Thinking of getting involved ... in Springer Agility Forum

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Thinking of getting involved ...

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Sir Archibald	Thinking of getting involved ...	Lead	[-]
Posts: 87 Aug 7 11 2:48 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tags : None Hi, Archie & I are having a break from the Gundog training as he just wants to 'kill' the dummy at present & my trainer thinks Archie will make a great fun agility dog as he's very fast, bright & happy, so needs a replacement to keep him stimulated. We live in Berkshire, close to J11 of the M4 (Oracle) so pretty central to most areas, incl. up to Newbury. What advice would you give to someone just starting out ? Are Springers generally OK at agility, just a tad worried as someone told me the weaving damages backs Could anyone recommend any clubs or contact names please ? ideally, if we take to it & enjoy it I'd like to compete. And, I guess you need to be pretty fit too ? Er, that might be an issue, got a dodgy back & hip
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tracyd		#1	[-]
Springaholic Posts: 571 Aug 7 11 6:54 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	You don't need to be uber fit luckily. Focus is the thing you really need. As far as our rehab vet keeps telling me its the a frame that causes issues. We have to do weaving as part of honeys rehab to improve her strength.
MrsP		#2	[-]
Springaholic Posts: 624 Aug 7 11 7:54 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	You don't need to be particularly fit, like Tracy said, getting the dog's focus is the main thing. As for the weaves - I believe that the Kennel Club had now standardised the distance between weave poles, it's now increased to 2' so less strain on backs. To repeat the warning that I & others have issued - BE CAREFUL, you WILL get addicted! Enjoy & good luck! I'm down in Winchester so when you do start competing we'll prob do a lot of the same shows, let me know! Sarah. x
sealske		#3	[-]
Posts: 182 Aug 7 11 8:51 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	If you go to www.agilitynet.co.uk they have all of the clubs listed. Where you live is very close to Newbury Showground where there are both KC and UKA shows. You'll be spoilt for choice. Silas, my springer, loves agility. They can get a bit distracted by scents but are generally very good at the sport. I've got 3 working labs and Beth, who is now 4, has been competing at agility for nearly 3 years. Agility has improved her gundog work as it's all about instant obedience. Her baby sister Megan who is coming up to a year old has just started her agility training and has really taken to it. I'm hoping to start competing her next spring. Be warned though, it's very addictive and tends to take over your life!!!
jake		#4	[-]
Posts: 501 Aug 8 11 4:33 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Jake & Molly have been competing for 4 years now and love it. In the last couple of years we have noticed an increase in the number of Springers at the shows, so there is certainly a growing trend! It is really stimulating for the dogs, once you get over the initial sniffing everything on the ground and get their attention, some can be really fast. It does take a lot of patience at first to get them focused! As for fitness, well there is some human running involved but it depends on whether the dog will work away from you. Unfortunately our two like us to run with them (OH runs one dog, I run the other), so it can be a bit taxing on the joints but we already had knee and back problems but you just carry on with the help of ointments and supports!! There are lots of people who compete who have had knee and hip replacements - such is the addictive nature of the sport - be warned!!! Give it a try. Jake & Molly's mum
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Sir Archibald		#5	[-]
Posts: 87 Aug 8 11 10:02 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Thanks everyone ! Some very good advice & info. I'm looking forward to getting going
Wagger		#6	[-]
Springaholic Posts: 167 Aug 9 11 4:01 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Hi, good luck with the agility. I don't know anything about it so can't give any tips. But don't give up on the gundog training just because you have a little issue with dummies. They are just a training aid nothing more. Your Archie looks happy enough retrieving a tennis ball in the photo I know plenty of fantastic working gundogs who don't want anything to do with dummies. A good trainer can work around that
jenny		#7	[-]
Posts: 306 Aug 9 11 8:05 PM Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	You must give it ago, I am far from fit, let the dog do all the work My springer loves agility and for injuries she causes herself more trouble running through the woods then doing agility! I have also got to meet some great people off this forum at agility show!!! Jenny
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