Activities with my dogs
For each of my dogs I have a good idea of what they might be good at and enjoy. For Gojira it is agility (and we already did a class last year which she really had fun with). For Mosura, its rally obedience. For Gryphon its therapy. For Ghidora its nose work or possibly splash dogs. I really do want the time to try all of these things, take the classes, and see each of my dogs excel at something they enjoy. But I can't do them all concurrently, and I have a full-time job keeping me busy too.
I've had another idea growing for a while as well. It was planted by a coworker who got a special kind of scooter for his Samoyed to pull him on, took root when I saw the sled dogs and sulky drivers at PetExpo including a Jindo and an American Akita, grew when I began exercising Ghidora while riding my bike, and blossomed when I saw the harnesses on RuffWear's website: I want to try bikejoring.
The good thing about bikejoring is that I don't have to worry about classes, scheduling, commitments, etc. The other stuff I want to do with my dogs all requires classes and tests. I just can't commit to such a rigid schedule right now - every weekend is booked and missing even one class out of a 6 week course makes me feel really far behind. I need the flexibility to do stuff with my dogs at unusual hours or alternate the days and times. I need the freedom to just go do the thing when I feel like doing it. Not to mention I don't know where to find the classes I want within 20 minutes drive.
The downside to bikejoring is that I have to pack my bike, dogs, equipment, etc into my car to go somewhere I could do it at. That much "prep work" is off-putting and I hate to drive. Also, right now I don't have the means to transport all of my dogs in one vehicle (let alone with a bike!).
There is something really awesome about watching them all run together in unison.
I've had another idea growing for a while as well. It was planted by a coworker who got a special kind of scooter for his Samoyed to pull him on, took root when I saw the sled dogs and sulky drivers at PetExpo including a Jindo and an American Akita, grew when I began exercising Ghidora while riding my bike, and blossomed when I saw the harnesses on RuffWear's website: I want to try bikejoring.
The good thing about bikejoring is that I don't have to worry about classes, scheduling, commitments, etc. The other stuff I want to do with my dogs all requires classes and tests. I just can't commit to such a rigid schedule right now - every weekend is booked and missing even one class out of a 6 week course makes me feel really far behind. I need the flexibility to do stuff with my dogs at unusual hours or alternate the days and times. I need the freedom to just go do the thing when I feel like doing it. Not to mention I don't know where to find the classes I want within 20 minutes drive.
The downside to bikejoring is that I have to pack my bike, dogs, equipment, etc into my car to go somewhere I could do it at. That much "prep work" is off-putting and I hate to drive. Also, right now I don't have the means to transport all of my dogs in one vehicle (let alone with a bike!).
There is something really awesome about watching them all run together in unison.
Comments
They lend out harnesses and equipment so you can try it out. One or two dogs at a time is pretty powerful for a bike/scooter so you don't have to bring all the dogs at once but can rotate them out.
I also bumped into the SCDOC website that lists training clubs associated with it: http://scdoc.org/
One such club is http://www.downeydogobedience.org which does offer drop in classes.
Biking with them sounds like fun!
As for time and effort efficiency, would it be possible to have a dedicated bikejoring pack that you can keep the bikejoring gear in and just grab n go? Toss the bag in the car, toss the bike in, hit the road?
Successful demonstration of this test will provide proof that the desired characteristics are present in a healthy body. Both sets of characteristics are prerequisites for a useful breeding program."
Just out of curiosity, why can't you do any bikejoring/scootering near your home? Is the sidewalk too busy? I actually find joring and biking to be a time-saver, because it's a lot of exercise in a shorter time than just a regular walk, but I don't pack up and go anywhere, I just start from my house and go. There are some bike/walking paths near my house that are great, but sometimes I use the road or sidewalk, too. I figure as long as I'm not in anybody's way, I'm fine.
EDIT: Here you can see how short our street is -
(This was one of the first times Ghidora was with the bike. He's much less awkward looking now, heh.)
Hmm, well, maybe go to your city's website and look up all the parks and trails. There might be some closer than you think. At least, my city has maps of all the pathways. Usually, they are just labelled as walking/biking trails that go around the city, and I take the most direct route to one of those trails.
