Can You Have Too Many Fingers In The Pie ?

[ness]

Hey yep the phone a friend option will get you there as well or so I am discovering . But need to arrange a few guru visits as well (and I promise to send them back again - maybe!!!).

But yep WA ROCKS .

Do tell me though if you can't have to many fingers in the pie ptolomy why are are certain few duck dogs NOT doing retrieving given you have retrieving gurus in your state as well or are you saving that for later (when you have time ).

[Ptolomy]

Do tell me though if you can't have to many fingers in the pie ptolomy why are are certain few duck dogs NOT doing retrieving given you have retrieving gurus in your state as well or are you saving that for later (when you have time ).

The duck dog was entered in his first retrieving trial earlier in the year - but was injured at the State agility champs - so never actually made the start line. The injury took ages to get over - by which time the retrieving season was almost over and I don't like the thought of letting him run where possible wrigglies are. So it is on the list of things to do for next year - by which time he will hopefully have the letters Ob Ch in front of his name. Blaize munches the birds, knowing my luck Beans would eat the birds and be allergic to them and Lexi would be brilliant as she has inherited her dads retrieving drive. We have photos of her carrying a pidgeon at 8 weeks of age, so I will do some work with her over the summer, but on ovals!

You probably don't know but I have also tried tracking with the old girl and thought I might one day win lotto so I could retire from work and give this a shot. Wishful thinking eh

[ness]

yes very wishful thinking as that would mean adding the lotto gods to your list of weekly gods which need SORTING and bribing and pleading with. Sorry if you added them then when would you have time to answer my questions . Although hmmm there is a thought heavily reinforce the lotto gods for a few weeks forget the others as then when you win you would have plenty of time for the other gods .

I want to try tracking but its too difficult to get involved with. I had arranged to go to a training day last year I think it was before I came for my holiday in Perth and then I got carried away with this UD training (wonder who's fault that was ).

ETA. I do actually remember you saying you had entered I just forgot.

Edited September 26, 2007 by ness

[SwaY]

Hmm... I think you can but also - you may fall into the rut of being a "Jack of all trades and master of none" if you know what I mean

And it's that "type of person" who doesn't see the error of there ways.

[bridgie_cat]

I think the INTRODUCTION of each should be separate (ie really new ideas and steep learning curves should not overlap too much ...) but past that, I enjoy training agility and obed at the same time AND herding when we get the oportunity! I know some people that like to do each separately and perhaps they get through an individual discipline faster for it - but I cant honestly imagine that there is enough time in a dogs life to master each area and compete if trained separately through to a high level!

[Sayreovi]

I am a dabbler, i will give everything a go and just continue working on all at once until we are ready to compete then i focus on that till we are ready to compete in something else. I love the variety as do my dogs.

Honestly i would love to get an Ob Ch or an Ag Ch on one of my dogs name, who wouldnt if you are competing/training for those rings, but it isnt the be all and end all of training in my mind anyway.

One day maybe, both myself and my dogs are young, still have plenty of years to achieve those goals.........for the time being i am happy being a 'jack of all trades, master of none'

Edited September 26, 2007 by tollersowned

[Guest rhapsodical78]

Hmm... I think you can but also - you may fall into the rut of being a "Jack of all trades and master of none" if you know what I mean

And it's that "type of person" who doesn't see the error of there ways.

What is the error in doing a few different things without mastering any of them? Some people do it for fun.

[Tassie]

You probably don't know but I have also tried tracking with the old girl and thought I might one day win lotto so I could retire from work and give this a shot. Wishful thinking eh :D

I did retire from work when my current two BCs were rising 1. I've since had to go back to work 4 days a week to fund my/their addiction - to pay for trial entries, petrol, interstate travel, seminars ............. not forgetting title application fees - but that's the fun part.

I should probably add too, that my perspective on this topic is coloured by the fact that I'm officially a senior citizen - time's on the wing, so I just gotta do stuff now while I can.

Hi Ness.

[witheverythingiam]

For example only, what if I wanted my Border Collie to show, trial in obedience, train in herding, and maybe agility throughout his life.

Do you concentrate on 1 discipline at a time, as to not confuse the dog and when you have achieved what you wanted, move onto the next ? Or, do you do everything you want/can with your dog at the one time ? If so, do you find this confuses the dog, or your dog will not excel at one thing due to doing so many different disciplines ?

Would like to hear any thoughts on this

Good Question...

With my Boxer, I've usually only done one thing at a time, which kinda complement eachother. Obedience/Endurance until title earned (maybe 4 months doing together), and also Obedience/Agility together (6 months).

We were taking him to Lure Coursing last year, and earlier this year, but not doing any "sports" at the moment.

What would complement Lure Coursing? Herding perhaps? Would also like to try dog sledding & weightpulling which would go well together (both requiring using same muscles) but would have to build up the muscles again before trying this?

-WithEverythingIAm