What should I do with Kip??

[nikicb]

Don't worry, he is going absolutely nowhere!!! He really is the best little dog, and, dare I say it, has so far been far easier than I ever thought a terrier would be. He leads an active life, but also loves a bit of 'downtime', and I generally have to get him up in the morning!!! We have done some training classes, and are booked up for the next level up, but I enjoy his company and would like to do 'something' with him. I know nothing about the finer details of Border Terriers, but I believe his father is a good show dog. His mother is very much a pet, despite also being a purebred. He is currently 7 months old, so starting to get rather shaggy, but I am happy to learn how to hand strip him as he will be a lot more practical in terms of being a yard dog. I know I am potentially throwing myself to the AAD lions here, so please be nice, but suggestions, especially around the Berkshire area would be welcome. He is such a happy little chap, and I would love to give him lots of fun stimulation to keep him that way.

Kip yesterday.....

His father, who he does seem to resemble in terms of body shape, although I know he still has some growing to do.....

Chatmoss Bullet Tooth Tony JW ShCM

Bullet is a proven stud dog with excellent temperament & type, siring very strong healthy pups, He’s a successful show dog, gaining amongst many, Best in Show awards and two RDCC and a Junior warrant, His progeny too are also showing successfully. He is SLEM clear and available to approved bitches

www.champdogs.co.uk

 

[AmyMay]

Agility?

 

[nikicb]

Agility?

Definitely an option - it would help me to keep fit as well. Would love some good recommendations for anyone in the local area (I know you are a little way from me) x

 

[ArklePig]

If you wanted something that was much or as little a commitment as you want it to be, I'd highly recommend mantrailing.

 

[Moobli]

Scentwork classes

 

[nikicb]

If you wanted something that was much or as little a commitment as you want it to be, I'd highly recommend mantrailing.

Something we could pick up and put down around horse schedules would be good. I will try to find something near us. Thanks for the suggestion. x

 

[nikicb]

Scentwork classes

Thanks, will try to check them out too. x

 

[Rokele55]

Terrier shows. They are even worse than horse showing keep him trim and tidy and entire and get out and have some fun, sort of...

Ps: not in a harness

 

[pistolpete]

Hoopers. Even the mad Lurcher enjoyed it!

 

[Smitty]

My terrier used to LOVE terrier racing. Often the hunt horse shows round here in Somerset have a dog show and racing alongside the horses.

 

[Spotherisk]

Hoopers at his age, then as he gets older agility.

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

Ring craft if you fancied a go showing?

 

[Indy]

I'd go for mantrailing. Once of the guys who I mantrail with brought his little Border puppy, Isabella trailing for the first time last month, she thought it was ace!

 

[TheOldTrout]

No suggestions, but he's gorgeous.

 

[Morwenna]

I’d also recommend mantrailing. We love it and it’s been so good for my dog.

 

[poiuytrewq]

He is gorgeous!

We have a family friend who got a border years ago. The now have a few and go away on agility camps and competitions with all their new agility friends. They absolutely love it as do the dogs.

 

[Nicnac]

Mantrailing sounds amazing. He's a bit young for agility unless it's puppy focused with poles on the ground, no A frames, jumping etc. but could definitely do some of the exercises. Ziggy loves it and it really taxes his brain too. I'm not so keen on the running bit!

 

[nikicb]

Thanks everyone, some really great suggestions. If I started agility now, it would only be at the foundation level as he won't be mature enough until 18 months.

Despite the power of google, I am having problems finding activities close to Newbury, so if anyone has any specific clubs they can recommend in this area, I'd be really grateful. Otherwise I will ask the people we are doing puppy classes with. Thank you,

 

[Squeak]

Highly recommend Stuart and Emma:

Thatcham DTC

thatcham-dtc.club

 

[SilverLinings]

He's a lovely dog @Nice Christmas baubles. With regards to agility if you start with local 'fun' classes rather than those aimed at proper competition then just make sure they know his age and don't try to push him too much until he has physically matured. They are often great fun and friendly groups (that's how I started off in agility with a previous dog, and the group and 'teacher' were great), but some are run by people with a bit less understanding of breed maturing rates and the importance of not over doing it with youngsters. I expect you will be good at advocating for him though so it's unlikely to be a problem.

