klm42005

Hey guys, looking for some help where to start....my 14 yr old son is having an exceptionally hard time with the boys passing. I had an idea (and he liked it) to do some agility training with Paris Hope....she seems very agile in her moving and jumping and I thought it would give him a great way to work and bond with her...we aren't looking to compete, just to give Kyler (my 14yr old) something to keep his mind busy and have fun with Paris...I have looked at starter agility courses and was wondering if there are any good books/dvd's out there to start him off with. MikeyT I am hoping for your input here as you are our resident expert...

Thanks in advance
Kristi and Family
Woody Hayes ATB
Romeo ATB
and Miss Paris Hope.

Wworm

hey, kewl!! ...no answers, i'm a newbie myself. but i's gots to show u my pic, Mrs. Kristi... that's me & my pal Sasha who's not a teeny puppy anymore. we r in a dog bone-shaped dog park & they have a little agility course there.

i m going to get started too, my person thinks... sometime this year... so keep us posted...! i'm prob gonna go thru the same stuff as Paris & Kyler...

say, when will Paris be old enuf to come 'rounds here to join us in our fun?
--Worm

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see what the Worm is up to: http://bassetworm.blogspot.com/

henry'smum

Humphrey loves agility, we did it in england and noone had ever seen an agility basset there lol! His favourite thing was the high walkway. When everyone else was doing their warm up sit stays, humps would dissapear off and all you would hear where his big basset feed clunking up and down the walkway! Also he loved baying when in full flight through the tunnel! Good luck Paris!!!

houndmomma

What a great idea Kristi - it'll be fun to see the videos once they start working together and yours also Worm - cute photo by the way...

I’d be afraid to let Mabel walk up that thing – knowing her she might try and jump off from the top.

Jen~

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Momma to Lucy age 12 ~ Basset Hound
Momma to Rickie age 5 ~ Shi-Poo (don’t tell him though – he thinks he’s a hound dog)
Momma to Mabel age -1 ~ Basset Hound
Momma to Flash – RIP 2000 ~ 2011 – Gone in body but with me in spirit ~ You will live on forever in my heart baby ~ Je t'aime

klm42005

My thoughts to Jen, Can you bubble wrap a basset..LOL...
Wworm, we will make that trip to see you as soon as possible my man...your friend Sasha kind of reminds me of Romeo with the cow markings and of course you are a svelte looking Woody.....but you looks so regal up there.......will def. keep you posted....this is a pict. (bad of kyler but look at the glee on his face) of him cuddling Miss Paris.....had to share...

henry'smum

A boy and his dog, nothing more beautiful!

bethrn

Love, love, love this pic. Nothing better than snuggles with bassets!

houndmomma

Oh man - you took the words out of my mouth

Priceless photo though Krisi

Jen~

__________________
Momma to Lucy age 12 ~ Basset Hound
Momma to Rickie age 5 ~ Shi-Poo (don’t tell him though – he thinks he’s a hound dog)
Momma to Mabel age -1 ~ Basset Hound
Momma to Flash – RIP 2000 ~ 2011 – Gone in body but with me in spirit ~ You will live on forever in my heart baby ~ Je t'aime

Swimming-duck

True dat! I definitely want to follow your journey. We have no time for something like this now, but I'd love to maybe try it someday!

Mikey T

so the idea is to do agility for fun activity rather than compitition and get some experience train a dog. ?

1 am assuming paris hope is over 1 year of age. it is never a bad idea to have a orthopedic exam to make sure there are not problems that agility could make worse. ie luxating patella's joint issues that said mariah is mildly displastic in the hips but most basset don't have good hips.

consider to weight to height ratio anything over 4 to one can be problemmatic, as low as 3/1 is better but rare in a basset most of the herding breeds are 2/1 or lower. a high ratio does not mean you can't do agility for fun but it is best to keep jumps quite low ie elbow height.

agilty without an prior training is very difficult to learn on your own. I high recommend taking of class.

1. many well maybe not many some 4 -h club have programs specifical for teach kids agility

2. check out the following two web sites for clubs and training facilities in your area. I highly recommend taking the time to vist each during a class better a class similar in level to were they reccommed you start.
googility.com

Clean run Agility Clubs and Schools search

Some basic training backaround does help but ussual is not required each club or school has different criter many require a bassic manner class many don't. Failiarity with clicker training specifical free shaping a behavior can be benefitial again not required generally.


basic excerise to help a basset in agility With basset in agility one common short comming is the general lack hind end awarness that is they have know idea what the back end is doing and how to control it the follow video are some basic hind end awarness exercise you can do at home. Pretty boring stuff but it is important


with a basset you dont need a special ladder like this video a stand ladder laid on the ground works just as well. The slower you go the harder it is for the dog you want to avoid a trot that is you want the dog to take a single step at a time there should be occasions that all four feet are on the ground

this is ussally free shaped. in the video she is using pressure to get the dog to move ie invading personal space. With free shaping you ry and avoid putting on pressure to get thebehaviro and reward the behavior when it occurs. If you are not famillar with shaping it is better to use pressure at least to start and the try and fade (not use it so much) besure to go both ways dog general have a direction they are much bettter turning at. It is very easy to get caught up in success and practice the side the dog is good at when youreally need to spen more time on the side, direction they are not.

jump and how to jump is a skill that most basset ar poor at wheich relates to hind end awarness and use. Good jumping form requires the use of the back legs for power basset often try and get away with using their front very difficult to get elivation that way.

Strengthening Exercise for Agility, Part 1 deal with strengthing the hind end. the walking exercise are all you need to start sand, water and especial steep inclines.