Lure Coursing Training And Done Just For Fun

[Guest abarnet1]

I have been reading about lure coursing. I am interested in this activity for fun and to provide my retired hound a fun source of exercise. I have read about the LGRA and it being a straight course. Which would be better?? I was wanting to know if there are any retired racer groups that get together and do this for fun. I live in Alabama. Is there any training help on how to get started. I know that we will need to work on recall.... not sure she would come based on her past life. I really do not think she would come no matter how much training we did do, no false trust here.

[TheFullHouse]

I think the nearest groups are in Georgia and Florida. We wanted to get some of our involved but it's just too far to travel for us.

[Guest verthib]

We've done it here in CT. It's a loop course so not much recall needed. They just follow the lure back to me.

 

Edited to add that we didn't do any training. Instinct just took over and they went after the lure. Angus didn't do as well as Gracie but with more practice I'm sure he'll get better. I'm anxious for it to start up this Spring.

Edited January 21, 2012 by verthib

[Guest june]

Probably further for you but here is a really nice place that is all about the dogs having fun.

 

http://www.lurecoursingfanatics.com/

 

I believe there is also lure coursing done around St. Louis at the Purina Farm.

[cleptogrey]

We've done it here in CT. It's a loop course so not much recall needed. They just follow the lure back to me.

 

Edited to add that we didn't do any training. Instinct just took over and they went after the lure. Angus didn't do as well as Gracie but with more practice I'm sure he'll get better. I'm anxious for it to start up this Spring.

where in ct???? can you pm me the info???

[TwiggysMom]

Probably further for you but here is a really nice place that is all about the dogs having fun.

 

http://www.lurecoursingfanatics.com/

 

I believe there is also lure coursing done around St. Louis at the Purina Farm.

 

I have a friend who brought her Bedlington Terrier up there for this, and they loved it.

 

I met a woman at my vet's office who is involved with LGRA, and wanted to get Twiggy involved but she got osteo a couple months later. I'm not sure if they would allow a tripod to run or not. Twiggy would still love it.

[Guest verthib]

We've done it here in CT. It's a loop course so not much recall needed. They just follow the lure back to me.

 

Edited to add that we didn't do any training. Instinct just took over and they went after the lure. Angus didn't do as well as Gracie but with more practice I'm sure he'll get better. I'm anxious for it to start up this Spring.

where in ct???? can you pm me the info???

 

I just did.

[kudzu]

It's a blast but your hound needs to be in very good shape to course safely. LGRA is less taxing IMHO. Though you still do not want to let an out of shape hound race they can do it without being in quite as fantastic shape as lure coursing. However, if your hound already gets adequate exercise, isn't over weight & doesn't have long nails you can at least let them run a practice course or two. If your hound enjoys it then you can decide whether you want to do the conditioning needed for a weekend of coursing. We don't have much coursing experience. I'm basically a lazy person so keeping my girl in condition for LGRA was enough. It is my personal opinion that it isn't so much a question of if your dog will be injured while lure coursing but when. To some degree I find the risks worthwhile because nothing else in this world made my girls as happy as the chasing events.

 

My girl did LGRA for a while & loved every minute of it. We also did a little NOTRA. She loved that as well & was actually pretty decent but I think I won't let my others do that except on an actual track like the practice track in Jacksonville. Regardless of whether it was actual competition, practice, fun runs, solo or with other hounds, it really doesn't get any better than watching your hounds do what they love most.

 

Give it a try!

[Guest abarnet1]

She loves to run that is for sure. She has made a track around the yard. I just wish there was some where I could go and see it other than on videos on the internet. I really think she would like it. I am just suprised to see that there are no clubs or fun days in my area. I may have to start a club of my own. If anyone knows of anyone in northern Alabama or near Nashsville area that does coursing that would be great. I guess I need to look into starting a group. I am sure that there is enough dogs in the area that would like it also.

[Guest KennelMom]

You don't need much training for lure coursing greyhounds...they usually figure out what to do pretty quickly. It's mostly about conditioning and, of course, recall. While ASFA and AKC courses start and finish at the same spot, sometimes the lure comes off a pulley or the line breaks and your dog may be 300 or more feet away from you. Most courses are not in fenced in areas b/c you need such a large area to set up a course. Heck, it's hard enough to find suitable land to begin with for most clubs.

