Agility people, suggestions?

Babyblue5290

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#41
I love my place! It's pawsability in fife.
I've actually looked at that place as it's about 20 mins from us. We went there for the behavioral evaluation and I wasn't to fond of the main instructor, but my understanding is the agility is taught by a different person? Or is it taught by the person who does most of the obedience classes?
 

Beanie

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#42
You didn't "clearly" say $180 was unreasonable for your area. You were just complaining about the price, and other people chimed in with what they are paying as a comparison. It wasn't until your second post that you said $120 was average for your area; nobody mentioned price again after that post.

You were the one who said the fun class didn't teach foundations:
The other place I kinda like only has a "fun agility" class, which doesn't really seem like any foundation OR any actual agility equipment.
People are making comments based on what you've posted. If it's incorrect, it's not our fault.


If money is an issue, I think you should be aware of how much this is going to cost in the long run when you DO have a dog to compete with even if you don't want to invest in Art right now. It's not just a series of classes and then you're done and ready to go. It's a LOT of money invested in classes over and over and over, private lessons, your own equipment at home to practice with - and do you know what the average cost of entering a trial is? Factor in gas to travel plus hotel if you're staying in another city.
Agility is not a cheap hobby no matter how you look at it. I got a discount from my trainer because she bred Auggie, so I got an "Auggie discount" and it still wasn't cheap. I also get off incredibly easy since I'm now one of her assistant trainers... and it's STILL not cheap. It's a very, very, VERY expensive hobby. You might need to seriously reconsider if you want to do this or not if you're already so upset about the potential cost that you want to lay on your bed and cry. It's supposed to be fun and if it's giving you this much anxiety...

If all you really want is to play around and have fun with your dogs, I also agree with Cali to just buy some cheap equipment in the backyard. There is absolutely no reason to put yourself through the financial woe when you obviously really don't want to do so.
 

katielou

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#43
I've actually looked at that place as it's about 20 mins from us. We went there for the behavioral evaluation and I wasn't to fond of the main instructor, but my understanding is the agility is taught by a different person? Or is it taught by the person who does most of the obedience classes?
Completely different person and she is great. I also don't like the main instructor but Lisa the agility trainer is great.

Art just needs to know like sit and stay and Lisa will let you into beginner class without taking the obedience classes it says you have to take.

http://spotonagilitydog.com/
 

Babyblue5290

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#44
You didn't "clearly" say $180 was unreasonable for your area. You were just complaining about the price, and other people chimed in with what they are paying as a comparison. It wasn't until your second post that you said $120 was average for your area; nobody mentioned price again after that post.

You were the one who said the fun class didn't teach foundations:


People are making comments based on what you've posted. If it's incorrect, it's not our fault.


If money is an issue, I think you should be aware of how much this is going to cost in the long run when you DO have a dog to compete with even if you don't want to invest in Art right now. It's not just a series of classes and then you're done and ready to go. It's a LOT of money invested in classes over and over and over, private lessons, your own equipment at home to practice with - and do you know what the average cost of entering a trial is? Factor in gas to travel plus hotel if you're staying in another city.
Agility is not a cheap hobby no matter how you look at it. I got a discount from my trainer because she bred Auggie, so I got an "Auggie discount" and it still wasn't cheap. I also get off incredibly easy since I'm now one of her assistant trainers... and it's STILL not cheap. It's a very, very, VERY expensive hobby. You might need to seriously reconsider if you want to do this or not if you're already so upset about the potential cost that you want to lay on your bed and cry. It's supposed to be fun and if it's giving you this much anxiety...

If all you really want is to play around and have fun with your dogs, I also agree with Cali to just buy some cheap equipment in the backyard. There is absolutely no reason to put yourself through the financial woe when you obviously really don't want to do so.
Generally, from what I'm seeing classes are about $120 with one or two foundation classes, which is fine. ...

...The other place I kinda like only has a "fun agility" class, which doesn't really seem like any foundation OR any actual agility equipment. It seems the equipment is "smaller" than normal with a lot of extra "tricks" added in, which again is a bit too lax for what I'm looking for...
More of the same quote beanie.

And my next posts following that beloow with bolded parts:

The other places (lot less expensive), are doing two foundations, so it's not like there are no foundations. The expensive place is you practice balance in the first class (fun class I), practice a bit of the agility equipment (foundations I), practice stretching and warming up, for the third class (fun class II), and then the rest of the agility equipment (foundations II). which all sounds great, though 8 months seems a bit overkill for me, but there is just no way I'm going to be able to pay (or get David on board with paying) nearly $800 for that right now. That's 100 per month where every other place is $50 per month or LESS. That's seems to be a drastic price up for this area to me for a dog that will never compete and a handler that will take the better classes with a different dog. Why pay $800 now and then $800 just to do it again later when only one actually matters? This one is just for fun type thing.



I already said I refuse the place that does force training 100%. The place that is mostly positive with some force, it's mainly one trainer that seems to be the traditional style. And the fun classes (well, mostly except the last few places) I looked at DO have foundations,t ehy don't just toss the dogs on the equiptment and they DO compete in agility with titles.



Again, no runs the first night. It has foundations the first two classes. Also, Art will not trial. I will not trial with Art. That's that pretty much as far as I'm concerned.
As far as the price I did state that $120 was around the norm a few times, weither that was clear enough or not well.....

