Dog Sport Suggestions??

GsdLoverr729 · 12-04-2010, 11:30 AM

I'm not sure what category to put this in, so if it needs to be moved feel free to move it lol. I have been thinking and I believe it is time to get her into a sport. We are still doing obedience (which I don't believe is ever going to stop because it's very helpful). But I'm not sure what sport to do with her. I don't mind how much training will cost or how much time must be spent training. I just want it to be a fun sport that will be good for Koda and me. Does anyone have any suggestions?
She has been around sheep and chickens before and done fine. And she is willing to do anything to please me.

atravis · 12-04-2010, 11:35 AM

I think agility and Rally O are two of the easiest to get into, while still being extremely fun and engaging for both dog and owner. Just about any dog with good handler focus and a willingness to please can do either, and as sports go, are less stressful and GENERALLY harbors more of a "just for fun" attitude (as apposed to things like competitive OB or Schutzhund, which often come with a "in it to win it" stigma for many).

Just my opinion!

BlackPuppy · 12-04-2010, 11:35 AM

I suggest you try as many as you can find in your area. You'll see which sports she likes best. Very few athletic dogs don't like agility. You can build a lot of equipment yourself. Then there's tracking, dock diving, scootering, draft carting, herding, of course.

I belong to a dog club and whenever we pull up at the building the dog go nuts.

Balto's personal favorite is Rally Obedience.

GsdLoverr729 · 12-04-2010, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atravis

I think agility and Rally O are two of the easiest to get into, while still being extremely fun and engaging for both dog and owner. Just about any dog with good handler focus and a willingness to please can do either, and as sports go, are less stressful and GENERALLY harbors more of a "just for fun" attitude (as apposed to things like competitive OB or Schutzhund, which often come with a "in it to win it" stigma for many).

Just my opinion!

What is Rally O? Lol!!!

atravis · 12-04-2010, 11:38 AM

Rally Obedience!

Its kind of like OB, but instead of super rigid and predictable routines, and handler and dog move between stations marked with signs, that instruct the dog/handler team what to do.

Check it out:

YouTube - Rally Obedience - Novice Course www.dograllyo.com

Denali Girl · 12-04-2010, 11:50 AM

I think as long as it's fun for you and your dog, it's a win win situation!!

**JKlatsky** · 12-04-2010, 11:54 AM

You're not far from a number of SchH clubs. Even if you don't get into the protection, many clubs will help you along with the tracking and competition obedience portions.

GsdLoverr729 · 12-04-2010, 11:57 AM

Is tracking fun for most dogs?
And about how stressful are the sports?
(:

**JKlatsky** · 12-04-2010, 12:08 PM

IMO, stress in any kind of training depends largely on the clarity of the trainer. Even "fun" things like flyball or rally can be stressful if the dog does not understand what it's being asked to do.

And yes tracking can be fun for a dog! It all starts out with eating food off the ground! And then rewards at articles. Of course like in any other kind of training there comes a point where you proof it but all of my dogs pull me to their tracking start flags...

atravis · 12-04-2010, 12:14 PM

A great thing about agility/rally classes, is that there is no need for proofing.

Your dog fails? Who cares, big deal, just move on and try again. Lots of these classes are taught by clicker trainers anyway, which should tell you in which direction the sports are geared.

If you don't dig on aversives in training (who does, really?), you're better off doing agility/rally.

12-04-2010, 11:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
GsdLoverr729 Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cartersville, Ga, USA Posts: 1,527	Dog Sport Suggestions?? I'm not sure what category to put this in, so if it needs to be moved feel free to move it lol. I have been thinking and I believe it is time to get her into a sport. We are still doing obedience (which I don't believe is ever going to stop because it's very helpful). But I'm not sure what sport to do with her. I don't mind how much training will cost or how much time must be spent training. I just want it to be a fun sport that will be good for Koda and me. Does anyone have any suggestions? She has been around sheep and chickens before and done fine. And she is willing to do anything to please me. __________________ Kymmey Dakoda~ 4/29/10 Black & Tan (Bright Points & Silver Ticking) GSD R.I.P.~Cheeko, Dronimoe, Kiba

12-04-2010, 11:35 AM	#2 (permalink)
atravis Master Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Alabama Posts: 613	I think agility and Rally O are two of the easiest to get into, while still being extremely fun and engaging for both dog and owner. Just about any dog with good handler focus and a willingness to please can do either, and as sports go, are less stressful and GENERALLY harbors more of a "just for fun" attitude (as apposed to things like competitive OB or Schutzhund, which often come with a "in it to win it" stigma for many). Just my opinion! __________________ Lex~ [Fox Mulder vom Hueterwald] [Ridley Von Schraderhaus]

12-04-2010, 11:54 AM	#7 (permalink)
JKlatsky Moderator Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Riverview, FL Posts: 2,985	You're not far from a number of SchH clubs. Even if you don't get into the protection, many clubs will help you along with the tracking and competition obedience portions. __________________ Argos vom Eisernen Loewen VPG1, CGC, TC 3-3-07 Bianka vom Eisernen Loewen BH, CGC, TC 1-3-08 Cade vom Eisernen Loewen CGC 3-25-09 D'Artagnan (Tag) vom Eisernen Loewen 2-2-10 G Aiko von Burkndeiros SchH 3, IPO3, FH, TC, KKL2 9-17-02

12-04-2010, 11:57 AM	#8 (permalink)
GsdLoverr729 Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cartersville, Ga, USA Posts: 1,527	Is tracking fun for most dogs? And about how stressful are the sports? (: __________________ Kymmey Dakoda~ 4/29/10 Black & Tan (Bright Points & Silver Ticking) GSD R.I.P.~Cheeko, Dronimoe, Kiba

12-04-2010, 12:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
JKlatsky Moderator Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Riverview, FL Posts: 2,985	IMO, stress in any kind of training depends largely on the clarity of the trainer. Even "fun" things like flyball or rally can be stressful if the dog does not understand what it's being asked to do. And yes tracking can be fun for a dog! It all starts out with eating food off the ground! And then rewards at articles. Of course like in any other kind of training there comes a point where you proof it but all of my dogs pull me to their tracking start flags... __________________ Argos vom Eisernen Loewen VPG1, CGC, TC 3-3-07 Bianka vom Eisernen Loewen BH, CGC, TC 1-3-08 Cade vom Eisernen Loewen CGC 3-25-09 D'Artagnan (Tag) vom Eisernen Loewen 2-2-10 G Aiko von Burkndeiros SchH 3, IPO3, FH, TC, KKL2 9-17-02

12-04-2010, 11:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
BlackPuppy Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 4,420	I suggest you try as many as you can find in your area. You'll see which sports she likes best. Very few athletic dogs don't like agility. You can build a lot of equipment yourself. Then there's tracking, dock diving, scootering, draft carting, herding, of course. I belong to a dog club and whenever we pull up at the building the dog go nuts. Balto's personal favorite is Rally Obedience.

12-04-2010, 11:50 AM	#6 (permalink)
Denali Girl Master Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Newton Ransom PA Posts: 682	I think as long as it's fun for you and your dog, it's a win win situation!!

12-04-2010, 12:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
atravis Master Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Alabama Posts: 613	A great thing about agility/rally classes, is that there is no need for proofing. Your dog fails? Who cares, big deal, just move on and try again. Lots of these classes are taught by clicker trainers anyway, which should tell you in which direction the sports are geared. If you don't dig on aversives in training (who does, really?), you're better off doing agility/rally. __________________ Lex~ [Fox Mulder vom Hueterwald] [Ridley Von Schraderhaus]

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