Too many choices, what to do what to do?

[harleychik66]

I'm anxious to pick everybodys brain on this one. I wasn't sure if this should go in training or general info so if it needs to be moved then Roscoe feel free.

I know it's going to be quite some time until we get this far, but I want to start some research now, so down the road I'll be more prepared.

In the past, I've never taken taken a dog past the basic levels of obedience. I really think Lou and I are going to have a blast ( I hope anyway) in training and obedience. So many on here compete in so many different venues. Matter of fact, there's so many, agility, drafting, herding, flyball, schutzhund, tracking ect. I'm not sure I even know the true range of what's available. And to be quite honest for a newbie looking past the basic obed classes it seems a daunting task.

I know some of you compete in many areas and some of you stay in one venue.

What I'm wondering is.......How did you decide to get into the venue you're in? Was it your dogs disposition, your personal preference, someone elses recommedation or something else? Did you originally try something and it didn't work ( why ) and what else did you decide to do?

Could you tell me what venue you're in and possibly post some links for me to check out these things.

I know that's about 12 questions rolled into one, but I keep thinking of what I want to do with Lou and to be honest so many of them sound like fun that I'm looking forward to everyones responses. Hopefully with some candid answers it may help me in my decision process.

Thanks so much everyone.

Shawn

[Carol Burke]

At the moment we are concentrating on trying for that third CDX leg, but I have done Rally with Faith and many other dogs and that is a great venue to start in, lots of fun, you can talk to the dog all the way through and it really gives the dog a lot of confidence, not that Lou needs much help there. I also do carting with Faith and others. Carting is very instinctual and the dogs really enjoy it, you guys appear to be really handy so I'm sure you could build your own cart. Faith also herds, but being unable to run backwards, her co-breeder took on the herding. Another sport that is very instinctual, Faith liked it quite well to start, got her Herding Started title and one leg on herding intermediate, even got a HIT, she then seemed to get a little bored and herding here is pretty pricey so we gave that up for awhile.

We also do a little tracking, although not one of my favorite endeavors, most Rotties do quite well at it. With Lou's leg problems I wouldn't think agility would be good for him, especially since you have described him as being oversize. Also, therapy dog visits might be right up Lou's alley since he is such a love bug.

If I had Lou I would start with basic obedience and Rally, then go from there.

[AngelBunny]

I had been thinking about getting a dog to work and show and then we fostered Mox for Rottie rescue. After a week, I told DH I wanted to adopt her. She had what I want--brains and energy. I took a gamble that she was sound. (Turns out she was--I had her hips and elbows ex-rayed.)

Mox and I dabbled in agility and herding. We've competed in rally, obedience, and drafting. We spent a couple of years tracking, but I regretfully gave up on tracking because she does not have talent in the sport. (I am quite interested in herding, but did not pursue it because the drive to lessons was long and they were expensive.)

Before Mox all I did with my dogs was obed.

It was Mox's nature that got us busy with our dog activities. She was dumped in a shelter in Maine when she was about 4-5 mo old. Knowing what I know about how dogs get themselves into rescue, Mox was likely adopted by a naive, ill-informed family who got overwhelmed by her ceaseless energy, her manipulativeness, her stubborness. For whatever reason they could not/did not step up to their responsibility to channnel her energies properly. They surrendered her to a shelter.

As with your Lou, her family's loss was my glorious, wonderful gain.

I started Mox out in obed because that was what I did. However, that turned out to be a good decision because everything we do is based on us working together as a team. Obed undergirds the sports in which we take part.

Mox does what she does in terms of dog activities because I wanted to try various activities out. It's that simple. I read about an activity, it sounded interesting, I researched the sport, found a group of people who did it, and joined them.

It's wise for you to get Lou grounded in obed because this will make whatever you pursue with him easier. Research sports and if one interests you, give it a try!

[JemarsSerena]

It all starts with obedience. For us it is a matter of what is close and accesable. There is shutzhund a little over an hour away, but right now that is just not in the cards. We can train rally and obedience ourselves or in a local class. I'd say start with rally. It is fun and easy for beginners.

