young dog long wait, exercise before running near last Options

[Nancy Bovee]

Hi, I've run into a problem I didin't think I'd have with my young dog, but we are running novice and/or pro-novice and are always near the end of the day. Many places have only leash walk exercise available. At the last trial, my normally calm dog was so pent up that he took off and fetched like a mad man and only settled into the run after the first panels when it looked like it dawned on him "oh, we're just moving sheep here..."

I'm going to a trial tomorrow with the same situation (although we run in the middle of the day, not the end - still I have to be there by 7:30am)

Anyone have any tips as to how to get the "buzz" off the dog?

Nancy

[red russel]

quick question... is your dog out watching the action during the day or in his crate with the occasional walk?

[Diana A]

Have you ever run earlier in the day and the dog has run better? The reason I ask is my dog gets very 'buzzed' at a trial too, but it doesn't matter if we're early or late or if she's tired or well rested. Trials just seem to get her buzzed up, even trials at places where we've trained and she knows the sheep and the terrain, and I haven't been able to find a way to fix that. I'm eagerly looking forward to replies to your question.

Diana and Kitt

[gvmama]

I like to run my dog in the first 5 runs of the morning. :0) Just seems to work out better for me. I have one hyperactive bitch. She needs to jog a few miles before even getting out on the field. I surely don't let her sit and watch. I am busy walking her and getting her used to everyone and everything. She is kind of a nosey bitch with a ton of stamina. I think you need to know your dog and carry on accordingly. They are all so individualistic. I guess that's what makes it so much fun!
Suzanne

[Nancy Bovee]

quick question... is your dog out watching the action during the day or in his crate with the occasional walk?

At this trial the dog was walked around the grounds, walked among the dogs, allowed to watch a little, in his crate, walked, walked among people, crated, etc. Of course, I was probably quite tense by this time, too.... he is used to being tied during shared working sessions and waits quite calmly. But he is also used to being allowed to run at least some time in the day.

Nancy

[kelpiegirl]

I have had the same issues. My dog is amped up always. I have gotten to the point that I can now tell how she will be right before we go in. I find I have to "get in her head", and bring her down to planet earth, if we have a hope of doing okay. Basically, a reminder that we are here to "train" and she best be on her best behaviour. Of course, maturity helps a lot with this. I hate waiting all day too, but sometimes, it can't be helped. Perhaps in training, I would see about mimicking the same thing, and requiring the breaks to be working, even if she has sat for hours. They can run hard- on the outrun

[RMSBORDERCOLLIES]

Hi, I've run into a problem I didin't think I'd have with my young dog, but we are running novice and/or pro-novice and are always near the end of the day. Many places have only leash walk exercise available. At the last trial, my normally calm dog was so pent up that he took off and fetched like a mad man and only settled into the run after the first panels when it looked like it dawned on him "oh, we're just moving sheep here..."

I'm going to a trial tomorrow with the same situation (although we run in the middle of the day, not the end - still I have to be there by 7:30am)

Anyone have any tips as to how to get the "buzz" off the dog?

Nancy

We travel with 11 dogs and we always try to park our trailer as far away from the trial site as possible, out of earshot if possible. Some of our dogs have to be kept away from the trial site prior to running other than to just watch the outrun of the team before their run. After watching the outrun they are taken away and walked quietly for the time remaining before their run. It's a good time to get focused on what is about to happen and to quiet your dog with just a good relaxing walk just before the competition. Try and stay as calm as possible at the post as your dog will sense any nervousness you have at that time. Give your command for the outrun quietly so that you don't "spike" the dog into thinking he has to blast off to start his run. It is a great thing to have a keen dog but it must be controlled and keeping him away from the site as much as possible is one of the ways of doing this. Good long runs or walks prior to his run are also essential for both you and the dog. Remember that your dog is reading you much better than you read him in most cases so try to be as calm as possible. Bob

[Amelia]

Hello all. If I raise the dogs that I trail, I socialize them from the beginning to the noise and excitement. If I can get them to sleep under my chair, all the better. With the last 2 nursery dogs I ran, I made the time before our runs relaxing by sitting on the ground with them and rubbing their belly. Both would be almost asleep, then we would get up, watch the run before us then go. The aged dog that I run in open was trained and initially trialed by someone else, so I do what he did. Give him periodic walks, then let him watch a run or 2 before ours.

I'm not usually nervous before or during my run. I think that helps my dogs stay calm as well. Dogs are strongly intuitive, and feed off our emotions. If it's a big deal to you, it will be to your dog. Often I think it's the hands that need to run a mile before their runs, not the dogs. I'm not speaking about the original poster here, or anyone else for that matter. It's just an observation I've made at trials.

Cheers all

[Tea]

Oh Amelia that would be me!