AKC Rally v WCRL

[Knubbsy]

My neurotic little rescue Sheltie finished her RE this May but we’re moving and the new training center offers both AKC and WCRL. DH doesn’t love the $$$ entry fees for RAE and RM so wouldn’t mind switching venues. She needs a job and hates straight obedience, no one is close to continue herding, teeters are her nemesis as is water… I don’t need to stick with AKC, we just need a job. Even with several sports she figured out how to open all the doors in the house (unless locked, she hasn’t figured out keys and deadbolts yet) and food puzzles are embarrassingly easy for her (or she throws them down the stairs to get to the food.)

For those who have done both AKC and WCRL - is there a personality more suited to one over the other? Pluses? Minuses?

[Where_sMyWhite]

Not rally but if your girl “needs a job” have you considered nose work/scent work or barn hunt?

Barn Hunt needs more “props” (hay/straw bales) and rats so often you need to find a place/person to train with.

Nose work (generic) needs far fewer “props” as training, other than boxes/containers/buried, can be done just about anywhere once your dog is on odor. What odors and elements you work are based on which actual nose work venues you choose (and there are many, AKC, NACWS, PSD to name a few).

You can learn at home from online classes (I train using Fenzi Dog Sports Academy). Once the dogs get the hang of playing the game, it does keep them busy and thinking. Good for confidence building. I also like it because the dog really is in charge In competition (which means sometimes you practice this way) neither you nor the dog knows where the odor is hidden. Your dog needs to tell you where it is

Many examples of nose work on YouTube

[Knubbsy]

@Where'sMyWhite

Not rally but if your girl “needs a job” have you considered nose work/scent work or barn hunt?

Barn Hunt needs more “props” (hay/straw bales) and rats so often you need to find a place/person to train with.

Nose work (generic) needs far fewer “props” as training, other than boxes/containers/buried, can be done just about anywhere once your dog is on odor. What odors and elements you work are based on which actual nose work venues you choose (and there are many, AKC, NACWS, PSD to name a few).

You can learn at home from online classes (I train using Fenzi Dog Sports Academy). Once the dogs get the hang of playing the game, it does keep them busy and thinking. Good for confidence building. I also like it because the dog really is in charge In competition (which means sometimes you practice this way) neither you nor the dog knows where the odor is hidden. Your dog needs to tell you where it is

Many examples of nose work on YouTube

We’ve tried nosework and it’s been less than promising, We’ve tried the games through Fenzi as well as did a little in person with our o class (most are instructors who have tried nosework at some point or another.) For whatever reason she just doesn’t get a spark with it. I’ve tried it a couple times and methods as she’s aged (adolescents, early adulthood, technically senior at 7, etc) and nothing. She “got” scent discrimination when we were trying to train for utility but didn’t enjoy it. Thanks for the suggestion though!

[Where_sMyWhite]

Wonder if she would like Barn Hunt?

While it is a “scent” sport, IMO, slightly different that the AKC/NASCW/PSD nosework.

Was just thinking of ideas that might work to keep her busy. When you did try nosework, did you progress to where she was having to “play the game” and really search an area? (vs the discrimination in UT)?

Reason I also suggested nosework is I recently did a presentation to a group of people, one of which did agility. She thought I should mention that a + for nosework is the lack of “props” that are needed and larger choice of “venues” in which to play the ‘game’.

Hope you find something that works for your pup and your DH

[Knubbsy]

She might like barn hunt, she hasn’t been exposed to rats so who knows what her instinct is like - she loves squirrels and rabbits though so maybe.

DH just needs to get over his hang ups with spending money on intangible things.

Thanks!

[Where_sMyWhite]

The down side with BH is that the rats are hidden in heavy duty PVC piping so they are not visible. The tubes are hidden and not visible either. Some dogs with a strong ‘hunt’ don’t like BH because the rats don’t really move around. I’d give it a try with a trainer that is good at starting dogs on rats and see how it goes.

One of the things I personally like about the nosework sports like AKC and NAWCS is that you are allowed to reward when the dog alerts (actually, you can reward/praise your dog anytime you want to). BH, no treats in the ring. My one BT is a bit of a mercenary and stopped telling me where the rats were. I’m pretty sure he knew, he just didn’t bother because of the lack of a reward.

Both my boys like nosework because there is payment upon identifying the source

Dog sports are intangible things but great fun - I’m on your side!!! At least dogs are cheaper than competing horses