How do I get started?

Running, catching, leaping; this is the forum to discuss dog sports and agility training with other active pups!

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Bunny

1242543

Barked: Mon Apr 2, '12 11:26am PST


	We will be bringing home an Australian shepherd puppy next week. Now I realize that she is still just a baby but I am interested in doing Agility,possibly showing her and maybe some other things. My daughter is also interested in doing some junior compatitons. I am not sure at this point what I want to do but I have tried looking on the AKC site and I just feel so lost. How do I go about getting her ready for those things. I read that you enter puppies in confirmation shows but not get points but I can not find any more information on that. I have been looking into clubs in my area as well as trainers. I plan on getting her into a class as soon as we can. I will be socializing the heck out of her as well. I appreciate any information you can give. I realize I may be getting a little ahead of myself but I just want to have all the information so that I know what to expect at least.

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dog-sitter in- charge.

Barked: Mon Apr 2, '12 12:59pm PST


	Your best resource would be your breeder! They should be willing to help you in regards to kennel club related sports. Even if they aren't involved in the venue you are interested in, breeders who are decent and involved know contacts for you. In the AKC, Open shows allow puppies 4-6 months to compete for fun.

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Shadow- *CGC*CL2*

Is it time for- agility yet?

Barked: Mon Apr 2, '12 1:39pm PST


	The biggest thing is she should not be jumping until around 18 months or so. You want to make sure that her joints are fully formed and the growth plates are closed before doing any kind of jumps to avoid injuring her joints. Resources include your breeder(if in your area), local dog clubs, going to agility trials in your area(you can find them on http://www.akc.org/events/search/, or http://www.k9cpe.com/trialinfo.htm) and talking to the owners. AKC also has a club search option where you can look for clubs in your state.

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Bunny

1242543

Barked: Mon Apr 2, '12 1:54pm PST


	I get that the breeder is a great resource and I have talked to her. But I thought that I would just put this out there and see what others had to say.

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Huck

GO!!!

Barked: Mon Apr 2, '12 5:10pm PST


	You can start foundation agility training when you get your puppy. Teaching the basic commands, sit, down, stay, come, hand touches, tugging, focus work and flat work like some circles(running or walking in a large circle with the puppy beside you watching for your directions) teach directionals, wooga board, put a tennis ball under a board and make him walk on it and lots of socialization. Check your local area for agility clubs, they can help get you in touch with trainers. Good luck and have fun.

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Bunny

1242543

Barked: Tue Apr 3, '12 6:36pm PST


	Thank you!

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Huck

GO!!!

Barked: Tue Apr 3, '12 6:40pm PST


	Good luck with your new baby! Have you thought of a name yet? So cute!

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Dolcenea

Akita Agility

Barked: Tue Apr 3, '12 9:56pm PST


	AKC is not the only venue for agility. I would look into CPE http://www.k9cpe.com or NADAC http://www.nadac.com first. These venues are way more friendly to the new comer/beginner. then you can also check out: www.usdaa.com www.ukcdogs.com www.ukagilityinternational.com www.docna.com www.asca.org

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Maxwell

I'm triple- superior MAD- now!

Barked: Wed Apr 4, '12 7:57am PST


	First you need to find a training venue. One that offers puppy classes, beginning and agility obedience, beginning obedience and so on would be the easiest to deal with. Google your area or check http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.display&page_id=11 1 for places near you. A great venue will have multiple trainers that have taken dogs to championships and competed in national events and/or trained teams that go to championships and national events and obedience trainers will belong an organization such as on this page. http://abrionline.org/organizations.php People travel to get to a place they feel comfortable training. My old school had people coming from 100 miles away oftentimes more than once a week and I am in southern California where there is no shortage of agility schools! Do visit classes, interview the instructors, go to events the club puts on before signing up. AKC is getting to be a lot more fun now with more classes finally being added and now mixed breed dogs can compete I might go to events they put on but CPE is a complete blast and always has been. NADAC has super fun classes like tunnelers and USDAA is the most challenging organization I have competed in. Once trained you pay a small fee to register to compete in an organization and you can compete in as many as you like. Most folks chose one to try to title in as it is expensive enough as it is. Max went for advanced titles in USDAA and NADAC as CPE trials aren't held often enough around here to quickly advance, I would have to stay overnight and travel 200-300 miles to get his championship at this point.