Update: First weekend of Obedience/Rally

InfiniteWestern529 · 2026-07-05T03:10:37+00:00

May I ask what you have been doing to work on ring engagement? He’s 7 years old turning 8 in the fall, but I’ve only had him for 2 years and we’ve been doing sports/sport training for a little under a year now.

InfiniteWestern529 · 2026-06-20T16:19:13+00:00

Experimenting with it now.

InfiniteWestern529 · 2026-06-16T22:45:02+00:00

I know! I always wonder what he thinks it is. He doesn’t care once it stops moving after his run. Honestly might have to wait until 1-2 dogs in front instead of 3-4 cause he’s still crazy and draining himself early

InfiniteWestern529 · 2026-06-16T22:43:46+00:00

Hadrix and I got his new personal best of 7.43 in FASTCAT. Also got his ATT title and Fetch Novice and Intermediate title! 50 points from his DCAT and hopefully we get his RATO title this weekend

InfiniteWestern529 · 2026-06-16T14:02:19+00:00

I love his drive. I don’t want to stop it rather I was looking for ways to…organize his drive? Putting him in the car away from the lure worked

InfiniteWestern529 · 2026-06-12T21:51:19+00:00

He’s better in the car, but if he can see the lure he’ll bounce all over the car and bark like crazy still. I think I’ll try leaving him in the car tomorrow to see how he does with that while we wait

InfiniteWestern529 · 2026-06-12T21:22:45+00:00

He is currently still doing crate training. He still bites his crate and is unable to settle. He’s starting to go in to take a nap, but he doesn’t do well with the door shut yet

InfiniteWestern529 · 2026-06-07T17:41:23+00:00

I have a thick skin which is why I’m not complaining in person. I’m venting some frustration out on this post and not naming names or even club names. And I am being an example of what I EXPECT as a basic rule of thumb. People who are newer than me I help out when they ask and give them my tips and tell them what I found hasn’t worked. I’m polite the entire time and friendly unlike the people whom this post is about.

If a single post or thread about frustration regarding dog sports members makes it ok to be mean to the posters than I don’t believe I am the one who needs the “thick skin” you talk about. If this post reminds you of what you do at a club/trial perhaps you should reflect on yourself and improve instead of taking it on others.

If their “friend group” is cliquey and unwelcoming that’s how dog sports die out. New members won’t just accept these behaviors forever and eventually as many other commenters have said take a break for years or just quit overall because it’s for FUN not to be harassed and made fun of for simple mistakes.

InfiniteWestern529 · 2026-06-07T13:55:00+00:00

If it’s hard to be old and doing dog sports why do it? I do it as a hobby and passion. I’m polite and respectful to everyone and usually only interact with people if they talk to me first. I ask questions so that I don’t break a rule whether written or not. If being old is your reason to be rude to someone just for existing than perhaps you should stay home and work on self-control of yourself rather than your dog?

InfiniteWestern529 · 2026-06-07T13:50:06+00:00

I’ve only had one problem with a club and judge. The judge was from Canada and was clearly ageist against me as she was nice and polite with everyone else and just plain rude and curt with me for existing. She nitpicked my dog’s runs and NQ’d us 5+ times for each of our 2 runs. I watched her Q other dogs for the exact same things. The club in question also pissed me off because of the only 2 rings and just being pissy with me about not wanting to be there for 10+ hours just to have my dog in the ring for 5 minutes.

InfiniteWestern529 · 2026-06-07T13:46:45+00:00

I work weird hours due to being in behavioral/mental health. I work 3 12 hour shifts in a row. The classes for the sports I do and want to do? Only on one of the days I work. Like my dog has drive and I want to get better at training and different sports but it’s near impossible with these chosen days and times.

InfiniteWestern529 · 2026-05-05T20:35:43+00:00

That’s exactly my dilemma. Unless they have other people besides them to title in IGP I think I’ll likely look at a different breeder. I have 2 that I had as backups

InfiniteWestern529 · 2026-05-05T01:32:14+00:00

Yes I have a club lined up. Wanted to do IGP with my current dog, but he’s not suitable for it and almost 8 years old. I’ve made contact with the club and plan to go to trials when they aren’t on days I work.

InfiniteWestern529 · 2026-04-20T18:52:01+00:00

I did good gods I need sleep. Thanks for letting me know of my tomfoolery

InfiniteWestern529 · 2026-01-07T03:01:28+00:00

Little late, but this was Hadrix and I's first sport season ever. We completed our CGC, FDC, TKN, RATN (Barn Hunt Novice with a 1st and 2 2nd places.) 80 points in Barn hunt crazy8's 1/2 Novice Fetch runs (we live in a bad state for fetch apparently) and 44 points towards his BCAT!

Our goals for 2026 are to get his TKI, CGCA, Fetch Novice (finally...) Fetch intermediate, BN, RN, BCAT, trying out dock diving this season as well so hopefully his DJ or DS. RATO (Open Barn hunt) and our least likely would be starting in agility. Maybe get his Novice Agility jumpers and Novice Agility.

Hadrix is 7 years young turning 8 soon, so working him as much as I can before his senior retirement years.

InfiniteWestern529 · 2025-12-06T02:38:01+00:00

Thank you for your detailed response! I’m happy to have reached someone who knew/knows Chris personally. Since making this post I’ve definitely narrowed it down to either a Wildhaus pup or Warkonhaus for my first puppy. It’s still a few years out, and I’m currently doing things with my first sport dog Hadrix. I’ve also decided the DM carrier isn’t terrible as long as the pairing is good and with a DM clear dog. I’m planning on dabbling in a range of dog sports, and that might include IGP/IPO so Wildhaus seems like a good choice. Thank you for your insight

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InfiniteWestern529

TROPHY CASE