Post by Aussienot on Oct 23, 2005 1:15:02 GMT -5
Dogs under 12 months, 18 months for the giant breeds, should not do jumps, weaves or full size contact obstacles. That's medical fact, not opinion, as the joints, muscles and bones must be fully adult to withstand the stress of jumping and weaving. Contacts can cause stress from the jolts of proper 2 on/2 off hits, and falling off accidents can cause permanent damage to young dogs. Please do not cripple your potential agility dog just because you are impatient!
I have just spent a mind numbing, highly repetitive 1/2 hour on the phone to a man I know who wanted me to sell him jumps for his 6 month old dobie cross. He put frustrating years of training into his Cocker Spaniel who is only so-so at both obedience and agility. After multiple NQs with Sally, his new pup Marla is his shining agility/obedience hope and aspiration.
So to mollify my friend, I created a list of things he should be doing instead of jumping, and thought I would share it here, along with my plea to keep the youngsters in foundation work until their first birthday. There is NO rush, really. Let them be puppies.
Here are 10 things you can be doing to build a foundation for the future with your potential agility youngster:
1. Tunnels
2. Chutes
3. Wobble board or Buja board
4. Start line stays, with toy and dog distractions
5. Running beside you/ turning/stopping on both the left and right side
6. A row of Cavalettis - only knee high
7. Ladder on the ground, high-step run overs (teaches rear leg co-ordination)
8. Understanding handler moves: Front crosses, Back crosses and False Pivots
9. Send aways (go outs)
10. Running 'contacts' on a plank on the ground
If you can teach all of these by the time the dog is old enough for proper obstacles, then 1) you're a more dedicated trainer than I am, and 2) you really need a hobby as you have way too much time on your hands,
3) the obstacles will be a piece of cake.
I have just spent a mind numbing, highly repetitive 1/2 hour on the phone to a man I know who wanted me to sell him jumps for his 6 month old dobie cross. He put frustrating years of training into his Cocker Spaniel who is only so-so at both obedience and agility. After multiple NQs with Sally, his new pup Marla is his shining agility/obedience hope and aspiration.
So to mollify my friend, I created a list of things he should be doing instead of jumping, and thought I would share it here, along with my plea to keep the youngsters in foundation work until their first birthday. There is NO rush, really. Let them be puppies.
Here are 10 things you can be doing to build a foundation for the future with your potential agility youngster:
1. Tunnels
2. Chutes
3. Wobble board or Buja board
4. Start line stays, with toy and dog distractions
5. Running beside you/ turning/stopping on both the left and right side
6. A row of Cavalettis - only knee high
7. Ladder on the ground, high-step run overs (teaches rear leg co-ordination)
8. Understanding handler moves: Front crosses, Back crosses and False Pivots
9. Send aways (go outs)
10. Running 'contacts' on a plank on the ground
If you can teach all of these by the time the dog is old enough for proper obstacles, then 1) you're a more dedicated trainer than I am, and 2) you really need a hobby as you have way too much time on your hands,
3) the obstacles will be a piece of cake.