As far as the price, yeah I was being a bit overdramatic/sarcastic about weeping in the bed (LOL!). I understand that price is high and it's worth it if you like the sport, but how does anyone get into a sport you have to pay thousands of dollars to start up when you don't even know if you are going to like it?

I do have equipment in my backyard (a few home made jumps etc), but that's not what I'm looking for. If I wanted that I wouldn't ask for opinions on classes, thanks though ;) You've been so helpful.


Completely different person and she is great. I also don't like the main instructor but Lisa the agility trainer is great.

Art just needs to know like sit and stay and Lisa will let you into beginner class without taking the obedience classes it says you have to take.

http://spotonagilitydog.com/
Thanks for the review! I'll have to call or email her (I'll figure out which she prefers) to come in and watch a class! :) Art knows sit stay and all the basics so that won't be an issue! ^_^
 

CaliTerp07

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#45
but how does anyone get into a sport you have to pay thousands of dollars to start up when you don't even know if you are going to like it?
How is that different from any other activity? My parents spend thousands on piano lessons before we all finally admitted I wasn't really enjoying it. I spend tens of thousands on soccer clinics and travel teams and whatever else, only to realize I didn't really want to play in college, and would rather pursue academics with my free time. The dance lessons I dragged my husband to were $250/person for 10 weeks, and they said it would take 3-4 sessions to actually feel comfortable with any of the steps (so $750 x 2 just to see if we were capable!)

Bottom line, hobbies are horrifically expensive. But if you don't have something you love in life, what's the point of working so hard to earn money? (Assuming you have leftovers after bills are paid, that is).
 

Babyblue5290

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#46
How is that different from any other activity? My parents spend thousands on piano lessons before we all finally admitted I wasn't really enjoying it. I spend tens of thousands on soccer clinics and travel teams and whatever else, only to realize I didn't really want to play in college, and would rather pursue academics with my free time. The dance lessons I dragged my husband to were $250/person for 10 weeks, and they said it would take 3-4 sessions to actually feel comfortable with any of the steps (so $750 x 2 just to see if we were capable!)

Bottom line, hobbies are horrifically expensive. But if you don't have something you love in life, what's the point of working so hard to earn money? (Assuming you have leftovers after bills are paid, that is).
That is very true, life would suck without the extras. lol I'm hoping I'll like the spot on agility after I see a class, if I do I'll go there! ^_^
 

AdrianneIsabel

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#48
After talking to a gal shadowing me yesterday about we considerations of leaving horses for dogs I can honestly say I'm thankful my dogs and their sports are so "cheap" in comparison. Could be worse. Lol
 

Beanie

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#50
Sigh... the ORDER of your posts in important here, Babyblue... not just what you said in them. In your second post (which is the first time you brought up $120 being average in your area, which is after people commented on what they pay/find reasonable) you posted "the class doesn't have any foundations" and people responded. It was your THIRD post that says "oh, yes, it DOES have foundations," and then IMMEDIATELY after that was your fourth post where you say you're frustrated by people's comments about not going with the fun classes if they don't offer any foundations.
But people were making comments about it not having foundations because you SAID it didn't have any! By the time you corrected yourself, you were already mad about people making "incorrect statements" - but those statements were based on the information we were given at the time by YOU.



If I wanted that I wouldn't ask for opinions on classes, thanks though
When everybody gave you their opinions on classes, you got mad and said you don't agree with the advice. Then several people told you since you don't like that advice, maybe you should just play in your backyard. Now you're mad about that.
I don't think there's a winning solution here.
 

Babyblue5290

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#51
After talking to a gal shadowing me yesterday about we considerations of leaving horses for dogs I can honestly say I'm thankful my dogs and their sports are so "cheap" in comparison. Could be worse. Lol
One of the very many reasons I don't own a horse LOL :p I don't think I could do it, I may die from the shock of the bills lol :p

Sigh... the ORDER of your posts in important here, Babyblue... not just what you said in them. In your second post (which is the first time you brought up $120 being average in your area, which is after people commented on what they pay/find reasonable) you posted "the class doesn't have any foundations" and people responded. It was your THIRD post that says "oh, yes, it DOES have foundations," and then IMMEDIATELY after that was your fourth post where you say you're frustrated by people's comments about not going with the fun classes if they don't offer any foundations.
But people were making comments about it not having foundations because you SAID it didn't have any! By the time you corrected yourself, you were already mad about people making "incorrect statements" - but those statements were based on the information we were given at the time by YOU.




When everybody gave you their opinions on classes, you got mad and said you don't agree with the advice. Then several people told you since you don't like that advice, maybe you should just play in your backyard. Now you're mad about that.
I don't think there's a winning solution here.
Just to set the record straight, I'm not mad at anyone, not even you. Frustrated with finding a good agility place that wasn't quite so costly? Yes. Mad/Angry at anyone here? No. :) The order was already there, and that's how I posted them in my reply to you. I see nothing wrong with the order.

There is a winning solution (hopefully), spot on agility. I'm hoping they are what I'm looking for as far as their practices (already saw the facility and it's very nice). Their price is much more affordable at $120 with two foundation classes and with a glowing recommendation for the instructor. Sounds like a good solution to me ;)

Again, thanks for doing the best you can do to help out. :D Hopefully you can destress a bit now and not have to worry anymore about this thread since a possible solution has been reached. :)
 

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