Track & Field Training with Doodles

[Eva (Lilo and Rocky)]

Does anyone have experience training doodles for field work? I don't hunt, but I'm planning to start Lilo in a track and field class, so she can apply her considerable energy, good nose and intelligence towards something interesting and new. So if you have any experience in this area, ideas, websites or general recommendations, I'd love to hear all about them, since I have no prior experience training a dog for outdoor work myself.

[Adina P]

Have you looked into any local obedience clubs? Sometimes those folks know of places to go for track and field. If I had time, I would love to train Rosco for tracking... I think he might enjoy that more then therapy.

[Eva (Lilo and Rocky)]

Hi Adina,

I should have been more precise... I was looking for people's experiences with tracking/field work, not local clubs. I am waitlisted for a spring class here on the Seattle Eastside, but I'd like to hear if anyone has done this type of training with their doodles and whether it was a success or not; what to look out for and expect, etc etc.

Lilo slipped and tumbled at the park this morning and hurt her hip; she's limping and her hind leg seems to be aching - I hope it's just a bruise ;(

Eva

[Adina P]

Well that sounds fun! Once you start, be sure to tell us about your experience... I'd love to hear more! I know that one of our new members, IDOGMa, does tracking in the form of search and rescue with one or more of her dogs... Might want to comment on her page and see if she has any ideas to share with you.

Sorry about Lilo... Hope she's better soon.

[Belinda Stevens]

I can't help you out with any answers just yet, but I am taking Stella to her first tracking class in December. I'm doing it for the same reasons you stated and look forward to finding out all about it.

[Eva (Lilo and Rocky)]

I'd love to hear how Stella likes the class, so please let me know how that goes!

[TrevorDoodle]

We aren't doing "field work" per say, but we do play tracking games. The highlight of my doodle's day is to be able to play hide-and-go-seek. The neighborhood kids will come over and ask if Trevor can play the game with them. I will let him smell them, then hold him in the house until they have found places to hide. Then, I let him outside and say, "go find them!". My doodle then kicks up grass running so hard to find the kids. He always finds them and they scream when he does. He loves it! They have even climbed up trees and he still finds them and barks at the trunk until they come down. I will also hide random things (like a glove) in the yard and get him to find it, which is a much harder game for him.

While you are waiting to take your class, maybe you get him used to "tracking" with games.
Here is a website with some scent game suggestions: http://flyingdogpress.com/scntgame.html

[Eva (Lilo and Rocky)]

Great, thank you!!

[Lucy's Mom~ Liz]

Thanks for the link- we're going to try some suggestions!
Lucy is too young to let loose in the neighborhood, so we're looking at "Canine Mastery" classes in Rehoboth MA. She still needs 1-2 obed classes before advanced. But it'll be fun- these doodles are so agile and smart!

[Eva (Lilo and Rocky)]

Thanks Ann, Lilo has gone through advanced obedience training for several years now, and is totally ready for new adventures!