I would like to try the whole agility thing (for fun) with Bella. I found this place by googling and wondered if you pros could check it out for a minute and see what you think about it. Is it typical? Do they sound like a good program for a complete beginner? etc.

Big Easy Agility Dogs (http://members.cox.net/agility/BEADS.htm)

I am afraid of one thing - I don't want to be involved with ppl that are snobby and way too into the whole thing. Bella and I tried the local OB club for a change from our regular trainer (who is anything but stuffy) and was SO turned off. They assumed that I wanted Bella to be like the top OB champion in the country or something (even when I stated on the form that I didn't want to do competitions and she wasn't even AKC registered, etc.) and it was completely more than I was into - we didn't go back. :D

Advice for me?

Go for it. Our trainer asked at the beginning WHY we were here. I said for fun and exercise, not sure about competing at the present time. Most dogs in our class don't continue. In our beginners class (first 5 weeks) only 4 continued and are still in it.

The class after us had a really big number and split into 2 groups. Not sure how many are continuing now (looks like about 1/2).

So go for fun. It depends on how much fun your dog is having. If they seem to be reluctant in doing things after a few weeks, you might reconsider. I know there is one owner of a great dane who shouldn't be pushing him in agility. Its obvious the dog is afraid and reluctant. After 2 months of weekly training he STILL refuses to go thru the tunnels/chutes and bulks at dog walk/teeter. While some are slower, this dog is not cut out for agility.

Keno loves it (she's finally over her fear of the teeter; I think). Took her about 2 months of training to be willing to run the A-frame, but she seems to be more cut out to be a jumper or tunneller rather then contacts. But she's improving each time, so maybe regular course work for competition isn't ruled out yet.

That top agility lab - I need to get Keno to look like that (muscles)!

Yes, go for fun, at least!!! - the only way to see what the class is like is to go to one. :D

Where's the muscle-y Lab???

I think I'm going to check it out. I was looking on the AKC site for CGC testers in my area and sent a few e-mails out asking them some questions. The first one to respond is a guy who is affiliated with this agility club, and he has been so nice. They do the testing at the end of one of their classes, but he said it sounds like we're ready and to come on down! So I plan to do that in the next month and than talk with him then about the agility stuff.