I agree, find a local trainer! I'm training a few of the dogs at the shelter on the basic, easy obstacles and I can tell you that having to "make it up as you go" isn't the way to do it effectively. Because I'm only doing it to expend their energy and challenge them (some of those doggies really need a challenge!), it doesn't matter if I make it all up. If I were training with the hopes of competing someday, I'd find a trainer.<br /> <br /> If you're having trouble talking your parents into helping you find a beginner's class to take, you could set up a couple small, easy obstacles, teach those to your dog, and show your parents that you and your dog <i>could</i> do it, but only if you can find someone to teach you. For easy obstacles, I'd recommend a table or box (not too high - maybe around a foot off the ground?) that you can use to teach the pause table (big enough that there's no worry he'll hop up and fall off, though, and something that will definitely support his weight). Have him hop up and reward him a small training treat when he's up there.Sometimes it helps if you get a running start.<br /> <br /> I taught one of my dogs to jump things by setting up two plastic lawn chairs with a pool noodle held up between them - just stiffen the noodle with something, like a walking stick, and start by having him step over it on the ground. Gradually raise it until he's able to clear it without knocking into it. Or if you live near woods or a forest, you could take him to jump over fallen trees.<br /> <br /> But yes, if you're hoping to teach him every aspect of agility, it's probably going to be easier for you to learn how to teach him if you both enroll in a beginner's training class!
