Loved the video and was envious of the beauty of the setting. I love South Florida but I do miss the mountains of Las Vegas area and the open fields of Wisconsin.
So after watching Kouda's lure coursing videos again...(yes i'm bored at work).
I've decided I will be taking Bootz and Jackie to lure coursing on June 15th!
Jackie's prey instincts have been kicking in. She use to be 100% reliable off leash, but now she's about 90% ...the 10% being if she sniffs/hears a cat/squirrel, she will want to chase it.
Bootz is good offleash, she's obedient and will leave the cats/squirrels alone after i give her the "leave it" command.
So I was wondering if there are any tips for first timers? Bootz was diagnosed with LP level 1 on her back left leg 2 years ago...I hope that won't be an issue? (i'm going to take them to their annual check up on June 7th) Also is there anything that will help trigger them to chase the lure? Bootz chases anything blown in the wind, but Jackie does not...
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.
Yeah Aptos. I'm assuming that's a fun run? $20 for 5 runs. I don't think I'll do anything serious until I've seen them in action. Jackie might have potential ;)
@Tatonka was originally suppose to go with me but he's current away for business in china and won't return for another month or so. :(
@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!
Lol! I suggested it to kumaDUDE but he reacted the same way as you regarding the offleash + not fenced in = kuma go bye bye.
@Tatonka actually just responded to me today. He will be joining me on June 15th for the lure coursing. Hopefully if anybody else in the area want to join ;) that would be great. It will be Tatonka's first time as well!
aww!! Maybe next run? We will see how it goes during our first time. These runs are once a month, so hopefully its a monthly thing for Bootz and Jackie!! ;)
@Mayama, if Maya likes chasing things as much as Kouda, it is worth your while. Show bf the video of Kouda screaming at the starting line! ;)
@Bootz, @kumaDUDE, if the field is fenced, go for it. It's no different than Kuma at the dog park - he will return to where the action is. I also bring a squeaky toy and treats for Kouda, but he doesn't need it.
Couple more tips - you might want to bring a crate for your dog to decompress in between runs, and plenty of water. For the summer months, bring shade, and a cooling pad if you have one.
Fun runs are less strenuous than trial runs, but injuries can still happen if the dog trips over a line or makes a bad turn. Check them over afterwards.
Warm ups - get them moving to stretch their legs, like an easy jog. Or a light game of tug. I usually give Kouda a quick potty walk beforehand, and he usually goes.
Don't forget to cool down the dog after a run as well.
Edit to add: Tatonka and I are shooting for a 10 am arrival. (We are going in separate rides) So far we have 2 Shibas, 1 Husky and 1 Shihtzu mix from our group.
Ok so :( unfortunately Tatonka and co couldn't make it. But my husband and I decided to go anyways to try.
Bootz caught on quickly... Jackie needed some motivation so I had to run with her. Both did great and went at their own pace so they didn't over exert themselves
Bootz first run
Bootz second run - she was more into it and was impatient when she watched on the sideline
Hahaha she started off slow, but yeah she's a natural. I guess all those times where I played tagged with her and ran away paid off!
The field was different than what i expect (from Kouda's video) but I kind of like how simple it is. No sudden change in direction, which makes it easier on their joints. :) Too bad they're skipping July...but we will be back for August!!
@Tatonka@Mayama let me know if you guys are interested for the August run!
@Mayama, yes! That is an official AKC Coursing Ability Test (CAT) like we did with Kouda, open to all AKC registered breeds.
Looks like it's in Hollister. The premium (registration pdf) says it's $20 pre-reg. With potential $5 practice runs if daylight permits. This would be the full 600 yards (or 300 yards for small dogs like Jackie). I don't know if dogs need to be registered for the practice runs, but for the tests (and titles) they do.
@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!
I looked up some AKC registration info. AKC dogs can run of course, and if your dog isn't registered with AKC, there are 2 options to still participate. All dogs get to run! -
If a dog is purebred but without papers, there's AKC's Purebred Alternative Listing/Indefinite Listing Privilege (PAL/ILP) http://www.akc.org/reg/ilpex.cfm
As she stated, anybody can participate, but the links she provided depends on your dog. Jackie is a ShihTzu mix so she has to be registered with AKC Canine Partners.
I'm assuming you guys are registering your Shibas, so you can do a full registration or limited registration with AKC.