My westie is nearly 2 years old and I think we both need a challenge. He has been through training classes and we are both now bored with the same old same old. We want to do more that just go for a walk. My westie has a lot of energy and is quite intelligent and I would also like to meet other people with dogs and develop an interest/hobby. I'm just not sure what we can do together. I have thought of paws to music but I think I would feel a bit silly, and I dont think my energetic dog would be disciplined enough to learn moves! Also thought of agility training which sounds great fun and I can imagine him doing this but there is a huge waiting list for classes and I also dont think I am fit enough to run, what happens when you have done the training? I'm not interested in travelling around the country to compete. Any suggestions for what we can do together?

What about a round of golf? You could be the caddy, tehe.
Sorry, just had to:rolleyes:

I think you should get your name down for an agility club. It's not like you train for ex amount of months then have to leave...you can go ev ery week forever :)

Have a  look here at Westies doing agility and here for clubs in your area.

Sounds like your westie would love agility.  My Jack Russell does it and is really fast and good at it.
Give it a try its so much fun for handler and dog.

I agree go for agility...

most of us can't run fast enough and as beginners we are all in the same boat. If you put his name down now with the local clubs he will eventually get a place...while you wait for his place to come up arrange to go look at the clubs...if you find one you like they may be able to tell you how long the waiting list is..some might be happy for you to go and get the dog used to the agility environment...providing you stay well out of the way you might be able to go for a short time and practice a little obedience. Club members might even give you some ideas on what to train while you wait because now would be a good time to start some preparation because they are harder to control in the agility class....mine are anyway! 

Agility can be taken just for fun or deadly competitive..but no matter what level it is taken to people all do it because they enjoy it. Some just love to go to class and the hour a week gives them all they want and they can go year after year and there is no pressure to go and compete. Then there are different levels of shows with different classes for all the differing abilities and levels of experience so once you know the ropes you will be fine going to some shows and having a good day out. I think the class entries for smaller dogs are smaller too so it will be fine and you will quickly get to know heaps of people.  Give it a try and see how much you like it... but just be warned  it is rather addictive.

Don;t think your not fit enough for agility...After a couple of weeks your fitness WILL build up!!!!

I'm sure loads of people go to agility classes just for fun.  There's also no reason why you can't go to ringcraft classes to learn how to show him and compete in local companion shows and thats it.  Though our ringcraft we've had afew crossbreeds/pet dogs come just for socilisation of people and dogs and to do something with the dog.

Also why not try heelwork to music?  If your little dog doesn't quite catch on the you don't have to continue but he might surprise you.

Give everything a try because if you don't like it you can at least say you've tried it.  :)

Also why not teach your westie tricks at home, just to keep his mind occupied more then anything :)

Good luck with whatever you try :)

agility, and flyball, and what about canicross think i spelt it correctly,
and have a go at heelwork to music even if you never enter a competion it will be fun just learning everything,
carolann

Thanks for the advice - golf sounds great??!!! I would like to try agility but the reason I say I'm not too fit is because I am very overweight (trying to diet) and havent got good knees for running - but I will think about it again and visit a class. I looked up canicross - basically jogging with your dog - definately not up to that! But I know someone who would like to do that. I looked up heelwork classes on the pawsnmusic assoc and there appeared to be only 2 classes in my area, both on a weekday afternoon, no good because I work. Does anyone know of any classes in the Bournemouth or ringwood area of dorset?

if he likes balls then what about flyball?

My  preferance is for obedience, which is GREAT fun!!!!!! Its noy boring as it appears & is All about building up a really close working relationship with your dog

I would like to try agility but the reason I say I'm not too fit is because I am very overweight (trying to diet) and haven't got good knees for running
oh no problem... going will give you good exercises! You won't be running full courses for ages and only need to do what you feel up to and at your pace...and you won't be the most overweight there..agility is for all ages all shapes and sizes!  My GP even told me not to run cos I've bad tendons and joints but what the heck! People do agility because they love it and their dogs love it not because their own bodies are up to it! :D You will be fine! 

Oh it is so hard to find these specialist classes to fit our schedules isn't it! You tend to have to travel a bit to them.

and there appeared to be only 2 classes in my area, both on a weekday afternoon
oh wow that'd so fit me but the ones I've seen are all on my agility night!  I'd love to do that..but I ain't dainty or rhythmically aware but it'd be fun.

http://www.k9multisport.com/

Why not try K9Multisports, the activity for ALL breeds, ages etc so no discrimination is practised!

Working Trials, Agility, Obedience are other more formal disciplines that you could participate in with a WHWT