Agility question for trainers please

[Ilovemypuppy]

Bailey is 24 months and has had regular obedience training and dance classes...is she old enough to start agility at the beginner level and how often...i.e...once a week or twice a week. I am asking because I want to know if she would be considered physically developed enough at this age to start agility classes. She loves to work and we do a lot of the flat work agility moves in our dance routines. Thanks for any advice.

BTW..last summer we did go twice to agility for the ground elements only...tunnel and weave poles and jumps only 6 inches off the ground just to see what her aptitude was and she loved it. She loves to be challenged mentally.

[papa bear's mom]

Hi, I am no trainer or expert, but I run my lab in agility and hope to run my rescue Rott in it once we get him through some trust/aggression issues. I started my lab at about 1 year of age. I know the trainers at my school suggested I at least wait until then b/c of their joints developing properly and not putting too much weight or stress on them from jumping, etc. I know that my school recommends at least 1 year of age to start and you can just move up from there. Also, just FYI, when we do inside work if the weather is bad outside (our building isn't that huge inside), we set the jumps pretty low so as not to stress their joints b/c of the floor being concrete underneath the mats. My lab should jump at 24 inches normally, but inside I only run her during practice at about 12, maybe 16 just to play it safe. I think your Rott would be fine doing her in agility now. Good luck and have fun - it's a blast ;)

[DNeff]

Originally Posted by Ilovemypuppy

Bailey is 24 months and has had regular obedience training and dance classes...is she old enough to start agility at the beginner level and how often...i.e...once a week or twice a week.

She is definitely ready for beginner level agility class. I would probably start with class once a week and work up to twice a week if she enjoys it. Plus you can practice at home every other day or so if you want. Beginner class should be pretty low impact anyway, so I don't forsee any issues.

Dawn + Osa
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