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The doghouse

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Original poster

Does anyone here do agility?

33 replies

saintlyjimjams · 22/02/2014 13:24

First lesson this week and I'm wondering what to expect.

Also wondering what to wear - the website says sturdy shoes because it's in a riding school so I was thinking of wearing my chunky riding boots? (Ankle high - look like walking boots but are more flexible & lighter).

OP posts:
basildonbond · 22/02/2014 14:20

No idea I'm afraid but v jealous! Dd would love to do agility with dpup when he's old enough but there are no classes anywhere near us

Let us know how you get on

Original poster
saintlyjimjams · 22/02/2014 19:39

Will do!

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Gooner123 · 22/02/2014 20:14

I've done a few agility classes,found it a bit boring as there was a lot of waiting around in between our turn,so long as you can run/ jog in your boots they'll be fine,hope you & your dog enjoy it.
I will prob.find a new class & try again as my hound liked it.

Original poster
saintlyjimjams · 22/02/2014 21:08

Oh we're having a 1:1. Saintlydog isn't very saintly - gets a bit excited so I suspect it will be combined with obedience as well (I have warned the trainer!). They do flyball as well which I can also imagine him loving... Fingers crossed!

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MissBeehiving · 22/02/2014 22:18

Agility really helps with obedience. Make sure you take some high value treats like cheese or sausage. Have fun Smile

mintchocchick · 22/02/2014 22:32

I'm hoping to do agility with my old English sheepdog though you have to be a year old. Well dog does. We practised a little at puppy class and our 6 month old puppy wimped out completely when faced with a tiny jump- he was cowering! Trainer said not to push but just to bring more tasty treats like liver cake.

I'll have to cook a batch before we start or we won't get round the course!

Original poster
saintlyjimjams · 23/02/2014 08:02

Yes treats out & about always a problem - he's just not remotely interested in any food treats when there's something more exciting to be done (not even things like sausage!) I usually use throwing the ball as the reinforcer when we're out.

Will rummage through the fridge & try to rustle up a menu.

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PseudoBadger · 23/02/2014 08:05

Yes I do, have done for over 10 years now :)

I would say no to anything remotely welly like, I train at an indoor riding school and we all wear trainer type shoes as running and turning are key.

Tasty treats are great, I use hotdogs, chicken, corned beef etc. Does your ball have a rope on it (so the dog can tug?)

Original poster
saintlyjimjams · 23/02/2014 08:10

My riding boots are ankle high & light so should be ok while I see whether he likes it. I think the first few weeks might be calming him down anyway :)

No he doesn't recognise balls with rope on as being balls Grin

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PseudoBadger · 23/02/2014 08:18

They sound fine then :) Whereabouts in the country are you?

Decide whether you want to use treats or toys (or both) as rewards. Take a range of whatever you decide then you can see what will get his attention at the venue.

Original poster
saintlyjimjams · 23/02/2014 08:21

We're in Devon.

Will take along a dog's dream bag of treats Grin

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PseudoBadger · 23/02/2014 08:25

Are you going to Devon Dogs by any chance?

Original poster
saintlyjimjams · 23/02/2014 08:27

No - they looked fab, but they're quite a trek from us.

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PseudoBadger · 23/02/2014 08:28

I hope you have a great time! Have you seen much agility at all? What type of dog do you have?

Original poster
saintlyjimjams · 23/02/2014 08:38

Not seen a lot no! He's a working line retriever who is super fast. He's not the usual retriever shape - very slim & smaller - I often get asked whether he's a setter cross by people who haven't come across working line retrievers before. Leaps over massive tree trunks & rocks & charges into waves to get his ball so I'm hoping he'll like it - also hoping it exercises his brain a bit - he's too clever really.

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PseudoBadger · 23/02/2014 08:44

He sounds perfect for agility! I love working line gun dogs, they're like different breeds to their show relatives.

PseudoBadger · 23/02/2014 08:45

He might like a toy like this?

Original poster
saintlyjimjams · 23/02/2014 08:52

Oh that looks good - although he tends to ignore food when out. He likes fluffy toys though & loves to have things in his mouth. Is always walking around at home with a fluffy toy (& goes into ds3's room to steal his if he can't find his own). I might try and pick up a new fluffy tug toy before we go -he loves getting new fluffy toys as well!

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Whoknowswhocares · 23/02/2014 22:31

tug-e-nuff.co.uk/bungee-tug-toys.html

A toy from this page would get my vote. My goldie has the sheepskin bungee tug with ball one and LOVES it.
Something about the real skin/fur ones definitely makes them twice as exciting Grin

furlinedsheepskinjacket · 23/02/2014 22:35

good luck
we went with our lab - he didn't like it

Original poster
saintlyjimjams · 23/02/2014 22:52

Ah the place I'm going had a link to that on their website whoknows
Will report back when I've been!

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Owllady · 24/02/2014 10:39

When are you going?
As you know, we have done the junior one and are on our list but don't expect them to be interested straight away. Mine US a collie as you know and talked herself out of most stuff until she was distracted
Would do the tyre as it made a noise etc!
It's knackering! I need to get much fitter :o
I just wear normal clothes btw

Owllady · 24/02/2014 10:40

I mean don't expect the dog to be interested straight away! The boards are fun......
Do you have a harness? I find easier t do with a harness on

Original poster
saintlyjimjams · 24/02/2014 11:46

I suspect when the trainer sees how mad maddog is she will start with obedience Grin

Will report back!

OP posts:
Owllady · 24/02/2014 13:21

Mine was just completely mental at obedience Confused