Sports for an APBT?

Skits

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#1
Before getting Nitro, I was researching a breed that I'd be able to do agility with or any other dog sports with. I was looking at a few breeds but then Nitro came to us unexpectedly. He's not at all the dog I wanted stubborn wise and attention span wise but he makes a good companion really and I like that in him just as much as anything.

However, I decided I'd try him out in a dog sport if it's not too late (he's two years old). The main sports I was looking into for him were weight pulling and agility.

My main problems with him is that he can be stubborn, but I feel like if he has a sport to do, he'll learn to behave more and to have more drive. He's also dog aggressive so I was worried about him being off lead in a dog class. However, he has amazing hips, a lot of energy, and loves to please and I have confidence he can do great if given the opportunity. He also isn't afraid of jumping or swimming.



So, anyone have ideas on what I could/should do? And any advice where to start with him? I'd look into local classes first but don't know where to go from there. I'm open to other sports anyone thinks he'd enjoy! :)
 

Laurelin

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#2
2 years is definitely not too old. Summer started agility at 8.

As far as the dog aggression good classes should be set up safely for all dogs. We kennel dogs while they are not working.

THat said, I guess it depends on your dog and what you mean by 'dog aggression'. There are plenty of agility dogs, including mine, who are dog reactive to some extent and aren't always friendly. But there will be lots of dogs in a trial setting and if you had a dog that behaved outwardly agressively then that would be very bad. I know the trial I went to had rules about aggressive dogs.

Nosework is a great one because you won't be around other dogs at all. My friend does nosework with her very dog aggressive dog and he's great at it! Already titled.
 

MrsBoats

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#3
This is my good friend's pittie Tillie in agility this past weekend:



She has some reactivity issues but with management and exposure to other dogs at classes and shows...it's decreased a lot over the past year or two. I bet with Tillie, in another year, it will be a non issue. She's going to be 4 in July and started agility when she was around 2 years old.

Tillie also works in rally obedience and has her AKC Rally Excellent title and her APDT Level 1. :)
 
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#4
If he likes swimming, dock diving is another option. Only one dog jumps at a time so his dog aggression should be a non-issue.

Peanut was the Splash Dogs 2013 top ranked APBT. His owner has mentioned his dog issues multiple times and he still competes without a hitch.

https://www.facebook.com/TeamPeanut08
 
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#5
Nosework and Dock Diving can be great sports for dogs that are more reactive. There's typical a lot of controls built into both training and competitions to ensure that there are no loose dogs. But accidents still happen, most people are just really, really on top of it.

We took up Dock Diving with Levi when we saw that he found both flyball and agility stressful (too many barking dogs, too many strong-eyed BCs, etc)

Levi was the 2012 Splash Dogs top APBT. He had some health issues in 2013 and looks like we will miss 2014 as well. But most importantly, he has a ton of fun out there.
 

elegy

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#6
I did a ton of Rally Obedience with my pitty girl and she loved it. She was a total superstar.

Nosework is a great option. So are weight pull and dock diving. I don't know how well dogs are contained in Barn Hunt but that might be a fun option as well.
 

thehoundgirl

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#7
I know the owner of Peanut and she is awesome! And so is Peanut! Definitely contact her with the Facebook link straw gave you for tips! They compete quite often.
 

Laurelin

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#8
I did a ton of Rally Obedience with my pitty girl and she loved it. She was a total superstar.

Nosework is a great option. So are weight pull and dock diving. I don't know how well dogs are contained in Barn Hunt but that might be a fun option as well.
At the barnhunts I've been to it's been very good. The only time the dogs are in sight of each other is when people are lined up waiting for their turn but it's always been setup well where dogs can't get to each other or you can stay a good distance away,
 

Skits

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#9
Thanks for the suggestions everyone :) I think I decided to stick with weight pulling as I feel with his personality, he's more likely to do well in that sport. He always wants to please and he seem easily distracted at times which can be bad for agility. I'm going to get him a harness and have him start that. I might also be interested in dock diving as a second idea if weight pulling doesn't go well.

I'll look at nosework as well, might be something to look into. Maybe even with my golden/BC.
 

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