i can't find any agility classes!!! :-(

PuppyLove · #1 20-09-10, 08:52 PM

i have been on the comp for about an hour now and i cant find any REALLY good agility classes for Cara!! we are in stoke-on-trent and there are about 3 classes near us and one seems to be for collies only!! i dont know what to do or were to go from here HELP PLEASE?? we are going to a puppy party at our vets on saturday so i will ask them who they would recomend but other than that i dont know what else to do apart from doing it at home and to be honist our garden isnt really big enough for a good sized course!!

kita · #2 20-09-10, 11:01 PM

You should not do any Agility classes before about 12 months old and things like high jumps should not be done until about 18 months of age. If you start to do jumping etc. too young it can damage their bones/joints.

You could start by doing things like the tunnel and maybe weave poles at a younger age - plus teaching 'left', 'right' and 'wait', but most Agility clubs will not accept very young pups as it is a bit of a waste of their time.

It is best to start at a general obedience/pet club first.

Don't get too serious about it all - dogs learn best when things are fun.

Sue

PuppyLove · #3 21-09-10, 12:13 PM

oh i know not to start till about a year old but i like to be prepaired!! lol and as for her being happy and having fun when learning i found this out last week to be honist i started to panic about what everyone was saying about she is going to be a hand full ect and i really tenced up with her for a few days and got no were so now im at the point of i dont care about her lines ect im just showing her as much love as poss and playing while training and she has come on leaps and bounds!! so your rite you really cant take it too serious or you get no were!! lol

Caryll · #4 21-09-10, 12:27 PM

I know how you feel - there're several NEAR Northampton, but very few IN Northampton & they all seem to want Collies!

LOVEGSD · #5 21-09-10, 12:35 PM

I've found this website, not sure if there's one close to you.....

http://www.agilitynet.com/

super D · #6 21-09-10, 01:43 PM

Just tire her out mentally, build a great bond with her to start with, play games, teach her little bit, get the bond so strong that she looks to you for everything, so she feels you are her best friend and you will be fine xx

PuppyLove · #7 21-09-10, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOVEGSD

I've found this website, not sure if there's one close to you.....

http://www.agilitynet.com/

i looked at this site but wasnt too sure about it just one of those niggerly things saying "dont" or "no" and they usualy turn out to be right so i dont know yet!!

LOVEGSD · #8 21-09-10, 03:03 PM

I can't vouch for any of them on that list, just thought it might help if there was 1 in you area you might want to check it out.

wildmoor · #9 21-09-10, 08:42 PM

My club (NAABTS) does agility but we are about 40 mile from you, they leke dogs to be older and its jjust for fun, Newton Heath I believe do comp agility but again about 40 mile from you. Both do all breeds not just collies.

PuppyLove · #10 21-09-10, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildmoor

My club (NAABTS) does agility but we are about 40 mile from you, they leke dogs to be older and its jjust for fun, Newton Heath I believe do comp agility but again about 40 mile from you. Both do all breeds not just collies.

im not bothered about doing it for comp i only want to do it for fun with her (just to were her out mainly!! lol) and i dont want to start untill she is about 18 months any way as then i fully know my dog and will be able to judge her reaction/behaviour towards it but i was just looking as i like to be prepaired and know exactly what im going to be doing and what to expect!!