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  1. #11
    Senior Dog Scoutpout's Avatar
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    I wish I knew what I know now when I had my 1st two boys! My chocolate monster really needed a job, and was a retrieving maniac. He would have done great in field work, and obedience and rally, and nose work and and and....

    Scout and I wound up competing "by accident". He is a 2nd hand dog, got at just shy of 2yrs old, that had ZERO socialization and zero dog skills. So we started taking regular house dog obedience classes. And kept taking them. And kept taking them. And then to try something new took the Rally beginner classes. And kept taking them. And then got prodded into taking the Rally advanced classes. And kept taking them. And then about 2.5yrs after I got him, we signed up to compete in a local rally trial that a bunch of ladies that trained at the same place were competing at, they said sign up and we'll help you. So we got 2 legs of Rally Novice. and then about 5 months later, they said, come with us, he can get his title, so we did, and he did, in fact he wound up getting 2 titles!

    I've lost count of the number of folks that i've spoken with at trials that have questions, and wonder what its about, and if i can't answer, i usually know someone who does, and get them in touch. Most folks are happy to help. there are few that are just so intense and focused they hate to be "interrupted" when theyre at a trial. then there are a bunch in the middle - happy to talk if they're not up for a class shortly. We're currently exploring Agility at a very very very basic level, and the same with Working Certificate and Junior Hunter. In Obedience he has his beginner Novice, and his CD, and i'd love to get his Advanced Intermediate, which after the retrieving training work, he should be able to do. Would love his CDX, but he's 8 now, and is VERY laid back about all of the rally and Obedience, so we'll see. He has his Rally advanced Excellent 5 (RAE5). He LOVES going to trials - to him its all about the social aspect, and he goes in the ring because he knows his stuff and thats what you do at a trial, but thats not where its at for him. He'd be less happy if we didn't go to trials, so we still go, even though most often he is the "entertaining" dog, not the one with the most points. We used to do 8 to 10 runs in a weekend, this year we will do 4 to 6, just because thats all he's interested in doing.

    Its really about trying lots of different things, and seeing what "clicks" for you and your dog. its supposed to be FUN, so (other than some of the normal, minor, hiccups that happen in training) if its not, then try something different. Scout has discovered his nose, so i'd like to see if he finds tracking or barn hunt interesting, but they are a bit scarcer here. I really think that ANY time and training you put into your dog pays off in your relationship and his general behaviour.

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  3. #12
    Senior Dog shellbell's Avatar
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    Tux and I do Barn Hunt! It is a very new sport, only been around a couple years. It is an extension of the earth dog type sports that terriers compete in, but Barn Hunt is open to all sizes/breeds. It is very quickly growing in popularity. I had always noticed that Tux is REALLY into smelling things, moreso than my other two dogs. So I thought I would try nosework. We did a class, and then a trainer friend of mine decided to offer a one day Barn Hunt seminar. We went to it, and it was so much fun and Tux LOVED it! And eventually my trainer started offering regular classes. It is much less expensive to do Barn Hunt trials than nosework trials, so I've been told. The basic premise of Barn Hunt, is that at the first level (Novice), the dog has two minutes to find a tube with a live rat, climb a hay bale (just jump on one with all four feet), and do a tunnel. There is also an empty tube and a tube with rat bedding on the course. As the handler, you need to learn how your dog is going to indicate to you that he has found the tube with the live rat, and then you call it out to the judge. Three Qs will get you a Novice title, and from there you move up to the next level. With each level, there are more tubes, more live rats to find, and the tunnels get more complex. Tux has his Open title which qualifies us to compete at Nationals in September, and he has one Q towards his Senior title. Tux is not an athletic, sporty type dog, but he has a great nose that he loves to use, and he really loves Barn Hunt. I have made a lot of great friends through it as well. Here is the link to the BHA website, if you want more info.

    Barn Hunt Association

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  5. #13
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    I've been doing pet obedience for about 20 years, successfully, as in all of my dogs could walk on a loose leash with a flat buckle collar, auto sits, successful stays, etc. I've gotten CGCs on all of the dogs I've owned. I also co-founded and was an active board member for a Lab rescue for about five years or so, where I learned a lot about dog behavior by fostering dozens of dogs and working with different professionals (behaviorists, trainers, even a couple really great animal control officers) to learn the ropes of temperament testing and successful placement with people and other animals. When I got Sam, who is now five, I dabbled in competitive obedience and rally for his first year, then stopped because life got in the way. Then, I got Linus, who will be two in July, and have been consistently working with him on competitive obedience and recently in field work. I also started working with Sam again in rally and a little obedience.

