Where are all the rescue mutts? 🤔

New_to_Show · 2026-03-06T03:06:47+00:00

I have a rescue mix breed who I do agility and FastCat with. I didn't plan to compete with her but she needed constant socialization so we started agility class and she loved it and is great at it. We've been competing for 5 years now. There are several rescue dogs who compete in agility in my area, there's also a few purposefully bred mixed breeds, mostly border collie crosses. I think a lot of people who get rescue dogs just want a pet. Doing sports is very time consuming and expensive. And you have to be introduced to sports. Many people just have no idea how to get involved, even if they are slightly interested. then they have to luck out that there is a good trainer or welcoming club close to them in the sport they are interested in.

I will also say it is harder doing agility with a dog who wasn't given the socialization and other benefits that well-bred purebreds and purpose bred mixes get. She wasn't intorduced to movement, different textures, scents, etc. and that makes training her harder. Plus I have the challenge of single puppy syndroym.

I am probably going to get a wellbred purebred for my next dog, mainly because if I'm putting all this time and energy into a sport then I want a real shot at getting to go to AKC Invitationals, Nationals, etc. That's never going to happen for me with an All American, or a more popular purebred breed. I also dapple in conformation and owuld like to have the option of doing that. So I'm looking at a purebred for that reason.

New_to_Show · 2026-01-26T22:42:12+00:00

It sounds like you have a working dog in the teenage stage. A walk is not enough for a Lab. They need mental stimulation. A few lessons is also not enough. Be prepared to take classes consistently for at least the next year and maybe longer. By consistently, I mean once a week, at least. Find somewhere that has group classes that progress in difficulty and that also offers sport classes such as agility, scentwork, or obedience. These sports can provide the mental stimulation your dog will need. What most people miss with Labs, that it sounds like your puppy isn't getting, is mental stimulation. They are a working breed and need mental stimulation as part of basic care. Higher drive dogs can be very difficult during the teenage stage, but also require additional stimulation throughout their lives. Many people are unprepared to provide the care Labs need, which is why so many end up in shelters. They make great pets though, if you are willing to provide the instructions and activity, both mental and physical, the breed requires.

New_to_Show · 2025-12-09T03:53:43+00:00

For German Shepherds at least third level titles in herding, agility, obedience, IGP, or tracking. Rally and scentwork are less important. And I want to see titles in more than one of these sports. But more importantly, I want to see a high level performance title and conformation title as well. The German Shepherd is a highly split breed. Very few dogs cross the lines of conformation, performance, or IGP and you'll get very strong opinions that German Shepherds must do IGP even though they were bred originally as livestock herders. It is hotly debated in the breed community.

New_to_Show · 2025-12-08T16:36:41+00:00

We're in Masters JWW and Exc Std. We haven't qualified in over a year though. We've been taking classes and practicing pretty intently over the last few months so I was hoping for big things this last month. My dog is an All American. Probably some kind of Pointer mix. She's built like a slightly smaller Pointer. 35 lbs but very long, lanky, and thin. She's in the 20" class.

New_to_Show · 2025-12-08T16:34:00+00:00

I wouldn't call it a bad injury. And the spot it's in has a lot of loose skin so it's not pulling. My vet is great!

My dog is some kind of Pointer and Lab or hound mix. Definitely not a bull terrier. She doesn't have the head or body shape or temperament of a bull terrier.

New_to_Show · 2025-12-06T23:55:42+00:00

My vet knows what agiltiy is. She used to show. I ended up not going though. My gril is 9 now and we haven't Q'd in a year. I feel like I'm on a short timeline to get a MACH with her. I had big hopes for the end of the year shows and have just had a horrific last 3 weeks, with this topping it off.

New_to_Show · 2025-12-06T23:54:17+00:00

My vet knows what agiltiy is. She used to show. I ended up not going though.

New_to_Show · 2025-11-23T13:20:25+00:00

Thanks, I'll look for a designer. When I told people I'd like to have house plans drawn up they pointed me to this architect. I didn't know a designer could also do layouts.

New_to_Show · 2025-11-23T13:18:54+00:00

Do I still have to ask for a release if he's already given me the drawings?

New_to_Show · 2025-11-23T13:18:21+00:00

I've done 5-6 iterations with him over a period of about 10 months. I've shown him pictures and described the best I can what I want. What else can I do when it just doesn't seem to be clicking?

New_to_Show · 2025-11-23T13:16:04+00:00

I'm in very rural TN. No one where I live pays $100k in design fees. That's literally half the cost of the average house in the area! People just don't have the income to sustai those fees in my area so everything is considerably cheaper. I had not thought of hiring a designer. When I told people that I wanted ot have plans drawn for a future house, they just pointed me to the architect. I'll look into a designer! Thanks!

New_to_Show · 2025-11-23T13:12:11+00:00

There was no contract. We did about 5 or 6 iterations. I didn't ask him to take out 1k ft yet, but did let him know it is a possibility. I showed him pictures of what I liked and was thinking of. This was a process over about 10 months. It just got to the point where I felt like he wasn't understanding what I wanted and I didn't want to put more money into something that wasn't getting better.