 

As for starting a club...you can really hurt some dogs if you don't know what you're doing. Lure operation is key for safe(er) coursing. And, with greyhounds, as someone mentioned it's not usually *if* your dog will get hurt, but when. These dogs tend to run out of their feet and end up with toe injuries from blown pads to sprung toes. Unconditioned dogs can really get hurt. I'd recommend spending some time learning from an existing club before you buy equipment to start your own. I've watched hundreds of courses over the years and I wouldn't feel comfortable being a lure operator without specific training.

 

LGRA definitely requires less conditioning, since it's only 200 yards of a straight sprint, vs 600-1000+ yards of straights and turns in lure coursing. But, you can still get injuries doing that. These are performance animals and any time they run there's a chance for injury. Proper conditioning of the animal, proper field conditions, proper course design and proper lure operation are all important for safe running.

 

Most of these sports will probably require travel, unless you are lucky enough to live in an area that has an active club. I have to drive a 2-3 hours to the Atlanta area to run my dogs in ASFA coursing...it's usually a weekend event. A FUN weekend event, but definitely an investment of time, energy and money. Totally worth it. Unfortunately, I've not been able to keep my dogs properly conditioned, plus they're all getting older so I haven't run them in a year or more.

 

I'm most familiar with ASFA since that's generally what I've run my dogs in and their site has a list of clubs. You can also get on the coursing yahoo list to learn more about the sport and upcoming field trials. I love the sport and I miss it terribly...the people are wonderful and I've made a lot of good friends and memories over the years. There's something incredibly rewarding about working with your dog for weeks and months to prepare them for a trial and then to watch them tear up the field and do what every fiber of their being drives them to do. Been brought to tears more than once by the poetry of my dogs coursing.

 

My little black bitch, Echo who has ruined me for all other greyhounds. I tell her all the time that I don't think I'll ever find another greyhound with her heart for coursing

 

As for fun vs competition...from the dog's perspective, it's always for fun. They don't care about ribbons or titles. When I stopped caring, it got a LOT more fun for me too!

Edited January 22, 2012 by KennelMom

[kudzu]

GANG holds some events in Calhoun, GA. http://www.gangcoursing.org/ We went up to GANG park once for box practice & they also had a practice lure course. My girl had a fabulous time. She did the boxes a few times & ran the bigger course, following it all up with some free running. The smile didn't leave her face for a couple days.

 

For anyone interested in finding events or contacts to clubs you might check the following organizations:

ASFA-American Sighthound Field Association http://asfa.org/

LGRA-Large Gazehound Racing Association http://www.lgra.org/

NOTRA-National Oval Track Racing Association http://notra.org/

AKC http://www.akc.org/events/lure_coursing/

 

Also, Whippet clubs hold events that may include practice runs open to all breeds. So check for Whippet folks in your area. You may also find events &/or clubs in your area via the Whippet racing associations:

WRA-Whippet Racing Assoc. http://www.whippetracing.org/

NAWRA-North American Racing Assoc. http://www.nawra.com/

CWA-Continental Whippet Alliance http://www.continentalwhippetalliance.com/

 

Its just in the last week I discovered a Whippet racing club that holds CWA events at a location less than an hour from me. Wahoo! Those are just some ideas. I've been known to detour &/or adjust dates for vacations just to find a LGRA event.

[Guest zombrie]

Doolin does LGRA racing, but I would like to get him in better shape. He is in decent shape, but we can do better. Minerva is coming home next weekend and I want to keep her in decent shape as well (her last race at the track is tomorrow).

Any advice on how to get/keep them in good running condition? I'd really like to try NOTRA as well but I want to be confident in their running conditions.

Edited January 22, 2012 by zombrie

[kudzu]

Any advice on how to get/keep them in good running condition? I'd really like to try NOTRA as well but I want to be confident in their running conditions.

I'm far from an expert but long, daily brisks walks seem one of the best things you can do. You also need a place where they can get up to speed for a ... I don't know maybe 100 yards give or take? Do that maybe once a week. Someone else jump on this. I did walks with my girl & got her to the park several times a week. We also did some hiking. During that time we also did obedience classes & agility training. Plus lots & lots of sleep, of course. Guess she was a very well rounded hound in those years.

[Guest IrishGH]

Along with brisk walks I would suggest some "sprint" work. Using a "chuck-it" with tennis balls or a tennis racket to hit balls. I feel this give your Greyhound to chance to work the muscles they use for starts.

