Golden Retrievers are very talented! They often excel at everything they do.
Here are some of the Sports and Activities you and your Golden can enjoy together!
Here are some of the Sports and Activities you and your Golden can enjoy together!
Agility
Comet breezes through the weave polls
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Cameo flying high
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Agility is a high energy sport in which the dog runs through a course of obstacles such as tunnels, weave poles, jumps, A frame, teeter, dog walk etc. in a timed session. It can be great fun for both the dog and the handler who work together.
Agility also has jumpers courses which involve a series of jumps against a timer. The dog relies on you for direction and cues. In competition, these are called trials.
Agility can be done at home, in a class for fun or it is a sport you can compete in and earn titles. Your dog can earn titles from the novice to masters levels or even a championship called a MACH.
For more information about agility go to www.akc.org
Agility also has jumpers courses which involve a series of jumps against a timer. The dog relies on you for direction and cues. In competition, these are called trials.
Agility can be done at home, in a class for fun or it is a sport you can compete in and earn titles. Your dog can earn titles from the novice to masters levels or even a championship called a MACH.
For more information about agility go to www.akc.org
Barn Hunt
Barn Hunt is like a game of hide and seek. It combines the dog’s sense of smell and agility as the dog hunts for a rat or rats in bales of hay. (Note: the rats are safe inside vented tubes). The dog must accomplish the obstacles and find the rat(s) in a specified amount of time.
It is another opportunity to have fun with and bond with your dog. There are titles you can work toward, if you desire, such as novice, open, senior and master as well as a championship called a RATCH. In addition, there is a course called Crazy 8’s that anyone can try.
For more information go to www.akc.org
It is another opportunity to have fun with and bond with your dog. There are titles you can work toward, if you desire, such as novice, open, senior and master as well as a championship called a RATCH. In addition, there is a course called Crazy 8’s that anyone can try.
For more information go to www.akc.org
Canine Good Citizen
Many people take their puppy to class for socialization, a very helpful step. The STAR puppy medallion, although not a title, is the beginning of the CGC series. It is not, however, required to test at the other levels.
CGC or Canine Good Citizen is all about having a well-trained family dog. It is offered at many venues and there are many evaluators available to conduct this test. You and your dog complete a series of tasks such as meeting a friendly stranger, walking politely through a door, or simply walking together. The 10 steps required can be found by looking up the CGC test items or consulting the AKC. The pass/fail test culminates in the title CGC.
CGC is a wonderful foundation and sometimes a prerequisite for therapy dog programs. It can also provide a great starting point for Trick Dog training and titles, if desired.
Once you have completed the CGC, you may move on to take the CGCA, an advance community version and/or the CGCU, an urban version. Each of these is also awarded a title.
While not a part of the CGC series, there is a Farm Dog certification test which is very much like the series, although it is tested in a rural, farm environment. It can be great fun as your dog negotiates hay bales, waits as you feed a horse or chicken and moves calmly past farm animals. This one must be passed twice under two different judges and then earns an FDC (Farm Dog Certification).
CGC or Canine Good Citizen is all about having a well-trained family dog. It is offered at many venues and there are many evaluators available to conduct this test. You and your dog complete a series of tasks such as meeting a friendly stranger, walking politely through a door, or simply walking together. The 10 steps required can be found by looking up the CGC test items or consulting the AKC. The pass/fail test culminates in the title CGC.
CGC is a wonderful foundation and sometimes a prerequisite for therapy dog programs. It can also provide a great starting point for Trick Dog training and titles, if desired.
Once you have completed the CGC, you may move on to take the CGCA, an advance community version and/or the CGCU, an urban version. Each of these is also awarded a title.
While not a part of the CGC series, there is a Farm Dog certification test which is very much like the series, although it is tested in a rural, farm environment. It can be great fun as your dog negotiates hay bales, waits as you feed a horse or chicken and moves calmly past farm animals. This one must be passed twice under two different judges and then earns an FDC (Farm Dog Certification).
Conformation
Conformation is actually the official name for a dog show. Dogs are judged to the standard of their breed. Every breed has standards that keep the canines true to the breed. Many of the champions in conformation are bred in the future.
