What to expect- and how you know if you really want to start:*Some people see a beautiful display of handler and dog working in harmony and they think "that could be me and my dog...." but agility is much more complicated then flying around an agility course with no faults. Agility takes time, money, and commitment, you have to want it more than anything.
*The cost can be overwhelming: training classes start at $125 and can go up way past $500- plus you might want to buy an agility course which can run you up to $1000! Or you can rent a space which can be costly and may go up to $100!!! If you want to be successful you can even hire canine massage specialists and have specialty foods and these can cost hundreds of dollars (but speak with your veternarian before you take any of this advice.)! So how deep is your wallet?
*Time needs to be considered, if you have a fancy border collie it'll need long walks plus running time and possibly agility training a couple times a week! Yikes! You need to consider your work and if you'll have once or twice a week to train and if you can keep your dog in optimum form.
So you still want to continue- but where to start?! Here are some tips:
*Google and search dog agility clubs in your area, then you can go and volunteer to get a good reputation with the association and get knowlegeable about the sport before you decide to compete.
*Find dog trainers and sign up for an agility class- just ask around, someone in your area has to offer the class!
*Buy or make a backyard agility course to practice on!
*Read. Read. Read. I like Clean Run magazine and the book Introduction To Dog Agility.
Agility can be fun and great for the bond with your dog. But establish goals. Do you want to be competitive- or just have fun? Do you want to be the best or good enough to feel accomplished? Decide on a budget and weave your way through the local agility clubs to get discounts and have friends to share this journey with. But this one rule should always apply: Make sure you're having fun- that's why you started this crazy thing!
Treat any animal with respect and it will come back one-hundred fold. 