This is NOT a full list of dog sports available in the Treasure Valley, but a good place to start if you want to get involved in sports with your dog. We do NOT run any of these sports; we just provide a reference list for your convenience. We do NOT include multiple private obedience training classes and facilities. Here, you can find fun dog sports from non-profits. HAVE FUN WITH YOUR DOG!
Rally - Think of an AKC Rally event as any team sport: you and your dog navigate a course side-by-side, steering him through a series of 10-20 different signs. Each sign provides instructions for the next skill to be performed. The dog and handler move continuously throughout the course with the dog under control at the handler’s left side. There is a clear sense of teamwork between the dog and handler both during and between the numbered signs. Although each performance is timed, having a good race time is not the goal; it’s all about working as a team while performing the skills, with the dog under control. Check out Rally rules and other resources from AKC here: www.akc.org/sports/rally/
If you want to quickly and painlessly learn all Rally signs and how to train your dogs to do Rally with you, we recommend taking Rally Novice and Rally Advanced courses from ICCKC (Idaho Capital City Kennel Club). Besides offering great classes, they also provide no-commitment drop-in practices for just $5 per dog. Check out their website here: www.icckc.org/classes-events-at-training-center
We feel like Rally is one of the most useful sports. Beginning Rally is pretty much high-skilled heeling with elements of Obedience. You'd be surprised how many of those skills you use maneuvering through a busy store or a crowd in the park with your dog! Check out Zima's Rally run below. Zima looks a bit chunky here being 5 weeks into her pregnancy.
If you want to quickly and painlessly learn all Rally signs and how to train your dogs to do Rally with you, we recommend taking Rally Novice and Rally Advanced courses from ICCKC (Idaho Capital City Kennel Club). Besides offering great classes, they also provide no-commitment drop-in practices for just $5 per dog. Check out their website here: www.icckc.org/classes-events-at-training-center
We feel like Rally is one of the most useful sports. Beginning Rally is pretty much high-skilled heeling with elements of Obedience. You'd be surprised how many of those skills you use maneuvering through a busy store or a crowd in the park with your dog! Check out Zima's Rally run below. Zima looks a bit chunky here being 5 weeks into her pregnancy.
Scent Work - AKC Scent Work is a sport that mimics the task of working detection dogs to locate a scent (e.g., explosives or narcotics) and communicate to the handler that the scent has been found. Scent Work is a positive, challenging activity that allows dogs the opportunity to use their strongest natural sense in a way that’s fun, engaging, and builds and strengthens a foundation of trust between the handler and dog. The AKC Scent Work sport includes four elements: Interior, Exterior, Containers, and Buried. Get more information on AKC Scent Work here: www.akc.org/sports/akc-scent-work/We are taking classes with our dogs with Hallie McMullen, a local AKC ScentWork judge. Her email is [email protected]. Contact her, come to practices, get involved. Maybe Scent Work will be your next hobby? We guarantee that your dog will love it!
Another ScentWork training option in the area is offered by Dino Candelaria, who is also an AKC ScentWork judge. Her email is [email protected]. Contact her for class times and availability.
The video below shows Beretta's failed first run of the Advanced level Exterior search. She found one hide but lied about the second one. When the judge said that Beretta is wrong, Beretta turned and looked at her like, "Are you sure you know what you're talking about? I am pretty sure it's here." Also, it's cool how everything is so color-coordinated in this video - it was totally meant to be on our website, matches so well :)
We don't always fail, lol. Below is a video of 8-month-old Sig passing the Novice level Interior search. He is such a baby, getting all distracted, but still passes it in 1 minute.
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Barn Hunt - Barn Hunt is the new and rapidly growing dog sport catching fire across the country! It is based on the traditional roles of many breeds in ridding farms, barns, crop storage areas, and homes of destructive vermin. Some breeds were specifically created to fill this role, and for many of those breeds, Barn Hunt provides their first true opportunity for responsible breeders to test proper working traits in their dogs. Barn Hunt is also open to any dog of any breed or mix who wishes to play the game and can fit through an 18" wide by bale-height tall tunnel. Barn Hunt has titles, levels of increasing difficulty, and championships. While it is an independent sport, titles are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).In the Treasure Valley, we are lucky enough to have the opportunity to practice, play, and even compete in Barn Hunt for a very affordable price. Dogs have a blast! This mental stimulation is what dogs need in addition to all the running and jumping they do for physical exercise. Come check it out—no experience needed. Awesome instructors will guide you whether you just want to play or if you want to compete. Join the Treasure Valley Rat Hunters group on Facebook for schedules of Fun Days, Practices, and Trials in the Emmett location.
See the video below of Beretta running novice Barn Hunt practice on 09/07/19 with our 12-year-old learning how to handle the dog—a double newbie run. Just a note: the whining is not from Beretta, it's from Sig who wanted to go hunt so bad he couldn't wait his turn!
See the video below of Beretta running novice Barn Hunt practice on 09/07/19 with our 12-year-old learning how to handle the dog—a double newbie run. Just a note: the whining is not from Beretta, it's from Sig who wanted to go hunt so bad he couldn't wait his turn!
Herding - you can start your dog off with a non-competitive herding test that will measure his basic instinct and trainability. The initial test is called the 'Instinct Test,' and your dog doesn’t need any training before entering this class. The judge is merely looking for the dog’s ability to move and control livestock by fetching or driving. Check out AKC resources on herding; after all, German Shepherds were created for herding and they LOVE it: www.akc.org/sports/herding/A local farm that offers herding training, farm dog tests, and other fun events is K-J Ranch. Contact them for great herding fun with your dog.