Social Groups For Dog Owners

[Daisy]

Hi, in our area we have a dog club that focuses on formal obedience and showing. As I don't have a show dog (yet) and I am not really interested in competing in formal obedience trials, I am looking to start up some sort of fun group for dog owners. Ideas so far are a social walking group (which I could run myself), doggy dancing, flyball, agility or a 'tricks' class. For anything other than a walking group there would be equipment and an experienced instructor required, which could be difficult to organise. So does anyone have any other suggestions? I am going to approach the president of the dog club and see if they are interested, but would like to have some ideas to put forward first

[CP*]

What about tracking? I've been looking into it and it looks like a friendly fun activity with minimal equipment that once learnt you could do for enjoyment with like minded people (I guess like orienteering). If you had a tracking group in Goulburn I would definately join.

[alpha bet]

you might find it best to stick to a social working group for a time - any other form of dog activity might be a problem as far as insurance or getting some council park to operate from.

One of the biggest problems is how do you exclude people who's dogs dont have good social manners.

The best way would be to ask the current club to consider offering just a social group where they might offer some games for the general public. That way you come under their banner and the advantage they have is that they increase their membership and perhaps some might become interested in obedience or showing.

I run social classes - where we teach people and dogs to develop good social manners and we incorporate lots of fun games. People need to be involved in the social play not just letting dogs off to run and play while owners stand around and chat to each other or get on their mobile phones.

Some suggestions

Low sets of jumps and witches hats to create little obstacle courses help dogs build focus with their handlers during the games. We like to run little relay races to build the teamwork between the dog and handler.

Trick Training - get each person to show a trick that they have - note a trick could be just to drop or perhaps they lift a paw - it doesnt matter how simple - then everyone else can try the same thing. Then the next person does their trick. You will find people will then work at home to try and develop something to show and tell in the next class.

This can develop into quite a complicated game and then add a trick challenge which is everyone stands in a line. One person then calls out a trick - everyone has a go and those that can complete the trick to their own level then step forward about one metre. The idea to see how far they can travel with perhaps a dozen tricks. Make sure that you start with basic tricks and then get more complicated as the game goes but also throw in some easier things thru the game so people have some success.

For example :

SIT

DROP

CRAWL

BOW

SPIN CLOCKWISE

SHAKE HANDS

STAND

SPIN ANTI CLOCKWISE

DEAD DOG - LIE ON YOUR SIDE

SIT STAY

SPEAK

FOOD REFUSAL

GOOD LUCK

[Daisy]

thanks for the suggestions

[becks]

Starting with a social group, you may find there is a mix of skills within that group that could be developed into other activities at a later date.