At what age can you start training the jumps?

8 weeks

You're not really training "jumps" that old, but you can go over a low A frame or hop over one board on a hurdle to get the ball rolling.

I'm not experienced enough to tell you when it's ok to start jumps, but, as a word of caution, be very careful and watch your dog. (same with running with your dog) you don't want to cause permanent damage to his still developing front end from the repetitive impacts from landing. spoken by someone whose dog has some elbow issues. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I agree with VanCamp here.......holy cow. LOL

I start my 8 week old puppies with a short (3 to 4 " tall board)laid across the floor in the long hallway of my house. Close off all doors so it makes a long chute. The goal is to imprint the jump command with a word. Not to see how high the little bugger can jump!! (with a Malinois pup that's probably 7 or 8 feet. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> )

All kidding aside, I toss a soft toy or piece of hose to the end of the hallway while holding the puppy back, make sure he sees it!! Say hup (or whatever word you plan to use) and let him go. .as soon as he picks up the toy call him like crazy...when he gets back to you, a small piece of food to release the toy unless he knows the out command. It's fun for the puppy and great imprinting for a retrieve over the jumps later.

Never EVER jump your dog (young or adult) over a full height jump unless the dog is in condition and you have worked up to this gradually. I am constantly annoyed when I see the weekend warriors bring their flabby dogs out and "train" the jump using the full height. This must be gradual and made fun for the dog, don't cause an injury because you are impatient. I think my dog would have to be at least 18 months or so (depending on the physical maturity of that particular animal) before I would jump even close to 39". (schutzhund regulation height)

My Gsd is 13 months old. Is he still too young to jump over obstacles, barriers, etc.? I read somewhere that he shouldn't be jumping until he's two years old;however, it seems that quite a few of you are having your dogs jump at a much younger age than two.

I remember reading or hearing somewhere that a good rule of thumb was not to jump a young dog higher then his height at the shoulder until he matures.

I wouldn't jump a pup any higher than maybe 8" or so until the growth plates close, at about a year old...then I think it's safe to build up to higher jumps.

That was my question. He's 13 months old. Do you all think the growth plates are closed sufficiently to move on to higher jumps, or should I wait a while longer? I've read so many conflicting opinions. Most experts think a Gsd isn't fully mature physically until around two years of age. Mental maturity isn't reached until around three. Am I in the ballpark with those figures?

another horse related experience type question! No, don't jump higher until the dog is much closer to 2...bones and joints still immature. Too much jumping and pounding on juvenile joints can cause long term damage. what you are teaching is the *action* of going over the barrier. You can teach this as the very good idea Cindy cited. I like that one and will use it with my next puppy. I start out my pups in a fun class at an AKC club where they learn to do agility obstactles - tunnels, jumps at 4 inchs, the a-frame very low - just so they are imprinted with the actions. Low impact, but muscle memory. Waiting on the dog to mature will give you a better chance of keeping him sound.

with my lab i waited till he was closer to 2 to do agility with him

all the vets i have spoken with say that the plates close between 18 and 24 months and it is a good idea to have them x-rayed before doing anything like that just to make sure that they are closed

just my pennies