Agility question

[binka_nugget]

How old is Ryleigh? They can start training around a year (different requirements for different trainers.. but around that age is when most trainers will let you start.) If Ryleigh is under a year, she can still do foundation work, which will help a lot later on. Some trainers offer a puppy/foundation class to help you get started.

What I look for is someone who is actively competing and has trained a wide variety of dogs in agility. Training a high drive Border Collie isn't like training a low drive Shihtzu, for example. I wish to get far in our agility career so I look for the same in our trainer. I was very lucky to find my trainer as she went to Worlds with her first agility dog. I looked for someone who knew agility is fun, first and foremost. The Q's, ribbons and titles are all nice to have.. but we keep doing it cause it's fun! I also looked for someone who didn't have a HUGE class size.. we usually have around 6, which works out nicely as we get enough one on one attention, but still have time to work on other obstacles as we wait.

I would suggest checking out your local USDAA, NADAC or AKC trial and see if any of the competitors have suggestions. It'll also be nice cause you can socialize your dog there!

Good luck finding a trainer! Agility is very fun and addicting!

[WELOVESPUPPIES]

Thanks everyone for all the information...looks like I have a lot of homework to do LOL.

Ryleigh will be a year in August. I want to do the obedience classes and stuff with her first to reinforce all that she knows, teach her some new things, and get her recall 100%, right now she is about 95% depends on how good the smell she found is LOL. All joking aside...I want the basics to be instant with her so as said before by ParNone we are more likely to enjoy ourselves because I won't be chasing her all over the course.

I figure by the time I do the obedience classes with her I will get to know this lady as she does agility also(classes and one on one training). I have not spoken to her yet and will get a better feel for her once I do. I believe she even allows you to come and observe her classes, if so I am definitely going to do that so I can see how she handles things. I want to be sure she has small dog experience, I want Ryleigh to be confident not a nervous wreck. After we go through the first training session I will judge whether I feel she enjoys it or not, I won't make Ryleigh do something that she is not comfortable with. I want it to be something we both enjoy doing together.

Chopper and Ryleigh say **hi Mister**