    I trialed last year for the first time and the dogs did very well, but more importantly, I learned a ton! I met a lot of people through clubs (obedience and breed) and through matches as well as events. That's been the most helpful part of all of this -- the networking. By talking to people I found my new, awesome trainers, I found out about matches, and I found out who NOT to go to as well. I've put a few years heavily into the local obedience and breed scene and get invited to private matches and seminars that are not open to the general public.

    I got into it because I have a close friend (3,000 miles away, unfortunately) who has been competing in obedience, rally, and field trials with her husband for many, many years, and I thought it would be really fun. They both do very well, are often high in trial (HIT) in a very competitive area, but it's their life, and they must be in their 60s by now, so they've got about 25 years or so under their belts doing this. They opted to not have children, at least not the two-legged kind, and focus on their dogs. They usually have four dogs at a time, each in various stages of his or her competition career. They have few other hobbies and they choose the dogs and their hobby over all else. I met them through the rescue in the late 90s and that's when I first became interested.

    So, why did it take me nearly 20 years to get serious?

    First, it's super time-consuming, especially as a novice when you are learning, though I know plenty of people who have UDs who still train as much or more with younger dogs. I go to three or four classes per week: private obedience lesson, group obedience lesson, field training lesson, and drop-in rally for Sam. Most of these facilities are within about 30 minutes of my house, but I drive 1.5 hours each way for the field training lesson (I live in the City and there are guns involved). I also go to matches at least once a month. I'm not trialing right now, but when I did, that was another weekend event and at least 30 minutes each way to drive. I'm trying to get Linus into an agility class, so that's one more class and potentially one more event, if we like it. If you're going to do it and do it well, you have to be committed. Life easily gets in the way: new house, remodeling house, moving, landscape projects, new job, break-ups, vacations... All these things can set you back (I speak from experience). I miss out on social events and I am hurried during the week when I have classes, as I also work full-time (or more). And, sometimes I have to choose work over a class, for instance, if I travel, and that is actually upsetting to me! I have different sets of friends and maintaining my non-dog relationships is tough!

    Second, it's super expensive. I consistently spend $400 per month on training and matches and trials, when I go. That does not include fuel for the car or other side expenses. Luckily we have plenty of events locally so I do not need to stay in a hotel. At one point last year when I was training both dogs all the time and going to trials, I was spending over $600 per month! I've had to cut back a bit due to not only money, but time, so that is why I am focusing more on Linus. Dealing with two 100 lb dogs is tough logistically as well, especially when you're on your own.

    Third, it takes time to find the right trainer(s) who you click with, who you trust, and who help motivate you, even kicking your ass when you need it! And, when you find them, there's often a waiting list, as great trainers are few and far between. I met my current obedience trainer last summer at an event and she was able to get me in for a few private lessons before allowing me into a class which hadn't seen a new face for five years. I got lucky because we clicked, she liked my dog, she liked my style, and she felt I was committed. She has the luxury of choosing who to work with, as most good trainers do. She also recommended me to my field trainer, who only allows students recommended by other students in good standing. I can't even train with him on weekends so I have to take time off work to see him!

    Conformation is a whole other animal! And, one thing to keep in mind is that if you do get a puppy that might do OK in conformation and the breeder actually gives you an unlimited registration which is unlikely unless you have a relationship with that breeder already, if that puppy does not do well, and the odds are against probably 99% of all Labs, you can't train it to do better. You either have to keep adding dogs to your home or sell the dogs you have to make room for others who may do well.

    My advice is to just start slow and see what sticks. Try to get a versatile dog that is fairly unflappable. What do you have time for? Money for? What is your commitment level? And, don't be surprised if it takes you a few years or more, and a dog or two, to really get started, and even then, that's your training wheel dog, so maybe the next one or two will be the one(s) where all of that time, money, and energy finally pays off! There is a reason why the average age in dog sports, especially obedience is 45 - 75!
    Last edited by Labradorks; 05-25-2015 at 01:33 PM.

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  7. #14
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    Thank you for all of the replies, and I'm sorry that my response back is delayed.

    I guess I just have tons to learn!! Everything sounds so interesting to me... even the things that I don't see myself getting into with (at least) my current dogs, I still think I would like to see and learn about. I guess all things dog just fascinate me... when I was a kid, I remember seeing the national dog show on tv on Thanksgiving, and different things like canine freestyle, or frisbee dogs and being awestruck. Now that I'm "all grown up" with dogs of my own I think it's amazing to learn so much with my dogs. If you told me when I was a kid that I could have a dog that competed in anything, I bet my mind would have been blown. lol.

