How old to start agility?

crboxer · 02-20-2011, 08:06 AM

I had my dane, Carlie, in an aggressive dog agility class, and we both loved it. Now that she is gone, and I will be getting a boxer puppy, I am really looking forward to the real thing, and real agility class, eventually, off leash and all.

I know that Carlie, being a dane, had to be 18 months old to start agility because of her growing joints. Is there a typical age that boxers need to be to begin agility?

Erin251 · 02-20-2011, 01:36 PM

i would think you could start off fairly early. like as soon as you get him/her.. not like seriusly but stuff like the weave poles and the ramps, and tunnels would be fine, more of for play at that point but it would get him/her used to it so that when they are old enough to do it for real they will already have an idea of what to do.

crboxer · 02-21-2011, 07:21 AM

Thank you. My breeder also answered me back and said that he should not do jumps until he is 1 year old, but we should start obedience, and some other fun non-jumping agility right away. I am so psyched about this, and can not wait!!

Doreen · 02-21-2011, 10:11 AM

Yes, any jumping, not good for the joints under a year old. That goes for jumping down from trucks also. Something one doesn't think of.

Ron · 02-21-2011, 10:19 AM

Newman practiced agility early. He was jumping on the kitchen table as soon as he was able

Spyglass Sally · 02-21-2011, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron

Newman practiced agility early. He was jumping on the kitchen table as soon as he was able

Yeah Buddy's impressed us with some pretty fancy footwork too! Especially when he gets caught with a forbidden something he's lifted from someplace.

crboxer · 02-21-2011, 04:40 PM

LOL!! I have a friend with a very busy 11 month old dane pup, and I am going to babysit him this Friday from morning until Saturday sometime. It will be interesting. His Dad travels a lot for work, and he puts him into a doggy daycare. If this works, he will stay with me instead of going to daycare. He will pay me the money he pays them, so WHAT AN AWESOME JOB I WILL HAVE!!! I will be broken in for my puppies. We are supposed to be rescuing an 8 mo dane soon, and we are getting our boxer pup next fall. Hopefully, they will wear each other out. I am a stay at home mom and housewife, so this is the best!!

Spyglass Sally · 02-21-2011, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crboxer

LOL!! I have a friend with a very busy 11 month old dane pup, and I am going to babysit him this Friday from morning until Saturday sometime. It will be interesting. His Dad travels a lot for work, and he puts him into a doggy daycare. If this works, he will stay with me instead of going to daycare. He will pay me the money he pays them, so WHAT AN AWESOME JOB I WILL HAVE!!! I will be broken in for my puppies. We are supposed to be rescuing an 8 mo dane soon, and we are getting our boxer pup next fall. Hopefully, they will wear each other out. I am a stay at home mom and housewife, so this is the best!!

That sounds like a real win-win-win. Good for the dog, dad and you!!!

crboxer · 02-21-2011, 06:50 PM

It is. I just hope that it is nice out. I need to exercise him a lot. He is huge, and very puppy like. You know that teenager phase, lol!

I love him very much, though, so it will be fun.

Scooby · 02-21-2011, 09:34 PM

Newman reminds me of Shenzi haha. She didn't get the no jumping memo. This girl has HOPS! She can clear Victor while he's standing if she's excited. Crazy!