teach my dog to do agility

I got a puppy last year (awww so cute). She’s a border collie cross and has lots of energy so I’m pretty sure she’d be good at it. Right now, we’re still getting her a bit calmer, and walking on the leash a bit better. Every week, she’s a tiny bit better. I think next spring might be the start of it—she’ll be 18 months and I’ll be finished my crazy job (and, hopefully, will have found the next job!)

Grete and I have been taking Agility classes for a while now. We blog about our experiences and more at http://metagrete.blogspot.com. (This entry posted via www.43things.com)

Once in a while, I get discouraged because it seems like we have so far to go before we can even think about entering a trial. (We’re just learning 2 on the floor and 2 on the board contacts right now, and we’re only doing a single 2×2 of the weave poles.)

At that point, I take a step back and realize that it isn’t about getting to the point of running at trials. It’s about how happy we are together working out puzzles together. “Shaping” is a form of puzzle for her. Figuring out the optimal path through a sequence is a form of puzzle for me. In the end, we’re just having fun together. It’s totally worth doing!

We have 2 Cardigan Welsh Corgis – Willow & Wiki. We got Wiki this year, so that Willow would have a friend & stop trying to turn us into dogs.

Wiki was partially named after the same thing as wikipedia – the Hawaiian word for “fast” – we didn’t realize at the time how true it was. She is so quick and agile, that we think she would have a blast on the agility course.

I’ve heard tell of a good school down here in Hampton Roads, now we just need to carve out the time. And get Wiki to pass advance obedience….

Well, I actually have three dogs, but only one who I think would enjoy agility. This summer we were in Vermont (see my other goal of moving back there as soon as possible!) and we were at a dog play place that had some agility equipment and my dog Q, who is a mix of some kind of herding dog and a yellow lab, seemed to “get” how to use some of the equipment without even being taught! We rescued her when she was a year old and so do not know what happened to her before then, but she has always been a little insecure (in the beginning, a lot insecure) and high energy and I think she wishes she could work on a farm or something. Anyway, I think it is something she would get a lot out of – use up her energy and build some self-esteem – and also I think it would bring me and her together even more (though some might say that would not be possible since we already so close!)

I signed up for a class that starts September 5th, now all I need to do is make sure that I keep that appointment, which occurs after I am back in school, which is when things usually start to fall by the wayside for me.

It was such a wonderful time for doggie and me—it really brings you a lot closer. It’s a great chance for doggie to build up his self-esteem, too. My dog just LOVES tunnels and the tire jump. He really took to the A frame, too. Unfortunately, he never learned to weave and he is absolutely spooked by the teeter-totter and the raised walking thing (I forgot the name.) I want to go on to the next level this year. Surprising benefit: YOU get a workout, too!!!

A way to take your relationship with your dog to the next level. Just do it! You will love it, and your dog will too.