I started directions around jump uprights very young (4 months? younger?) Any ground work can be done right away with puppy as they learn quicker when their super young.

I didn't do straight poles until plates were closed at 17 months. I did split and channel weaves (far apart) starting around 6-8 months (FAR apart) and closer together - but not in a straight line at 12 months.

I didn't do full height contacts until about 12-14 months.

Jumping low at 6 months - at full height after 12 months - but not a lot until after plates closed. Mostly trained at lower height.

Started trials at 18 months but on and off while still working on things (2 months on, 1-2 months off).

Hit trialing hard after 2 yrs old.

This was on my bc. I would do this with any breed - slower with larger breeds. The important thing is to wait on hard impact things for the growth plates to close - only the vet can tell you that - or wait until 18 months if you don't x-ray. My pups didn't close until 17 months.

Renee

I start training my puppies the minute they arrive! :)

I leave weaves for last... at 12 months old... but I teach entries at 3-4 months using only 3 poles. 

I train 2o2o at 3 months old and move onto contacts at about 10 months. 

Tunnels can be taught right away. 

I save full height jumping for 12 months... but I can do all prep work with bars on the ground right from the start. 

I do loads of flatwork right from the start... 

I teach directionals off of jumps when the dog is very young... I only move the directions on to jumps when I'm POSITIVE the dog understands them 100%. :) 

Katie

I have a border collie pup and just had to answer this question myself!!  My pup will be turning one at the end of this month.

When she was about 3 months old (maybe younger) I started on teaching a target/touch, following the hand, front/rear crosses, etc. on the flat.  I also started introducing a jump with the bar on the ground (no height). Left, Right, Out, all of those things I would do while at the park playing ball or anything.

My puppy came clicker-trained and knowing a good number of commands when I got her at 8 weeks of age, so that really jump-started our training!

By 6 months old I put an 8" bar up and once in a while I'd alternate with 12".  I had posted a video of her doing a Masters Jumpers course at a trial at 12" when she was 7 months but I got so much flack for it I took it down.  I wasn't doing 'full courses' with her at the time but it was SO fun to get out there and put all of our skills together and see them come together so nicely.

I am doing 4 on the floor contacts with her so I have had the A-frame low and the dogwalk low and the teeter shortened for some time. 

I just had my girl x-rayed a couple of weeks ago and her growth plates are closed (at ten months) so I started to raise the equipment to full height.  She's still on the low A-frame to make sure she strides all the way to the end but the dogwalk and teeter are up now.

My point is, there's no magical age.  If you're eager to start, start getting the growth plates checked once you've noticed your pup's stopped growing for a time.  Smaller BCs can be as early as 9 months to close.

I feel like the best way to teach weaves is to start with a method and train train train until they're closed, within a month or so.  So I didn't start these at all until I knew her plates were closed.

&, for the record, my pup is doing AWESOME on full-height jumps.  If they're in an easy sequence she keeps them up, she only drops them when I get in her way or call too late, etc...just like my 6yo dog...evidently *I* need some training!! :)

So where are you getting this BC pup?  Do you have pictures yet?!

My pup was running through tunnels from 12 weeks, I also had him on my lap when I sat on the see-saw and tipped it side to side to get the movement.  I did a lot with my sheltie early on and to be honest I have trouble coping with her as she can go very manic.  So with my collie pup I didn't do any more till he was 10 months, I let him grow up a bit, learn to be a puppy.  Yes I taught left and rights and go ons with a tuggy in this time.

 At 10 months he started channel weaves so he wasn't bending at all, he didn't start the bending till about 14 months and now at 16 months he has just gone on to inlines.  His contacts went up to full height at about 13 months and he had been doing them VERY low at about 11 months.  Re: jumps he has just this last week gone on to full height - 65cm.  He was doing poles on the wing feet at 10-12months, then onto 35cm, then 45cm, then about 55cm. 

Some people might say I have gone too slow, but I don't want my dog hurt and we will have plenty of years ahead of us to train and compete.  I wanted him to really enjoy being a puppy.  His working style is just what I wanted as is quite independent.

Gina & the Disco Dogs

http://www.freewebs.com/discodogs

i what to before you went to law school did take any classes that involve with lawschool training in  high school