As most of my friends on this site know, we recently lost our dog Jasper, and we now have a brand new puppy in our lives, named Rascal. Even though Jasper, and Indy too, were both border collie mixes, I never got into agility, mainly because I didn't really know about it then, and by the time I did they were both too old to join.

Well, now that we have a 9 week old border collie mix, and a very active one at that, I'd like to get him into agility. The only problem is, I have no idea how to go about it.

I've found training courses, and I plan to contact them, find out when he's old enough to join (I wouldn't even consider it until he's had all three sets of his shots).

If there is anyone on this site that has a dog in agility, or knows anything about this sport, what is needed, what I'm looking at training wise, and cost wise, I'd really appreciate it.

I'm in Canada, Alberta to be exact. But any info, even if it's not particular to my area, would be much appreciated. I'm really serious about doing this, even though I know it will be a lot of work, but I really think he'd love it, and I know that as a border collie, he needs a job, and this could be it. :)

If you want to be serious about it, you should have your own agility course at home to practice with. A lot of the obsticles you can build.. some you have to buy.

I never got into agility... So that's about as much info as I know about it. I've heard it is a fun sport that keeps busy brained dogs happy..

Good luck..

Thanks Lucky.

I bought a tunnel thing yesterday. It's actually for cats, but right now he's little, so he fits. I got it at the dollar store. Didn't really want to spend a lot on a bigger better one until he's grown.

So far so good, at least with the tunnel. He's a very curious puppy, and he'll try anything. I think that's going to work in my favor. :)

I'm going to talk to my neighbor some more. She has the equipment because both her dogs are in agility, but her dogs are small breeds, so Rascal would be too big when he gets older. But for now I'd like to at least get him around it, let him investigate, and see how it goes.

The training won't be cheap, but nothing worthwhile ever is, and I have to say, I've wanted to do this for a very long time, and now's my chance. I think Rascal will love it. He's already a very busy little guy and smart too. He's learning so fast. Makes me proud. :)

For Judy, because I can't figure out how to PM a picture, but everyone else can take a peek too. :)

This is Rascal.

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I've never had a dog in agility either, so I don't know much about it.
But one of the Vets at work has a something mix (St. Bernard, Collie, Heinz 57)
Any way she had her in agility and she was surprisingly good at it, she's not doing agility now because she has developed some arthritis and she doesn't want to stress her joints.
But according to her the difference in Taylor before and after re: some bad behavior at home was night and day.
I'll see if I can find out anything helpful from her.

Thanks Lady Sam. My neighbor is into her agility, but her dogs are small breeds, so the agility course would be very different, as I understand.

I've found a few places that offer agility training. It starts with basic puppy training, but also early agility training. It's not cheap, but if they're as good as they say, it would be worth it. I'd do it myself, but I have no idea how to go about training Rascal in agility without the help of a professional.

On a side note, now that he's had his first set of shots we've been going for walks around the block (pavement only), and he's doing great. He stays right by my side, watches me like a hawk.

This puppy really has been so easy so far. I hope it continues. :)

You have a real cutey there. We have 3 dogs in various stages of agility training. We took all 3 through several obedience classes before starting agility, they pay better attention if they have had obedience. The ballpark figure of cash outlay was about $600 before our 3 year old won his first ribbon 6 months ago. He now has 10 ribbons but no first place just yet. Scored 98 and 99 but it was still 3rd place. Visit and observe different trainers before committing, get referrals from people who are actually already under the trainer.

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Originally Posted by ballengerb1

You have a real cutey there. We have 3 dogs in various stages of agility training. We took all 3 through several obedience classes before starting agility, they pay better attention if they have had obedience. The ballpark figure of cash outlay was about $600 before our 3 year old won his first ribbon 6 months ago. He now has 10 ribbons but no firts place just yet. Scored 98 and 99 but it was still 3rd place. Visit and obersve different trainers before committing, get referrals from people who are actually already under the trainer.

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Thank you so much Ballengerb. Very helpful advice. I will definitely be shopping around for the right trainer. I still have a bit of time. I refuse to take him to any training sessions until he's had all his shots, which won't be for another 2 months yet. So until then I'm working on basic training (walking, sit, stay, leave it, etc) at home. He's a quick learner, and he's already doing very well. He walks like a pro, doesn't pull, watches me and stays right beside me. He's completely crate trained. He's really an amazing little pup, such a welcome addition to our family. :)

I LOVE agility! I have never done it as part of the dog club, but I have done a lot from home just for fun.
You can make most of the equipment yourself really cheap and then once the dog is partially trained you can head off to a school. That way you already have a headstart.

Main things they need to learn is being off the ground... So The A-frames, see saws etc, they have to be comfortable with being up high.

The tunnels... They have to be comfortable going through something enclosed.

Jumping... Pretty obvious, they have to be okay with jumping over things on command.

Thanks Shazzy. I bought a cheap cat tunnel, and I'm already getting Rascal to go through it. He's not at all scared, he's actually a very brave little pup, he'll try anything. :)

We'll continue working at home, because I really don't want to start him in classes until he's fully vaccinated. Right now we're working mainly on the basics, sit, stay, heel (which he's doing very well at). But he's still little, so it will take some time, and patience. :)