kiwioz Posted March 9, 2013 Share Posted March 9, 2013 I'm looking at getting into agility or some sort of dog sports with Finn, but I'm not sure where to start or if I've left it too late. I've always been interested, but he's had quite severe behaviours around other dogs in the past after some trauma as a pup so it was always a bit too much. These behaviours are much better now (though not perfect) and he's so mopey since cal died that I'm looking for ways to engage and socialise him more and I wonder if this is the time to get more involved in some doggy stuff :) He turned 6 in November and has never done anything except his puppy class when I first got him. He has basic commands (sit, down, shake, stay, come) but that's about it. He has fun on the agility equipment in the dog park - though is scared of the tunnel!! Is it too late to get involved? I only want to do it for fun, I'm not particularly interested in competing with him it's more about the social aspect for him (and me!). If I did, do I go straight to the pre-agility beginners course or should I do obedience with him first? There are clubs I can have a chat to, but I thought I'd get a bit of early advice here as they all offer different classes, some more focused on obedience and some on agility. There is also something called Rally O that I've never heard of! Thanks for any thoughts or tips Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panzer Attack Posted March 9, 2013 Share Posted March 9, 2013 One of mine is 10 this year and he knows some basic agility stuff. It's never too late, IMO, I'm actually finding it easier to train my 1 year old Cav in foundation than I did my puppy. He's a lot more settled. The good thing about older dogs is that there's no pressure, you can make mistakes without freaking out, and the relationship is already there. Definitely do it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwioz Posted March 9, 2013 Author Share Posted March 9, 2013 Thanks PA :) Yes I thought it would be pretty relaxed and low pressure, and we've certainly got the relationship - he is such a mummy's boy and very eager to please! :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panzer Attack Posted March 9, 2013 Share Posted March 9, 2013 Typical Cav brain! The only obedience you really need is a solid stay, but it'd be worth your while to do some basic so he can learn to work under distraction and learn to be reliable off-lead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted March 9, 2013 Share Posted March 9, 2013 Not too late at all. Lucy is 6 or 7 and is still a newb. Both my current two are my "learning" dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheena Posted March 9, 2013 Share Posted March 9, 2013 At our club we generally require them to do "Canine College" which is basic obedience & an introduction to agility. He would need to have a good solid stay & be able to be around other dogs in an exciting environment & be off lead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwioz Posted March 9, 2013 Author Share Posted March 9, 2013 Ok so working on his stay sounds like a good place to start. It is ok, but I strongly suspect not up to scratch :laugh: Especially with distractions! It is good to know some things to start working on though, as I probably wouldn't bother starting until after my 3 week trip next month. But we can start practising! Sheena from what I can gather the clubs here seem to offer something similar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvsdogs Posted March 9, 2013 Share Posted March 9, 2013 I did a Rally-O workshop a few years ago & the instructor said that it was good for older dogs to do after their obedience/agility careers were too much for them. But I certainly call Finn old. There's also dog dancing which involves learning lots of fun new tricks/moves. This video is from Crufts the other night. There are a couple of 11 y/o old dogs competing. It is at a high standard but is such fun learning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwioz Posted March 9, 2013 Author Share Posted March 9, 2013 The dancing is fantastic! Good to know on the Rally-O. I should add as well that I don't consider Finn 'old' as such either, and I think he's certainly physically capable of doing sports, but I know that people often start when their dogs are pups and I wasn't sure how commonplace it was to start as a complete beginner with an adult dog with no training background. It would be good to be able to find out if my local clubs are too serious!! I suspect with Finn there will be many laughs and a lot of potential for embarrassment :laugh: :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheena Posted March 10, 2013 Share Posted March 10, 2013 There is a good DVD for beginners on CleanRun at the moment. It is on special for $12.95 & includes free shipping from US. Here is the link to Starting Off Right Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwioz Posted March 11, 2013 Author Share Posted March 11, 2013 Thanks sheena! Will have a look :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TigerJack Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 6 is not too late. My little Silky Terrier girl was 7 when she started agility. Came along to a training weekend with my kelpie and gave her a run on the course and she did everything except weave. Started actually training her and she is still running. Turns ten next month and has made it into masters. I reckon it keeps her feeling young Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwioz Posted March 12, 2013 Author Share Posted March 12, 2013 That's awesome TigerJack! Great to hear of other dogs starting later successfully! I'm just trying not to let Finn's failed attempt at jumping on the couch yesterday be too much of an indication of his potential ability at agility :laugh: :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sylvie Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 That's awesome TigerJack! Great to hear of other dogs starting later successfully! I'm just trying not to let Finn's failed attempt at jumping on the couch yesterday be too much of an indication of his potential ability at agility :laugh: :laugh: Our JRT Ares (8,5 yo) fails jumping on the couch most of the time ( we have to get him on), but when at agility he jumps like a puppy a lot higher the the couch is. Go and figure. Our two 8.5 years young seem to love agility. I first started to try to get them used to be around other dogs as they are both a bit reactive, and they are doing pretty well, even running the circuit off lead now. Good luck with it, it is good fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwioz Posted March 14, 2013 Author Share Posted March 14, 2013 Haha good to know Sylvie - I won't put too much value on his furniture jumping skills then! That's great that your dogs are loving it, I'm hoping it would help with Finn's socialisation too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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