Bailie and Madison started beginning agility classes this month. Both of them love to play in our tunnel here at home and were thinking agility would be all about tunnels. After their first three classes, they have learned there is a lot more to the sport of agility than running through a tunnel!
Since Bailie is three, she is taking a Foundations of Agility class at St. Paul Dog Training Club. So far she seems to really like it. Each week they add one or two new items to learn about which keeps it interesting. Jumps are still kept real low at the 8″ or so height. The items they learn about one week are then expanded upon in the coming weeks.
So far they have learned jumps, the A-Frame, tunnels which were short and straight, then long and straight, and now curved, table, and the walk it. When it is time to learn a new piece of equipment, Bailie is a bit timid, but once she does it, she keeps going back to keep doing it over and over again. Last week Mom also started learning more about front cross, double cross, and how important she for keeping Bailie on track.
Right now we think Bailie will want to continue on and eventually compete in the sport after a good year or more of training. Mom likes the idea of running and getting her own exercise with this sport. We’ll keep you posted as the class continues. This first one is ten weeks long.
Little Madison is too young to be doing “big dog” agility, so she is starting out in puppy agility and just loves it! Mom loves it too because Madison has so much fun and all the equipment is miniature and so cute!
Madison’s class is very similar to Bailie’s class, just on a smaller scale and a bit slower. The A-Frame seems to be a blast for Madison. She always wants to run over it! We are lucky she isn’t usually afraid to try new things.
It’s hard to get photos in class as Mom is always working with Madison, but she did shoot this super short video the other night of her on the A-Frame. It looks all white because the beginning of the video is white, just click to play.
Learning to sit and wait is a big deal in puppy agility. Because Madison has done sit/wait since the day we picked her up, she is awesome at it. We use it all the time for photo shoots, so it is super easy for her to do, even at only 5 months old. They usually practice with the dog on one side of the jump, and Mom on the other walking away and then giving the release word.
Puppies in general have issues learning to coordinate their back end and legs, but when you are a long breed like a GBGV, it is even more difficult. Before doing the jumps, the puppies had to master walking through the ladder in the background. So far Madison is doing pretty well learning where her back end is as you can see as she went over the jumps.
The teeter has been the biggest challenge for Madison. Practice started with just walking on a long board which was flat on the floor. Madison kept getting off, and didn’t like it. Eventually the board turned into a teeter and it was a challenge for her. I guess being a puppy and so long it is like the difference between driving a little two door car over a narrow bridge or driving a semi truck. It’s something one needs to practice.
With a lot of patience and work from Mom, including getting down on her hands and knees on the floor next to the teeter, fears were overcome. Madison started to build confidence and made it across a few times including staying on the teeter when it moved. She can be pretty brave when she wants to.
The puppy class is also ten weeks long, and is right before Bailie’s class. Both of them plan to continue on, so stay tuned to see how they improve their agility skills!
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oooh that looks like a super parcour… the staff talks with a doggie school tonight… do you think it looks like your agility area? if not I will not go… and say no, no, no… like Amy as they tried to drag her to rehab…
You should go and give it a try, make some new friends and have some fun!
Madison is a natural. How great that you can have an indoor place to do this all year round.
Most agility around here is indoors these days. It’s too much work carting around equipment outside and then if it rains it’s a mess. We have tons of big places to set it up which is nice. Madison just loves everything. Such a fun pup!
Madison you are cracking us up! Mom tried agility with me. I was so nervous I threw up before and after. After 4 classes mom stopped my torture. I was convinced there was a monster in the tunnel
Lily ( & Edward)
Oh dear! That is not good! Katie and Mom were kicked out of agility after two classes in Germany because she was too disruptive to the class only wanting to play. Germans have no patience for that. Now many years later, things are looking much brighter here.
Looks like fun…one day I’ll have to get my mom to teach me some agility!
The beginnings can be a bit boring, but when we start putting things together and running around, it will be so much fun!
Just…PAWSOME! Both your sisters are almost as smart as you, Emma. XOXO, Sparkle
I’m the smartest one. I do nose work and then put up my paws and rest. I don’t need all that busy stuff in my life! They enjoy it and it gives me quiet time at home.
I think Bailie and Madison ill both do great once they figure it out!
They both enjoy learning new things.
That looks like so much fun. Madison is growing so fast and is absolutely adorable ♥
She is really a small dog now more than a puppy most of the time, but she is still super sweet.
WE love to WATCH agalities… butt are too LAZY to learn how to do all the stuffs… butt you gals seem to really enjoy it. THAT is super.
My mom is the sports nut, and we are the lucky ones who get to be her teammates! It is fun.
I always wish we had continued agility with Dakota. I made the mistake of letting my husband take him to his first class (without me) and it didn’t go well. I never felt as if I heard the whole story. Should have taken him on my own. I think now he might be too old, he is almost 10. Loved your photos, the last one is particularly cute with everyone leaving together.
With most dog sports, a dog can have multiple handlers, but for us, the bonding and team development with Mom is half of the fun. Maybe there are some senior enrichment games classes in your area you could take with Dakota. They have some here that are a form of agility for older dogs just to keep them moving and learning.
They both look to be having fun, but Madison just looks especially happy! I’m sure both, and your Mom, are going to be having a lot of fun with this. It was something I had thought I might do with Luke, so I look forward to seeing more of how it goes.
They both really like it. Bailie is more timid about trying new things but when she gets going, she has a lot of fun!
What a great way for Bailie nd Madison to have fun! I bet they sleep really well when they get home too!
Smileys!
Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo
They go out to the bathroom and then both head up to bed on their own right away!
Gosh, little Madison is so clever and talented. Hope she continues to excel at the agility class. Great job, Bailie!
Madison is dabbling her paws in everything and does well at it all so far. We will see how she progresses in all her activities.
She is quite the rock star and so darn cute!
Momma has thought bout doin agility wif me since I luvs to run and jump.
You should try a puppy agility class so you can get a feel for it and see if you like it or not. The earlier you start, the less fears you will have of the different equipment.
I haven’t even begun to think about agility training with Jaxson! He would probably love it – you’ve inspired me!
Yay! Getting started sooner rather than later is good so he learns the equipment easier and isn’t so afraid of new things.
What fun, haven’t tried agility yet
Mom finally made the leap and I think we will really like it!
So glad they’re enjoying it so much! We just reached our 5-year anniversary with our agility training–and it’s been so great for our relationship. I can’t wait to get Rye in class (once she masters a little more obedience–our first trainer said agility is really 80% obedience and 20% other stuff and you girls are so good at listening to your mom that I know your sister will be great!)–we’ve been working on introducing the weaves and playing with the wobble board to introduce some skills she’ll need 🙂 I’m so excited to have another agility buddy!
So far we are all loving it. Our scent sports are all about Mom reading and following us, so this is new for us to read and follow her, but we are pretty good at it. Now after 4 weeks we are starting to string together a few of the obstacles which makes it even more fun. I think we will have a lot of fun and in a year or so enjoy some competitions.
They both look like they are having a blast! We did a couple of classes with Charlie but took a break for a while. We may get back into it this Summer since he really did enjoy it.
Mom is already hooked on agility and my sisters really like it too. Even with her broken ankle they go to classes. It’s a lot of fun!
Puppy agility class, what a great idea! I’d love to do agility with Icy but haven’t found a place close by yet. Madison is so cute on the A frame! She’s gonna be great, I’m sure. Such a little athlete!
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Madison is dipping her paws into all sorts of stuff and does well at most of it so far. Mom loves puppy agility with all the tiny equipment and Madison loves trying it all out. It’s great to quell a lot of fears and learn how her body moves.