My dog is starting agility training. Typically how many years of training before a dog is ready to compete?
Like at what age do dogs typically compete? And at what age do you retire them?
I have a 2 year old dog that is starting agility training this summer and the trainer said it usually takes a few years before the dog is ready to compete. So I am just trying to get an idea at what age she will be when she is competing and how long she will be able to compete. But he won’t start training any dog for it until they are two years old.
Also she is a mutt but they trainer said she will be able to compete, but we have to get some kind of register number or something. Could anybody give me some insight into that please?
Thanks
We are doing this all for fun but it would be kind of cool if she got to compete one day. She is great.
Tagged with: Agility • before • compete • Many • ready • Starting • Training • typically • years
Filed under: Dog Agility Training
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it usually takes 16-17 years of agility training then another 4-6 years of course training by then your dog should be at its prime age be ready for contests
Depends entirely on the dog and the trainer. Bit like asking how long is a piece of string! Don’t over-do it on the training though as your dog will go stale. It needs to enjoy what its doing, so keep it short and sweet!
Enjoy!
Actual competetors start their dogs very early and some are even retired before 2 years. If you are just doing it for fun, it doesn’t really matter how old she is, and just let her take her own pace in learning it.
For the register number, not all registration companies are for pure breeds. Some of them are just for dogs that do agility, and you have to be registered with them to compete in their events, but you can register any dog of any breed or mix.
when ever yu r ready 2 start putting ur pet in compititions then ask the people that r traning ur pet if ur pet is ready!
If you are just doing low level competitions than the dog should be able to do training shows in 1 year and depending on how he does a year after that he should be ready to go to the real competitions. And some dogs can compete until they are as old as 10 (they have special classes). And any breed and any mix/mutt can compete at the highest levels with no problems, you will just need age verification from your vet.
It typically takes approx 2 years before your ready to compete. In the majority of the venues, dogs must be at least 18 months old before then can compete.
However, you can start agility training much younger. You can teach puppies and young dogs things like the various crosses, waits, lateral distance, sends. Young dogs should be experiernce the A-Frame, Dog Walk and at least a Buja Board, when they are young. Of course, the A-Frame and Dog Walk should be as low as possible. Same with the see-saw, it should be very low with not much movement.
Yes, mixbreeds are now welcome in all venues. Yes, you will have to register her with the venue(s) you choose to compete in. What’s venue is most popular in your area?
Since you are a inexperienced handler with an inexperienced dog, I recommed that when your ready to start trialing, you start in the following venue: NADAC, CPE or USDAA. Wait until you and your dog are more experienced before starting AKC.
Here are the venues:
North American Dog Agility Council http://www.nadac.com
United States Dog Agility Assoc http://www.usdaa.com
Canine Performance Events http://www.k9cpe.com
American Kennel Club http://www.akc.org (requires mixbreeds to be spayed/neutered)
United Kennel Club http://www.ukcdogs.com (requires mixbreeds to be spayed/neutered)
Dogs On Course North America http://www.docna.com
Austrialian Shepherd Club of America http://www.asca.org (gives non-Aussies a Tracking #)
As for retirement. You retire a dog when a) he’s no longer enjoying the sport or
b) he’s no longer capable of safely doing agiilty, due to either structure or vision.
I had “semi-retired” my mixbreed dog, when she was 13. She still loved agility and loved running, but due to some vision changes, it was no longer safe for her to do contact equipment. So she ran in only NADAC and the only games she played in NADAC at that age was Tunnelers and/or Jumpers. NADAC offers a “veteran” jump height and a little extra time for dogs over 7.
Generally at least 6-12 months of training (regular training classes or privates, working on things between classes, not just dilly-dallying around) if you are diligent, often times longer, especially for a first dog, as you also have a steep learning curve (not just in training the dog, also in handling the dog around a course.) Dogs need to be 18 months to compete in USDAA, forget the ages for other venues.
You will need to register her in whatever venue you choose to compete in. Only AKC cares about whether the dog is a purebred or not and considers your dog a second class citizen if not. My preferred venue is USDAA, but take a look around at what venues are popular in your geographic region (go to http://www.agility-events.net to find local competitions). DOCNA and CPE are also good choices, I don’t like NADAC, but many people do- go watch and see for yourself!
I don’t know of any dogs that are retired by age 2 unless they were injured! Even most experienced competitors who bring their dogs out at 18 months or so don’t expect the dog to be at the top of his game and retired within 6 months! Most are aiming for years of active competition and teamwork with his/her canine partner. I brought my young dog out at 20 months, she is now almost 3, in Masters level competition, and I am working on getting her qualified for Nationals in the fall. I expect this year to be a learning and getting experience year, and then to be in the running for placements and making finals the following year when she will be 4. I hope to compete with her for many years, until she is 12 or so, possibly longer. My oldest dog will be 12 this fall, and I haven’t been competing with him, in large part due to finances and time constraints. I’ll probably put him in a few more times, though, at some point, though I’m pretty well convinced we’re not going to accomplish any more titles. He doesn’t owe me anything, but still enjoys it, though isn’t quite as gung-ho as he used to be- he has his MAD- Master Agility Dog, and I would’ve liked to have gotten his ADCH- Agility Dog Champion, but don’t see it happening, and really need to start moving him down into the Performance division with lower jump height requirements and a lower A-frame.
Good luck!