The 3 legged natural!

[Fergus10]

So as mentioned in another thread I brought some agility equipment this week, nothing amazing just a few jumps and a weave set.

I took the dogs out this morning with my dad to try it all out. Fergus went first, bounced and barked like a mad man. He gets soooo excited! He was doing fairly well until he lost the plot and charged around the field resulting in me running off with Dewi to hide behind the hedge so I can jump out and catch him when he appeared. Thankfully I caught him quickly before any damage was caused (phew), he's been excellant off the lead for the past two months so I put today down to pure excitement. Needless to say Fergus was put in the sin bin and made to sit quietly with Dad while Dewi had his FIRST ever go at agility.

He was a natural! I had him weaving a set of 6 poles, jumping figure of 8's and generally having a whale of a time. Not bad for a dog who not only has 3 legs but has had very little training in any form! I think this is Dewi's calling and can't wait to start lessons with him on Monday. Poor Fergus has been lost his status as the Agility King in our family and is left to be Master of the Tennis Balls!! I just wish Dewi would be allowed to compete, as far as i'm aware he will not be allowed?!

[bcmama]

Thats awesome! Sounds like he did great/had fun for his first go at agility!! Do we get a video And naughty Fergus lol!

[Fergus10]

Dad tried taking some videos so i'll have a look later

[jossiemarie]

awww what a clever pup, it's a shame if he can't compete though bless him. and lol at fergus.

[trickytrip]

I don't know, are there rules that say he can't participate? He surely wouldn't have an advantage of any sort to dq him.

[LadyDaniela]

If it does dq him you should start a para-agility club!

[trickytrip]

I have searched different sites, and all I can find is video of 3 legged dogs doing agility, nothing about not being allowed to compete. Hope those agility people take a look here. Be a good question in sports and training.

[youngK9]

I don't think 3 legged dogs are allowed to compete, but I am sure if you asked a trial secitary or chairman if you could bring him and run him through some jumps they might actually let you come play!

[Toddsmom]

Some venues allow competition and some do not. I can't remember where you are located, where do you live? What venues are in your area? I was at a NADAC trial last weekend and there was a three legged rotty who was at his first trial since having surgery for a cancerous tumor who did awesome, no jumps though.

[Fergus10]

I'm in England. I've looked up the rules and regs it states:

'Dogs ineligible to compete include dogs not registered with UKA... and dogs suffering from
illness, injury, or disability that affects the dog’s performance in regard to its welfare'

This doesn't jump out at me that Dewi will not be allowed as his welfare to me isn't an issue (he's in perfect health just missing a leg) but doesn't say he will be allowed either. It's very early days and he may never get to that standard depending on how he goes but to me he's just got 'it'. I'll send some emails to UKA and see what they say.

Toddsmum - Nice to hear there are 3 legged dogs out there competing! I hope England isn't doggy disablist!

[Toddsmom]

The Akc here will not allow this said dog to compete where he was competing in a very high level, so don't be surprised that they don't. They will probabl6 says its unsafe for him. But the rott whipped through weave poles on three legs like no other faster than a lot of the dogs, including mine who hates weav poles! He loves the game so his family founda way for him to continue.

[youngK9]

Aww! Shame your in England, I am pretty sure that you could do non jumping classes in NADAC such as Hoopers, Tunnelers.

[Fergus10]

Dewi's first lesson went down a treat! He was a little edgy at first with so much going on but his confidence just went through the roof. With him being a little nervous of strangers we had to work out how to do specific things without scarying him so some training that needs two people will have to have him working towards me until he knows what hes doing and can work alongside.

He even had a go on the seesaw with me holding it and lowering it slowly, he didn't even bat an eyelid.

Definate shame he's missing a leg although i'm just going to enjoy it with him

[trickytrip]

People shouldn't think for dogs when it comes to disabilities. Youtube is full of Tripawds and even a few twopawds. http://maggie.tripawds.com/