Yippe - First group agility class - YorkieTalk.com Forums

gemy · 01-16-2010, 01:35 PM

Razz and I went to our first agility group class 2day. We had soooo much fun!

At first Razz was really scattered wanted to play with all the dogs there, and of course say hi to everyone - but he did settle down.

We did the tunnel and a jump and then a jump and into the tunnel.

He learned to touch my hand and got a treat for that. He learnt really fast on that one. lol

This is going to be great socialization for him . There were 10 dogs of all different sizes mostly larger than him except for the daschund.

I just love to work with dogs - so much fun and the bonding you have and create is so incredible over time.

nneessaa · 01-16-2010, 01:52 PM

Yes, I know what you mean! That's exactly how I felt when I came home from agility the first time. Well, I still love it but don't have the time right now

.

They are just SO DARN CUTE when they go over the jumps (the little ones). Everyone loved lil Scruffs in my class, and we also had about 10 other dogs, and the only other small one was a Dachshund! We weren't allowed to let them sniff, since the class was taught as if you were going to compete (no one was...). Didn't want them running off during an actual event!

Nico29 · 01-16-2010, 01:57 PM

I'm glad you guys had so much fun! I have been waiting nearly a year for a beginner's agility class to start up. I think he would enjoy it so much. I'm not interested in competing and I think it would be a great way for him to socialize. I hope they have more dogs his size.

Britster · 01-16-2010, 05:19 PM

Awesome! I'm hoping to get Jackson involved in agility when I get the time!

gemy · 01-17-2010, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nico29

I'm glad you guys had so much fun! I have been waiting nearly a year for a beginner's agility class to start up. I think he would enjoy it so much. I'm not interested in competing and I think it would be a great way for him to socialize. I hope they have more dogs his size.

I really hope you do. You know as the handler you get a far amount of exercise too - as you run with your dog (kind of) to get to the other end of the tunnel etc. You could look at your agility class as a trip to the gym

Nico29 · 01-17-2010, 11:36 AM

Well...I don't get to the gym as it is so that's another reason to do it! I just can't wait to find a class.

salazark · 01-22-2010, 02:03 PM

Congratulations!! It really is addicting! I just found out today that the advanced class we signed up for has enough people. I can't wait to start back. Sadie and I enjoy it so much. We start on the 30th.

ellabee · 02-05-2010, 07:27 AM

what do they need to know before beginning agility? do they have to have basic obedience? thanks!

WinstonMom · 02-05-2010, 08:50 AM

Congrats to those that have started or are planning on attending agility. I have been going to agility classes with two of my girls for a little more than a year now. They both love it and so do I. I had no intention of competing when we first started but I think I am going to head in that direction with at least one of the girls. I have learned some many things about dogs in general from going to agility classes. Agility is really all about body language, how dogs read your body language. Since body language is the main way that dogs communicate with each other, so much of agility can translate into life at home with our furkids and helping them to be more obedient in day to day life. I highly recommend agility for anyone with a high drive dog. It is so good for them to have a job and they do consider it to be their job.
I am so much closer to all my dogs and find they really watch me for body language clues.

Audrey

WinstonMom · 02-05-2010, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ellabee

what do they need to know before beginning agility? do they have to have basic obedience? thanks!

They really don't need to know any obedience to go into agility. A stay command is good but my kids do not have a reliable stay and we get away with it. In some ways it is better if they don't have a lot of obedience classes as in agility the dog has to work on both your left and your right side. So many obedience dogs are so conditioned (and the owners too) to walking only on your left side that they get confused when they have to work on your right. I love agility and so do my furkids and yes, it is great exercise for us as well.

Audrey

Britster · 02-05-2010, 10:24 AM

I'm sooo excited. I'm going to try to find an agility class in the Spring!

It should be a good time. Jackson will love it.

WinstonMom · 02-05-2010, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Britster

I'm sooo excited. I'm going to try to find an agility class in the Spring!

It should be a good time. Jackson will love it.

Good for you, I am sure that you and Jackson will both have a great time. Try to find a class that limits enrollment to a reasonable number (our classes are limited to 6). Wow, I just love it when people and their yorkies get involved with agility, yorkies love it so much. Agility has quickly become a big part of our lives. By the way there are different groups that offer agility. We take lessons through a organization called NADAC. I like NADAC because it really stresses low-impact, so less chance for injuries to precious little joints.

livingdustmops · 02-05-2010, 10:56 AM

So excited to see other members get involved with agility...hope you have someone that can video as time goes on...it is wonderful to see how much fun the dogs have....love it...

Britster · 02-05-2010, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WinstonMom

Good for you, I am sure that you and Jackson will both have a great time. Try to find a class that limits enrollment to a reasonable number (our classes are limited to 6). Wow, I just love it when people and their yorkies get involved with agility, yorkies love it so much. Agility has quickly become a big part of our lives. By the way there are different groups that offer agility. We take lessons through a organization called NADAC. I like NADAC because it really stresses low-impact, so less chance for injuries to precious little joints.

