Beginner Agility Course

[JMFS]

I mentioned this item in another post and I got to try it today.  Recommendation:  wait until it's cool - even in the shade at 88º in Florida it was too hot!  This is an inexpensive beginner agility set I got from Amazon - Chewy likely has one as well, I just happened to have a promotional credit at Amazon and part of my purchases go to the Humane Society here so either way it's a win.  :)

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B017TBQ4Z2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Esther was Not about the tube inside the other night until I started throwing small handfuls of her kibble into it.  Inside on the hardwood floor it slipped and slid, which was not cool to her, but we eventually got there.

Outside I was able to anchor it to the ground and it's far less slippery.  I used small treats and a lot of encouragement to get the girls to enter the tube.  I set the jump at about 8" for Gertie and had to lower it to 4" for Esther (floppy puppy feet, lol).  This presented an idea for an opportunity to counteract Esther's barrier frustration so I'm keeping that in mind.  As it was I let Gertie go first, Esther was on a lead going nuts so Gertie's turn was cut short.  Next time I'll have something out there for Esther or maybe I'll have her go first.  If the husband can sit with her and give her treats for being calm that would be ideal.

So I tossed treats into the tunnel (tube, whichever) and ran to the other side to treat their exit, then led them with another treat to the jump.  We had to circle around a few times to get a jump and I learned to body block on the side.  Body block wasn't always successful so we just tried from the side they ran around to instead.  It was chaotic, but I think if we do this each night before dinner time we'll a) have calmer dogs (Gertie is liquid Valium so really a calmer Esther) and they'll have the course down pat by the weekend so we can add the weaving poles.  It definitely needs to be during the cooler hours - Esther overheated before she got tired.  She's having herself a little extinction burst right now squeaking Every Single toy. 

[Adrienne]

It's wonderful you got such a nice agility kit! I remember buying one once and returning it because it looked all nice and big in the pictures and then once I received it, it looked like it was made for midget dogs. 

Just a word of caution about jumps: various studies have shown that the closure of growth plates in dogs doesn't typically happen until a puppy is 12 months old, and 18 months of age for the giant breeds. So prior to this time, it would be important checking with the vet before starting any jumping activity. 

[JMFS]

Thank you for the caution!  I had no idea.  I'll be sure to keep it low for Esther so she can get used to it but continue to grow like a proper pup.

 This one only has 4 weaving poles, but I figured it's a good start to see if they take to it or not.  It was super easy to assemble, set out, and pick up.  Monkey showed them both up by going through the tunnel without treats, lol.  The girls were looking at me like, "do what?" and Monkey casually strolled through.  😆