Actually weave poles shouldn't be done until at least 1 1/2 years old as the twisting can damage their spines.With larger dogs like standard poodles, all that jumping can damage their growing bones. You can still do weave poles and the tunnel and low jumps that they don't actually JUMP over (just kinda run over) I believe though.
Well, it really depends on the stairs, and how they go down them.Thanks Jack !!! I also saw that you posted on another thread that up-and -down the stairs is a no-no for a puppy . So how old should be a puppy before it can go up and down the stairs ???
Thanks in advance![]()
Well, it really depends on the stairs, and how they go down them.
If they are soft carpet stairs, they should be fine if they can walk up them easily, but monitor them going down, as they tend to take some steps in groups, so try and get them to take 1 at a time, making sure they don't jump the last couple. It won't really do too much damage if they are 7-8 months old, it really depends on how they go down the stairs and how much growing they have.
So, walking[/B up and down the stairs should be fine if the can easily manage it, but make sure they don't just take many coming down.
If they are concrete etc. I wouldn't let them walk down unless it is a very small gradient.
There is no really definite age, it just really depends if they take them all together which is basically jumping off something high, and how easily they can do it.
Yes Olie is a busy boy! He zooms around and now jumps on and off the couch and my bed, I have a bench he jumps up on and then the bed. Also we walk all our dogs close to a mile at least 3-5 times a week...LOL Try stopping Mandy from running jumping and living life to the fullest. She has always lived like this from puppy on. I did not ask her to run jump or spin she just lives life to the fullest when given the opertunity.
Would I have done classes with her at a young age NO but deffinatly thinking about it now she is the talk of the dog park with her running. People just laugh when she begs their dog to chase her but they can never catch her and give up.
You can walk them up the sidewalk a bit, but nothing more than 5 or 10 minutes at most. No long walks or anything like that. Save that for when the puppy is older.OK, so I dont read to far into this...
Are you saying do not take them on walks on pavement? Ex: Sidewalks/Pavement? Thats excersize to me.
What about mini puppies? Can they walk on the sidewalk longer or only on the grass? Then I should carry him?You can walk them up the sidewalk a bit, but nothing more than 5 or 10 minutes at most. No long walks or anything like that. Save that for when the puppy is older.
Yes that's about right.I did some research on the net and wherever I looked it always goes something like this : "Only start Agility training when he is over 12 months old and 18 months old for the larger breeds as any injuries may not show until later in life. A dog's working life could be ruined and shortened if agility training is started too early or rushed."
I just think that in every-day life one has to use common sense and not over-exercise the puppy. Especially as a very young baby - spoo probably needs to take it easy and does things that feel comfortable for him/her. Running in the park is definitely different than "taking a dog for a long jog". I also think that pavement must be hard on the joints as it is on us humans :rolffleyes:.
For serious training of agility - it is obviously a no-no till puppy is at least 12 mons old . It make sense since their hips are not fully developed till 2 yars of age :rolffleyes: !
All in all - very interesting topic !
Thanks again to all who gave their impute and advice and shared their experience![]()
Was just about to say this.But you can start doing the basics before then. Like getting them to follow you around, doing front crosses and changing sides, changing pace etc.
ExactlyWas just about to say this.While you shouldn't train too seriously until the dog has matured both physically and emotionally, I would say it's never too early to start training elements that you will use in agility. Our last PWD was actually entered in puppy obedience geared towards competitive dogs where they worked on balance, agility (eg: walking through a ladder to get used to legs) as well as basic obedience. You can teach commands (left, right, spot), watch me etc. Even getting them comfortable on the a frame, dog walk and teeter can happen while they're still little. It's just the joint stressing high jumping and weaving that should be avoided.