I agree, I think people take Yorkie's athletic skill for granted sometimes! Jackson is THE smartest dog I've ever had (family dogs, etc) and is sooo quick to pick up on things, he learns tricks so easily (and I was so glad to see other ppl doing tricks with their yorkies) I think doing training, obedience, tricks, agility, etc is an awesome way to bond with your dog(s)!

Thanks for the info about NADAC! I'll look into it.

gemy · 02-05-2010, 06:02 PM

Oh yes one thing you might try to find is a club that works on padded mats. That is helpfull for both human and doggy knees

01-16-2010, 01:35 PM	#1
gemy Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Etobicoke, ONtario, Canada Posts: 486 Blog Entries: 2	Yippe - First group agility class Razz and I went to our first agility group class 2day. We had soooo much fun! At first Razz was really scattered wanted to play with all the dogs there, and of course say hi to everyone - but he did settle down. We did the tunnel and a jump and then a jump and into the tunnel. He learned to touch my hand and got a treat for that. He learnt really fast on that one. lol This is going to be great socialization for him . There were 10 dogs of all different sizes mostly larger than him except for the daschund. I just love to work with dogs - so much fun and the bonding you have and create is so incredible over time. __________________ Gail,in Ontario - owned by 4 furkids, Magic, Zoey, Razzle, and Karma

01-16-2010, 01:52 PM	#2
nneessaa YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cupertino, CA, USA Posts: 507	Yes, I know what you mean! That's exactly how I felt when I came home from agility the first time. Well, I still love it but don't have the time right now . They are just SO DARN CUTE when they go over the jumps (the little ones). Everyone loved lil Scruffs in my class, and we also had about 10 other dogs, and the only other small one was a Dachshund! We weren't allowed to let them sniff, since the class was taught as if you were going to compete (no one was...). Didn't want them running off during an actual event! __________________ Vanessa & Scruffs (2 year old Yorkie) RIP My Little Neu (16 year old Cocker Spaniel)

01-16-2010, 01:57 PM	#3
Nico29 YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Connectict USA Posts: 439	I'm glad you guys had so much fun! I have been waiting nearly a year for a beginner's agility class to start up. I think he would enjoy it so much. I'm not interested in competing and I think it would be a great way for him to socialize. I hope they have more dogs his size. __________________

01-16-2010, 05:19 PM	#4
Britster Owned by Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Annapolis, Maryland Posts: 5,478	Awesome! I'm hoping to get Jackson involved in agility when I get the time! __________________ Brit & JACKSON Jackson's YouTube Channel; www.connorcares.org

01-17-2010, 11:36 AM	#6
Nico29 YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Connectict USA Posts: 439	Well...I don't get to the gym as it is so that's another reason to do it! I just can't wait to find a class. __________________

01-22-2010, 02:03 PM	#7
salazark Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 223	Congratulations!! It really is addicting! I just found out today that the advanced class we signed up for has enough people. I can't wait to start back. Sadie and I enjoy it so much. We start on the 30th.

02-05-2010, 07:27 AM	#8
ellabee Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 107	what do they need to know before beginning agility? do they have to have basic obedience? thanks! __________________ billie ralphiemaddy boo sadieben

02-05-2010, 08:50 AM	#9
WinstonMom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 138	Congrats to those that have started or are planning on attending agility. I have been going to agility classes with two of my girls for a little more than a year now. They both love it and so do I. I had no intention of competing when we first started but I think I am going to head in that direction with at least one of the girls. I have learned some many things about dogs in general from going to agility classes. Agility is really all about body language, how dogs read your body language. Since body language is the main way that dogs communicate with each other, so much of agility can translate into life at home with our furkids and helping them to be more obedient in day to day life. I highly recommend agility for anyone with a high drive dog. It is so good for them to have a job and they do consider it to be their job. I am so much closer to all my dogs and find they really watch me for body language clues. Audrey

02-05-2010, 10:24 AM	#11
Britster Owned by Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Annapolis, Maryland Posts: 5,478	I'm sooo excited. I'm going to try to find an agility class in the Spring! It should be a good time. Jackson will love it. __________________ Brit & JACKSON Jackson's YouTube Channel; www.connorcares.org

02-05-2010, 10:56 AM	#13
livingdustmops Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 5,410	So excited to see other members get involved with agility...hope you have someone that can video as time goes on...it is wonderful to see how much fun the dogs have....love it... __________________ Cindy & The Rescue Gang Why do you think they call them Yorkshire Terrors!

02-05-2010, 06:02 PM	#15
gemy Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Etobicoke, ONtario, Canada Posts: 486 Blog Entries: 2	Oh yes one thing you might try to find is a club that works on padded mats. That is helpfull for both human and doggy knees __________________ Gail,in Ontario - owned by 4 furkids, Magic, Zoey, Razzle, and Karma