There are several different classes the dogs move up through by a process of elimination in each breed culminating with one Best of Breed who moves on to compete with other breeds in their group (i.e. Sporting for Goldens). The winners of each of seven groups then go on to Best in Show.
Becoming a champion (CH) in the conformation ring requires a good deal of time and effort. Points must be earned in certain categories as well as major wins over a period of time. All are judged on their particular structure, function and movement.
There are several different classes the dogs move up through by a process of elimination in each breed culminating with one Best of Breed who moves on to compete with other breeds in their group (i.e. Sporting for Goldens). The winners of each of seven groups then go on to Best in Show.
Becoming a champion (CH) in the conformation ring requires a good deal of time and effort. Points must be earned in certain categories as well as major wins over a period of time. All are judged on their particular structure, function and movement.
Dock Diving
Tanner competing in dock diving. Tanner has the following titles: Dock Master (DM), Dock Senior Advanced (DSA), and Dock Junior.
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If your dog likes the water, this may be the sport for you. You and your dog take a turn on a 40 foot dock where he/she waits until you give a command and throw a toy or bumper into the water. The dog runs and jumps into the water grabbing the “toy”. The pool is marked in feet and the length of the jump is called out.
Dogs jump in ranges from Novice to Elite depending on the length of the jump. Once 5 jumps are accomplished within the same range a title is awarded. Regardless you and your dog will have great time both in and out of the water.
For more information go to NADD (North American Diving Dogs) or akc.org
Dogs jump in ranges from Novice to Elite depending on the length of the jump. Once 5 jumps are accomplished within the same range a title is awarded. Regardless you and your dog will have great time both in and out of the water.
For more information go to NADD (North American Diving Dogs) or akc.org
Field
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Field is a sport for retrievers; this is part of their breeding. They love to retrieve and field goes back to the start of the breed. Field trails look at their natural abilities to mark, remember and retrieve both on land and in water. The handler and dog work together to deliver the bird successfully.
Field is a term used by the GRCA (Golden Retriever Club of America) who awards the titles WC and WCX. The AKC also has titles, however they are for hunt tests at Junior to Master levels. The hunt test is judged for each dog whereas the field trial has a winner.
GRCCNY has a very active field group that is always willing to welcome you!
Field is a term used by the GRCA (Golden Retriever Club of America) who awards the titles WC and WCX. The AKC also has titles, however they are for hunt tests at Junior to Master levels. The hunt test is judged for each dog whereas the field trial has a winner.
GRCCNY has a very active field group that is always willing to welcome you!
Obedience
Popcorn excels at Obedience
Obedience is the communication between you and your well trained dog. It encompasses all levels of training. At the beginning levels you and your dog walk together and the dog learns to “heel”, sit, down and stay. As you progress, you do things like directed jumping, figure eights and later discrimination of articles such as dumbbells or gloves.
There are many classes in obedience and in trials as well. The basic or regular classes are Novice (CD), Open (CDX) and Utility( UD), although there are several non-regular classes in between such as beginner, graduate and preferred categories.
There are a variety of titles available in the obedience arena and a championship is also possible called an OTCH.
Whether you decide to compete or not, obedience in some form will always be a part of your life with your dog and the training you do together will make both of you happy. It is the foundation of your communication and bond.
For much more information and detailed descriptions regarding obedience go to akc.org
There are many classes in obedience and in trials as well. The basic or regular classes are Novice (CD), Open (CDX) and Utility( UD), although there are several non-regular classes in between such as beginner, graduate and preferred categories.
There are a variety of titles available in the obedience arena and a championship is also possible called an OTCH.
Whether you decide to compete or not, obedience in some form will always be a part of your life with your dog and the training you do together will make both of you happy. It is the foundation of your communication and bond.
For much more information and detailed descriptions regarding obedience go to akc.org
Rally
Rally is a form of obedience but incorporates so much more. You and your dog go through a course of signs as you talk with him/her throughout. This is a fun sport with less formality and lots of teamwork. The beginning levels are on leash; later you will do courses off lead.
