Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Greetings!
I just adopted a JRT and have noticed that he is quite the athelete!
I really want to do agility with him because I know he would dominate, plus he needs all the exersize he can get!
I can't afford to buy the equiptment, or I would.
How does someone such as myself and my little JRT get started in Agility? We are in Oregon's Willamette Valley
Thank you!

>>Greetings!
>>I just adopted a JRT and have noticed that he is quite the athelete!
>>I really want to do agility with him because I know he would dominate, plus he needs all the exersize he can get!
>>I can't afford to buy the equiptment, or I would.
>>How does someone such as myself and my little JRT get started in Agility? We are in Oregon's Willamette Valley
>>Thank you!

There are agility clubs around the country affiliated with different organizations. You can find out about AKC agility clubs through their website, www.akc.org.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

it would be great to get your pup into some fun activities. There are lots of clubs in the big cities, but you'd be suprised that there may be some trainers in more remote areas. Ask your vet. also if you do a search for agility equipment you can see lots of examples from which to build your own out of common plastic pipe/fittings that you can buy at any home depot type store. the toy stores sell a child's tunnel not to mention those large exercise balls for people or basketballs with a bit of air out so they can carry them. our dogs roll, nose, back, etc & even play a catch & bounce. got an old hoola hoop? you can pile up old cushions like a tunnel & hide a toy under. I set up a line of widely spaced 5gal buckets to begin the weave.the more fun games you play your dog (& you) will be happier. for 'formal' agility, you do need to do basic obed. first, cos the dog needs to be under control. also your dog would really need to be cool/calm around lots of people/other dogs. you can do most of the commands just around the house, while playing, if the toy goes under a chair & your dogs goes under after the toy, you just say 'under-good-under'. well you get the idea, just learn from what your dog does naturally & you can create endless games. just be safe & do everything in small steps, low to the ground until he really gets used to it. I know the JRTs can really jump high, & they will, but think of it like an athlete preparing, they work up to the hard stuff over time. let us hear, you may come up with some other ideas, some of us can use.

Thank you!
Those are great ideas.
I do live in a small town, and there are no clubs near that I know of, so it will be fun to get creative with such ideas as the buckets.