I'd say your best bet will be to get involved with a local agility club and hang out and network, and find someone who is willing to let you handle an "extra" dog of theirs, there.

The other scenario you describe, for me personally, would be too fraught with liability issues.

Dogs can and do get hurt, even badly, in agility sometimes, and I'd wonder how aware of that a completely uninvolved-in-dog-sport pet person might be, and how they'd handle that/react to that if it happened.

It's a shame you can't find a great rescue to work with, and take on a foster dog that has been vetted and well-evaluated. Perhaps one that has been languishing with few adoption inquiries. Putting some extra training on a dog like that can sometimes make a huge difference in their adoptability.

So, to sum up, I'd start networking with the agility club, ask them about any reputable responsible rescues, and see where that leads you.

 

Cool thanks, I have sent an email to the agility club to ask around for spare dogs... Most dog people seem to have more than one dog, and with classes often run at the same time maybe someone has a spare floating around

I am disappointed with the lack of enthusiasm shown by the shelters I contacted, one runs a really cool program- the dog squad, which is a team of people that come in 4 times a week when the time suits them and trains with a dog that has issues. I called them up and the lady was super eager and said I had the most experience out of everyone who had offered, but to be eligible I had to volunteer on weekends (every weekend) at their shelter for over 12 months first, and they had an abundance of dog volunteers so it would all be cat work

 

My first response was thinking about all the dogs I know that are out of agility this summer due to a soft tissue injury - most of them in the shoulder including Yoda. Don't know how it happened, but it costs money to get the true diagnosis and treatment, well that can run from 100's to 1000's of $$$.

I wouldn't really run another person's dog on a regular basis for that reason - I would hate to be accused of causing an injury rightly or wrongly.

 

I do not know many who train in agility that would let someone run much less train their dog in agility. Too many iffs--training style, running style, potential linjuries etc.

Besides the fun comes from doing it yourself so most will run their dogs themselves. The few people who don` t run their dogs are just dog owners that want titles on their dogs quickly quickly, so they usually get their trainer or possibly someone who has put titles on multiple dogs to run them. (they are the in/out owners)

 

I know a trainer - a great one - in my area who just likes training and has other people title her dogs in agility and obedience. She trains, they run them. She doesn't like traveling to trials and she doesn't like agility games - she really likes International agility courses and hopes that UKI may bring some much needed interest or challenge to masters level courses. Otherwise, the trial courses are boring to her. Her training courses are very challenging for the competition classes.

 

I applaud you for trying to come up with something to do until you can have a dog in your house. It sucks you're so far from Lottie now and can't use her. But anyway, I still think you're on the right track with volunteering to help at the training center. I think if you don't hear anything back from the email go again in person and tell someone to their face that you are interested in helping and that you sent an email and who exactly should you talk to. Just think baby steps- get in first, watch people, network, then maybe you wont have to ask someone to borrow a dog- they may ask you.

If I was in NZ I'd let you borrow one of my dogs

 

I sort of came up with the idea because I remember a lady from the club that used to train an elderly neighbour's crazy 3 year old Lab who had bundles of energy and this old lady couldn't give him all the exercise he needed, she didn't compete with him or anything, just trained a few times a week and walked him... that is kind of what I am looking for, not necessarily a dog to title, just one to have fun with and to have a hobby with lol- not keen to take up knitting just yet I also used to train with a lovely GSP breeder who could only train two of her dogs at a time, so had someone she met through the club training her third dog, it seemed to work out quite well for them. I think if I was to use a dog from a person who is not involved in sport i would take the time to let them know that it isn't quite a walk around the block and there is a risk of injury involved, and I would want to have a vet check them out and make sure there is no pre existing issues and wouldn't train really hard... I think anyone already involved in agility knows the risks, but even so I wouldn't go around wrecking other people's dogs lol, more just looking for something fun to do during the week and to meet some more doggy people

 

Yaye! The club got back in touch with me and are very eager to have me come and help out with their shows, and have invited me to come and watch training Monday next week (provided the weather isn't terrible) and are getting in touch with some members who may have a dog or know of a dog to run Awesome!

 

Well I have found myself with at least 3 dogs to run, which is awesome! I have chosen one of a very rare breed, the go-slow Border Collie! This Border Collie (Dazzle) is a rescue dog who doesn't seem to get very amped about agility, her owner does well in obedience with her (and has another B/C in agility who is very good), but can't get the level of excitement and speed that Dazzle needs to keep amping and going in agility- so this is where I step in, with all my youthful enthusiasm and fast legs lol. We seem to be getting on alright, Dazzle does look around for her owner occasionally but as long as I keep her busy and focused she is good... we have one big problem which is her best friend the Golden Border Collie, if she sees him she takes off to go play... I found this out the hard way when running her on a senior course for the first time and I raced over to the dog walk and go about half way along before realizing my go slow collie was off rolling around in front of the handsome golden boy.

I am helping out at a club ribbon trial next weekend, have been given a full day of jobs and learning- I am so excited Nervous about being a call steward though, that sounds like it might involve being loud hahaha

 

You took your eye off your dog!!!

Shame on you!

Good to hear you're getting to participate.