what to do from here with training??

[beanthng]

My pup is 5 months old and is finishing up his "kindergarten" tonite. My question is this.
He absolutely loves to be on that floor performing. He gets things first try out. You teach him once, he's nailed it and will perform it over and over and enjoy the heck out of it. He's also great at sniffing things out. I mention these things because out of all the rotties I've owned, he really stands out in the performance and teaching commands issues as well as having one heck of a nose.
I am thinking I'd like to get him involved with obedience trials and maybe even tracking. I just don't know which to try, or both. How do I know that's his niche'. What should I be looking for to figure out whether either of these is his strong point. I understand I can train him for anything, as he's so extremely trainable at this point. He just seems to stick out in these two areas. I just don't know what I should do from here. Where do I go if obedience trials will be "the it thing" for him and how do I find out if tracking is something he'll be good at?
I've owned rott's since I was 12 (so 30 yrs) but have never once had one I've shown for anything specific. This guy is the first we've had and raised alone in quite some time so I've had alot of time to spend with just him and am enjoying it so much. I want to do more for him. He seems to want to perform (work) and he never tires. Long after I've quit, he's still wanting more. He exhausts every dog that comes to play with him.
Any suggestions????

[AngelBunny]

The sky's the limit.

Continue in obed. Having a dog trained to listen to you and work with you as a team is an essential foundation.

And simultaneously pursue tracking. It's an activity any aged dog can enjoy.

Don't forget herding. Have you thought about getting him started in herding?

[beanthng]

I have actually! We live in the country and we have classes nearby.
He's been herding us since we've gotten him. It's just an instinctual thing we assumed so we have thought of getting him involved in it. He loves to herd my 4 cats. They're not too thrilled with it, but it doesn't stop him lol.

So basically keep up with obedience and branch out a bit??? I just want to give him plenty to do and plenty of exercise. He really shines when he's performing for us or showing others what he can do. He's so into it.

[Ayoka]

I agree that there's no real limit to what you can do. I don't know much about tracking but I do understand there's a lot of foundation work that can be done.

Obedience work with various distractions in various environments will come in handy too if you wanted to get involved in sports like flyball or agility once he's matured.

We've tried our hands at flyball, agility, obedience and a bit of carting - not sure that my dog is better or worse at anything but I am definitley his "handicap" or rather my wallet and my schedule handicap us both - and in agility I'm too slow! haha!

There's also tons of "tricks" to teach him...if he is a little sponge...

[Cdn1050]

I have to agree with no limit. Herding looks like fun, if there a place nearby that teaches it, check it out. I wanted to get my dog into herding but unfortunately the closest place near me is a 4 hour drive away. So I may look into trying search and rescue with her, as there is a school nearby that trains in that. My girl who's part monkey loves agility. So that will be one activity that I'll definitely be trying her out in.