There are several rally classes around the area as well as drop in sessions. You can also purchase signs and enjoy rally at home. If you choose to enter a rally trial the courses include novice all the way to masters and for those who really want to persevere a championship (RACH) is available.
For more information and to view the course signs go to akc.org.
There are several rally classes around the area as well as drop in sessions. You can also purchase signs and enjoy rally at home. If you choose to enter a rally trial the courses include novice all the way to masters and for those who really want to persevere a championship (RACH) is available.
For more information and to view the course signs go to akc.org.
Scent Work
Well we all know our dogs can smell. In fact their sense of smell is more than 10,000 times and up to 100,000 times greater than ours. In scent work, we have to rely on our dog. This can be a fun game and it also builds trust.
The dog searches for a scent (birch, anise, clove, cypress essential oils) that is saturated on a cotton swab and hidden. The dog must find it and indicate its discovery to the handler who then calls it out.
The odor that is searched for depends on the level the team is working at and may be inside, outside or buried. There are many titles available in scent work depending on the level and location.
Dogs that participate in search and rescue or drug sniffing are also doing specific scent work in a job.
Additional information is available at akc.org
The dog searches for a scent (birch, anise, clove, cypress essential oils) that is saturated on a cotton swab and hidden. The dog must find it and indicate its discovery to the handler who then calls it out.
The odor that is searched for depends on the level the team is working at and may be inside, outside or buried. There are many titles available in scent work depending on the level and location.
Dogs that participate in search and rescue or drug sniffing are also doing specific scent work in a job.
Additional information is available at akc.org
Therapy Dog
Therapy dogs are our feel good dogs. There are many different organizations who register or certify therapy dogs. Most include testing, often similar to CGC.
Once recognized, these dogs visit various settings with their owner such as nursing homes, hospitals, senior housing, schools, airports, or libraries. Their job is to comfort, relax and bring smiles to those they interact with. Studies have shown the positive effect the dogs have with these human interactions, including things such as lowering blood pressure.
Therapy dogs will bring you a very rewarding experience as you and your dog volunteer and improve the lives of others.
Once recognized, these dogs visit various settings with their owner such as nursing homes, hospitals, senior housing, schools, airports, or libraries. Their job is to comfort, relax and bring smiles to those they interact with. Studies have shown the positive effect the dogs have with these human interactions, including things such as lowering blood pressure.
Therapy dogs will bring you a very rewarding experience as you and your dog volunteer and improve the lives of others.
Tracking
Here’s the sport where your dog can sniff away. Tracking allows the dog to demonstrate his/her natural ability to follow a scent outside.
A course is laid and your dog, while on a lead, tracks the course to find the “prize, the human scent. When the dog is successful, not only is it fulfilling, but a title is also earned: TD, TDU, TDX, VST and even Champion (CT).
Outside of an official course you and your dog can have great fun moving though the outdoors and seeing your dog do its natural thing.
A course is laid and your dog, while on a lead, tracks the course to find the “prize, the human scent. When the dog is successful, not only is it fulfilling, but a title is also earned: TD, TDU, TDX, VST and even Champion (CT).
Outside of an official course you and your dog can have great fun moving though the outdoors and seeing your dog do its natural thing.
Tricks
Trick dog training is one of AKC’s newer areas. It is a great way to interact mentally and physically with your dog and quite entertaining.
The beginning levels can include things like sit, high five or shake hands. You may then advance to things like jumps or spins or even putting a ball through a hoop. At the highest level you would perform a routine with a script and props.
There are 5 different levels you can earn and it is just you and your dog having fun. No competition involved and plenty of entertaining hours for you and your friends. Your dog will love pleasing you and getting much praise for the accomplishment.
More trick dog info, ideas and even videos at akc.org
The beginning levels can include things like sit, high five or shake hands. You may then advance to things like jumps or spins or even putting a ball through a hoop. At the highest level you would perform a routine with a script and props.
There are 5 different levels you can earn and it is just you and your dog having fun. No competition involved and plenty of entertaining hours for you and your friends. Your dog will love pleasing you and getting much praise for the accomplishment.
More trick dog info, ideas and even videos at akc.org