Dog Community

Advice on Agility

Posted : 12/21/2006 12:37:58 PM

My cocker, Monty, is almost 2. He's taken two puppy socialization classes and one beginner obedience class. I'm wondering what his next step should be. I'd like to try agility but am wondering if he should have the intermediate obedience first. Patricia McConnell has a training facility here in Madison, WI, that teaches both. They said I could do either one. My question is though, would he learn agility quicker if he had intermediate obedience first or does one not really impact the other. His stays are pretty good, so is his recall, but both could use some work. Just wanting to get him into something to keep him stimulated. Any advice from those who do agility would be appreciated. The facility also said cockers are actually pretty good at agility. Anyone know of any cockers who do this?

Here's a picture of Monty.

Scout in Canada

Posted : 12/21/2006 1:24:38 PM

I started agility about a month ago. We only have beginner obedience and it hasn't been a problem. Really, the main obedience cues you want to have really solid are a good 'down-stay', and just general attentiveness - attention exercises.

I am so happy we started agility, I find it more interesting and exciting than obedience personally. No one in my beginner agility class has perfect obedience, we are all a work in progress to varying degrees, but it's not like they just let all the dogs off-leash and expect them to perform. They set it up so that even beginners can succeed. When we go through a few obstacles, the other dogs are on-leash with their owners, at the other side of the training ring to minimize the distractions.

diane303

Posted : 12/21/2006 1:30:53 PM

If you want to give agility a try, take the beginner agility class now. Many of the exercises in a beginner agility class are good to reinforce what you've already learned in beginner obedience. The one very important thing that they learn in agility, is to focus on you for cues. The beginner classes usually start out "on leash" to learn all the obstacles anyway. It's a super and fun way to bond with your dog. Great experience for your typical sporting dog mentality. It's very intellectually stimulating as well.

Just be patient and have fun! [

]

agilebasenji

Posted : 12/21/2006 2:36:31 PM

If agility is what you want to do and your trainer says he's ready, I'd do agility. I know of several cockers doing agility.

I do have to say, having the chance to train under Patricia McConnell is going to make plenty of us on the is forum green with envy! Lucky you!

Katie

Posted : 12/21/2006 2:55:32 PM

A Patricia McConnell training center? We are jealous! You and your cocker will have a great deal of fun with agility.

Krista DeBellis

Posted : 12/21/2006 3:28:36 PM

Thanks everyone! After reading the posts, I'm very excited to give this a try. In case you're interested, below is a link to her facility. She teaches at the university here and does many speaking engagements and seminars. I'm very anxious to see how it goes. I just hope my cocker enjoys it. He's hard to read sometimes.

[linkhttp://www.dogsbestfriendtraining.com]http://www.dogsbestfriendtraining.com[/link]

Krista DeBellis

Posted : 1/10/2007 2:59:30 PM

OMG, had our first agility lesson last night. How awesome is this? We worked on tunnels and Monty went through no problem. They started out short but kept getting longer. We also worked on recall with distractions. I can't believe how much we learned in one hour. We also are going to use clicker training for some of the equipment. Awesome. I have used clicker training with Monty for a few things and he responds very well to it. Patricia McConnell, of course, wasn't there but it's her facility and the trainers were awesome and enthused which got the people and dogs enthused. So much more fun than regular obedience. I can't wait to continue with this.

agilebasenji

Posted : 1/10/2007 4:47:35 PM

Sounds like you had a blast - and that's how agility should be. Please keep us updated.

Katie

Posted : 1/10/2007 4:59:53 PM

Great! So glad you two enjoyed your first class. [

] That's wonderful that the trainers are so enthusiastic!