He sounds like a smart dog who would probably give anything a go, so is there a discipline that sounds particularly appealing to you (you need to enjoy it too!)? If you aren't interested in competing seriously then almost every sport is accessible without you needing to be very full of energy or fit (although I'm not suggesting you aren't!), I was still going to agility on crutches and the dog still had a great time.

I have relatives in Berkshire (one family has Norfolk terriers so are dog aware) so I will ask if they have any recommendations, although I think they just take part in training classes. In this part of the country agility (and other sports) are often run from riding schools (particularly those with indoor maneges), so it might be worth looking on local yard SM pages.

Edited for spelling.

 

[nikicb]

Highly recommend Stuart and Emma:

Thatcham DTC

thatcham-dtc.club

Thank you - I have checked the location and it is 35 minutes drive from me (other side of Newbury), but is definitely doable.

He's a lovely dog @Nice Christmas baubles. With regards to agility if you start with local 'fun' classes rather than those aimed at proper competition then just make sure they know his age and don't try to push him too much until he has physically matured. They are often great fun and friendly groups (that's how I started off in agility with a previous dog, and the group and 'teacher' were great), but some are run by people with a bit less understanding of breed maturing rates and the importance of not over doing it with youngsters. I expect you will be good at advocating for him though so it's unlikely to be a problem.

He sounds like a smart dog who would probably give anything a go, so is there a discipline that sounds particularly appealing to you (you need to enjoy it too!)? If you aren't interested in competing seriously then almost every sport is accessible without you needing to be very full of energy or fit (although I'm not suggesting you aren't!), I was still going to agility on crutches and the dog still had a great time.

I have relatives in Berkshire (one family has Norfolk terriers so are dog aware) so I will ask if they have any recommendations, although I think they just take part in training classes. In this part of the country agility (and other sports) are often run from riding schools (particularly those with indoor maneges), so it might be worth looking on local yard SM pages.

Edited for spelling.

Thanks for the comprehensive reply. I am definitely confident enough to advocate for him if I felt that he was being pushed too much. In terms of what I want to do..... I am not overly competitive against other people, but I do like some structure to training. Horse wise I do dressage, and I enjoy working on things to better myself and my horse, and feeling like we are making progress. So for example, that could be teaching Kip to weave accurately, even if he isn't the fastest. I would definitely like to try agility - my husband did some with his cocker spaniel, but the equipment he bought is gathering dust in the shed as they (he!) prefer to run together, so it would be nice to at least give it a go. And Hoopers sounds fun in its own right as well as being something to lead onto agility. Ringcraft appeals to me as well as I really do like polite animals - my real life friends on here will not be surprised at me saying that!! That doesn't mean they can't have fun as well, but I think manners are very important, because if animals know how they are expected to behave in certain situations, then it can improve their confidence - I guess I am talking about well defined boundaries here. But I am also really interested in giving scent work and mantrailing a go - I am sure he would love it, but other than watching my dog have fun, I don't know enough about it to know whether it would be something that would pique my interest enough. I guess I need to do a taster session. Less keen on the terrier racing - I think I want something he can use his brain for, and it all sounds a bit chaotic and instinct driven if that makes sense, but happy to be proved wrong.

ETA, yes if your Berkshire relatives have any specific recommendations, that would be fab, thank you. x

I took Kip and Luna to the secure dog wood today and tried him with coming to a whistle for the first time - I think he did pretty well. I like to have them whistle trained so that it makes it easier for house sitters etc. as it's a clear and distinct signal.

