They are both coming up as private :(

the vids are coming up as private

Awesome! That looks like so much fun! I wish there was a lure coursing group round here.

That is so cool, glad you guys had a great time.

I took my Kai Ken to an earth dog event in the fall--with lure coursing. It was super fun, and he had a great time, and really just wanted to run every single run. I'd absolutely do it again!

@Rikka

Cascade Coursing Club holds monthly practices, and several CATs each year. They are open to all breeds :)

Cool stuff! I guess that seals the deal, then. I'll be looking into it.

Farrah is awesome. ;)

Thanks, she is a sassy bitch ;)

Let us know how it turns out. We are lucky to have a lot of CATs in this area.

The hound people are also very nice to work with.

Kouda completed his first CAT today!

We had done one informal coursing day back in February, and Kouda was all over that, so when we were invited to tag along with Kouda's pack of Dobies, we said "SURE!"

Passing a CAT (Coursing Ability Test) is relatively easy - the dog just has to finish the 600 yard course with enthusiasm under 2 minutes. Three CATs will earn you the first title. I'd recommend anyone with a drivey Shiba try it out!

Kouda wanted to go again immediately, so we stuck around and did a second run at the end of the day (not recorded).

Here's Kouda's run


And here he stands with his ribbon. Too involved with watching the field to turn around


For those curious how a Shiba compares to larger breeds, here's 2 Dobermans and a Greyhound.
Dobie 1 - http://youtu.be/Zn69pegLkRI
Dobie 2 - http://youtu.be/He-GMPVQyUg
Greyhound - http://youtu.be/EemiA-Q53Gk

@Bootz, cool!

I think any dog with prey drive would enjoy lure coursing. For first timers, I would recommend you go to a "fun run" event rather than an actual trial, because trials cost more. Fun runs usually are shorter, and you get to go multiple times. Or find a hound club that holds open practice runs. Kouda's introduction was a straight run at the place we went sheep herding.

When you get there, let the dogs watch what is going on, and see other dogs run. Their interest should be obvious. ;) If they get too amped up, take them away to calm down before their turn.

Once it is your turn, tell the operator it is the dog's first time, and they will take it easy and slow down and jiggle the line to keep interest. Some dogs have less interest in the plastic bags, so they may attach a fur lure.

I was concerned about catching Kouda at the end, but he is so fixated on the lure that he doesn't run off. Releasing him is harder (as you can see in the video). I am still learning releasing technique, and have ordered a coursing slip lead that releases with a tug. I've read that you can straddle the dog to keep them still, with pressure on their thighs. The video of the greyhound is like this.

As for health conditions, I'm not sure. I would be cautious to be honest, but talk with your vet and tell them what you are doing. @lindsayt might have some suggestions too, because Beebe was still able to enjoy sports.

Are you going to the run in Aptos by chance?
http://www.livingwithdogs.us/#!lure-coursing/c1sps

@Bootz, yeah, the Aptos group is for fun runs as far as I can tell. Only if a group is AKC or UKC affiliated can they hold title events. But the prices are more like $20 per run, lol

I was telling my brother about that group, since he's near you, and he has a squirrel crazy mini Aussie. But I doubt he'll go. :(

Too bad @tatonka can't make it, but they do have runs monthly, so you can go again next time. What about @kumaDUDE? haha. That reminds me... from the videos on their site, the field appears to be fenced, but IF Kuma goes you'd probably want to make sure!

Remember to take pictures or videos! :D

That looks so fun! I really want to go, too bad I already have plans for 6/15. :(
Maybe I can bring Maya to the next one. Hopefully you guys would like to go again too.

