FAQs
How old should my dog be to start agility training?
Your dog must be at least 12 months old and has finished growing (this may vary depending on breed). This restriction is necessary to minimise the risk of injury and ensure that a dog has the strength, stamina and co-ordination to work the equipment competently and with confidence. Some dogs mature later than others, and their capability to focus on what you are asking is another factor that must be taken into consideration. The welfare of your dog always comes first!
How well behaved should my dog be?
Your dog will be working off lead with other dogs. Consequently, your dog must be sociable with other dogs and you must be able to demonstrate that you can control your dog on and off lead. It's also important that your dog can perform basic commands such as sit, down, wait, stay and recall.
How long does it take to train a dog?
This can vary. Agility takes a lot of patience... and every dog and handler pairing is unique. For anyone who is interested in competing, it may take 18 months to 2 years before a dog is ready to compete. If you compete before your dog is ready to enter competition, you run the risk of your dog losing confidence. Moreso as you will be asking your dog to compete in environments away from their training venue which can be stressful. The average age for mature agility dogs is 3 to 4 years. But remember, training is fun... and agility is not just about competing!
Should my dog be vaccinated?
All dogs must be vaccinated. Please refer to your vet for more information on vaccinations.
Is agility only for border collies?
Absolutely NOT! Although you may have seen a lot of collies taking part, any dog that is fit and active can do well. At Ribble, we have a range of breeds handled by our members, including Bichon Frises, Papillons, Manchester Terriers, Springer Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels, Cockerpoos, Beagles, Irish Setters, Flat Coated Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers - and many more!
Your dog must be at least 12 months old and has finished growing (this may vary depending on breed). This restriction is necessary to minimise the risk of injury and ensure that a dog has the strength, stamina and co-ordination to work the equipment competently and with confidence. Some dogs mature later than others, and their capability to focus on what you are asking is another factor that must be taken into consideration. The welfare of your dog always comes first!
How well behaved should my dog be?
Your dog will be working off lead with other dogs. Consequently, your dog must be sociable with other dogs and you must be able to demonstrate that you can control your dog on and off lead. It's also important that your dog can perform basic commands such as sit, down, wait, stay and recall.
How long does it take to train a dog?
This can vary. Agility takes a lot of patience... and every dog and handler pairing is unique. For anyone who is interested in competing, it may take 18 months to 2 years before a dog is ready to compete. If you compete before your dog is ready to enter competition, you run the risk of your dog losing confidence. Moreso as you will be asking your dog to compete in environments away from their training venue which can be stressful. The average age for mature agility dogs is 3 to 4 years. But remember, training is fun... and agility is not just about competing!
Should my dog be vaccinated?
All dogs must be vaccinated. Please refer to your vet for more information on vaccinations.
Is agility only for border collies?
Absolutely NOT! Although you may have seen a lot of collies taking part, any dog that is fit and active can do well. At Ribble, we have a range of breeds handled by our members, including Bichon Frises, Papillons, Manchester Terriers, Springer Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels, Cockerpoos, Beagles, Irish Setters, Flat Coated Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers - and many more!
