There is a lot that an eight month old can do in agility, but I would not jump even 12 inches with a puppy. There are so many other things to learn in agility that there is no rush to jump more than a few inches. Once the growth plates close, jump training can begin in earnest.
Halo is three months old. Today she had a private agility lesson and we worked on foot placement using a ladder and an obstacle course of various cardboard tubes and jump poles, and contacts using a target. We also placed her on the end of the teeter and gave her little rides while she ate treats so that she gets used to motion. As I said, there is so much that a puppy can learn in agility (and obedience) while they are growing up that jumping does not need to be rushed. In addition to obedience and agility, Halo is also tracking -- puppies are smart, willing workers if we give them fun and interesting jobs :) Mary-Ann Bowman Utah U-CD Emma CDX, DD, CGC, retired Abra, VCD1 (NA, NAJ, TD, CD), CDX, OA, DD, CGC Maize, NA, TD, DD, CD, CGC Halo -- in training