[Lex's Guardian]

I think Lily would do exceedingly well in the agility course. She's agile, athletic, diligent & super easy to train. Which imo would make her the perfect candidate & want to give her the best possible life she can have.

I'm going to look into going to shows soon just to see how it goes. Aside from that what other preemptive measures would you guys, familiar in the agility course, suggest. What age she should start, basics & any good books?

I want to be at the top of our game. And be another out there safely spreading a positive name for the APBT.

Suggestions on finding a good UKC agility trainer in my area - I came across few but they're AKC only...

 

[MY MIKADO]

I can remember how old Lily is. You might want to have her hips checked first as agility has lots of quick turns and jumps.

 

[Lex's Guardian]

I can remember how old Lily is. You might want to have her hips checked first as agility has lots of quick turns and jumps.

She's one week from 5 months. What kind of hip check up does she need? Xrays?

 

[performanceknls]

Start now! lol find a puppy agility class and start going, you will also need a lot of obedience since the dogs are off leash. Before you go off leash your dog should have a great recall and a good stay command. You also need to start working on DA and make sure that will not be an issues. Also prey drive can kick in and you have to correct her so she knows she cannot chase other dogs, that is the biggest challenge with this breed so work on it now. It does not matter what agility trainer you work with as long as they are good and have accomplishments themselves. UKC and AKC just have different equipment and rules but if your dog can work agility well it does not matter what venue you take them to. My dogs can run AKC, UKC, USDAA,and NADAC it does not matter because of how they were trained.

Do not get so worried about the hips unless you see an issue, in puppy class it does not matter because they will not be really jumping just learning the basics. when she is 12 months old get the hips looked at so you know what your dealing with, that may determine what jump height you compete at. If you see no problems then I would not worry about it. Vixen my Agility CH has bad hips, she is kept in shape and jumps lower heights and is still running at 10 years old. No matter what the x-rays say if the dog seems fine they they can do it if they do not show pain or discomfort. Just modify how hard and high you jump them. When I train any of my dogs I never train at full height anyway that much jumping wears them down over time, sometimes I take the bars off all together. You will not be working on jumping as much as just going through the uprights in order.

I suggest getting a online subscription to clean run, it is an agility magazine with great articles and things you can work on at home. This site also has great agility gear and toys.
Clean Run: ALL

That should get you off in the right direction

 

[Lex's Guardian]

Start now! lol find a puppy agility class and start going, you will also need a lot of obedience since the dogs are off leash. Before you go off leash your dog should have a great recall and a good stay command. You also need to start working on DA and make sure that will not be an issues. Also prey drive can kick in and you have to correct her so she knows she cannot chase other dogs, that is the biggest challenge with this breed so work on it now. It does not matter what agility trainer you work with as long as they are good and have accomplishments themselves. UKC and AKC just have different equipment and rules but if your dog can work agility well it does not matter what venue you take them to. My dogs can run AKC, UKC, USDAA,and NADAC it does not matter because of how they were trained.

Do not get so worried about the hips unless you see an issue, in puppy class it does not matter because they will not be really jumping just learning the basics. when she is 12 months old get the hips looked at so you know what your dealing with, that may determine what jump height you compete at. If you see no problems then I would not worry about it. Vixen my Agility CH has bad hips, she is kept in shape and jumps lower heights and is still running at 10 years old. No matter what the x-rays say if the dog seems fine they they can do it if they do not show pain or discomfort. Just modify how hard and high you jump them. When I train any of my dogs I never train at full height anyway that much jumping wears them down over time, sometimes I take the bars off all together. You will not be working on jumping as much as just going through the uprights in order.

I suggest getting a online subscription to clean run, it is an agility magazine with great articles and things you can work on at home. This site also has great agility gear and toys.
Clean Run: ALL

That should get you off in the right direction

:goodpost: Thank you so much Lisa! I'm really excited to finally get into agility.

I'm going to get into Obedience asap. She has her last vet visit Monday & ask whom the vet suggests for Obedience & agility training locally.

Prey drive was another concern of mine, did you correct this with just basic obedience or step it up a notch with your own tactics.

Will a good run be enough for her or should I step it up a notch. My minds kind of blank when it comes to other exercises - again Thank you!!

