Doggy activities?

lostinrates

I used to show, but looking for new stuff to enjoy with Dog-dog (a greyhound). She broke her leg this summer and has been cleared to start exercising but we are mainly doing lead work atm. (she does a scary fast three leg run though, but I want her to build strength back slowly over winter while we explore some new games together)

She is quite bright for a greyhound, but even the brightest greyhound might struggle with obediance training.:D

I like the idea of some agility, but she doesn't like jumping over things:o

Fly ball wouldn't be her bag.

I thought about that doggy dancing but my father laughed so much his shirt got wet with tears at the idea of me doing that....and he has a point!

Besides all the fun of regular life with dogs...does anyone here do anything interesting with their dogs? What do you like about it? And is it expensive!?

springiness

How did she break her leg? :eek:

I do obedience with mine and heelwork to music (I don't like the expression "doggy dancing")

The club I go to isn't very expensive but competition entries can add up and petrol too.

Other doggy things you could try - cani x (running, obviously you'd have to build up very slowly), rally obedience, working trials...

I think heelwork to music might be best, you can train moves/tricks that suit your dog's fitness levels, get her brain working and have a bit of fun. You don't have to do it with music, dress up :eek: or even dance, it's basically just tricks.

It doesn't need to cost you anything (except treats as rewards), you can find lots of videos on youtube but there are good books around too.

springiness

I forgot the thing I like about it.

If you go to clubs or shows there's the social aspect (made some great friends). Any training helps build a stronger bond with your dog and helps with their day to day behaviour.

lostinrates

springiness wrote: »

How did she break her leg? :eek:

I do obedience with mine and heelwork to music (I don't like the expression "doggy dancing")

The club I go to isn't very expensive but competition entries can add up and petrol too.

Other doggy things you could try - cani x (running, obviously you'd have to build up very slowly), rally obedience, working trials...

I think heelwork to music might be best, you can train moves/tricks that suit your dog's fitness levels, get her brain working and have a bit of fun. You don't have to do it with music, dress up :eek: or even dance, it's basically just tricks.

It doesn't need to cost you anything (except treats as rewards), you can find lots of videos on youtube but there are good books around too.

Apologies for using a phrase you don't like...I couldn't remember the correct name and thought it was descriptive enough to be clear:o:)

She broke her leg...well, shattered her hock, playing chase with a whippet.:( They were both having a ball and I don't think she'd ever met someone faster than her...she's been amazing through this summer, but is terribly bored.

I don't think I'm interested in competing at all, but don't want that to linmit our acheivment, and I would like to do what ever we do through a class, for structure and for support.

It occurs to me she also points, like a pointer.:D

Chakani

I did obedience work with my greyhound - they can do it! (I will admit we weren't into competing) In fact there is a whole club somewhere in Essex that do obedience with only ex racing greyhounds...

I'd love to try heelwork to music with a future dog too.

springiness

lostinrates wrote: »

It occurs to me she also points, like a pointer.:D

Field trials? :cool:

I'll forgive you for using the dreaded doggy dancing

Shattered hock :eek: Who'd have thought a whippet could be so dangerous to play with?

lostinrates

Chakani wrote: »

I did obedience work with my greyhound - they can do it! (I will admit we weren't into competing) In fact there is a whole club somewhere in Essex that do obedience with only ex racing greyhounds...

I'd love to try heelwork to music with a future dog too.

Thant's seriously impressive! I wish I were near Essex. Dog-dog likes learning. She is rather proud of her ''sit up and beg'' and ''wipe your feet''. She does love learning but has quite a short attention span and is VERY easily distracted. As a kid I found obediance trials fascinating....I wonder if I could train her to collect the eggs without breaking them as those clever dogs I watched did. I VERY much doubt it!

lostinrates

springiness wrote: »

Field trials? :cool:

I'll forgive you for using the dreaded doggy dancing

Shattered hock :eek: Who'd have thought a whippet could be so dangerous to play with?

Apparently its a reasonably common injury in racers, always on the same leg because they run the same way round every track. Dog -dog ''did'' the worng leg ..typically:D so the vet had to repair it ''back to front''.

The speeds are shattering and the body so extreme...hocks on sighthounds are quite remarkable joints really, so its not surprising they can be a ''weak point'', when you see the stress they can be under.

She quite fancies the idea of finding that whippet again:D now she's got her bionic leg. But even when she's physically strong enough I'm not sure my constitution can take it...and my wallet can't if she does the other leg:o:eek:

springiness

lostinrates wrote: »

Apparently its a reasonably common injury in racers, always on the same leg because they run the same way round every track.

I've never heard of that, makes sense when you think about it.

I have a disaster area dog who tries to give me heart attacks or bankrupt me on a regular basis.

Heelwork to music training can be hard to find in some areas but there's obedience classes everywhere. I have a feeling you already know this tip but go watch a class before you join because some clubs are not very good.

robocop

Treibball is basically herding big balls instead of sheep.

Thread about it here:

http://www.petforums.co.uk/dog-training-behaviour/157327-treibball-information-please-3.html

If you live near Bury there is a Treiball workshop coming up this month:

http://www.waggawuffins.com/WorkTreibball.htm

Katiehound

I think you would like heelwork to music (HTM)as it is basically learning little tricks/ moves such as a spin or twist , walking backwards etc and then putting them together into a routine. Absolutely any breed can take part. Friends have competed in this at Crufts and one friend was a judge a couple of years ago. She worked mainly with her border collie but also with her whippet.
There used to be 2 national clubs , this is one
www.caninefreestylegb.com/ and I can't remember the other.

the page below lists loads of clubs but does not specify what they do until you click on the pencil symbol! Maybe see what is available in your area?
http://www.obedienceuk.com/viewprofile.asp