 

 

Pat

Edited January 22, 2012 by IrishGH

[Guest abarnet1]

GANG holds some events in Calhoun, GA. http://www.gangcoursing.org/ We went up to GANG park once for box practice & they also had a practice lure course. My girl had a fabulous time. She did the boxes a few times & ran the bigger course, following it all up with some free running. The smile didn't leave her face for a couple days.

 

For anyone interested in finding events or contacts to clubs you might check the following organizations:

ASFA-American Sighthound Field Association http://asfa.org/

LGRA-Large Gazehound Racing Association http://www.lgra.org/

NOTRA-National Oval Track Racing Association http://notra.org/

AKC http://www.akc.org/events/lure_coursing/

 

Also, Whippet clubs hold events that may include practice runs open to all breeds. So check for Whippet folks in your area. You may also find events &/or clubs in your area via the Whippet racing associations:

WRA-Whippet Racing Assoc. http://www.whippetracing.org/

NAWRA-North American Racing Assoc. http://www.nawra.com/

CWA-Continental Whippet Alliance http://www.continentalwhippetalliance.com/

 

Its just in the last week I discovered a Whippet racing club that holds CWA events at a location less than an hour from me. Wahoo! Those are just some ideas. I've been known to detour &/or adjust dates for vacations just to find a LGRA event.

 

I will have to check out the links. Thanks for all the information. :)

[Guest KennelMom]

We do a lot of "road work"...basically a loooooooot of brisk walking. Miles and miles of brisk walking. It's easier on their feet and joints. Short sprints a couple times a week. Longer sprints sessions/free runs once a week (like playgroup). Once the season begins, choose shorter courses and only do one day and work them up to longer courses and multiple days.

[Brindles]

Any advice on how to get/keep them in good running condition? I'd really like to try NOTRA as well but I want to be confident in their running conditions.

I'm far from an expert but long, daily brisks walks seem one of the best things you can do. You also need a place where they can get up to speed for a ... I don't know maybe 100 yards give or take? Do that maybe once a week. Someone else jump on this. I did walks with my girl & got her to the park several times a week. We also did some hiking. During that time we also did obedience classes & agility training. Plus lots & lots of sleep, of course. Guess she was a very well rounded hound in those years.

Walking and sprinting. Massages with liniment. Proper nutrition. Same things we do for the racers would be beneficial for coursing.

Edited January 22, 2012 by Brindles

[JJNg]

Great information above. I participate in lure coursing and amateur racing with my dogs, and even though they're all getting older and no longer competitive, we still go just to have fun. I'm in SC and don't travel much more than about 4 hrs, so we mostly go to events in SC, NC, and GA. Haven't ventured as far as AL and TN, but I know there are some events in TN. There's also a lot in the Atlanta area.

 

The links kudzu provided will help you find events in your area. I would also like to add the site for a fairly new organization that holds events in the Atlanta area:

NLCC-National Lure Coursing Club http://www.nationalcoursing.com/

 

There is also a fairly new club that holds mostly NOTRA races in Midway, TN called SET (Sighthounds of East Tennessee). I don't believe they have a website, but you should be able to find their contact info and schedule on the NOTRA site. But if you have trouble finding it, let me know, and I can put you in touch with them.

 

As others have mentioned, LGRA straight racing is probably the safest of all the events for a retired racer who isn't in peak physical condition. My boy Wiki doesn't get to run in lure coursing anymore because he kept hurting his toes on the sharp turns. I still let him do straight runs on a limited basis, and he also gets to race when we go down to Jacksonville, FL where they hold NOTRA meets on a greyhound training track since the sand track is easier on his toes.

 

As far as I know, our club in Camden, SC (SOL-Sighthounds on the Lam) is the only one holding LGRA meets in the southeast, but I imagine that might be too far for you. SET has a weekend where 1 day is whippet straight racing (I think it's in Oct), and they would probably let a greyhound practice. And while the CWA club in GA is a whippet club, they will let other breeds practice at their meets and practices. Here's a direct link to their site: Georgia Rag Racing

 

While lure coursing and racing come with the potential risk of injury as with any athletic event, it is truly thrilling to watch our hounds do what they were bred to do, especially when you see how much they enjoy it. I just posted some photos of my guys, taken by a professional photographer, running in GA last month. You can see them in my Photobucket album here.