How do i know whats right for my dog? (sports)

GusGus · 12-15-2012, 08:37 AM

Sorry if this is in the wrong place. Please feel free to move it if it is.

I was thinking if doing some recreational sporting with my dog. I wasn't sure where to start or what would be the best for him..with so many options.

He's high energy, and had a high prey drive. Loves to run and chase and things of the sort. I was thinking agility or flyball? But there's those plus countless more sports/activities to pick from. Where should I start?

**Castlemaid** · 12-15-2012, 08:52 AM

Start with a strong base in obedience. Then look at what is available in your area and sign up. Go out there and try it. Go with what you and Gus enjoy the most.

llombardo · 12-15-2012, 09:21 AM

I agree that obedience is the first thing. I'm seeing more and more Intro to Sports classes. They are designed to cover several different sports in 6-8 weeks. One week you might do agility, second week is treiball, etc. This is a good class for someone that is not sure what they should be doing.

GusGus · 12-15-2012, 09:29 AM

Thanks. We are doing a lot of work with obedience now. He knows the commands but he's just needs help focusing. He's a bit spacey sometimes. Lol

**bocron** · 12-15-2012, 09:46 AM

In my experience the handler's passion for a given sport will drive the success. If your dog is a natural at flyball but you find it boring then you won't stick with it. I would get on youtube and watch a variety of sports until you find a few that you find engaging (within reason of course) and then go out and give a few a try. Look into the level of commitment (Schutzhund for example is high commitment) and be honest about how much time you can spend. Even if your dog isn't the star of the sport you choose, it is time spent with him and time spent learning. We have a few people in our Schutzhund club who discovered the sport after they'd gotten their dog. The dog wasn't particularly suited for Schutzhund but they love it and come to practice rain or shine. A few have decided to get their BH and pursue just the tracking or obedience titles within the sport which is a great solution for them.

DJEtzel · 12-15-2012, 09:52 AM

I'd try a few and see what you like. Frag and I do agility, dock diving, nosework, and soon to be flyball & we could trial in Rally anytime... You can do whatever he decides he likes to do and pick one you really like or do a bunch like I do!

GusGus · 12-15-2012, 10:11 AM

I know I don't have time for schutzhund, but I think Gus would be happier if we participated in a sport once a week or so. We could bond and he could de-energize some more.

GusGus · 12-15-2012, 10:12 AM

Does anyone know of some good clubs or anything near my area?

doggiedad · 12-15-2012, 12:19 PM

you don't have to wait to to be active in your sport.
train daily, do pratice runs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GusGus

I know I don't have time for schutzhund, but I think Gus would be happier if we participated in a sport once a week or so. We could bond and he could de-energize some more.

**Cassidy's Mom** · 12-15-2012, 12:50 PM

I've been racing Halo in flyball since April and we're having a wonderful time! There are two governing bodies who sanction tournaments, here are their websites where you can search for clubs in your area:

NAFA North American Flyball Association | Flyball Locator

U-FLI The Ultimate Dogsport for Family and Fun: United Flyball League International

Both websites have lists of upcoming tournaments by area, if you'd like to go watch and see what it's all about. This video is from the 2011 CanAm tournament:

2011 CanAm Classic Flyball Tournament - YouTube

How old is your dog? Have you taken any basic OB classes yet?

12-15-2012, 08:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
GusGus Master Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Clarksburg, West Virginia Posts: 746	How do i know whats right for my dog? (sports) Sorry if this is in the wrong place. Please feel free to move it if it is. I was thinking if doing some recreational sporting with my dog. I wasn't sure where to start or what would be the best for him..with so many options. He's high energy, and had a high prey drive. Loves to run and chase and things of the sort. I was thinking agility or flyball? But there's those plus countless more sports/activities to pick from. Where should I start?

12-15-2012, 08:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
Castlemaid The Administrator from the Great White North, eh? Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Northern British Columbia Posts: 11,182	Start with a strong base in obedience. Then look at what is available in your area and sign up. Go out there and try it. Go with what you and Gus enjoy the most. __________________ Lucia Keeta BH, OB1, TR1, AD Rottweiler/Hairy Dog mix?? Shelter rescue Gryffon Vom Wildhaus BH

12-15-2012, 09:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
llombardo Crowned Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,938	I agree that obedience is the first thing. I'm seeing more and more Intro to Sports classes. They are designed to cover several different sports in 6-8 weeks. One week you might do agility, second week is treiball, etc. This is a good class for someone that is not sure what they should be doing. __________________ Misty- Samoyed Mix Tannor- Golden Retriever CGC Robyn- German Shepherd CGC Cats-Thunder, Harley, Miley, Bandit, and Ferah RIP Boo..Black Lab "A dog is the only thing on this earth that loves you more than he loves himself."

12-15-2012, 09:46 AM	#5 (permalink)
bocron Moderator Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Milton, Georgia Posts: 1,995	In my experience the handler's passion for a given sport will drive the success. If your dog is a natural at flyball but you find it boring then you won't stick with it. I would get on youtube and watch a variety of sports until you find a few that you find engaging (within reason of course) and then go out and give a few a try. Look into the level of commitment (Schutzhund for example is high commitment) and be honest about how much time you can spend. Even if your dog isn't the star of the sport you choose, it is time spent with him and time spent learning. We have a few people in our Schutzhund club who discovered the sport after they'd gotten their dog. The dog wasn't particularly suited for Schutzhund but they love it and come to practice rain or shine. A few have decided to get their BH and pursue just the tracking or obedience titles within the sport which is a great solution for them. __________________ Annette Holbrook www.coppercreekdvg.com- All Breed Schutzhund Club Home of Umarek von Hugelblick, my good luck charm!

12-15-2012, 09:52 AM	#6 (permalink)
DJEtzel Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 3,592	I'd try a few and see what you like. Frag and I do agility, dock diving, nosework, and soon to be flyball & we could trial in Rally anytime... You can do whatever he decides he likes to do and pick one you really like or do a bunch like I do! __________________ Danielle, owner of... Fraggle Rock Collars & Three lovely boys; Fraggle Vom Richcreek CGC Sir; Rescued APBT Red Dog's Reconnaissance Man

12-15-2012, 09:29 AM	#4 (permalink)
GusGus Master Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Clarksburg, West Virginia Posts: 746	Thanks. We are doing a lot of work with obedience now. He knows the commands but he's just needs help focusing. He's a bit spacey sometimes. Lol

12-15-2012, 10:11 AM	#7 (permalink)
GusGus Master Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Clarksburg, West Virginia Posts: 746	I know I don't have time for schutzhund, but I think Gus would be happier if we participated in a sport once a week or so. We could bond and he could de-energize some more.

12-15-2012, 10:12 AM	#8 (permalink)
GusGus Master Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Clarksburg, West Virginia Posts: 746	Does anyone know of some good clubs or anything near my area?

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
German Shepherd Advertisement