Does anyone here do agility?

[saintlyjimjams]

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).

Well I went - and he was a natural

It was brilliant fun actually, and he loved it, so we're booked in again.

He did the hard tunnel thing set up at 90 degrees, started on the soft tunnel (touching his back) - A frame - needed a bit of help with that as I couldn't reach the top, and the weavey stick things. He was also rushing around like a loon and clearing jumps with ease

He was fine with food as a lure which surprised me as he usually ignores it out and about. I have spotted some bungies with tennis balls and am thinking it might be worth trying one of those as well.

I would be a bit concerned at going straight on to equipment at lesson 1. Especially A Frame! Our lesson 1 was learning targeting, focusing with other dogs around and a solid stay. Some of the equipment was out but flat so as not to worry any dogs. Our homework was stuff like directional cues, stays (for start), building forward focus and for a few dogs to teach a more solid release cue from their tug (reward for most). We were also pointed towards some online resources for teaching rear end awareness, contacts, etc. We aren't ever going to "compete" but trainer teaches everyone as if they were, to avoid dogs picking up injuries. There are different methods to teach weaves (I like 2 x 2) but avoid if they are teaching by luring through an entire set of poles (in my non-expert opinion).

1:1 though - no other dogs for distraction. It was more a having a go and seeing how he got on.

Will see how they continue. He loved it.

Lots of us badgers do agility then :o

OP I'm glad you and your dog had fun. I do largely agree with my badger friend - it sounds almost like an agility 'taster' session which I know some clubs like to offer?

Yes I'm pretty sure it was a taster as at the end she asked whether I wanted to start bringing him. And at one stage she said 'I think he would be good at this'. He loved the tunnels. Very quickly went from it being short and straight to long & 90 degrees.

Will see what happens next week :)

Second what Dirtybadger says. A frame in first lesson on full height is just asking for injuries and no way of teaching either running contacts or 2on 2 off.

Glad that you enjoyed it but maybe look for a club with experience trainers in agility. It would be awful for your dog to get hurt or you to get hooked and have to undo badly taught habits.

Be warned though agility is highly addictive and will cost you money and weekends.

Dirtybadger I bet that you do compete

She's very experienced! Both as a general dog trainer & agility trainer.

Will see how it goes. Only option for me without driving 40 miles (I can't do evenings or weekends) so will see what happens in future sessions.

We did an a frame on first go too but it's lower level, I think it's called something like one if those toddler gym session things (you know, the ones full of anxious first time mums)