Is it fun? How did you get started? What kind of dog do you have?
Any and all information gratefully received!
I’m willing to bet money right now that this thread isn’t about what I think it’s about.
Hi. I’m the Token Cat Person in a social group that consists mostly of dog people who do agility with their dogs. I won’t try to answer your questions myself, but I’ll make sure **Fetchund **knows you’re asking. She’s running Corbi in a trial this weekend.
When I was first working with a dog trainer, he told me my dogs were perfect for agility training, two of them just really love it, if I could get all 7 into it, I might start a circus act.
Jack Russells. btw
My daughter and I’ve been thinking of enrolling in some classes, we have a couple of very fast, very smart dogs that would probably be perfect for it. I have a border collie/Jack Russell cross, hers is a very indeterminately lineaged but fast Little Black Dog. I also have a Lab/Husky cross who’s as fast as dammit and very good with a tennis ball, but still a tad short on that whole “grace and accuracy” thing. He’d make a wicked flyball anchor, though!
Hiya! Checking in, as promised!
I compete in agility with both of my dogs, a Border Collie and a Pyrenean Shepherd. Mostly with the Pyr Shep, because she is healthier and seems to like it better. I compete in AKC, NADAC, CPE, TDAA and tomorrow we are entered in our first USDAA trial.
I got into it because a friend wanted to, and wanted company at class. That was several dogs ago, and when no-one had ever HEARD of agility. My previous dogs never competed - one because she and I discovered that Flyball was a better match for us, and the other because she was deranged. I had her in classes just to build up her confidence.
It is great fun, especially if you get in with the right sorts of people, and the right sorts of classes. I belong to a school that believes in all positive training, and that your relationship with your dog is more important than titles. We also learn slowly, with very solid foundation work. The pups can’t compete in most venues until they are 2 anyhow, so you have a very long time to learn. Getting out there before you two are ready is just depressing and discouraging.
As for fun - like JustThinkin’ said, agility people can be very social. We tend to have several parties a year at our place where folks bring their dogs and just play. Trials (and classes) are usually outdoors in the summer, indoors in winter, and folks spend their time waiting to run just socializing, usually.
If you are looking for classes, there are several things you should look for. Get an instructor who has worked with many types of dogs - not just BC’s. Get an instructor who is positive, and has experience in several venues. Observe several classes - are there any situations where you see potential danger? Out of control dogs? Aggressive dogs? Go someplace else. If they have more than one dog off lead in a beginner level course, avoid it.
Go to trials, watch competitors who are having a great time with their dogs, and dogs who are obviously happy, and ask where they train.
All types of dogs can do agility, as long as they are healthy and you understand what their limitations are. You aren’t going to win national titles with a Bernese Mountain Dog, but I’ve seen them complete a course!
Any more questions? I’m thrilled that anyone asked! Oh - I can probably find a link to some early runs with me and my pooches on YouTube, too, if you are interested.
Very cool! Thanks everyone, and Fetchund especially.
I don’t have a dog, so this question wasn’t for me. It was for my sister. She’s going to be starting obedience training with her dog, a Bichon, and she had seen where the place she’s going offers agility training, too. She doesn’t know much about it, but wondered if her little dog would love it. We both thought he probably would. Has anyone ever seen a Bichon at any event? He’s very fast and energetic and has great balance. And he’s extremely trainable.
I used to run my Toller in agility – he’s to old (and deaf!) now… I have an Aussie who’s terrified of the dogwalk but loves Jumpers With Weaves and I plan to compete with her now that she’s a senior (7) and has found her competition brain. She needed to calm down before I could compete with her, believe it or not. She’s FAST but she barks through her runs and doesn’t focus. Now that she’s older, she’s still got the speed of a 2 year old, but a little more focus…
My four year old Aussie will kick butt when I get him out into the agility ring, but we’re going to be focusing on herding and tracking titles first 
We compete primarily in ASCA trials.
Start with basic obedience, get that under control, then by all means, get sis and her dog into agility! It’s fun, no matter if you decide to compete or not! Get some basic equipment for the back yard (affordable agility is a great website to get it from, if you’re lookin’ for good equipment on the cheap!) – look for a school that teaches through clicker training only, if you want a dog that will learn to be a reliable, fun-lovin’ agility dog who will be willing to try new equipment without fear. It’s a FUN sport!
Yep, Bichons can do agility. Like I said, any dog can learn it! The real stars of the show today (at least in my view) were a bunch of little fluff balls - shih tzu’s, Lowchens, etc.
What state is your sister in? (Just in case I have any contacts there…)
Ohio.
Thanks for the info!