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12-07-2007, 12:22 AM
The USA has different regulations and different organisations/competitions than does NZ. There is only one organisation in NZ. But as far as Corgis go - I would not start on out and out agility training until a Corgi is at least 18 months old. Taylor did not start until he turned 2. However there is one agility organisation in the USA which is almost non-competitive. Personally I would avoid this organisation - as would almost every New Zealander experienced in agility -because of its simplicity ie lack of a challenge in regard to the height of the rails in the hurdles and the ease of distance or height with other obstacles. But some Americans have different ideas such as the 'fun' aspect rather than competitiveness and that a hurdle is only a means of directing a dog around a course and that a dog following instructions and sticking to the circuit is the real Big Factor.
You can start a Corgi on some simplified agility obstacles (eg upright tunnel, step-over hurdles) from a early age but the danger here is if the fledging Corgi doesn't feel safe or confident, this could affect his/her future involvement in the sport.
The best preparation for a Corgi puppy is to build up bone and muscle density through a top quality feeding programme and to train a Corgi with the basics so that when the time comes, he/she will respond to instructions off-leash.
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