Coach dog classes?

[Quelah]

I know quite a few shows have “carriage dog” classes, but has anyone ever seen a coach dog class? The difference being that a carriage dog rides in the cart or carriage, and a coach dog runs next to or behind it.

Our one pleasure show here in California that has a carriage dog class specifically forbids dogs on the ground in the class. I can completely understand this, many people have a hard time controlling their dogs on a leash, it’s probably 1 in 100 (if that!) that truly have off leash voice control in a stimulating environment such as a horse show.

I guess this falls in my “I wish, I wish” category because my male German Shepherd is a German import and got his Schutzhund III title in Germany. He really is that well trained and while I’d love to do a carriage dog class with him, if I put him in the cart with me, I think the cup would runneth over, lol!

I thought about asking the show manager where they have the carriage dog class if I could audition so to speak, and demonstrate that yes, he’s really that well trained. The problem with that idea is that while I have complete control over my dog, back to that “Most people have a hard time controlling their leashed dogs” thing. If someone’s dog got loose/was loose (why don’t people obey leash rules at shows-that could have it’s own thread) and came after him, well that could get messy, he’s entitled to defend himself.

Anyway, has anyone ever seen a coach dog class in the States? I know there are whole clubs that do it in the UK, mostly dalmatians of course. I think it would be really neat to see.

[MunchingonHay]

Years and years ago when I was a little kiddo, Devon in Pa. used to allow carriage dogs to run under the axles of their carriages/coaches. This was when the start of the marathon was at BlackBurn BlackBird? Farm. (The original starting place) And most of these dogs were Dalmatians.

I don’t remember there being an actual “dog class” they were just there.

But again I was like 5-10 yrs old so its been awhile.

I think now, most carriage dog classes place the dog on the box with the driver.

[butlerfamilyzoo]

Actually, the Aiken pleasure show dog class specifically states that the dog can be in OR OUT of the carriage. I didnt see any having them out of the carriage this year. My dog too could run alongside and i really thought about it, i showed a mini, so throw a full grown australian shepherd on the cart, and well, i dont have foot room… I decided not to because i knew my husband and son would be next to the ring taking photos, and though he’s a great dog, he might of blown me off and went to sit by dad in the middle of the class… lol

So i think it depends on the show. But asking couldnt hurt, especially if you show your dog has performance titles. That’s a far cry from the average un-trained dog. My dog has conformation CH’s, so i know what you mean, i HATE HATE HATE that people cant teach their dogs how to behave… Hate it even more when you have issues at a DOG show from professionals who should know better!

HOWEVER, that being said, i would be VERY concerned with the level of your dog’s training when it comes to someone with a non-trained dog that jumps off their vehicle to investigate your dog. The Aiken rules stated that the dog could not be restrained if sitting on the cart, no leashes, etc… So it wouldnt take much for one to decide it was done with the ride… I know dog personalities all differ greatly. I’ve got a dog breeder friend with GSDs with their Schutzhund IIIs and i wouldnt trust them with my dog any closer than 10ft of them, or my son for that matter… The flip side of that though is she also has a couple of those that are certified therapy dogs, and those two are a whole different story, i would steal them in a heartbeat! So in your case, i would be more concerned about liability issues should another dog or even human provoke your dog, as you said, your dog has a right to defend himself, but like military personnel, he’s also trained to defend himself and a judge will not judge in your favor for unleashing a “weapon.” People are idiots…

[China_Doll]

ADS rules state that the dog can be in the carriage or running next to it like Butterfly mentioned

[Quelah]

butler you make a very good point, and it’s one I well considered when I thought of even taking him to a show.

He is much more like your friend’s therapy dogs, he’s actually SO mellow it was a source of frustration to me when I got him, lol! I would say he is less likely to bite undirected than 99% of dogs in the U.S. Unless you’re wearing a bite suit and swinging a club, you’re pretty safe.

He is trustworthy with small children and elderly chickens

I have been in the position of a loose dog attacking him, at a gas station, I had him on leash to go potty and an Australian Cattle Dog bailed out of someone’s pickup bed and attacked him. I remember thinking, leash or no, this is going to be my fault because he’s twice the size of the ACD and is a GSD. Fortunately neither dog was injured, and he released immediately when I told him too, gotta love that off switch.

Actually, writing this out and thinking about it reminded me of why I long ago decided I had best not take him to a driving show. As a Schutzhund dog trained in Germany, he is also whip trained. A cracking whip is used to excite the dogs and get them ready for bite work.

I remember being at a CDE in California a couple of years ago and one of the Advanced competitor’s horses (who was just done) refused to go into the arena for the cones course. He really laid into the horse with the whip (yes, I filed a complaint, and yes, the judge did something about it). I remember looking at my husband rolling my eyes and he said “You’re wishing you had your dog right now aren’t you?”

All I would have had to do was drop the leash and say go, and the whip wouldn’t have been in the driver’s hand anymore, lol!

Or…maybe I should take him to driving shows, he could be the canine TD, judge, jury, and executioner on excessive use of the whip

[fivesocks]

[QUOTE=Quelah;6021782]

Or…maybe I should take him to driving shows, he could be the canine TD, judge, jury, and executioner on excessive use of the whip ;)[/QUOTE]

That’s a great idea, but expand it to all disciplines that allow whips and crops!