I have gotten my first dog I've ever owned. Its a female german shepherd and she is about 4 months and 3 weeks old right now. Ive had her since she has been 8 weeks old. I was finally able to get into a training class with her and its a really good place and since ive had her ive been taking her different places and the beach and dog parks so she pretty well socialized she still will bark sometimes at other dogs and sometimes at people depending on what they are doing but its getting less and less. I was wondering I was looking into different dog sports to do with her. I dont have a backyard or anything since I live in an apartment but I do get out with her about everyday either to just the park down the road or somewhere else like the beach or take her on walks. I was looking at agility or something of that nature beacuse I looked at other stuff like schutzund and stuff but I know im inexpericed and want to enjoy her and just take my time and then I was thinking when I get a house in a year or two which I am planning get another dog cause I love them and mabye take it from there. Any advice would be appericated.

 Quote: andrew blalock

... ive been taking her different places and the beach and dog parks ...I was looking into different dog sports to do with her. ...I was looking at agility or something of that nature beacuse I looked at other stuff like schutzund and stuff but I know im inexpericed and want to enjoy her and just take my time and then I was thinking when I get a house in a year or two which I am planning get another dog cause I love them and mabye take it from there. Any advice would be appericated.

OK, if you're really open to any advice, my first would be to use the search function here (upper left quadrant) and do a search on "dog parks."

Second, if you really love dogs, then I'd suggest you focus on really getting to know and work with the one you've got, before you plan to get a second, just because you have a house and yard.

As far as the activities go, agility is wonderful. Solid obedience is the first thing you'll need to be able to participate in agility at any level...at a bare minimum, you will need a very solid recall (come) command, a solid "leave it," and being able to keep the dog's focus and attention on you. That right there is a lot to work on right now, as she's still very young. Also, keep up with the exposing her to tons of different things...different surfaces, kinds of people, vacuums and other noises, etc.

There are a lot of dog sports and activities...you'll have to get a bit more specific with your questions tho (what exactly are you wondering about?).

leih

I am mainly looking at agility as of right now. I go to do parks mostly during the weekdays when there is no one there cause its kind of out of the way so she can run around thats the main reason. But agility would be awesome so she can have fun and run around and enjoy herself.

 Quote: Andrew Blalock

But agility would be awesome so she can have fun and run around and enjoy herself.

It is a lot of fun...keep in mind it's a TEAM sport<g>...you'll be running as much as she is.

It's good that you're not using the dog parks for the dogs...

leih

Where in Florida do you live?

I'd like to get my Shepherd into flyball, and perhaps dock dogs.

They look like fun, you might want to check it out.

Dock dogs is tons of fun!! I wish I had a dog that could it now.

Nico and I had a ton of fun when we competed. She was too big and too heavy to really excel but we did win a few ribbons at the smaller competitions.

Im in jacksonville. I realize agility is a team sport im 22 so im pretty young and I like to get out and run around.

If you want to do agility, I would recommend a few of the Leerburg videos. The Michael Ellis series is a MUST! Power of Markers, Power of Food, and Power of Playing Tug.

You can start all of these videos with a pup.

I have been training agility with Toni for about 3 years now and I do foundation agility whenever I get a new dog. It's a great way to bond with your dog, and get GREAT focus from them. Toni and I do it just for fun, but maybe someday we will go for a title

Have fun!!!!

Hi Andrew
Agility is an awesome sport and a great way to bond with your dog.
I'll warn you, it is addictive.
My best advice would be to start yourself off with solid obedience skills, especially work on recalls and a great stay for start line work. These don't have to be very formal skills, and can be taught with agility in mind, but I find solid obedience only helps with building other agility skills. Heeling, or close work will come into play as well as distance and send outs.
At the same time you can work on foundational skills at home (shadow handling, targets, body awareness, wobble boards, plank work, intro to jumping, front and rear crosses etc.). Foundational work is essential, especially if you have a dog that isn't a natural at the sport. Foundation work helps the handler as well, especially when working on crosses and body positioning, as they can become confusing at high speeds.
My next suggestion would be to find a good trainer who works on foundations, and who uses positive techniques. Videos can be great to start, but set of experienced eyes critiquing and helping you is invaluable.
I trained for about a year before entering Brandy in any trials, and I'm extremely glad that I waited that long. Gave me more experience, and actually set me up to succeed.
There are a ton of books out there that you may want to pick up and Clean Run magazine often times has great foundational and newbie articles to work off of.
PM me if you would like more info, and if you're interested, I'll see if I can dig up some foundational exercises to email to you.
Hope this helps.