Agility & Border Collies

[bcjake]

OK, where to start... we have a 7 month old border collie that is itching for something to do. Once he's completed basic obedience, we would like to start him in agility sports. I had an aussie back in the day that I did some makeshift agility training, but mainly with playground equipment (proper equipment was too expensive and didn't have the tools to make it at the time and there was not agility groups, clubs, etc. in the area.)

Are there any good traning materials, references, places to start with agility training, to do it right? I don't want to start working with the dog, get far into it and realize we're doing things wrong or harder than they need to be and then spend a lot of time "reprogramming" the dog and myself to do it right. I'm looking into clubs or groups in the area, but haven't found much, other than a few private instructors that are expensive.

 

[Herschel]

Have you contacted your local dog club?

 

[RD]

Where are you located? The first step would be finding a good agility instructor and going from there. Yes, private lessons are expensive but 2-3 private lessons for YOU, prior to taking a class, can make a big difference. With agility, half of it is learning how to handle your dog after they learn the obstacles, and an instructor can give you a primer on that. When I look for an instructor I look for someone who uses gentle, fun, positive methods and who has put advanced/open titles on at least a couple of dogs. And btw, people in the business would be able to refer you to someone who teaches classes.

I would do as Herschel suggested and contact your local kennel club to see what instructors are in your area.

I haven't read a whole bunch of agility books, but we have a lot of avid readers here and I think someone else can recommend reading materials for you.

 

[Jynx]

or check here www.cleanrun.com look in the agility section, they have a listing by area, of training facilities..

If you want to do it right, and someday compete, go to someone who's been there done that with their own dogs.

Good luck
Diane

 

[sam]

I hope you find a good program- we started in an ok program but one that didn't lay a solid foundation basically they just taught the dogs the equipment and the crosses and then started running courses. I could tell that I wasn't going to get far with that so we basically went right back to the beginning in a really good program. It seems like *everybody* teaches a beginner and intermediate agility course now and you're spot on to look for a good program.

My favorite agility resource is " Shaping Success" by Susan Garrett. It's a fantastic book and really covers fundamentals and skills you need before even beginning agility training as well as getting into training all the equipment and flatwork. It's available through cleanrun.com. It actually won that dog writers award the year it came out. Her "Success with one jump" DVD that came out recently is supposed to be awesome too and would give you loots to teach your dog using only one jump in your basement or yard-- very handy.

 

[adojrts]

Hi
I agree with finding a good instructor, even if you only go once in a while and have to pay more. In the end you will have saved yourself a ton in grief and money, then settling for someone that will not give you and your dog the correct foundations skills on the flat first, then on the equipment. Also make sure that the instructor that you pick, is competing NOW, not 5-10 yrs ago, that they have Titled dogs, that they have students that have Titled dogs and (this is a big one) that they continue with their own education by training with people like Susan Garrett or Greg Derritt etc. An up to date instructor will attend at least 2 agility camps/workshops a year, if not more, to keep up with the latest methods. If this is hard to obtain because of where you live, get the DVD's and also get a subscription to the the mag. Clean Run, it is great and a must have for anyone wanting to compete in agility.
2 DVD's that are awesome are Greg Derritt's Foundations Skills and his Great Dog, Shame about the Handler, both are available at Clean Run.

Good luck and let us know how you make out
Lynn

 

[bcjake]

after a little research, I found a place just north of where I live that offers everything from basic obedience to competition level agility training. Will check it out in more detail when I get a chance. Prices are about $50/month on average

 

[RD]

Good luck checking it out. Now . . . Can we see pictures of your BC pup?

 

[Jynx]

$50 a month is a bargain!!!

My club does 8week class sessions with one of the world team competitors for 150$ for a member, non member 170$..which I think is a bargain!!

Have fun!
diane

 

[RD]

Jynx, I agree. Dakota's agility classes are $80/month.

 

[tessa_s212]

My classes are only like $50 for 8 weeks. But, not much of a bargain when the classes suck.

The other training club that is within an hours driving distance charges about $80 for 8 weeks.

Sounds like you're on your way bcjake.

 

[agilityretrievers]

We pay $75 for 6 weeks. Who teaches the agility classes you're considering?

I recommend getting a subscription to Clean Run magazine, and ordering back issues of the "special focus" issues on puppies, jumping, weaving, contacts, and handling. There aren't many great agility books out there (though I've heard Shaping Success by Susan Garrett is good), but Clean Run is an excellent resource for all levels.

Jynx what World Team member trains through your club?

 

[bcjake]

We are in Columbus, Indiana (about 45 minutes south of Indianapolis.) The traning center near us is called Pawsitive Energy (http://www.pawsitivenergy.com/). I drove out today and spoke with one of the owners/instructors. Right now, our pup is enrolled in an obedience class beginning later this month (I can teach him sit, stay, come, but want to go through a full class as a refresher to me and for the socializaton for both of us.) After that, the next beginners agility class forms in March or April, which would be good timing. The instructors are Ruth Goode (whom I spoke with), Janis Burkman and Candy McKing. Full bios are posted on their site. The lady knows the breeder I got my pup from (photos to be posted later when I have time to pull them off the digital and edit them) and has one of his half siblings, which she competes with. She excited to get our pup going.