The Zim Family Cocker Spaniel Forum

Hi All,
I remember that I am not supposed to start a dog in agility until 15 months old and should only be working with the foundation exercises before then. I understand that my two adult cockers measure between 14-15" at wither and they have to jump 16" in agility. That is definitely not a height that I would train my puppy on.

What about the rally jumps? Typically, cockers jump 8" in Rally. Would it be ok for me to start practicing with my 10 month old puppy at 4"?

The reason that I ask is because Cherry can heel off leash very well at home and also at her puppy class. Her automatic sits is higher than 99% on and off leash. I am thinking about showing her in Beginner Novice Obedience in a month and will probably show her again in Rally Novice since we have not worked on the jumps for Advanced.

Thanks.

Thanks Cindy. I think your general rule of thumb makes sense.

I set up a jump at 4" today. Cherry now knows the jump command. In fact, as soon as I had it out with some cookies, Louie offered to teach Cherry how it was done and the little imp got it right away.

I look up the Rally and Obedience rules. At Cherry's size (~13in at wither), she would jump 8" in Rally and 12" in traditional obedience. I don't think I would let her jump 12" ever.

As you know, Cherry had been hit by a car before and suffered a broken femur. She did recover 100% from that. However, I found out shortly after the Monroe show last November (after Cherry got first Q in Rally Novice) that she has luxating patella in both knees and the right side would require surgery when she is 12-15months old. Both vets (the regular and the surgeon) cleared her for doing rally jump after her surgery. For now, I am just letting her do 4" (since she exhibits zero sign of pain/issue from the condition and puppies are jumpy anyways.)

So I guess there will be no Rally Advanced until her full recovery from the surgery.

I think 4" jumps are fine. That really isn't much different than many household steps.

Colleen Keough

4" sounds ok to me. Hetty has learned to jump out of the bath at 7 months old and that's a lot higher! Not that I wanted her to.....