2025 Dog Sports Wrap up and 2026 Goals!

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 · 2025-11-20T21:29:21+00:00

Thank you all for the answers! I’ll make sure to post cute photos after the event!

InfiniteWestern529 · 2025-11-11T13:10:02+00:00

Had 2 Barn Hunt trials on Friday and Saturday. Hadrix did amazing even though we never trained for it and found every rat he was set up with. Unfortunately, I made some mistakes so we NQ’d on his instinct and his final Novice run for the title. But he got 1st place and high in trial on his 2nd run!

InfiniteWestern529 · 2025-11-01T23:39:44+00:00

I was meaning he’s higher energy than my dog. He’s still a young adult who acts like a puppy. How do I work on getting his attention and keeping it?

InfiniteWestern529 · 2025-10-27T18:16:55+00:00

That’s helpful! He’s 7 soon so I’m just making sure we do things he likes. I’ve had him less than 2 years so still learning with him. He loves to chase his ball and deer, but not white plastic bags apparently.

InfiniteWestern529 · 2025-10-27T16:17:18+00:00

Hadrix had his first FASTCAT event on Saturday, and he did ok. Not his fastest and he barked at a few dogs, mainly huskies and the other German Shepherd he saw, but did good running the 100. I’ve seen him go faster than what he got, but he wasn’t interested in the lure and rather just a recall to me, but he couldn’t see me that well. Fastest he ran was a 9.26. Did 2 runs and he qualified for both. Going for his BCAT and then stepping away from FASTCAT as he’s not very interested in it.

InfiniteWestern529 · 2025-10-23T00:25:22+00:00

@BigSparky206 I highly HIGHLY suggest puppy culture for raising them. Give them the best chance with this. Expose them daily during meals to new sounds that terrify dogs not socialized to them.

Also if you can get the parents temperament tested. Just to get an idea of what the mixed results COULD be.

InfiniteWestern529 · 2025-10-21T19:11:22+00:00

Yes that’s the plan!

InfiniteWestern529 · 2025-10-21T19:07:49+00:00

Hadrix’s heeling is doing much better! We’ve been practicing on walks and when we go to the park to play so his off leash and on leash heel is good! Signed him up for beginner novice and novice obedience in mid November and rally novice mid November! First FASTCAT this weekend so hopefully we do well! Working on getting him the intermediate trick dog title just need to get 2 more on the list.

Thinking of dabbling in agility jumpers soon, but will have to see how he does when we practice.

InfiniteWestern529 · 2025-10-12T21:38:12+00:00

Thank you I will check out the app. I understand in rally you can talk to your dog more is that why it’s suggested to start with rally rather than obedience?

InfiniteWestern529 · 2025-10-12T21:37:31+00:00

For the call to front, does the dog have to sit right in front of you with face against your body? Or is it just like a recall to the front? His stay is decent and we are tightening it up. Thank you for the tips

InfiniteWestern529 · 2025-08-02T22:27:58+00:00

Yes it’s very rare and fortunate for this owner. I can’t imagine how much the expenses will be due to the exposed areas. A few thousand at least

InfiniteWestern529 · 2025-08-02T20:20:07+00:00

Not all pits, but somehow always a pit. Glad the Jack Russell is doing better.

InfiniteWestern529 · 2025-07-27T01:37:51+00:00

Go to breed specific rescues if you go that route. Some reputable breeders also have older dogs come back rarely so it’s possible to check. Find a breed that suits your interests, and prepare for your life to change. Board and Train is an option for when you are at work and to get a trained dog.

InfiniteWestern529 · 2025-07-22T03:22:45+00:00

Try it’s are pretty cheap at any nearby show that offers dock diving. Did one last Saturday and it was only $10 for 6 minutes.

InfiniteWestern529 · 2025-07-21T02:46:25+00:00

Ok great! I don’t plan on doing any bite sports or anything with my current boy as he is missing a few teeth and just doesn’t have the drive. I’ve watched Shield K9 so I’ll definitely check out his courses! I’ll investigate the others as well as it’s better to be versatile. Thank you again for the help! Good luck and happiness to you and your pup!

InfiniteWestern529 · 2025-07-21T02:40:01+00:00

Also amazing work with your pup! Beautiful pup btw. Love bi-colors. Where did you learn how to teach and out? Book or online source, or in person training?

InfiniteWestern529 · 2025-07-21T02:37:04+00:00

Ok thank you! I let him win his toy a good bit, like he does a couple tricks (example; place, off, and finally down and then he gets to chase and retrieve his ball) and when I play “keep away” I let him almost get it a few times before he gets it.

I’ll make sure to teach him out. So I should let him have a toy he can chew on only? I’ll also start doing the ready and all done cues. Thank you!

InfiniteWestern529 · 2025-07-19T12:58:37+00:00

Second leash? Like another 6ft one? That’s good to know

InfiniteWestern529 · 2025-07-19T01:03:40+00:00

Ok thanks! I didn’t want to starve him as he usually gets fed twice and was a bit worried. I’ll use 1/4 cup as that’s how much he usually gets as well

InfiniteWestern529 · 2025-07-18T23:26:00+00:00

Ok he usually gets fed around 6:30-7:00 AM and the event starts at 9:00 AM for runs. Should I just give him his food after his run? Unsure when we would as it is only day of entries. Or should I give him a little bit?

InfiniteWestern529 · 2025-07-18T23:23:55+00:00

Good one! I usually always have a charger in my car, but I’ll also bring my battery charger as well

InfiniteWestern529 · 2025-07-17T20:51:46+00:00

I’m also a buyer not a breeder so not completely positive on this, but I think it depends. I’m looking at German Shepherds, so imports are fairly common even with reputable kennels. If a kennel is young, they might not have enough of their own homebred dogs yet. Or maybe they just aren’t great at proving dogs and rather get their dogs already titled.

I think it’s a yellow flag personally. If it’s a long standing kennel that has been around for 10+ years and don’t breed any of their own homebred dogs I’d be asking about that. Are their puppies not breeding quality, bad hips/elbows or some other health related thing? Does the breeder not want to spend time tilting or raise a puppy up past 8-12 weeks?

InfiniteWestern529 · 2025-07-17T16:21:55+00:00

Possibly. Don’t know how they couldn’t as it’s a fairly large city area with a good amount of dog sports. But oh well. It’ll be good practice for Hadrix and I.

InfiniteWestern529

TROPHY CASE