I don't think transporting a bike is too hard, either. You just need one of those bike racks. They start around $100 (Link). I want one at some point, but like I said, I don't really need it right now. If I had one, I'd would be going off to other trails, but for now, I stay close to home.
All of the AKIHO picnics take place in just one tiny corner of this park. There are agility and obedience classes through Long Beach parks and rec that take place in another area. The SPCA LA is just to the east of the park (in the nature center parking lot) and there are yet more classes available there. In short the place is very dog friendly. They have something like 5 miles of paved bike trails too.
El Dorado Park: https://maps.google.com/maps?q=El+Dorado+Park,+Long+Beach,+CA&hl=en&ll=33.816023,-118.08629&spn=0.062112,0.132093&sll=37.269174,-119.306607&sspn=15.210106,33.815918&oq=El+Dorado+Par&t=h&hq=El+Dorado+Park,+Long+Beach,+CA&z=14
Coyote Creek Bikeway: https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Coyote+Creek+Bikeway,+Lakewood,+CA&hl=en&ll=33.835132,-118.047066&spn=0.062098,0.132093&sll=33.816023,-118.08629&sspn=0.062112,0.132093&oq=Coyote+C&t=h&hnear=Coyote+Creek+Bikeway,+Lakewood,+Los+Angeles,+California&z=14
(Bloomfield and Carson are my cross streets btw.)
I wonder if I can get into the park from the bikeway and do both? Hrm... I think I'll try biking it on my own in the next few days and see.
Yes, I can feed and keep a 3rd dog or even a 4th dog healthy and happy, but I will not have much time to train and work with the additional dogs or even with my existing 2 dogs.
My girl Maluko will be 7 years old in November and because of her mellow temperament, most people will not even bother doing much with her, but I find that working with her really gets her more comfortable in many different environments and builds a very strong bond between us. I still remembered the first few weeks when she came to live with me - how unsure she was about everything in our suburbia neighborhood, weary of strangers and today, she has grown into a much more relaxed and confident dog and enjoys human attention when we go out.
Maluko really shines in Rally Obedience, our first ever doggie sports/activity and earned her Rally Novice, Rally Advanced and Rally Excellent titles in just 4 months of trialing. She is well on her way to get the Rally Advanced Excellent title along with less than 8 Shibas in this country. This is something that I never thought we could accomplish when I first got her. The titles, ribbons are great, but it is really the journey that we take together that really matters.
Maluko also enjoys Nosework. We have trialed twice in NW1 level and each time, she got 3 out of 4 elements, not getting the NW1 title. However, we both really enjoy the experience and the privilege to be working together as a team. I learn to read her search pattern and notice her body language a lot better. She has the nose to find the hide and it is my job to trust her and call it out when I see her change in behaviors.
She is also doing Agility. We started with a facility closer to us (15 minutes commute) as my goal with her here is really just to get her more physical activity.
My boy Koji is taking Agility classes with other trainers that really focus on building a strong foundation and doing it right from the get go. We recently stopped Agility class with the close-by facility and went to the same trainer (45-50 minutes commute) that trains Koji because I felt like we did not get quality instructions from the near-by facility.
I would not be able to tell the difference had I not taken Koji to train elsewhere. I was a bit worried that Koji's trainer is too advanced for her, but after trying her in one class, I learned so much more about her doing Agility than the other places ever taught us. She runs much faster than I thought she would. The more challenging course tells me that she needs more help learning to jump properly and using her rear more. She is not ready for a trial yet, but I have a dream and I hope one day we can go to an Agility trial and run together.
My boy Koji is doing Rally Obedience, Agility, Nosework and Lure Coursing and he loves them all. We no longer are taking Rally Obedience classes and occasionally may go to a drop-in practice session. He is in full training mode with Agility and have 1 Nosework class (finally able to put both dogs in the same class, so I only have to be there 1 hour and can rotate the two dogs). No class for coursing as he just loves it so much. We go to Coursing Ability Tests whenever possible (well, call me crazy, but I drove 6 hours one way and stayed in a motel one night, so he got to run 3 times in 2 days. We also got to meet Conker and the 2 girls with @losech at this event).
