Dog Sports You Probably Won't Try

[skittledoo]

Sports I compete in and enjoy
Rally (yes it's a lot of heeling, but I actually enjoy it)
Lure Coursing (I personally don't think it's anything like flyball and I've been to many events and it's not like a bunch of dogs barking non stop since most people keep their dogs away from the field until their turn is coming up)
LGRA Straight Track (This sport is so much fun IMO)
Barn Hunt (I do enjoy this... I need to get better at reading my dog's signals though)

Sports I play around with and would like to compete in
Disc (especially freestyle)
Dock Diving (I'm just having trouble getting Cricket off the dock so might not happen)
Agility
Tracking (I track a bit with Joey, but have never competed)

Sports I probably would like to try maybe
Freestyle dance (ok this might make me a crazy dog lady)
Conformation (I'm actually going to be doing some confo with Itztli)
Protection sports/bite work (if I had the right dog for it then yes...)
Nosework (might dabble with one of my dogs, but doubt I'll ever compete)

Sports I'm not so much interested in
Flyball
Herding
Treiball (I used to be more interested, but meh)

 

[Laurelin]

I've done barn hunt and nosework. I think nosework is way more fun for the dogs than the handlers. I love the group of handlers here and once you get the dog on odor it's basically a free afternoon of hanging with my dog friends and we do a few sets of hides. My dogs LOVE it, probably more than anything. Trialling is stupid expensive though and all or nothing for most titles. Hard for me to blow a 8 hour one way trip and spend $200 on entry fees then walk away with no points or anything if you mess up once. To title you have to pass everything in 1 trial. So we haven't trialled. We've done ORTs though. I may do UKC nosework since it seems cheaper and not all or nothing. It should start up in January.

Barn hunt, well... Mia didn't see the point. I would only pursue it for a dog that loved the sport. I see dogs that love it and it's worthwhile for them. Hank is trying it in November.

 

[Sekah]

Freestyle. Except not in the goofy cutesy heeling-patterns kind of freestyle. In my head I would love to put together freestyle routines that involve a lot of the flashy rebounds and other tricks you see in people's disc routines.
I will probably never do it, haha. But in my head IT WOULD BE SO COOL. PAYTON AND I WOULD BE AWESOME. SET IT TO LOUD TECHNO.
Hahaha can you imagine if we showed up to a freestyle competition and started doing some kind of crazy rebound and flip routine right in the middle of everybody doing their little heeling dance routines? OMG.

That's kind of how I think of it too. My routine is much more disc-inspired than ob-inspired. It turns me right off to read freestyle aficionados speak poorly of people who teach their dogs to rebound, vault or handstand because THINK OF THE CHILDRENerr... INJURIES.

Also, screw you, I'm not putting on a costume.

 

[sassafras]

I can't say there's anything I absolutely wouldn't try under any circumstances. Five years ago anyone suggesting I would be joring and enjoying it would have gotten a side-eye, so it's hard for me to absolutely rule anything out.

The things I haven't tried and am unlikely to try, either because they aren't my cup of tea or wouldn't be a good fit for my current or probable future dogs: Flyball, disc, competitive obedience, bite sports, freestyle, herding.

The things I have tried and am unlikely to continue: Lure coursing, nosework. LC is fun but I just find it too repetitive for my tastes, and nosework is just too much of a time/money commitment with the other things I want to do right now. Just not enough time in the day.

The things I have tried and am likely to continue at some level: Joring (duh), agility, rally. I have mixed feelings about rally - I found it to be a really nice stepping stone for me and a young Squash and it definitely made things we did later easier, but it has become a little stale to me. I will definitely do it with future dogs although I think he and I are done or close to done with it.

Most other things I would at least try given the time and opportunity, although there isn't anything I'd say I'm dying to try that I haven't yet. There are only so many things I want to get into at a time.

 

[TheDarkestMinds]

Yeah I don't see me or my dogs participating in any dog sports. Unless I win the mega million or something. I can't afford the classes/training let alone the entrance fee at competitions. Pretty sad. I love watching other people and dogs compete in all dog sports though! It sure looks fun and I have always been interested in all of it.

 

[Beanie]

The things I haven't tried and am unlikely to try, either because they aren't my cup of tea or wouldn't be a good fit for my current or probable future dogs: Flyball, disc, competitive obedience, bite sports, freestyle, herding.

Freestyle with Squash.
Yes.

 

[PWCorgi]

Freestyle with Squash.
Yes.

Seconded.

 

[sassafras]

Freestyle with Squash.
Yes.

Haha. Actually, I've had a perverse urge to do a single routine with him to "Play that Funky Music, White Boy" for a few months and then retire into infamy.

 

[Linds]

It turns me right off to read freestyle aficionados speak poorly of people who teach their dogs to rebound, vault or handstand because THINK OF THE CHILDRENerr... INJURIES.

Also, screw you, I'm not putting on a costume.

