Puppies
 

Home
Up

We have a five and a half month old BC puppy we have been training since we got him at seven weeks.  We started with "come." "Sit and "Down" were next on the list followed by "Stay" (we don't know that one too well yet). We have worked on attention exercises and walking on both sides of my body on a loose leash. These are essential to learning Agility. Since then we have taught him to walk the ramps of the dog walk flat on the ground, and wait on the end (he decided by himself to try the full sized one). He jumps 4" between the standards and through the tire (touching the ground).  He has learned to weave 6 toilet plungers. He taught himself tunnels and chutes. All these things were taught in a play context with a ball, treats, and a fun atmosphere.  He thinks life is all a game, which a puppy should think at that age.   We probably won't start serious training until he is a year old, and like our other dogs, no competing until he is around 2. He will probably have to jump 24" in AKC (his sire is big), but we won't know that for quite a while. Why push the jump heights right now? There is no reason to hurry! Arlyn Sigeti

Well, I've thought that teaching a dog the obstacles was the easier part of agility. But it's always a fight to keep students with young dogs from wanting to get them right onto the obstacles.

I prefer to start by teaching young dogs motivation and control in addition to all of the basic obedience exercises. I want to be able to whip the dog into a complete frenzy over something and then ask for instant control of that drive. It can all be incorporated into fun games with toys and food. That's ultimately what I'll want for agility. Can I get the puppy frothing at the mouth to chase his toy and then have him wait for a release?

I also teach Get Out, Come, Go On, and directionals depending on the dog, with targets, a tunnel, and a little tire that's mounted in a stand. That's about all the equipment they see for quite awhile.

With the latest addition to the household we practice fun changes of side exercises with food and toys. The idea was to get the dog used to cross-behinds before ever seeing equipment and it worked!

My recommendation is have fun, building a good working relationship with the young dog, and teach the dog how to be trained and love it! Monica Percival