 

[SilverLinings]

I have noticed from your riding posts that you are a precise, dedicated and focused person with regards to animal training, so I can see why ringcraft/obedience type work appeals, and having the structure of a regular class/goal (I really enjoyed that structure with my dogs).

As you have some agility equipment already maybe you could have a try at home and, as you said, work on correctness with e.g. weaves which would be a better approach than height/speed at his age anyway. There is also the obedience element of using commands and aiming for accuracy and good timing.

I have emailed my second cousins in Berks and will let you know if they have any recommendations for classes/groups. They are in the Newbury area so hopefully any suggestions would be local enough for you.

 

[nikicb]

I have noticed from your riding posts that you are a precise, dedicated and focused person with regards to animal training, so I can see why ringcraft/obedience type work appeals, and having the structure of a regular class/goal (I really enjoyed that structure with my dogs).

As you have some agility equipment already maybe you could have a try at home and, as you said, work on correctness with e.g. weaves which would be a better approach than height/speed at his age anyway. There is also the obedience element of using commands and aiming for accuracy and good timing.

I have emailed my second cousins in Berks and will let you know if they have any recommendations for classes/groups. They are in the Newbury area so hopefully any suggestions would be local enough for you.

It's quite scary how someone I have never met can sum me up so well!! Thank you so much for messaging your cousins, I really appreciate it. From the dog agility I have observed at 'Olympia' for example, I can see how much obedience and accuracy works. You can have the fastest dog, but if they don't 'listen' to their handlers, it can all fall apart very easily. I guess it's the same as accuracy and correct training versus flashy paces in dressage. I strive for the former, and at least sometimes beat those with the latter!

 

[Teaselmeg]

Highly recommend Stuart and Emma:

Thatcham DTC

thatcham-dtc.club

Noooo, my dog was attacked at an agility class there, finished his agility career before it had even started

 

[Teaselmeg]

Check out Kate Bowsher dog Training, you can do scent work/agility / general classes etc there. Based between Newbury and Reading.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

I think you should send him to me where he’d be occupied with big walks in the woods and playfighting with the youngsters, scruffy terrier is just what I need! He’s gorgeous!

Sensibly, I think mantrailing sounds like fun.

 

[Indy]

I'd leave weaves till his a bit older, unless your just going t practice his entry through two poles or maybe running through a channel

 

[Squeak]

Noooo, my dog was attacked at an agility class there, finished his agility career before it had even started

Really surprised to hear that and sorry to hear your experience, perhaps it was a really unlucky accident? As I know people do search this forum for reference and recommendations I will just add to balance yours or provide another experience that I trained with him for years and have known others who have as well and who compete at the top level in agility. I've been trying to find another trainer who was even a patch on him since I moved too far away.

 

[SilverLinings]

@Nice Christmas baubles I have had an email back from my cousins (I think they are technically my second cousins once removed) and apparently the trainer they used for their dogs (who are now 8 and 5) moved away at the beginning of last year. They don't do agility/hoopers/scent work with their terriers but have said they will ask a couple of friends with dogs whether they can recommend a trainer, and will let me know the details if any one is suggested. Sorry that isn't very helpful for you, but I will let you know if they do hear of anyone.

 

[Teaselmeg]

Really surprised to hear that and sorry to hear your experience, perhaps it was a really unlucky accident? As I know people do search this forum for reference and recommendations I will just add to balance yours or provide another experience that I trained with him for years and have known others who have as well and who compete at the top level in agility. I've been trying to find another trainer who was even a patch on him since I moved too far away.

These days anyone who trains with him and competes at any level also trains with another trainer as well. I clocked the dog straight away as being unpleasant and the owner was hanging on for grime death. I had put a lot of distance and some jump wings between us and this dog, the dog sought my boy out ( young and entire) and flattened both of us, damaging his hip and ruining his confidence around agility equipment. He claimed the dog was fine the week before and was more worried about the owner of the dog who went home in tears. Since this incident two other people had told me their dogs have been attacked at his classes.