Really? That's something they don't do??? I figured that rebounds, handstands and vaults would of course be part of it. Apparently I haven't paid enough attention....I think I'm ok with that.

Are there a decent number of people that do disc freestyle and canine dancing or is it pretty much one or the other?

 

[Elrohwen]

Sports I have no interest in:
1. Disc: I have zero disc throwing ability, so this sport doesn't appeal to me.
2. Flyball: too loud and crazy for my taste. I would have a headache the whole time.
3. IPO: I actually think it's fascinating, but it's unlikely I'll own a breed of dog who is appropriate for IPO.
4. Lurecoursing: fun to watch, but I can't see myself getting into it
5. Freestyle: So not into dressing up or performing.

Sports I love (though I have never actually competed in them):
1. Agility
2. Obedience/rally

Sports I like (the ones I have actually competed in):
1. Nosework: mostly for the dog - I'm not super into it, but he thinks it's the reason he was put on this planet, so we do it. Out of all the things we have tried together, this is the one sport where I feel we are most connected as a team - Watson isn't distracted or flailing, I'm not trying to figure out what the heck I'm doing, and we just flow. It's pretty cool so I stick with it for that feeling. He just enjoys it so so much.
2. Confo: Actually kind of a fun way to get a puppy used to shows. Fun to meet a lot of people into the same breed. Also quite silly at times. It's also only fun if you have a nice dog who wins a lot - I know people who spend countless shows over a couple years to put a Ch on a dog and I so don't have the patience or desire for that. Watson is good at confo, despite poor training and skills on my part, which made it ok.

Sports I would like to try:
1. Barn hunt: because nosework with real furry things!
2. Hunt training/tests: I's unlikely I will start keeping pigeons in my freezer or on my property any time soon, but I would like to try it out.
3. Herding: Obviously I would need a herding breed first. I don't know if I would do it beyond an instinct test, but I would love to try it and see what goes into it.
4. Tracking: I went to a seminar and Watson took to it right away, but the actual training is kind of boring and time consuming. But it was nice to spend the day outside and he loved it.

 

[Sekah]

Really? That's something they don't do??? I figured that rebounds, handstands and vaults would of course be part of it. Apparently I haven't paid enough attention....I think I'm ok with that.

Are there a decent number of people that do disc freestyle and canine dancing or is it pretty much one or the other?

This is from the official heelwork to music judging rulebook for the UK's Kennel Club.

Granted, that's HTM and not "freestyle". I could be mixing up my organizations. I recall a friend telling me that she was currently performing routines with lots of rebounds right now because as of ___ (maybe the end of the year... can't remember) that they'd no longer be acceptable. I don't know which organization she trials under though.

E: Sorry, I didn't answer the latter bit of your post. Freestyle isn't big here and I only have 2 friends who compete. I think they travel to the US to do so. One of them does disc freestyle too -- or did, until her dog was diagnosed with HD, shitty stifles and a bunch of other unfortunate things. My impression is that the two sports draw fairly different crowds.

 

[SizzleDog]

I find it interesting taht people lump lure coursing in with flyball so often. LC is fun, though its not something I would choose if I had to choose it over other things. But its fun, its fast and laid back IME. Same with racing. Its not loud like FB and its not a team sport.

For those who say they dont' have the right dog... We have Lure coursed pugs :rofl1: Quite a few tollers and BCs. Most dogs love the chase. Though smarter ones cut the corners to try to trap the bag.

I agree! It's not nearly as loud as everyone seems to think it is.

 

[RD]

No interest:
Flyball, because loud.
Freestyle, because honestly I don't like performing for people.

Would/do play in:
Sheepdoggin'
Obedience/rally
Agility
Coursing, because I haven't had a dog that wouldn't like that chase
Disc
IPO, for funs and lols since my dog wouldn't be ideal to compete with

 

[Elrohwen]

Trialling is stupid expensive though and all or nothing for most titles. Hard for me to blow a 8 hour one way trip and spend $200 on entry fees then walk away with no points or anything if you mess up once.

$200?! I'm lucky that the two I've entered were only $90, and only ~2 hours away from home. I wouldn't do it otherwise.

I do hate that it's all or nothing, and the day is sooooo long. It really didn't need to take 8 hours. I'm hoping to get NW1 in a couple weeks and I'm not sure we'll go beyond that, but it's a great activity for a rainy day.

 

[Beanie]

This is from the official heelwork to music judging rulebook for the UK's Kennel Club.

****... I'm guessing Payton and I would definitely get disqualified then if we were doing some extreme dog dancing while I took shots and danced like a stripper to Fireball.


Dog sports would be WAY more exciting if I were in charge.

 

[Laurelin]

$200?! I'm lucky that the two I've entered were only $90, and only ~2 hours away from home. I wouldn't do it otherwise.

