jason
Hound Nut
Posts: 1,708
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Post by jason on Apr 27, 2007 12:12:52 GMT -5
Part of me thinks it would appeal to their natural instinct while satisfying my selfish desire to watch them run... but another part of me thinks a quick romp in the baseball field from time to time is all they really need.
What does everyone else think?
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ceedee
Junior Grey Lover
Posts: 187
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Post by ceedee on Apr 27, 2007 12:42:48 GMT -5
I think it is fun for both and a lot of people with sighthounds have organized lure coursing events. We went to one several years ago in Princeton and everyone had a great time. I wouldn't want to do it personally because I think it stimulates the prey drive and I want to suppress that desire in my grey! (I voted fun for both)
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Post by jiffer on Apr 27, 2007 16:38:05 GMT -5
Fun for both. Some dogs are quite good at it. Last year at Hugs for Hounds, they had lure coursing available (hopefully this year again). As anyone who saw me can attest, Echo was going bonkers for it. I couldn't run her though because at 8 years old and being in less than good running condition, I didn't want to risk injury (and they can and do get injured.. one dog cut it's leg open last year on the wire, another bloodied up it's toes). I actually had to take her inside before she ripped my arm off. If you want to give it a shot and Liz is offering it at Hugs, you should come out and see.
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Post by GreyPoopon on Apr 27, 2007 22:40:38 GMT -5
There's a lure coursing event next weekend (May 5/6) in Flamborough. The information is on this site: www.devonair.ca/olca.htm. I hope to drop in, although like Jiffer, I'm not sure my 8+/- year old girls can run safely.
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Post by samrob on Apr 28, 2007 14:25:31 GMT -5
I think that it would be fun for both human and dog, but like Jiffer and GreyPoopon, Hope at almost 10 is a little too old to run safely. Also, she has had a fairly serious hamstring tear. (pre adoption) but she would run through any pain she had. I think your dog would have to be in serious shape, and have no previous injuries when coursing. We have enough fun with running with other greys or throwing stuffies for our guys! We have enough injuries with just that!
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Post by sdsandiford on Apr 28, 2007 15:44:20 GMT -5
I've always been curious about lure coursing and all our boys are between 6-7yrs, but really feel only one of our dogs might even be remotely good at it. Stu is a little more agile, a little lighter than Jack or Dave and had a considerably better record at the track. He's a little over weight (hence the nickname "Chunky Stu") but I really think he'd enjoy it. He doesn't have any previous injuries that we are aware of, and that really seems to be the decision breaker. Dave also seems to be injury free, but his size and weight (about 95 lbs) are actually what concern me. Dave operates at only one gear, and just doesn't have the agility that Stuey has (we can tell by the way they chase squirrels). I worry that he'd actually hurt himself somehow Jack... ahhhh Jack. For all his busted toes and his tendency to spontaneously start limping, we'd never risk trying him at it. Although I think it's a great sport (for all involved), you always have to consider that your hound was retired for a reason. I've heard stories of dogs getting hurt (just the way they would at the track) as well and my three are quick happy to simply run amuck in our back yard!
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erinder
Grey Lover
Collarbones - for you guessed it, collars! (formerly Fussy Pup)
Posts: 421
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Post by erinder on May 13, 2007 18:12:03 GMT -5
we tried this at the glohw picnic in binbrook shortly after we got digby, he chased it for about 5 paces and then was done! oh well - i guess he's decided he's finished being told what to chase!
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Post by BlingDogs on Jun 23, 2009 18:37:50 GMT -5
I think lure coursing is a great outlet. I agree, it's in their instincts, and in regular life they are stopped every time they try to chase something. Lure coursing gives them a chance to go wild. If they are trained to understand that the lure is where they can chase, they can really have fun and get excersize as well. It's great entertainment for the people watching- We can just stare with our mouths hanging open in amazement at their grace or cheer and laugh at their funny chasing antics.
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Post by luvastorm on Aug 16, 2009 14:17:37 GMT -5
Our REDSTORM ran 116 races and had 1 litter of puppies before she finally retired. She'll be 10 in Sept. but still LOVES to run. We have an off-leash area the dogs go to twice a day and she's created her own, mental RACETRACK. She'll run around it FLAT OUT - then when she's finished her "race" she comes quietly back to heel. She lives with 4 cats so I don't think she'd suddenly re-develop prey drive and decide to eat them. However, I think we're too old ! ! !
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Post by boostersdad on Aug 26, 2009 13:44:02 GMT -5
I havent seen lure coursing done, but I would love to go and watch, even participate if Booster was interested (as if he wouldnt be haha) I have had him out at a C.A.R.A. event in Princeton which was a lot of fun to watch, and even got a practice run in with him. Hoping to do some more of that next year. I thinks its alot of fun for both dog and owner, problem with those retired racers is their bodies dont always allow them to run like they used to, and they just dont know how to ease up and can get injured or re-injure themselves. Its too bad cause most of them love it soooo much
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Post by jiffer on Aug 26, 2009 14:11:02 GMT -5
...problem with those retired racers is their bodies dont always allow them to run like they used to, and they just dont know how to ease up and can get injured or re-injure themselves. Its too bad cause most of them love it soooo much Not necessarily. A properly conditioned dog (not just retired racers) can be successful lure coursers. I have a friend in the US who courses her younger hounds and they are fantastic at it and have earned some pretty prestigious titles. If you don't take the time to condition your dogs, then injuries can and will happen. That being said, knowing your dog's past and if they have sustained injuries is paramount to knowing how they will do on the course.
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Post by greyhoundgirl on Aug 30, 2009 15:53:18 GMT -5
hello all, this is my first post! i believe that while it can be fun for both the retired greys are that retired. the ones my family has adopted all had enough previous injuries to scare me away from even considering lure coursing. like someone said an open field is good enough for us, we love to watch them run anywhere.
i wonder too about the message and energy we give to the retirees when they sense the competitiveness of the sport. even if you personally weren't competitive others surely would be and they would pick up on it.
i say take them somewhere safe and taleeho independantly ;D
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quietstorm
Hound Nut
Officially at Capacity!
Posts: 1,593
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Post by quietstorm on Aug 30, 2009 17:56:31 GMT -5
i wonder too about the message and energy we give to the retirees when they sense the competitiveness of the sport. even if you personally weren't competitive others surely would be and they would pick up on it. If you have ever been to one of these events, or even straights or oval racing, you will know that the most competitive energy on the fields is the dogs themselves. It's what they are born to do and IMHO too many people forget that. Sure they are retired and we get to give them perhaps a more balance life that they might not have at the track - soft beds and lots of love - but we're doing them a disservice if we forget that what they truly love is to chase!
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Post by moskwa on Oct 26, 2009 19:37:48 GMT -5
we just ot a greyhound(moqui) and she wants to play so much so we need to get her some fun
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Post by luvastorm on Oct 27, 2009 21:57:21 GMT -5
At 10 we wouldn't consider lure coursing for Stormy now - but we would have when she was 7. She apparently has little or no prey drive left in her GOLDEN YEARS - until she see one of those gas powered mini-cars. She absolute LOVES to chase them and barks and barks if they stop - tells them to GET MOVING.
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