Tinyfxds

Hi There,

Rock and I are enrolled in our basic obedience glass starting in January. I would like to start agility after that but am not sure if he's too young yet. He's 9 months now so he'll be about a year old when the obedience class ends. Some thoughts and opinions are much appreciated

alwayshadpets

You can intoduce equipment. OB is a plus. Dog has to return to you off leash. No jumping until growth plates are closed around 18 months.
Depending how serious you want to be, check out trainers. Agility is getting very competitive. There are ways to train that will shave off seconds, in which case its easier to teach earlier than re-train.
I personally think it is a great confidence booster for all dogs especially the working breeds and they absolutely love it even if you never compete.The owners that take their dogs are the best, layed back and fun.
I have been taking for about 5 months (I forget) Started one program found another I liked better. Tamora is very athletic ( I think alot of dobes are) She loves all the equpment. Her favorites are the jumps. Her required height will be 24inches and she makes it look like nothing. She now does all the equipment off leash . It is the handling skills and directing her that we are working on now.
Not sure when we will compete. I know we are not ready and her OB shows start in 2008, which is my main focus right now.

ocelot0411

Yep I want to do agility too and have been told the same thing, that your dog needs to be 18 mnths old minimum. I think its a great idea for anyone with an energetic breed as its a great form of exercise and also great fun for both dog and owner.

LuvMyDobes

Everyone has given you good advice. I did agility with my former Dobe and hope to do it with my new puppy. It is very important not to rush the jumping. In order to teach going through jump standards, I set mine at a low height that could actually be stepped over if needed, but she jumped. LOL I started imprinting at a very young age so she got use to being off the ground on a board and movement [teeter]. She had no problem doing them when the time was right. Good luck. Agility is competitive but it is also a lot of fun for you and your dog.
Carolyn in MD

Tinyfxds

On the last day of his puppy class, they had a little agility course setup. He did a low jump and the tightrope bar?(I don't know what it's called) with no problems. It took a little persuasion to get him to go through the tunnel. By the third time however he did everything without hesitation. I just wish they had weave poles and the teater.

My goal is to see how well he takes to it. I would be very interested in getting invovled in agility. There is one dog resort over here that teaches agility but I haven't found many others.

brumwolf

I have to say if your Dobe takes to it yo will never look back,my middle girl Tia has done the showring thing,the O.B.thing but put a jump or tunnel or any other piece of Agility equipment in front of her and she just lights up,she becomes another dog and teaching her to not jump unless told is my problem.
Here is Tia being put through her paces by mrs b at an Agility meeting.

__________________

My favourite quote "If it's not a Doberman,It's just a dog" Anon

Tinyfxds

Nice picture. Looks like she can clear that jump no problem.