Looking for activity/training suggestions

[bestlind]

Hi, I have a 2 year old DS that I got at 10 mos from NADSR. I have done dock diving and disc dog competitions with her. I have also trained in Schutzhund with a really good trainer that I trust and respect. I mostly have done training on my own or one-on-one with my trainers. I did one group obedience class thinking and it was VERY hard on both of us. We made it through but had lots of issues.

My problem is that I recently moved to Massachusetts and so my whole support network is gone. I now have LOTS of time for training since I have only found a part time job here but I am having trouble finding some good activities for us. Ember is scared (and occasionally aggressive) of people and so has to have an understanding and very dog savvy trainer. She is also reactive to dogs (which has become increasingly worse) and any moving objects send her over the top. I can keep her focus most of the time if she is working. She loves her tug and/or ball but won't take treats in most situations outside of our home. She is very good being crated during down time.

So my question is, what activity or sport should I pursue? I would like something competitive as this is what I enjoy. I am pretty open otherwise. My first choice would be agility. I have always wanted to get serious in agility but am I being unrealistic with our goals? I am concerned with trying to find a protection sports trainer around here because Ember is sooo sensitive and I can not afford to have her backslide in her fear issues. One place I have been to did not take me or Ember's issues seriously and then were surprised when she had a meltdown so we are done there. I have been at one training center doing nosework. SHe likes it and is good at it but I find it very boring. We aren't supposed to do any training at home so that kind of defeats the purpose for me. I train her every day so would like something to work towards.

Sorry this got so long. I am just getting so frustrated. Any suggestion or help would be really appreciated.

[alexis]

I have no experience with dog sports, but just wanted to chime in to say that it sounds like she's enjoyed doing many activities with you, so why not pick the one that you're most excited about? Hopefully you can get the other dog issues under control enough for you to compete in agility, and, even if you can't, you can still do agility work in your back yard for fun and exercise.

For an in the house game (we play a lot of those since we have no yard), I'd recommend hide and seek. We just started playing it with Zane and he loves it! Make the dog sit and stay, then go and hide (make it easy at first - just behind an open door in the next room or something like that). Then you can tell the dog to come and/or find you (whatever command you want to use) and she'll have to track you down until she finds you and gets a cookie. I imagine if you're training your dog seriously for nosework this may not be the best idea, but it's a fun game for rainy days otherwise.

[CaroleBoaz]

My Malinois is dog reactive, and (was) very shy about people, but boy did she love agility. She never competed because she broke her elbow, but I like CPE agility. People are very friendly and Level 1 is very easy for beginners. But agility does require a lot of training, and access to equipment.

This winter I am starting all my dogs on basics of Canine Freestyle, aka Doggie Dance. There's also a variation called Heeling to Music. I posted some links to sample videos earlier this month. But, here's my friend and her Malinois, Dazzle at their first competition. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLa4IKkwE2A (If you have a Belgian, you gotta love that song!)

This is something you can train the behaviors in your living room or basement without the need for equipment. I just received my book in the mail, Dancing with Dogs, so I'm going to have a look really soon. (The weather is supposed to be nice this weekend.)

Keep in mind that whatever you decide to do, you don't have to compete if that exposure is going to stress out your dog.

http://www.dutchshepherdforum.com/viewt ... =13&t=1096

[felixone123]

what a great video!! Awesome dog and both of them make it look so easy.

[CaroleBoaz]

Boaz had a playdate with Dazzle when he was younger and finally met his match in terms of energy and "enthusiasm".

Chris does great work with Dazzle, too. They pretty much do anything and everything, and he is also her service dog.

[Dutchringgirl]

I was going to mention nose work but since you already checked it out, I wont. I did agility too with thalie and it was a blast!!!!! I would probably recommend that again, a good trainer should respect how your dog is and work with that. I do understand your fear of doing protection work though, i have seen many dogs get scared by a too aggressive decoy. Unless you find a trainer who will understand and be cautious that you are only looking for an outlet and not serious in pushing your dog.

[Lauren]

I also want to mention herding since I have found that VERY entertaining for my 6.5 month old. Of course, living in town I can't really have a flock of sheep to tend. Just today (I have been sick and housebound so ALL over the computer )I found out about a new dog sport called Treibball. It is a game where the dog herds large exercise balls into a soccer net. It looks fun! Check it out on you tube!

My girl decided that she loves all people but is still very reactive to dogs. I am working on it, but it is not going great. I am just moving ahead with these sports and hoping that we can settle down that reactive thing. I really need to get proactive and set up some situations to practice on.

It must be very hard to move to a new place and lose your network. I hope you find a new one soon!

[Sugars Mom]

I just looked up the treibball, and it looks pretty cool. Here is a link to what it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfCDKPKf ... ure=fvwrel
and another one on training how to teach it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFpH_WLC4qs
Looks like fun!

[Choochi]

There is also Rally-O. It's a fun twist on obedience, a lot of heeling, a tiny bit of agility, and recently added barrel racing around a set of pylons. It could be fun and it is very easy to train by yourself at home. Plus an added goal could be her performing in the ring with others around her.

[bestlind]

Thanks for the ideas, everyone. Something like herding is exactly what I was looking for. I hadn't really considered it and its a great idea. I have pretty much tried or at least considered all the typical training school sports. Herding is something that I know is very challenging but could really build our teamwork and Ember's confidence as well. I have no idea if there is anything like this around here but is definitely worth a try. The whole point for me is to get OUT there do something. I can train and train at home but this isn't what I want my end result to be. We have already trained all the Rally-O exercises and up to Schutzhund 1 obedience at home and just need something else. Part of the dog training I like is the social/team aspect as well. I did find a disc dog club in the area that is putting on some winter events so I hope to get together with them as well. Thanks again! Any more ideas/thoughts would be appreciated as I learn to work with my "special" girl.

[bestlind]

I am also glad to hear that you think CPE is a good agility venue, Carole. I have heard that NADAC is more low-key and user-friendly as well. Ember is great while she is working, its just all the other time that I have to be very careful with how I manage her. I spoke to a great agility instructor in the area and she thought we could try some 1/2hr private lessons to get started. I will let everyone know how it goes.

[Choochi]

Flyball?

[bestlind]

Thanks again for the thoughts. I am starting agility on Wednesday so I will let you know how that goes. I am very encouraged by our good outcome at a disc dog competition today. She was very focused, so I think once she knows her job she will be happy to do it, no matter where we are.