[Lila's Mom]

I'm just starting down this same road with my girl, so you and I seem to be in similar places. For me, after OB (I at least want her to get a CD), it's all about what she enjoys. Herding might be a 10 minute drive down the road, but if she isn't good at it or doesn't like it, I'll definitely take the hour trip to do tracking if she loves it, or whatever the case may be. I'm still researching places and activities available to us, but her enjoyment will really be the basis for my decision on what we do. Knowing her, she'll like many things, so we'll probably be dabblers. I'm okay with that.

[bliss7373]

I second the posts above. I let my dog's natural talents...along with my interests....determine the venues we work in.

With Sofia, I trained heavily (but did not compete) in obedience. We dabbled in tracking, she had little interest though my interest was high. We played a little more with herding, she was too nice to the sheep but we had a good time. She absolutely shone in therapy venues, particularly working with children.

With Pieka, my current young dog, we are taking obedience classes regularly but I will let her brain mature a bit before pushing too hard towards preparing for competition. Barring major complications - and her megaE might be a major complication, we aren't sure yet - she should be ready to certify for her TD next spring. We've also gotten started in herding and she shows great talent. Though I think flyball and agility are interesting, she is far too easily stimulated by other dogs, so we'll likely avoid those venues, at least for now.

[RottsNScotts]

I would recommend trying everything you have access to then "hold the leash, follow the dog" and let him tell you what he likes!

[brookwood]

We love Rally as it is a sport where everyone is very supportive and you learn lots of obedience if you want to continue along that road. It is also mentally challenging for both handler and dog and is never the same thing twice.

I am ready to start tracking as soon as the heat will allow as I have found a group that works on Sunday mornings.

I think herding would be fun and carting, but not sure where I could do that yet. Flyball and Agility are out for us due to age and lack of ball drive ( Malley). Freestyle is always looks fun. And with Lou's experience, maybe dock diving, or whatever that is called!

In short it is up to what Lou enjoys and what is available. I guess basic obedience then get CGC and TDI, can be obtained at the same time. He would probably be a wonderful therapy dog. Maybe do Temperament Test if you can get it too. That has been a good plan for us and then sticking with Rally for a while, then try to get some obedience titles in.

As long as it is fun for both of you!

Devon, Cira and Malley

[Ayoka]

We've done flyball, agility, rally and a little traditional obedience and a drafting clinic.
Given the opportunity I'd love to try herding but I haven't been able to find a place to go.

We tried intro courses in everything and right now have settled on rally and agility. I choose both venues because Bear does better in a one dog/one ring environment right now and becauyse I find people to be very supportive in both venues AND there are enough trials nearby for us to compete without havcing to travel too far.

No matter what you choose to do with your dog, basic obedience and self control are a must!

[Marley55]

I have always followed the dog knows best rule when choosing an event to participate in.

I have horses and learned early on that some are meant for hunter/jumpers, some are meant for trail riding and some are meant to be pasture decorations so I use the same theory on my dogs.

Oscar and I started with our basic classes and then worked into Rally with an eye towards agility when he gets a bit older. In my humble opinion Rally is a great starting point to develop the dog/handler team work that builds a great foundation for obedience, agility or for what ever you and Lou the bumble bee decide fits his abilities.

We are lucky to have lots of great clubs and events near us so we have dabbled in herding (Oscar LOVES it) and will be going to our first tracking clinic in the fall.

Try as much as you can and Lou will "tell" you what he wants to do. As long as he and you are having fun it's the right event for you both!

[jayneliz]

I sorely dislike the precision of obedience.

I can't stay upright well enough for agility.

Norma Dikeman put on a herding trial and darned near INSISTED I take Aeva. She got her HCT (first time on livestock.) We were hooked.

[Brody]

We did 4 obedience classes and then started with puppy agility. We are now in our 3rd agility class. I picked agility because it always looked like fun and in one of our last obedience classes the trainer let us try out some agility equipment, one of which was the tunnel and Brody went crazy for it with no hesitation at all. Brody loves it and is doing very well at it, we actually have some agility equipment set up in our back yard now so we can practice at home.
I would love to try tracking and herding but I haven't looked for places near me that do these yet.