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Giant Schnauzer Texas Q&A

What's the earliest age I can start agility training with a puppy?

I plan to purchase a Boxer pup, or a Giant Schnauzer and I want to get into agility competitions. I'm in Texas (D/FW) and would like help finding a proper place to train and I also need to know the earliest or best age the puppy begin.

I compete with my sheltie in agility. You are going to love this sport. You can start training with your puppy right away, although your dog should refrain from jumping, heavy weaving through vertical in-line weave poles, and scaling any contact equipment elevated more than 3-4 inches off of the ground until his growth plates have closed. In large breeds this occurs around 12-18 months of age. If you do lots of jumping and weaving, or if your puppy should fall from a mid-or full height contact obstacle, he could permanently damage is legs or his spine. Smaller breeds mature more quickly....around 8 months for a cocker spaniel sized dog and abound 6 months for a pug sized dog. Because larger breeds tend to be heavy bodied and muscular as well, it wouldn't hurt to have your vet x-ray your pup at 12 months to confirm the growth plates are closed before you move on to more intense training.

Another important note is to keep your dog on the lean side as he starts to mature. Not starving, but thinner than your average pet. Ribs shouldn't be showing, but the waist and tuck up should be well defined, and the ribs should be very easily felt (just not visible). During a half hour practice session, your dog may take 30-50 jumps. That’s a whole lot of pounding on his joints, especially if he carries extra weight. Also, agility training usually involves lots of treats, so remember to cut back on your dog's evening meal after your training sessions to keep him from gaining extra pounds.

I used to live in Tyler, TX and there are several great agility clubs in your area. The first link is to an agility trainer who has puppy (low-impact) agility classes starting this fall. I'd call them first. They start puppies at 4 months of age on low or non-impact equipment. And they are clicker trainers (BIG PLUS!!!!!) The second link below is to Clean Run Magazine agility group listings. Use the filters in the drop down boxes to find trainers and facilities in your area. Give a few of them a call, and go meet with them and watch a class or two. While you are there, you might ask for some advice on what to look for when you are evaluating a litter of puppies for an agility prospect, and which breed they think would be good for a first time handler.

We have several boxers in my competition agility class and they are excellent agility dogs. They can be very quick and responsive to their handlers. The only draw back I see to a boxer, is their shortened air way from the pushed-in facial structure makes them overheat quickly (same thing with pugs). So you have to pay extra attention and take extra water breaks to keep them cool in the summer months while training or competing.

My personal experience with Giant Schnauzers is that they are indeed agile, quick, and intelligent... but they can be very dog aggressive (Think Very Terrier!!!). They can also be aggressive towards strangers who they think are threatening their owner, (Think elimination if they bite the judge when he raises his hand to signal a fault or off-course to his helper who is keeping score).

BUT all dogs are different. I just wouldn't purchase a puppy from German Working lines in either breed for a first time agility dog. Yes, they would have lots of drive, but I think it would be way too much for a new handler to deal with. You have just as much to learn as your dog does, when it comes to agility, and if you are also having to deal with the behavioral issues that come with a super high drive dog you’re going to get frustrated and neither of you is going to have any fun.

Below are some things you can do once you get your puppy home.

1. Enroll in a puppy kindergarten class. Agility dogs must be sociable around other dogs and people. Once your puppy is fully vaccinated, take it with you everywhere and introduce it to all kinds of people. Most of the training you will be doing once you enroll an agility class will be off leash for the safety of the dog on the equipment. Most agility trainers screen their prospective students before they allow them to come to class for you and the other student’s safety. Aggressive or uncontrollable dogs usually will not be allowed to participate and will be asked to leave.

2. Train the basics. They will cover most of this in your puppy kindergarten class. Basically you should teach your puppy to "sit", "stay", "down", and "come".

3. Train your puppy to heel with a loose leash on both sides while you walk. Agility dogs often have to work on both the left and right side of their handlers during a course run. I use "heel" for the traditional left side, and "other-side" for heeling on my right side.

4. Purchase a few pieces of equipment such as a tunnel, table (just take the legs off and use the top to train down and sit on the table), see-saw plank and a couple of garden bricks (low 4 inch dog walk for practice), a wobble board sometimes called a buja board or tippy trainer to get him used to motion under his feet, and finally a couple of free standing jump uprights and a jump bar (keep the bar on the ground, and train the puppy to pass between the uprights. He will pick up his feet to get over the bar, but won't have to actually jump.)

Sorry for the long post

Good Luck and Have fun!!!!

Giant Schnauzer Texas Videos

White Christmas Eve in Texas!

Dogs Playing In Snow Denton TX 2010

Giant Schnauzer Texas Q&A

What should I do with my dog?

my dog is not good. giant schnauzer she is a year old. has bitten people (so far only one) that bites me and my sister all the time however, she Absolutley hates his belt. clinging to a hard pull. my other dog attacks (mini schnauzer and 3) who comes from a Texas breeder IDK. my dad took her to classes obidience beginners where they learned to sit, lie down, so my dad never training either. What should we do with it? it is a fun dog is just that she is out of control and NO I DO NOT GET rid of it we have been considering trying Victoria Stillwell ... you know ... the lady of his ego or dog shes not shes my dog searle my dog parents, it is your responsibility not mine his dad so it is wrong to own

I'm not going to be popular now, but here are some suggestions what I did with my dog aggressive. He bit me all the time and when he did put me on the floor and took a little bite of the neck and hug him until he calms down, (not difficult or not angry but peaceful energy just energy) does not scream or shout no, but a sound that makes me feel in control. Help snap my fingers and put hand when he comes running towards you. And do not use the name when it is bad behavior because you want the name means something good for your dog. Dog exercise my brain go by the door or put a treat on the floor where he can take before it says ok. People are angry and say the abuse of my dog, but guess what I was not biting and I have my sisters 8-9 and not slightly, now all he does is lick us.I do not hit or kick my dog. And he was really aggressive dog and now he is the best dog in the world and I'm proud of him. If two years he came to my care when she was 2 years old. Good luck hope you find a training method that works for you)

Giant Schnauzer Texas Q&A

What should I do with my dog?

my dog is not good. giant schnauzer she is a year old. has bitten people (so far only one) that bites me and my sister all the time however, she Absolutley hates his belt. clinging to a hard pull. my other dog attacks (mini schnauzer and 3) who comes from a Texas breeder IDK. my dad took her to classes obidience beginners where they learned to sit, lie down, so my dad never training either. What should we do with it? it is a fun dog is just that she is out of control and NO I DO NOT GET rid of it we have been considering trying Victoria Stillwell ... you know ... the lady of his ego or dog shes not shes my dog searle my dog parents, it is your responsibility not mine his dad so it is wrong to own

I'm not going to be popular now, but here are some suggestions what I did with my dog aggressive. He bit me all the time and when he did put me on the floor and took a little bite of the neck and hug him until he calms down, (not difficult or not angry but peaceful energy just energy) does not scream or shout no, but a sound that makes me feel in control. Help snap my fingers and put hand when he comes running towards you. And do not use the name when it is bad behavior because you want the name means something good for your dog. Dog exercise my brain go by the door or put a treat on the floor where he can take before it says ok. People are angry and say the abuse of my dog, but guess what I was not biting and I have my sisters 8-9 and not slightly, now all he does is lick us.I do not hit or kick my dog. And he was really aggressive dog and now he is the best dog in the world and I'm proud of him. If two years he came to my care when she was 2 years old. Good luck hope you find a training method that works for you)