Razz debut agility run

A beautiful lady!

Really nice development for Razz.

Re: dogs being dogs

Over the thousands of years dogs have been domesticated, they have evolved, developed, learned, adopted (whatever term you want to use) many different behaviors that make them what they are today.

That is not a single type as there are dogs that like to and are good at rooting out things, sniffing things, chasing things, finding things, protecting things, comforting things, swimming, running and playing. Most adolescent dogs have high energy levels and if their natural tendencies are not guided or focused by us, their behavior can make them unwelcome companions.

Everything can be taken to extremes, but this type of joint effort by dog and handler benefits all, the dogs get genuine pleasure from the interaction, exercise and praise while the people benefit from the same.

All dogs can't do agility as all dogs can't hunt, do search and rescue, swim and there are a bunch that don't fit the cuddle/companion type. Finding what your dog likes and developing an appropriate outlet for that desire and energy is "letting a dog be a dog" while being a good responsible owner.

It produces a well adjusted, happy canine citizen.

Just my $.02

Doug, DVM

Nevur mind, shouldn't have wasted my energy typing this post.


Pops

Sorry if I offended. We no longer have or show dogs, having lost our last two last year. We were in the dog show hobby for over 40 years, finished a good number of champions, and also a lot of obedience wins and degrees. And always had lots of fun, took a lot of pride in our successes, and made some of the greatest friends anyone could ever ask for. And being able to look and see some of the ones that we helped starting out that have become well known and respected in their own right now. But yes, as much as I regret to say, there always has been, and always will be a certain amount of snob appeal in the sport. Meanwhile, the rest will still be showing, and taking their share of wins, and enjoying the heck out of doing it for the fun of it!
And for Agility, I think it is one of the best things to ever come along, and probably the most fun for both the dogs and their owners. I really regret that due to health and age, we were able to participate only as spectators and cheering sections.

What I meant by that was we let them run and play. We have a pond they use for swimming. We don't have them run, fetch, jump and do other tricks. They learn to play with other dogs for the seven months they travel with us and visit dog parks. I've seen other dogs participate on TV in competitions so I spoke with some viewing experience. I read Crowe's response about the dog appearing to have a blast so I thought I'd check it out. My dogs are healthy and happy and if yours are as well that's great.

Mr. Camper,

I wonder what "let a dog be a dog" actually means.

When I read your first post, it was apparent that you had not watched the video. When you did, you found a dog having fun. Not everyone with a dog has 2.25 acres of fenced area for their dogs to run in. We don't. But our dogs get plenty of exercise and probably more "people" time than most pets. They've just finished 4 days of playing on the beach on the Outer Banks. They will be in Montana with us this summer, as they were last summer. Sarah and I will be counselors at a K-9 camp. Our dogs will have 80 acres and two ponds to play in. Yes there will be training. And there will be agility trials that we enter. And all of us - Sarah, me and the dogs, will have fun together.

Oh, on average, our dogs have live almost 15 years. Not bad for a breed that has seen the life expectancy fall below 10 years.

Johno02,

Not all agility venues are the same. In the venue we most often compete, everyone roots for everyone else; everyone is willing to help. And when the day is over, almost all of the exhibitors party together.

rockhillmanor,

She is 18 months and 11 days old. In NADAC, a dog must be at least 18 months old to compete. She is a Pennsylvania girl and was the runt of the litter. She also had the most drive of the litter.

Tom

Okay, I sort of have a better idea but we have 4 and a half acres with half that fenced in and our dogs get plenty of exercise. Our backyard is certified by the NWF as a habitat. We have bird baths, feeders, nesting boxes and we've never had to teach the dogs not to chase or harass the birds. However they have a healthy count of caught squirrels, armadillos, raccoons, feral cats and even a gopher. We've seen too many stories of beaten and malnourished dogs to do anything other than rescue them when we can. It's the same thing, at least for me to give up watching and attending bass and catfishing tournaments. All the fun is gone from fishing when it becomes more about working and catching. It seems to me that my grandsons and granddauhter have more fun fishing than we do catching.

I just watched the video and it sure looks like the dog shown previously seemed to have had a great time on the course.
Thanks for the responses.

and owners pride.

Quite a slap to those of us who own pure breds for many reasons, the least of which is pride. Very insulting, uncalled for and has nothing to do with Mr. Camper's questions.

Mr. Camper, I'm not sure there's a real answer. It's kind of like picking your favorite TV show. There are many shows that I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone would watch-but they do. Many dogs enjoy the thrill of competition, be it obedience, agility or even in the show ring. You can see it when they are so "up" during the experience. While I agree wholeheartedly that much of the whole dog business area has gotten way too cut throat and competitive the dog owners that choose to compete for the fun of it should continue to do so. We should all be free to choose how we obtain our pets without criticism (with the exception of supporting unscrupulous breeders perhaps) or judgment. All pet purchases/adoptions have risk that the vast majority of us who want pets are willing to take on. Buying a pure bred does not guarantee the dog will have all the qualities of the breed, but getting a rescue does not guarantee that dog will have no baggage.

OP, great pic of an adorable dog having a blast!

pulsar wrote:
It was only a NADAC Intro course, but she showed some good things. (The trial was in Chesapeake, VA, 4/16/16).

Click on the picture to open a youtube video of the run.

Tom

Kudos! Real Nice run. :C

She looks young. How old is she?

Mr. Camper wrote:
Please don't take this wrong because it is really not my intent. My wife watches Westminster every year and I don't get that either. What does the dog get out of those shows and the agility contests? It seems like learning a few simple commands and words is important but then let a dog be a dog. I've never intentionally owned a full breed dog. Every dog I've ever had was a rescue, including a (according to the vet) purebred Border Collie. It seems that it's more for the owners than the dog. Please, serious answers only since I really don't get this. Thanks

I show dogs also, 40 years and counting. And the dogs love it. They get to be with their owners far more than the average house dog traveling full time together and usually getting far more exercise than the couch potato home pet. :W

I reserve my right to want to own a purebred dog. I don't tell people they must own a purebred dog and I do NOT want to be told I must buy a rescue period.

And trust me. If the dog does NOT like showing you CAN NOT make them do it.

Each and everyone of us have had the PERFECT dog pass thru our lives and if the dog doesn't like it, again you can't make him do it. And a dog that hates it will never win either so it's pointless to try and force a dog do it.

It is beyond obvious to watch a dog show and know that they are fully enjoying what they are doing.

It's a sport for both dog and owner.

I see absolutely no sense in hitting and following around a little white ball all day....soooo, to each his own as to what sport they choose to participate in!! :W:C