  8. #15
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    Oh! And not to mention all the "dog friends" I've been making along the way! Yes... I guess a lot of them are older than I am, and my OH would probably also add that there are way more women than men. It is hard financially I guess at our age, just starting out in our careers, and being brand new homeowners as well, to commit to as many classes as we'd like. We would be all for adding more classes to our schedule, but we'd quickly run out of ways to afford them, and time in our schedules to fit them in! We've done rally obedience pretty consistently, and then here and there have taken breaks from rally and thrown in other classes just to see what different things are like... but the only thing we've been consistent with and compete in (compete sounds like a weird word to use to me, bc we really aren't all that competitive, nor is the environment that we "compete" in... but I guess this is the right word to use?) is rally.

  9. #16
    Senior Dog Maxx&Emma's Avatar
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    If you have a close by training center you can call to ask to sit in on different classes, without your dog, to see what you might like to try. Both of the trainers I use allow this.
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  10. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by Maxx&Emma View Post
    If you have a close by training center you can call to ask to sit in on different classes, without your dog, to see what you might like to try. Both of the trainers I use allow this.

    lol, I guess the problem is that I'd like to try everything. Plenty to stay busy with, and no reason to ever be bored for sure!

  11. #18
    Senior Dog Maxx&Emma's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by K10 View Post
    lol, I guess the problem is that I'd like to try everything. Plenty to stay busy with, and no reason to ever be bored for sure!
    I hear you! Maxx has been in classes since he was 10 weeks old, he will be 4 in July, it is absolutely addictive, for both of us.
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  13. #19
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    It's not a sport but therapy dog work can be very rewarding for you, your dog and the folks you visit. We don't do it per se, just visit the nursing homes relatives are in, but we visit other residents as well and it's gratifying to see how the dog brightens up their day. Not all the people in nursing homes are elderly, sadly, and a young person bringing in a dog can be doubly interesting to a younger resident, who is likely stuck much of the time with far older companions. Hospital therapy dogs might see any age client and some dogs in the agency we did think of going with are sent to schools for things like reading programs or to private homes for visits. The dog does need a certain amount of training to be well behaved, often a CGN or therapy dog test too.

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  15. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by Snowshoe View Post
    It's not a sport but therapy dog work can be very rewarding for you, your dog and the folks you visit. We don't do it per se, just visit the nursing homes relatives are in, but we visit other residents as well and it's gratifying to see how the dog brightens up their day. Not all the people in nursing homes are elderly, sadly, and a young person bringing in a dog can be doubly interesting to a younger resident, who is likely stuck much of the time with far older companions. Hospital therapy dogs might see any age client and some dogs in the agency we did think of going with are sent to schools for things like reading programs or to private homes for visits. The dog does need a certain amount of training to be well behaved, often a CGN or therapy dog test too.
    I am so impressed with dogs who have it in them to become therapy dogs! I have even been able to benefit from therapy dog visits during a lengthy hospitalization, so I can tell you that therapy dogs are truly furry little angels.

    We might have to save this for when my labby boy has calmed down quite a bit (IF that EVER happens!!!) He is quite the rowdy boy, so it just would not be a good fit for him. How can I explain this? He's well behaved with instruction, but unless he's in a very firmly asked for "STAY" he is not still. Ever. He doesn't heel, he prances. His eyes are always wide with anticipation, staring at me, waiting for the next instruction. If that next instruction takes too long... well, this is how OH and I play the conversation out the way we think it goes on in this pup's head "Tell me what to do! How do I get the next treat?! What are we doing next? I like these treats! I want another one! How do I get it? Tell me what to do! What are we doing now? I'm not sure what you want... Treat?! You might be losing my intere....... SQUIRREL!!!!" Bolt. We just invested in Leslie McDevitt's book, Control Unleashed, btw. lol!

    Our girl, she could do it, but OH is her official "person" and he has no interest in it.

    I often think it's a waste that he doesn't pursue it (he doesn't even want me to, he thinks our time is better spent doing other things with her. Idk why he's such a stickler on it.) But, I have always thought that it takes quite a special dog to naturally be able to handle the kinds of environments that a therapy dog is expected to handle. It really asks quite a lot from the dog, and it's (as I've found with my boy, although I do realize he is an extreme example) not really something you can "train" unless you are starting with a dog who has a natural personality for it who just needs to learn the ropes. I do buy into the whole "they feel our stress" philosophy, so I also think that they somehow need to be the kind of dog who can give off their calm energy without absorbing all of the negative energy of people around them. But because of that, every time I meet a pup who has that mellow, take it as it comes, sweet, even, easy personality, I suggest that their person look into it... unfortunately, I really don't come across those types often. Even including all of the dogs that I have fostered the last few years, I still think that only this girl of ours is the only dog we've ever had in our home who has had the personality that's compatible with therapy work.

    But you are right, it has to be so rewarding, and definitely brings light to an otherwise dreary day.

 



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