Flyball?? (rant)

**agilityk9trainer** · 01-18-2007, 04:16 PM

You are absoutuely right, Canis. I actually find the dogs that are the happiest I've ever known are the agility dogs owned by highly competitive trainers. These dogs are doing what they LIVE for. My agility sheltie would like nothing better than to run an agiity course in competition. He LOVES it. Playing with other dogs - he can take it or leave it.

People who make statements along the lines that competitive dogs aren't allowed to be dogs just don't understand competition dogs or how to train one. When not working, my dogs are like anyone elses. In fact, my dogs get more privledges than most other dogs. They're indoors, allowed in any room, allowed on any piece of sittable furniture, allowed moments of extremely high energy (play) without disruption even in the house, allowed to bark their heads off at people walking by the house, allowed to bark their heads off if someone comes to the door, etc. When not under a command, my dogs get to live the high life. Under command, they are expected to behave. I just don't give commands that often during daily life. The main time they are under command is on the agility field, and then, they WANT to be there. They would rather be on an agility course with me than anywhere else in the world.

People tend to put too much of their human feelings onto their dogs. Because a person doesn't want to work doesn't mean a dog doesn't, too. Most working dogs not only want to work, the NEED to work, and if you don't give them a job, they become destructive.

I think it's not only unfair - but even mean - to label people who are competitive in any canine sport as being "cruel" to their dogs. Believe me, there are not better treated dogs in the world. Nor are there any happier dogs in the world than ones owned by the truly competitive in the dog world. Why? Because these people know their dogs and how to make them happy in ways others wouldn't understand.

That being said, let's define "truly competitive." I'm not talking about someone who WANTS to be competitive, but someone who is. In other words someone with the titles, knowledge, experience level to truly be competitive in their sport. These are the ones who often win, and win big. There are a lot of other folks who think they're competitive or who wish they were competitive. Some of these lack knowledge to train their dogs properly, and you do see dogs being over handled in the owner's misguided attempt to become one of the competitive trainers. However, the competitive trainers' dogs wouldn't be competitive if trained harshly. That's precisely why they ARE competitive in the first place! The dog loves what it does because the owner has made the sport fun. Thus, then come the ribbons and titles.

The truly competitive have made their sport a game for the dog. The best game in the world. You can't do this by over-handling your dog and not allowing them to be dogs. You can't force train speed. That only comes when the dog loves what it's doing.

**applesmom** · 01-18-2007, 05:04 PM

This discussion should have been carried over to another thread as these responses have absolutely nothing to do with the original post or poster. Guess it's too late to change now as this has evolved into an extremely informative thread.

Great posts canis-lupess and agilityk9trainer!!!!!!!!!

One of the first things I learned many years ago is; "you have to think like a dog to train a dog".

Not even the best trainers or behaviorists can teach a dog to "fake it" if they aren't truly happy in what they're doing.

As far as dogs and play fighting; it's normal and natural with dogs that are thoroughly familiar with each other. However in the canine world it's extremely dangerous to expect any dog to know a strange dog is "only playing" when they come tearing at them full force, and immediatly begin roughhousing ad "play biting".

Just as in the human world there are right ways and wrong ways for dogs to become acquainted. It's vital that young dogs learn the basic social skills for their own protection as well as that of other dogs they might encounter.

What if the dog loved to play with children? Is there ever a time that it would be acceptable for any dog to run up to a strange child and begin "play biting"?

**agilityk9trainer** · 01-18-2007, 05:12 PM

All good points, Applesmom.

Yes, this thread has certainly changes, as threads have a tendancy to do.

**cloverfdx** · 01-19-2007, 01:09 AM

Sorry!!

**slleipnir** · 01-19-2007, 03:04 PM

I'm glad my thread was hijacked and no one listened when I asked not to go off-topic.

When I said that about dogs not be allowed to play with others, I was ONLY talking about the people AT MY CLUB as I KNOW they don't let their dogs play with other dogs. They have told me. They are very stuck up with their dogs. I don't think they even like other people touching their dogs.

I'm sorry if you thought I ment every competitor does this. I believe I said it 2 times that I only am talking about my club, which I know about. I supose I see their point. If they wre to play with an aggressive dog, it might ruin their sports future....I stopped reading posts here as I know it's likely to upset me.

**slleipnir** · 01-19-2007, 03:06 PM

Man you guys don't listen to a word I say.

**TamanduaGirl** · 01-19-2007, 07:45 PM

It is a great idea. It's exactly how service dogs are handled. They are all business when in vest/harness but in a normal collar/harness they are off duty.