 

[performanceknls]

I have no tolerance for prey drive or aggression when it comes to training APBT's. I know they are DA but if they are on leash they will not look at other dogs or care what they are doing. YOU HAVE to break this at and early age if you want to do any type of off leash sport. You need to teach it is not ok to look at other dogs if they are running or just hanging out. Now she can glance around but no starring like eye contact. If she gets excited with prey drive, play drive, or aggression you need to correct it and then praise her when she looks at you. I mean a correction hard enough for her to stop looking at the other dogs and refocus on you. Siren spent a lot of time on her back and an ear pinched for going after other dogs. She was very hit when she was young and would go after everything that moved, now I can use her as a calm dog when I work aggressive dogs. If she learns she cannot get excited when other dogs run or walk by then she will learn to ignore them and focus on you. If she likes other dogs do not allow her to play or go nose to nose with them while you are working her. I made this mistake with Vixen and she use to run off the agility course to play with other dogs. It is hard to explain your pit bull just wants to "play" when it is running at another dog, lol

 

[performanceknls]

And I do build prey drive with my dogs but only after toys or flirt poles, I do not allow them to watch other dogs run and get into prey drive. There will be times where the little yorkie is running agility and you do not want your dog chasing it!

 

[Lex's Guardian]

I have no tolerance for prey drive or aggression when it comes to training APBT's. I know they are DA but if they are on leash they will not look at other dogs or care what they are doing. YOU HAVE to break this at and early age if you want to do any type of off leash sport. You need to teach it is not ok to look at other dogs if they are running or just hanging out. Now she can glance around but no starring like eye contact. If she gets excited with prey drive, play drive, or aggression you need to correct it and then praise her when she looks at you. I mean a correction hard enough for her to stop looking at the other dogs and refocus on you. Siren spent a lot of time on her back and an ear pinched for going after other dogs. She was very hit when she was young and would go after everything that moved, now I can use her as a calm dog when I work aggressive dogs. If she learns she cannot get excited when other dogs run or walk by then she will learn to ignore them and focus on you. If she likes other dogs do not allow her to play or go nose to nose with them while you are working her. I made this mistake with Vixen and she use to run off the agility course to play with other dogs. It is hard to explain your pit bull just wants to "play" when it is running at another dog, lol

I find it awesome you were able to take a dog with such High prey drive & condition her to outstanding measures. Vixen is a very impressive girl & being such a newbie this is awesome your stretching your hand out to help. It's a weight lifted

Lily has a very 'soft personality' but at the same token has a high play drive within her own 'pack'. I've only had a few instances to see what she's like around neighbor dogs as 1 guy leaves his dog off leash. She wants away unless I tell her it's okay. After I start obedience training & agility I'm guessing that's where I'll see what she's really capable of?

Can the other pets become problematic with her 'focus training' as far as play drive goes. Or is home time a different scenario altogether. How can I curb this if it does, I only want to do it if she's safe & the other animals in agility are safe.

I'm just telling you what her personality is like so you can gauge it from your own perspective on areas you think she needs improvement on.

I'm going to start a list & make notes as well of daily habits (a reminder for me) lol.

And I do build prey drive with my dogs but only after toys or flirt poles, I do not allow them to watch other dogs run and get into prey drive. There will be times where the little yorkie is running agility and you do not want your dog chasing it!

Haha noted. I see what you mean, using toys & flirt poles to channel the drive elsewhere. In bold is where I have concerns. She's not 'hot' per se' but she's not as submissive as Lex is. Meaning if we're in our backyard & hears the neighbor dog barking through the fence. She gives one little woof back, then runs toward me. I didn't think this was problematic but what do you think?

However when she's out of her 'comfort' zone - she hones in on me - just want to make sure this is something I can always expect this from her? And continue to condition these habits

Thanks again!!

 

[performanceknls]

you will not really see these behaviors till you get her out on the agility field, then when the other dogs are running you see what she does, if she shows interest then correct her. If she is a soft dog then you may not to correct her as hard. Your correction should be hard enough to stop the behavior if she does not stop right after the correction then you need to make a harder one. This is different for each dog so use your judgment. Also in Obed class watch her for any DA.
Behaviors at home are different like barking at the dog next door is not the same as running agility.

 

[Lex's Guardian]

you will not really see these behaviors till you get her out on the agility field, then when the other dogs are running you see what she does, if she shows interest then correct her. If she is a soft dog then you may not to correct her as hard. Your correction should be hard enough to stop the behavior if she does not stop right after the correction then you need to make a harder one. This is different for each dog so use your judgment. Also in Obed class watch her for any DA.
Behaviors at home are different like barking at the dog next door is not the same as running agility.

Okay - thank you.

Also I know I'm not going to think of everything I need to ask. Are there other questions/tips you recommend I ask when I find the right trainer?

 

[performanceknls]

look at their training site and see what accomplishments they have had with their personal dogs. If they do not compete or have Ch's or dogs who have competed at higher levels then do not go to them. Or pm the link and I will check them out and give you my op.

 

[Lex's Guardian]

look at their training site and see what accomplishments they have had with their personal dogs. If they do not compete or have Ch's or dogs who have competed at higher levels then do not go to them. Or pm the link and I will check them out and give you my op.

Okay ....

 

[Firehazard]

:goodpost: thanks for asking this..