Anyone doing multiple sports with their Boxer?

[furrykidmom]

We are enrolled in Agility and Nose work and are greatly enjoying both. We are thinking about trying flyball too. Anyone doing multiple sports? What are your favorites? How and where do you train? Any feedback is appreciated. We are trying to decide whether or not to compete but I dont want to travel. I live in PA and people are traveling to CA, TX, CO just to title. I just want to do things locally. I dont want to get into the expense of travel.

 

[TwoDogs]

You can give flyball a try if someone around you offers classes. You should realize though that flyball is a team sport so once you get to the competitive level, traveling with the team is pretty much expected. Depending on where you are located there are some pretty active clubs in PA that host tournaments frequently. I'd look for a team that only travels within your region.

Outside of classes, there is not a whole lot of opportunity to play the game without traveling. Most of the time classes at a facility are actually offered by a flyball club that actively competes and are holding classes in order to build their teams. Dog/handler teams that show an aptitude for the sport and are looking to play beyond classes usually matriculate into the team practices with the intent to compete (which includes travel).

If you truly don't want to travel, stick to the individual sports like nosework, agility, obedience, and rally. Then look for facilities close to you that host sanctioned events. It might take you longer to title your dog because you are only attending events in your area, but I know people who've titled their dogs without traveling more than a couple of hours. Most training facilities that host events often will host "fun matches" or "show and gos" or drop-in "run-throughs". Those are non-sanctioned events that don't earn you points to your titles but still give you the sense of "competing".

 

[furrykidmom]

Flyball

Flyball was not really my idea. My 8 yo would have been great when she was a pup. She is so ball driven. She grabs a ball in the morning before she even potties and potties with it in her mouth and then bats it around.

Anyway, we were at agility class a couple weeks ago and someone from the new flyball class was there waiting to set up. She approached us and asked us if we were interested. I wanted to stay that night but I was too tired and last week I was sick. So this week we were going to stay and get evaluated for ball drive.

If we are readily accepted into class and there are competitions locally one never knows. I work full time and am not able to just disappear for a few days. Plus all this competitiion can get expensive.

As far as titling, that is not important to me. I am not sure if my pup is even going to be able to be bred yet. He is coowned for breeding purposes but he is still just a puppy. He still has all his health testing to complete. So time will tell.

Right now, we are just having fun. Nose work is my passion. I love to watch him think and work. It is so interesting to watch all the dogs and their techniques. Each dog has its own sign that it is in scent. We are in the learning process with our entire group. It is hard to see what your own dogs signs are when you are working them but it is easier as an observer. So we all help one another. It feels like a group effort.

 

[furrykidmom]

Flyball was too much

Well after a full day of daycare and then agility class followed by a flyball class my little man was whooped. I think it was too much for one day. He was such a good boy. he was falling asleep on his feet during downtime and then he would go out and turn it on. He did great. He just lacked speed and he lacked speed because he lacked energy. It is going to be too hard to juggle a day of work and then rush to agility and then flyball especially if I work both days. We both went home that night and crashed. We were up bright and early to go to nose work. He did incredible. He got two of his scents in less than thirty seconds. We love, love, love nose work. We just signed up for another class with another facility so we can practice more. Not many places to hide indoors that I want him getting into. So the best way to practice is to find more indoor areas until summer comes. We are in single digits right now so it is too frigid to search outside not to mention that is beyond his current scope of training.

We do go for his herding instinct trial in March. We are just trying a little bit of everything to see what we both enjoy and what matches my work schedule. Since we are not currently looking to compete in anything except nose work and maybe some fun local agility classes when he gets to that stage. This is mainly to tire him out and get both of us some exercise. But best of all, we are forming the greatest bond. I have bonded with my other dogs but this is different. I guess they all are. Each one has their own distinct personality and attributes. This boy loves to work and play. I regret that there was not fly ball in our area when we got our female. She is just so insanely ball crazy but is timid around people. I think it really would have increased her confidence and made her a totally different dog. I love her exactly the way she is I just wish others could see how sweet and silly she is.

Anyway, as usual, I digress.