog's path, but as you gain experience you will learn how to 'twizzle' [my term for getting across to work on the other side of my dog]while keeping your dog in view. I'm not going to tell you it's difficult as I would never attempt to try and dishearten someone before they'd started, but I'll just tell you that experienced handlers make it look easy. And one day you'll be an experienced handler. I would say the weaves are probably the one piece of equipment that takes the longest to learn. Enjoy

Take care, Val and the girls

[heath]

Hi Zebby, You sound like I did when I first started Monty in the Agility world. It's a blast! It is a lot of work if you want to get to 'the top'. But, boy is it fun work. We have been involved now for a year, go to private lessons, regular classes, trials, and I am even a volunteer teacher now. 'We' have moved up to the 'advanced jumpers level', but are still in the basic 'starters' level. Thats O.K. If you just want to have fun with your BC, getting to the Top doesnt matter. Monty surprises me at every trial. One day 'on' with every obstacle, the next day his favourite obstacle becomes his most hated thing, the next he 'forgets' how to do everything, then the next time he does everything perfect-go figure! You soon learn that you are a team, and half the errors are yours/half theirs. It is sooooo much fun though and a great way to spend time with your best friend!Enjoy!!! I agree with Dynamite Tess - those Weaves can be difficult! Heather

[Zebbie]

thanks for your enthusiastic response! We are in between training so I am excited about the next step. I think he and I both like learning new things, so we cant wait for the next class. Do you recommend an advanced obedience class before agility? My trainers seem to think he'll do fine going into beginner agility!

[Dynamite Tess Again]

Today I trained using staggered weaves. They are brilliant. If anyone hasn't heard of these and would like to know more, post here and I will try and explain the set up. Of course many of you may already know about and have used them. Excellent set up for putting puppies through without twisting and turning.

Regards, Val and the girls

[Mag Birch]

Val,

I would really like to hear about more about staggered weaves!

 

thanks... Cindy and Mag

[Dynamite Tess Again]

Hi Cindy

The staggered weave I used was a set of 6 poles attached to the base in a way that you can pull each pole out to the side a little, alternate left/right side. This causes a little passage way through the poles. A puppy can train quite safely with these until such time that you gradually pull the poles inward, little by little, until they form a straight line. The idea is that pup, or new dog to classes can start by walking/running a straight line through them. As you draw the poles inward it's easier to get the dog to weave through. Over the past year I have noticed over here that the standard of weaving in Starters is getting higher and higher with very few people assisting their dogs. In trials over here we are allowed to use an empty hand to help our dogs through as long as we don't touch the dog or have a treat or toy. The construction of these poles is difficult to describe but my husband has said he will draw some then I will put them up on my site, possibly some time tomorrow 8th May. I'll post a link back here as soon as they are up.

Regards, Val and her girls.

[diane allen]

Zebbie: back to your original question....I haven't the foggiest. I've been competing with my Borderline Collie (sad but true! - she's a sweetheart but not driven like most) for over two years. She just got her Novice title. My big mixed breed (northern breed mostly - notoriously distracted during agility) also just finished his Novice. My newest and fastest and smartest BC is just starting - has several legs, and may actually end up being "something."

 

I'm sure there are folks who watch me and wonder why in the world we bother competing. (Some have asked, with a slight tinge of envy in their voices, where I got such a SLOW border collie! Bottom line: we do it cuz it's fun. The slow girl wasn't having fun for awhile, and we took half a year off. With the newer addition, she seems interested again. The big guy will NEVER be a winner, never make it big, and probably never advance past novice level. But he enjoys it tremendously (most of the time).

 

So, I think making it "big" takes a full-time dedication to training and building that team with your dog. Otherwise, it can be lots of fun, you'll meet lots of fine folks, and you'll be a better person (and the four-legged one will be a better canine) for it.

 

Poles: We haven't used staggered weaves, though they seem like a good idea. We have a supplier in the US that makes wires that slip over the vertical poles and channel the dog through. I'd been using flimsy nylon-covered wire - it worked, but not the greatest. These new ones are quite stiff, and actually stay horizontal to the ground, at dog's shoulder level or wherever you want 'em. Wouldn't be without 'em now!

 

Enjoy the sport - and forget anything else in life you thought you wanted to do! It can easily become an obsession. Just keep it fun.

diane