You have 4 dogs. Pick and choose classes that work best for your schedule and try not to take all 4 dogs to different classes at the same time. Take 1 or 2 dogs to classes at any given time, search for the best possible instructors in your area, so you get good information. Use that knowledge you learn with a good instructor to train and work with your other dogs and you can decide later on if you want to take the next step. DO NOT settle for a facility or a trainer just because it is closer. It is really night and day between a great instructor and an average or sub-par instructor. And if you are going to invest time in a class, why waste time going with someone that could not provide you the best possible shot at learning the sports?
I used to think all the doggie sports were silly a year ago, but @lindsayt convinced me to try Rally Obedience last August and I am really glad I did. It is great to have friends training together. We have been a positive influence to each other ever since and we both enjoy the deeper bond and gratification we get from working with our Inus.
Good luck and have a blast with your dogs.
@sandrat888 I have an instructor that I really like, who I have been working with Mosura with. Unfortunately, the class just can't get enough enrollment to get off the ground. This summer session (would have started last Saturday) was cancelled, and the one starting in September doesn't look good. The instructor only does "pet manners" - not anything else.
To move on to rally with Mosura when we are ready I only know of two options, the closest of which is a 45 minute drive without traffic. The classes are on weekdays after work, so you can bet there will be traffic. I don't know the instructors at all, but I do know someone attending the closer class. Earlier this week she (my friend) was scolded for using positive reinforcement and "babying" her Akita. It doesn't sound like a good fit for me.
I know an agility class at SPCA LA I think I mentioned before. Its convenient, close, and the instructor is one of the best in Southern California. He made agility a fun party for Gojira and we loved it. But I really want my next class to be with one of the other dogs who haven't already had some specialized attention like Gojira gets.
I don't know of any nose work or therapy class in the area at all. Supposedly the Long Beach Parks and Rec offers nose work, but you have to write them and tell them you are interested in the course. If enough people write them they might find and instructor and teach it. Maybe. If they do, it will probably be at the SPCA LA, so that's a plus.
When you start off mushing, one of you might have to run alongside the dog(s) in front of the bike while the other is on the bike.
You are in the Long Beach, CA area, right?
A quick search of Nosework instructor from the NACSW came up with this one
Long Beach
Name: Kimberly Buchanan, CNWI
Certification Date: Feb 18, 2009
City, State: Long Beach, CA
Status: Current
Email: kim@joyridek9.com
Website: www.joyridek9.com
I think she teaches at SPCA LA.
You probably can email her directly and ask for info. You can also look for other certified trainers across the country here http://nacsw.net/cnwilisting.php
It takes some digging to find good instructors in the area. Go to a dog show where they have rally obedience, competition obedience or Agility and ask the exhibitors there for recommendation. Also search for obedience club, agility club or agility team in the area too.
Many of the skills you learn in class with one dog can be taught at home, so pick and choose class/activity you want to do with a dog and given you have 4 dogs, you just have to rotate and prioritize.
It's tough to find good dog-training classes. I finally got out of a sub-par class and into a real agility class. Actually, I'm in the "foundation" class, which we take before doing any "real" agility, but it's super helpful. Although, it's kind of funny because Sosuke already did an 8-week agility class, so for him, it's weird training around all of that agility equipment and not being allowed to go on it. While I'm glad he likes the equipment, he really isn't supposed to take a detour to the A-frame on a recall, lol.
The sub-par class was really close. I rode my bike there and it took 20 minutes. Now I have to go across town, but I'm still thankful that it's in the same city, at least. I wish we had other things like nosework, lure coursing, and mushing in the city. There are some things available that are a 2-hour drive away, which isn't TOO bad, but I still haven't fit it into my schedule to actually go to any of those.
We have to go down a pretty big street and get through this intersection.
This post marks the entrance ramp.
There is a nearby parking lot we could drive to and use. You can see the official bikeway.
Wide expanse at the bottom with plenty of room and nowhere for the dogs to go but forward.
My hubby is cute.
Upriver there is a bunch of trash in the water. (I plan to go downriver, but didn't think to take pictures.)
Shopping cart nest.
Lets watch TV.
Source of most of the trash.
Where the two 'rivers' meet.
Our strangest find. (Aaron built the stand for it.)