[manymuddypaws]

Since this thread is active again, I will throw my .o2cents in. I joined just a few weeks ago, and this thread hadn't been active for a while.

I do alot of agility. I teach and train agility in the summer three days a week. My corgis both jump 10inches in AAC(Agility Association of Canada) and 12inches in CKC and NADAC. Wicca is a lean mean, speed machine - weighing 20lbs at 11.5inches tall. Sam is 24lbs at almost 12inches tall. They are both cardigans. I teach a 2 on 2 off contact (meaning she runs to the bottom of the contact, stops with her back feet on the equip. and her front on the ground, where she does a nose touch on the ground- this keeps her spine straight.) I purchased Wicca with agility in mind and have been "doing agility" with her since she was a baby! Not full size equipment or weaves, but she learnt tunnels, poles on the ground, how to run across a flat board, how to keep her balance on a tippy board. How to run through a weave chute. All those things at a young age- starting at 9 weeks!

She started competing as soon as she turned 18months old. She is in great shape and if I thought I was doing anything to hurt her I would stop. My dog LOVES the game. She is happiest when she is running and playing, why should I deny that to her "just in case" - well maybe we shouldn't let our dogs play with toys "just in case" they choke or ingest something.

The dogs that get hurt, or injured are dogs that are "weekend warriors" Dogs who aren't exercised except for agility, dogs who aren't taught how to safely do equipment- (this is the big one in my opinion, a fly off on the teeter, wall or dogwalk can cause major problems...not that Wicca hasn't done that a time or two but I train to prevent it), or dogs who are overweight or under muscled. My dogs run, every day, we do warm ups before any strenuous workouts- just as with people when you run cold you are more likely to tear or sprain something.

Wicca is going to be dropped into the "specials" class where she can jump 8 inches- she is a horrible jumper and really has a hard time keeping the bars up. I am still a competitive person- This dog has such huge potential, and even in a "specials" class is going to kick those papillon butts! (Papillons are huge in my area) But I don't want you to think that it is all about winning with me- like I said, my dogs are happiest doing agility- it gives me goosebumps sometimes when i watch Wicca or Sam on video- the joy they express is amazing! After a run Sam is so thrilled he will jump into my arms, wicca barks and runs circles around me until we get out of the ring to tug.
I am obsessed with the sport, I will be the first to admit it, but I am obsessed because my dogs are!

Chips Mom, I think that if there is a chance that Dillon will like agility, give it a shot, it's worth the risk in my opinion!

-amanda