I do hate that it's all or nothing, and the day is sooooo long. It really didn't need to take 8 hours. I'm hoping to get NW1 in a couple weeks and I'm not sure we'll go beyond that, but it's a great activity for a rainy day.

I was adding both my dogs. It would be $180 in fees to do NW1 with both of them.

The closest I've found is around 8 hours one way.

 

[teacuptiger]

I will probably never try:

Freestyle, flyball, protection sports, and obedience.

I do want to try:

Barn hunt, tracking, disc, dock dogs, lurecoursing, earth dog (whenever I get my JRT lol), agility, herding, stuff like that. I've never competed with a dog in anything yet.

 

[Elrohwen]

I was adding both my dogs. It would be $180 in fees to do NW1 with both of them.

The closest I've found is around 8 hours one way.

D'oh! Totally forgot you are entering x2.

I haven't stayed overnight for a show yet. The only thing I might consider going that far for is my breed nationals or something - definitely not nosework. I don't blame you for not competing!

I want a title, because Watson loves the sport, we've put a lot of time into it, and he might be bred so it makes him look good, but really I just like playing nosework more than competing.

 

[pinkspore]

Stuff I Actually Do
Lure coursing - Yes there is always at least one dog barking because that dog is my dog, and no there does not appear to be anything I can do about it short of crating him several blocks away or rendering him unconscious. We've only done just-for-fun events so far, but will be participating next time there is a trial close enough. I volunteer at events to give Briz more opportunities to run, but he never gets enough, ever. It's like dog heroin.

Stuff I've Tried
Obedience - Five years, no Qs. Five. Years. No. Qs. And then I tried to teach a 6lb dog to heel, and now I am over it. I keep thinking maybe I'll go back to it because I finally understand our problem and it's one of the few things Brisbane can actually do, and then I remember how he likes to roll onto his back on down-stays and figure it's probably not his thing.

Rally - When we were doing obedience nobody did it locally, and now I just don't feel like paying for classes. I might try it with Uly though, he genuinely enjoys staring at me rapturously while we walk so he'll probably love heeling.

Herding - Brisbane has had one lesson each with three different trainers at different times, and each has exclaimed that he was apparently born nearly competition-ready. Too bad there are no lessons anywhere in the area.

Nosework - We've had one lesson and all three dogs really enjoyed it. I plan to continue.

Agility - Brisbane is stick-straight in both the front and rear, so competition was never on the table. He really enjoys it though, so we have a lesson every now and then and practice in our tiny yard. Ru would enjoy agility if it wasn't an outdoor-only sport that sometimes requires participation is less than 80-degree weather.

Dock diving - Just tried it yesterday, and Brisbane is pretty sure that standing on the dog and screaming at the ball is how it works. He loves swimming, and launching off the top step after toys, so we're getting there. We'll practice in the pool at work, since it takes a couple of hours to drive anywhere to do it for real.

Tracking - All this did was convince Brisbane that there might be food on the ground. I spent at least a year trying to get his nose off the floor.

Stuff I Want to Try
Flyball - Brisbane's first vet took one look at him and said "Please don't ever do flyball with this dog" before I even mentioned any kind of dog sports. With no shock absorption built in, she was sure it would cripple him. He's the right kind of crazy for it though. I will definitely try it when I have the right dog.

Disc - My dog is built like a coffee table and has had spinal issues since he was well under a year old. I'm currently convincing Uly that discs are super cool.

Protection - Spend entirely too much time/effort convincing the dog to not bite people, do not need to confuse the issue. Would totally try it with a stable dog, but unlikely to acquire such a dog since rescue heelers tend to come with biting problems and I find the ones without behavioural issues sort of boring. Ru has a stable temperament but no drive, also he is a chihuahua.

Freestyle - I love to dance. I love costumes. Brisbane knows a bunch of moves. Nobody around here does it though.

Treiball - Briz would love this, but the closest place in over an hour away and lessons are really expensive.

Joring - Nobody here likes to pull, but I would totally do bikejoring if they did. Can't skijore because snow is something that happens to other people.

Weight pull - If I had a dog that liked to pull..

Stuff I Have No Interest In
Field/Earthdog/Barn Hunt - I originally thought I would be up for anything, but then I realized that I have zero desire to do hunting-related sports. Nobody out here hunts with dogs, hardly anyone hunts at all, and hunting breeds are extremely rare. I also have zero desire to own a scenthound, pointer, retriever, or terrier.

 

[yv0nne]

I love rally in a play-with-your-dog way but they only offer rally at confo shows around here and I cannot stand the atmosphere/ Penn's psychosis would not be appreciated

We did a field trial nice& I hated it. So that's off the table for ever being done again.

I also do not plan on ever doing most things.. almost everything listed here (nose work, earth dog, barn hunt, IPO, obed, flyball. It's possible I am just really picky?) I like agility& that's probably all I could really imagine sinking my money into at this point. I contemplate rally because I think it would be fun to try so maybe someday?