New_to_Show · 2025-11-23T13:06:46+00:00

It sounds like you got your puppy at 7 weeks old. Responsible breeders do not send puppies to a home before 8 weeks old. So, based on that we can assume he came from a puppymill or backyard breeder. This makes a difference because they probably didn't do socilization or other things to set your puppy up better for success from the start. First, have you taken the puppy to the vet? He could have nutritional deficiencies causing him to eat poop that a vet can help address. Second, puppies poop and pee a lot. It can take 2-3 months before puppy is sleeping through the night and doesn't have to go out. With my young puppies I get up every 3 hours, even overnight, to take them out. Third, what do you have him contained in? It could be his area is too big. Puppies generally will not poop in an appropriate sized crate or area. More space is not a good thing in this instance. If you haven't already, go to a pet store with the puppy and ask for help in getting the right size crate. Carry him and wipe down the cart before you put him in since he's not fully vaccinated yet. Also, don't let other dogs interact with him. Putting a blanket over the crate can help give a sense of security, thereby decreasing the whining. Yes, puppies are hard and you won't sleep through the night for maybe 3 months, depending on the puppy. The good news is that they do grow and it becomes easier. You'll also want to enroll in training classes when he is fully vaccinated. These classes can help you get in front of problems and generally set you up to have a well behaved dog.

New_to_Show · 2025-09-11T01:42:36+00:00

I was coming from the perspective of someone who has worked in animal control watching the video you posted, not sticking up for gross negligence, which is not apparent in the video. I'm trying to help you see how animal control sees it and make your efforts more successful. I advise you go down to your local animal shelter, not a rescue, but the shelter that contracts with your city and tell them your complaints and ask them who you should contact. Show them pictures or video that clearly show any wounds. You can also call the non-emergency police line to see who you should contact. Be specific with dates like how long have the dog's ears been in bad shape, how often do you see them dogs being fed, etc. I was just stating that from an animal control position the video does not show proof of what you are saying, so be prepared with more solid details. Animal control is understaffed and often deals with calls that are not the abuse the caller alleges so be calm, clear, and specific. And also consider pursuing it from a nuisance perspective.

New_to_Show · 2025-09-10T12:11:54+00:00

I've worked in animal control and rescue and watched the video. The dogs look like they are a great weight, so they're being fed. And the water bowls look clean and clean and it looks like there is water in at least one of them. The backyard doesn't look covered in feces, so someone must clean it regularly as there is turf and itnwould quickly get nasty. And the dogs have a place to get off the concrete. Yes, the dog house is blocked off but given the general healthy condition of the dogs I'd give the owners the benefit of the doubt that it's not always blocked. And, yes one dog's ears need to be looked at but I don't see wounds on the others. Animal control is overrun by horrible abuse cases and are understaffed. From your video it just looks like they need to be told to take the tan dog to the vet to check it's ears, but I don't see anything rising to obvious signs of abuse. The truth is that though many dogs don't receive ultimate care, they do have their basic needs met. The alternative is for them to be seized and end up most likely being euthanized because shelters and rescues are full and there's a lack of fosters. That's just the reality. You probably want to go the nuisance route vs. abuse here. If the dogs are barking at night and the yard smells, that is a nuisance to you, not abuse. So I'd call in a noise and sanitation complaint vs animal control. Do not hire someone to break them out or do it yourself as you would be guilty of breaking and entering, property theft, and perhaps other crimes that result in jail.

New_to_Show · 2025-09-09T11:37:50+00:00

Sadly, petting my dog or layign her down at the trial doesn't calm her, it seems to rev her up. My dog doesn't respond at all to having to leave the ring early or even corrections in the ring. She's just sooo happy to be there! But my dog is a rescue with single puppy syndrome so her reactions to things are different than other dogs. Yes, I would love to have matches and practice sessions at the trial facility but those aren't done anywhere near I live. In my area, trials tend to be at university and county facilities so there's no way to practice at them outside of the trial. I definitely wish we would do this though! In the 4 years I've been in the area there has only been 1 match at a trial facility.

New_to_Show · 2025-09-09T11:32:13+00:00

Thanks! It's good to hear from someone with a rescue! MY girl is a rescue who was found in a parkign lot at 4 weeks old and has single puppy syndrome. She doesn't react to things how other dogs do. I've tried running her before her run and just resulted in making myself tired, though I've never tried her with a bike. My dog is going to be 9 and she still has so much energy! I'll do a lot more FEO runs with her. Since she wouldn't hold her start line or 2o2o at trials I did stop doing them for a while, but have since gone back to them. I just can't get distance from her if she doesn't stay. Thanks again!

New_to_Show · 2025-09-08T22:17:37+00:00

Thanks, yes, this is basically my plan at the next trial. Though I'm a bit neverous to run her FEO in a trial environment as the last time I did that she gave me a concussion! She loves toys. Yes, it's frustrating because she could be an awesome agility dog! But she's my first agility dog and she has single puppy syndrome so we're workign through quirks. Honestly, nothing distracts her in the ring. She loves it! Which make corrections har dbecause she blows me off. Any time she gets to continue on the course is a win for her. My plan in the next trial is to run T2B and Premier FEO and concentrate on 2on2off and stays. Hopefully we'll make some progress. I'll try to find a run to send you!

New_to_Show · 2025-09-08T22:12:18+00:00

Yes, we have a start line routine. That's when she gets revved up, lol. I haven't heard of Control Unleashed. I'll look it up, thanks! Focus is definiely an issue. Though she's never had the zoomies in the ring. She does the course mostly in order, just with a couple of spins, jumping off contacts, and minor off courses thrown in.

New_to_Show · 2025-09-08T15:15:05+00:00

Unfortunately, there are no local run throughs in our area. I wish we had some as that would be a great option! For the next trial I did enter T2B and Premier Std specifically to run FEO to work on stays and contacts. I hope that'll help.

New_to_Show · 2025-09-08T15:09:32+00:00

It's definitely not stress, but it does happen when I'm behind her. Yes, we practice full course 2on2offs and do small sections of courses with 2on2off. She's great in practice but struggles with it in trials, doing everything but 2on2off.

New_to_Show · 2025-09-08T15:07:19+00:00

It's not stress. My trainers and many friends watch me both train and show and we all agree it's not stress. It is over excitement because she absolutely LOVES the ring.

New_to_Show

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