Agility

[Christine D]

What age can you start a rottweiler in Agility? We have done puppy class and obedience classes. Our rotti just turned two and I think he needs something constructive to do. I don't want to show him because I just don't have the time. We checked in to schutzhund but that seems like alot of work as well. I thought agility would be fun for him and not as demanding. You always here about there hips and not letting them jump too much though.

[Silvermarten]

2 is certainly a good age to start agility .
It is a demanding sport so work up to it slowly , but you'll be doing that anyway in classes learning the obstacles .
Do go ahead and get your boy's hips and elbows checked by your vet ( requires sedation and xrays ) as you don't want to worsen any underlying joint problems . Be sure your dog isn't overweight as this is very stressfull on joints no matter how well they are constructed

Henry started agility a couple of months back and LOVEs it !!!!!!

Good luck and post some photo's when you get started

[Luvs]

Two years is a good age to start agility. I agree with having the hips and elbows checked just to make sure that everything is fine.

I started Akasha in a puppy agility class when she was 3 months old. It was pretty much socialization and an intro to the obstacles. We weren't able to get into another class until this past winter. They are 19 months old now and while they do all the equipment, we still make sure and take it kind of easy on them. I don't know who enjoys agility more, them or us

[Christine D]

We have checked with our vet on getting his hips and elbows done. We have to get her to do the xrays and then we have to send them off the USA for the reading and certification. I hope it doesn't take to long to find out the reading we will be anxious the whole time waiting. He goes this summer for his xrays.

[Judi W]

You do not have to wait for certification to start working your dog. If there is a serious problem, your vet will be able to let you know after he looks at the xrays. A dog with light to moderate problems can still do things just moderate the activities to those that do not overly stress the weak parts of the dog. The hardest on the body part of agility is the repeated jumping which is difficult on the front end due to the landings. A beginner in agility is not doing repeated high jumping as they are learning the equipment, becoming familiar with it, and learning how to negotiate obsticles. Teeters, dog walks, weave poles, tunnels and very low set jumps are all part of the beginning work.

[Brooke&Ryan]

We started Julius at agility at right around a year of age. He didn't really jump at all & if he did they were SUPER low. We LOVE it!!!