Now I need to convince the bf that driving 1.5 hr. one way to watch Maya chasing a plastic bag will be worth his while. ;)

Beebe is now retired from Flyball and Lure Coursing and Agility. She has HD but her knees are solid, although she is hypothyroid and that can predispose her to torn ACLs. She takes Solid Gold MSM, Fish oil and Dasquin. I would be cautious with doing rapid twists and turns with dogs who are overweight, have bad knees and or HD. Doing warm ups and not running cold is good practice. Maybe consider pet health insurance that covers blown knees and FHO. Beebe has the heart of an athlete and desire to work till she drops, but her little body just won't let her. We do other lower impact things now like Barn Hunt and obedience practice.

@lindsayt :( so sad to hear. Definitely breaks my heart to see dogs, and people who have the desire but are limited because of their body

I'll definitely bring it up during the vet visit to make sure bootz and Jackie get the green light!

@zandrame Love the videos! Now I'm convinced if the bf don't want to go, I'll do the driving myself. :D

@Bootz, sounds great! :)

kiba888 said:

@bootz -- I wish I could, Kiba loves to chase prey lol. Unfortunately his recall is still a work in progress.

I hear this a lot from Shiba folks. But honestly, at all the lure coursing events that I've been to, not one dog has run off. The lure is very effective at keeping dogs focused. Instead, dogs that have gotten loose run to the field, not away. When the lure stops, Kouda is on it, and I often have to redirect him off it with a squeaky toy. Some dogs run in circles around it at the end, but the operators can still move it back and forth to draw them in.

In any event, since you don't know how your dog will respond, you can still go to observe and inspect the field for safety. Signups are usually on site (San Diego, Aptos) so you can still change your mind. You can judge their enthusiasm while you watch. ;)

I guess one more tip I can add, when the run is over and the lure stops, let your dog grab, bite, pull it. Praise them for it while you approach to collect them. They caught it! If they are satisfied, it will make the game more fulfilling for them. Likewise, if your dog makes a lot of noise while watching and waiting, don't discourage it. It's a natural indication of drive, and inhibiting it is counterproductive to the sport. If your dogs gets too worked up (like Kouda) take them further away so they can't see it anymore.

@Zandrame thanks for the tips!! I'm so excited. It will be a good laugh if bootz/Jackie/Tatonka stops half way.

@Mayama no worries! I'll keep you and @kiba888 posted with videos and photos in case you guys want to go next time.

Jackie did great! She's a natural! I love how she leaves Bootz behind! :D

Wow, once Jackie got going she really got going! Good for her and Bootz! :)

I spent all day trying to find a lure course in central florida.

I was able to find a group but they don't do runs in the summer >_< I', guessing because of the heat.

Can't wait until I can try just worried my dog will slip under the temporary fence.

@Bootz, maybe we can go to this one in July:
http://www.bconc.org/files-info/
The "AKC Coursing Ability" one seems to be open to all breeds.

Edit: Just read the fine print. Seems like each dog can only run once at the event. Maybe we should try the one you went to first, as this will be Maya's first time.

@Bisu_kun Zandrame was right on the dot when she mentioned that dogs don't run off the field, they run on to the field.

Surprisingly with Bootz and Jackie.... Jackie is normally very good with recall but the lure coursing made her prey instincts go crazy, so she didn't comeback to me, she kept looking for the lure. The people that set up the event just move the lure back and forth to attract her attention, then moved the lure close to me so I can catch her.

Bootz did very well. Of course she didn't listen to my husband, but her recall was solid with me. She stayed when I told her to, so we can put the leash back on her.


@Mayama, yeah start off slow first! try the simple ones, then if you're interested we can do the CATs. I might be interested in doing it with Jackie, since I originally wanted to do agility with her. But i'll have to register her with AKC first!

@Zandrame ;) now I have to time Jackie the next time we run, to see if she has potential!

So, correct me if I'm wrong - then an AKC registered dog can participate in events like those regardless of whether or not the registration is full or limited correct?

I've never had a purebred with papers, so I'm a little dense when it comes to things like this. Thanks for any input!

AKC limited or full is allowed of course. Kouda is limited and neutered.

The info was for folks who don't have AKC registered dogs. With the PAL/ILP and Canine Partners programs, all dogs can participate! :)