Absolute newbie...How do you start?

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nikki1

Forums Novice
So...This spring I'll be getting a sheltie puppy. I haven't had a dog in years, but I've had 2 shelties previously who were my best buddies, and who both excelled in obedience. I'm WAY too excited about the whole thing!:winkgrin:

Anyway, my plan is to start with obedience, because every dog should know the basics, and because it's a world I know, but after CD or CDX I'd like to transition over to agility.

My problem is that I know NOTHING about agility. I've seen it on t.v., of course, and I've seen people practicing at a park, but that's about it. I want to do it because the dogs and the people both seem to be having a blast, but I don't know where to start. Here are my specific questions:

1. I'm 44 now. I'm in good health. Yeah, I need to lose weight, but that's part of the plan. Am I going to be up for it?

2. Where can people go to learn how to do this?

3. Is there anything I should be asking that I don't even know enough to ask?

Thanks in advance!

--Nikki
 
Welcome!

When you find a facility for your basic obedience, they probably offer agility also. Some places even offer puppy agility classes. In that class you are teaching your puppy the terminology, and the start of obstacles, and even weave poles. You won't be doing jumping, but going over the poles on the ground. They even make puppy size A-frames, dog walks and pause tables. All of this is done on lead.

To actually start agility for dogs older then puppy age, you need to have a reliable sit, stay and come, all done off lead. So, you can see that obedience comes first, then agility training is smooth and successful.

You have plenty of time to find the puppy of your dreams, that will match your excitement for competitive dog sports.
 
Depending on where you live and the style you like to learn there is plenty of info on the net as well. Just to give you few ideas
There are Bowwowflix rental DVD, Tawzerdog rental DVD with various agility DVD from puppy to competition

lots of puppy performance classes on line like this

http://www.agility-u.com/index.php?option=com_joomla_lms&Itemid=182&task=details_course&id=26
http://www.lolabuland.com/
http://susangarrettdogagility.com/2011/12/the-success-of-the-puppy-peakers/
Pretty comprehensive book
http://www.agilityrightfromthestart.com/
 
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