Dog Agility

[DocDolittle]

Does anyone here do agility with their dogs? Just curious, because I want to try and start it up with my two dogs. Was the equipment hard to make( if you did)? And also, my lab had to have both of her knees replaced when she was three. She still has a little bit of arthritis( not enough to bother her) and she takes glucosamine( joint strengthening pills) every day. Would agility be hard on her?

[LuvMyPiggers]

I have a question as well. Can you teach older dogs (Who are still VEEEERY energetic) agility?

If so, where can I find DIY's or FAQ's on the equipment making?

[Marlania]

I was about to mention glucosamine...nevermind. How well has glucosamine worked for her? I started my lab on it a few months ago because he's getting older, and I noticed that he's limped twice after tons of running around. If anything, it'll help him as he gets older.

Personally, I wouldn't work a dog with knee replacement very hard. Maybe keep her occupied with advanced obedience, where she exercises her brain a lot. I would keep her exercise light, but if she really is doing well, maybe some light agility is worth a shot.

I've never done agility with my dogs, but I can point you to some folks on a dog board that do a lot of agility and obedience. Let me know you're interested. They can definitely give you info about cost, courses, etc.

[Slap Maxwell]

I have done agility before. I would work with the ground things (tunnel, seesaw, etc.) and lay off the jumping unless your vet says it is okay.

[LuvMyPiggers]

Well, I tried making a mini jump out of scrap wood to try it, and it worked! He did it on the first try. I just tapped the jump and said jump and he went over. I think I might start doing this more

[DocDolittle]

Gucosamine's worked fine. Her knees don't bother her at all anymore.

About the no-jumping for my lab, that's what I was thinking. Maybe a very low jump, tunnels, the dog walk, and other stuff that isn't too high impact.

[My Baby Mu]

For the lab you could probably do it a few times but can't work him to hard. I made jumps out of some chairs that have the little holes in them you can stick things through and pvc. There are different classes-novice, begginer etc.

F.Y.I-Agility is where you do jumps, pause table, dog walk, A frame (also called something else), weaves maybe. Obiedence is where you do jumps and a weave. Then conformation is where you get judged on how your dog looks.

[WendyK]

If you can find a good trainer, you can accomplish a lot in ashort amount of time - a good trainer is SO worth it when it comes to agility - and a smart dog will just eat up the stimulation and attention - you can bang your head against the wall a lot trying to do this training by yourself - and it's hard to get anywhere with agility if your dog doesn't have basic obedience training first. Obedient or not, most dogs like the attention they get when you're trying to do agility stuff.

[Eventrocker33]

I have done two agility classes with my 7 year old golden and she loved it. She learned most of the equipment and hopefully this fall i will be doing another class. My dad made me equipment at home, jumps, see-saw, weave poles, and a tirejump. I think as long as your dog is healthy and happy they can do agility.

[stitsy&codyPig]

I taught my dog agility when he was 3 years old. He leared on the a-frame, seasaw, hurdle jumps,and tunnles! He leared very easy, he is a energetic dog. I think you should be able to teach an old dog fine.