Stark needs something to do!

elisabeth_00117 · 07-22-2012, 02:20 PM

Okay, so everyone needs to put on their thinking caps... lol.

Stark who was suppose to start back with herding isn't going to be able to do it until the fall due to the heat and lack of availability with my trainer (a few people who are trailing are getting the training hours that are available first, so we probably won't get to do any training until the end of August).

A little information about Stark in case you don't "know" him...

- no ball/toy drive
- medium prey drive
- VERY easily distracted
- not food motivated at all
- not very much into play with the handler (depends on what is around him)
- medium nerve (was reactive towards people in youth, but with work he is totally 100% fine now)
- 3 years old, sounds body (prelims were "rated" good to excellent)

I am a big believer in ensuring that your dogs is doing SOMETHING, even if it is just for fun..

Stark has participated in - schutzhund, agility, rally/obedience, herding, dock diving (won't jump off the dock), and a few other fun things.. none of these things really got him excited other than herding. Herding is his thing for sure, but I can't drive 2 hours each week for the lessons at the other farm (I already do this for Zefra and schH).

So... can we put our heads together and think of something for Stark to do? I am willing to drive 1 hour each week for his activity. I would like to get him lure coursing but the organization out here will not allow other breeds to participate which is silly in my opinion.

Anyways... any ideas are welcomed and appreciated... feeling a bit down about this whole thing for him. Zefra is involved in all of the above mentioned and has fun/excels at all and I want Stark to find something fun to do while we wait for herding to start up again.

Lucy Dog · 07-22-2012, 02:24 PM

Does he seem unhappy not participating in anything? Does he really enjoy all of those activities that he's done or is it just kind of chore to him?

Sometimes just being a dog and doing fun things with him (park, swimming, walks, hikes, etc) is more than enough to keep a dog happy.

Sorry... probably not the advice you were looking for!

elisabeth_00117 · 07-22-2012, 02:40 PM

He does them because I ask, but there is definitely NO enthusiasm from him when participating - besides herding - he is ALL for herding and is actually a VERY good tending dog. We will continue in this and hope to trial one day.

He was in schutzhund and ready for his BH (like a week away from trialing) but I pulled him because he really just was not happy and started to do some avoidance behaviours with me when training even without corrections from me - he just really did not want to do it and was stressed.

I feel bad taking Zefra out and doing all of these things with her and having him just hike and swim and play.. I also think it's good to introduce them to things to see if there is a "spark" that catches.

Lucy Dog · 07-22-2012, 02:49 PM

I'm a firm believer in the saying, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". If Stark really enjoys just doing typical dog stuff, let him have his fun doing that. No need to feel bad because Zefra likes doing the sport stuff.

If you're able to pick up the herding again, get him going with that, but if he really doesn't like this other stuff, I'd just leave it at that.

Zefra enjoys the sport stuff, so keep trialing and doing everything with her. Stark doesn't sound like he really likes that stuff. Some people like reading books all day... I'd rather watch a game on TV. If I was forced to read books all the time, I wouldn't be a happy person no matter how good it would be for my mind. It's just not for me.

I think you just need to let Stark enjoy the stuff he enjoys to do. If the regular dog stuff keeps him happy, let him be. Doing that stuff is still a whole lot more than most dog owners do, so there's really no need to feel bad about it.

Packen · 07-22-2012, 02:54 PM

Take him on bicycle rides and go for the AD!

elisabeth_00117 · 07-22-2012, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Packen

Take him on bicycle rides and go for the AD!

Already do this and just waiting for the next AD in our area.

We bike (since he was 18 months old) about 4 times per week.

Wild Wolf · 07-22-2012, 03:07 PM

Bikejoring?
Bikejoring - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nikitta · 07-22-2012, 03:10 PM

I agree with the above posts. It's great that you want to have a happy dog but it sounds to me like he just has fun being a dog. Don't feel guilty about that. Be glad you do have a dog that does enjoys that stuff.

elisabeth_00117 · 07-22-2012, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild Wolf

Bikejoring?
Bikejoring - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Our old obedience instructor Sylvia does this actually..... I think she may have classes for it... hmm... good one.

elisabeth_00117 · 07-22-2012, 03:12 PM

This is the place we went too when Stark was little. I have kept in touch with her and will contact her..

Activi-Joring - Delightful Dogs

07-22-2012, 02:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
elisabeth_00117 Crowned Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Posts: 8,322	Stark needs something to do! Okay, so everyone needs to put on their thinking caps... lol. Stark who was suppose to start back with herding isn't going to be able to do it until the fall due to the heat and lack of availability with my trainer (a few people who are trailing are getting the training hours that are available first, so we probably won't get to do any training until the end of August). A little information about Stark in case you don't "know" him... - no ball/toy drive - medium prey drive - VERY easily distracted - not food motivated at all - not very much into play with the handler (depends on what is around him) - medium nerve (was reactive towards people in youth, but with work he is totally 100% fine now) - 3 years old, sounds body (prelims were "rated" good to excellent) I am a big believer in ensuring that your dogs is doing SOMETHING, even if it is just for fun.. Stark has participated in - schutzhund, agility, rally/obedience, herding, dock diving (won't jump off the dock), and a few other fun things.. none of these things really got him excited other than herding. Herding is his thing for sure, but I can't drive 2 hours each week for the lessons at the other farm (I already do this for Zefra and schH). So... can we put our heads together and think of something for Stark to do? I am willing to drive 1 hour each week for his activity. I would like to get him lure coursing but the organization out here will not allow other breeds to participate which is silly in my opinion. Anyways... any ideas are welcomed and appreciated... feeling a bit down about this whole thing for him. Zefra is involved in all of the above mentioned and has fun/excels at all and I want Stark to find something fun to do while we wait for herding to start up again. __________________ Battleborn Hundesport K-W German Shepherd Club

07-22-2012, 02:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
elisabeth_00117 Crowned Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Posts: 8,322	He does them because I ask, but there is definitely NO enthusiasm from him when participating - besides herding - he is ALL for herding and is actually a VERY good tending dog. We will continue in this and hope to trial one day. He was in schutzhund and ready for his BH (like a week away from trialing) but I pulled him because he really just was not happy and started to do some avoidance behaviours with me when training even without corrections from me - he just really did not want to do it and was stressed. I feel bad taking Zefra out and doing all of these things with her and having him just hike and swim and play.. I also think it's good to introduce them to things to see if there is a "spark" that catches. __________________ Battleborn Hundesport K-W German Shepherd Club

07-22-2012, 02:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
Packen Master Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 675	Take him on bicycle rides and go for the AD! __________________ Gnash von den Sportwaffen IPO3x2, AD, HOT Brimwylf Creasy

07-22-2012, 03:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
Wild Wolf Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 1,932	Bikejoring? Bikejoring - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia __________________ ~ Angel SG S-Hunter vom Geistwasser CGN TT (DM Clear) AIRPORT WILDLIFE & BIRD CONTROL K9 http://www.k9instinct.com

07-22-2012, 03:12 PM	#10 (permalink)
elisabeth_00117 Crowned Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Posts: 8,322	This is the place we went too when Stark was little. I have kept in touch with her and will contact her.. Activi-Joring - Delightful Dogs __________________ Battleborn Hundesport K-W German Shepherd Club

07-22-2012, 02:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
Lucy Dog Crowned Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,944	Does he seem unhappy not participating in anything? Does he really enjoy all of those activities that he's done or is it just kind of chore to him? Sometimes just being a dog and doing fun things with him (park, swimming, walks, hikes, etc) is more than enough to keep a dog happy. Sorry... probably not the advice you were looking for!

07-22-2012, 02:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
Lucy Dog Crowned Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,944	I'm a firm believer in the saying, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". If Stark really enjoys just doing typical dog stuff, let him have his fun doing that. No need to feel bad because Zefra likes doing the sport stuff. If you're able to pick up the herding again, get him going with that, but if he really doesn't like this other stuff, I'd just leave it at that. Zefra enjoys the sport stuff, so keep trialing and doing everything with her. Stark doesn't sound like he really likes that stuff. Some people like reading books all day... I'd rather watch a game on TV. If I was forced to read books all the time, I wouldn't be a happy person no matter how good it would be for my mind. It's just not for me. I think you just need to let Stark enjoy the stuff he enjoys to do. If the regular dog stuff keeps him happy, let him be. Doing that stuff is still a whole lot more than most dog owners do, so there's really no need to feel bad about it.

07-22-2012, 03:10 PM	#8 (permalink)
Nikitta Master Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 837	I agree with the above posts. It's great that you want to have a happy dog but it sounds to me like he just has fun being a dog. Don't feel guilty about that. Be glad you do have a dog that does enjoys that stuff.

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