how to build a small luring course for italian greyhounds

by Cleta Greenfelder 3 min read

Can a greyhound be a Lure Courser?

Conditioning: Lure Coursing is not the same as a run in the back yard. Greyhounds put a hundred percent into coursing and an overweight dog that has been a couch potato for a year since he retired from racing should NOT course until he gets into shape.

Are Italian Greyhounds easy to train?

My method of training Italian Greyhounds includes teaching specific words in specific ways so that your dog not only learns the words but also develops the respectful attitude that makes him happy to obey you. Teach your dog words and he will understand what you say.

How is AKC lure coursing scored?

AKC lure coursing: Coursing dogs are scored by judges on: speed, enthusiasm, agility, endurance, and their ability to follow the lure. Dogs run 2 courses that vary in distance from 600 to 1000 yards; the combined score of both courses determines the winner.

What kind of lures do they use for dog racing?

White plastic bags are used as lures. The hounds are judged on Enthusiasm, Follow, Speed, Agility and Endurance. Courses are usually 600 to 1000 yards. Dogs are hand slipped and are released on the command “Tallyho”, not on lure movement.

How do you set up a lure course for dogs?

3:026:29Lure Coursing 101 - a How-to Video - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe lure that we use is a regular grocery bag white grocery bag and they flutter. They jump theseMoreThe lure that we use is a regular grocery bag white grocery bag and they flutter. They jump these twists and they look like prey. And that's basically what the dog is doing is hunting.

How do you make a coursing machine lure?

1:516:52how to make a lure machine - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo the price does get bumped up quite a bit the ler this was three lengths of coloured rope entwinedMoreSo the price does get bumped up quite a bit the ler this was three lengths of coloured rope entwined fold it in half. And. Then just zip tied.

How much attention do Italian Greyhounds need?

Personality: Italian greyhounds are sweet, gentle, affable dogs that can be needy in their desire for affection. Denied attention, they can become shy, hyper or both. One-person or one-family dogs, they may display an aloof attitude with strangers.

How many walks does an Italian Greyhound need?

Italian Greyhounds are small Sighthounds full of energy and they need good exercise to work it off! A fit and healthy Italian Greyhound will need a minimum of one walk each day lasting an hour. If you can fit in two walks a day then all the better.

How does lure coursing work?

Lure coursing is the sport of having dogs chase a mechanized lure. Modern lure courses use an artificial lure attached to a pulley for dogs to chase. And it's not just for sighthounds anymore – recreational lure coursing clubs have been established for dogs of any breed.

What is a drag lure?

'Drag In A Box' Lure The switch is a handheld speed controller so the drag can be run from a trickle to top speed so you can run the lure at a speed to suit your dog. The lure is made for all none race type dogs from a chihuahua to a great dane to have many hours of fun and keep fit.

What makes an Italian Greyhound happy?

Italian Greyhounds love basking in sunny spots or - even better - being snuggled under the blankets with you, making them the perfect companion dog. They don’t tolerate cold or wet conditions and should not be left outdoors while you are not at home.

Why you shouldn't get an Italian Greyhound?

They do not like being left alone for more than a few hours and tend to express their unhappiness through destructive chewing. Potential health problems. Injuries lead the list, from fractured legs and toes to torn ligaments. Italian Greyhounds also tend to have bad teeth, leading to dental disease.

How many times a day should an Italian Greyhound eat?

A 1/2 cup two times a day might be the right amount for some IGs, but others might only need 1/4 cup two times a day.

Can Italian Greyhounds be off leash?

0:238:20How to Train Your Italian Greyhound to Run OFF LEASH - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThey just won't be able to go full speed. But of course you can't just decide one day to let themMoreThey just won't be able to go full speed. But of course you can't just decide one day to let them run off leash it requires a lot of. Training.

Can you take an Italian Greyhound on a run?

Running Miles: Italian Greyhounds are sprinters rather than distance runners. They will dash across the yard with you or down the street, but they don't make great running partners. Hiking Miles: The Italian Greyhound's fine coat does not protect him from brambles and sticks.

How do you tire out an Italian Greyhound?

The best way to tire out a dog is to make them use their brains. Winter is a great time to get back into or start an obedience class. Look for a class that uses positive rewards of treats. The trainer will be able to assess your dog and tell you which class level your dog is ready for.

What color collar do dogs wear for lure coursing?

The lure will already be moving for a few seconds before the command it given. Dogs wear a colored coursing blanket in pink, blue or yellow and a quick release collar is used, racing muzzles are optional. The lure coursing Tests offer the Junior Courser (JC) and Senior Courser (SC) titles.

How many greyhounds can compete at once?

This is a speed-based event with the fastest dog over three courses declared the winner. Up to 4 greyhounds may compete at a time together.

How tall should a greyhound be?

Numbers should be 4 inches tall. Usually there are other greyhound owners at competitions who will happily share their racing jackets with you when you first start out. For AKC and ASFA lure coursing you need 3 coursing jackets with no numbers in bright pink, yellow and blue.

What is an ASFA lure?

ASFA lure coursing: ASFA is very similar to AKC coursing and is run with up to 3 dogs on a field. Like AKC coursing the lure runs through a series of pulleys that make it run in a pattern similar to that a rabbit would run. White plastic bags are used as lures.

How many points do you need to win a lure coursing trial?

In the lure coursing Trials the dogs can earn a Field Championship (FC) by accumulating 15 points with at least two first place wins of three points or more under two different judges or judging panels and at least one point must be earned in competition with at least one hound of the same breed.

What is a lure in hares?

Lure coursing is similar to hare coursing, minus the rabbit. A lure (usually a white plastic bag on a string) is pulled through a series of pulleys, by a motor, controlled by a lure operator.

How many AKC tests do you need to run a senior courser dog?

For the Senior Courser test the dog must be eligible to run in the Open Stake by virtue of having a Junior Courser title; must run with at least one other dog and must earn a qualifying score at four AKC tests under at least two different judges.

How long does it take for an Italian Greyhound to learn commands?

Generally, you can expect most commands to take around six to twelve weeks for your dog to truly learn. You can often work on more than one command at a time though to speed up the training. You can do this by having 30 to 45-minute training session each day and practicing each new command for about ten to fifteen minutes during each session. The difficulty of the command will also depend on which command you are teaching. Some commands, like 'sit', are very simple and easy, while other commands, like 'handstand', are considerably more difficult.#N#If you use the 'Create the Behavior' method, then be careful to be gentle when you place your pup into a position or apply any form of pressure in order to encourage her to move into the position on her own. The idea is to gently show your pup what to do, not to roughly force her to do it. Because many Italian Greyhounds are sensitive by nature, also be sure to keep the training fun, positive, and rewarding, especially if you are using this method because it depends less on rewards than the other two methods and it can be more intimidating since it involves touch.#N#If you are using the 'Lure the Behavior' method, then once your pup will do the command without the lure, be sure to remove the treats from her sight, so that your pup is depending on your communication and not a bribery to do the command. Then after she does the command you can reward her with a treat from your pocket, a treat pouch, or from your hand behind your back.#N#The 'Capture the Behavior' method works best for teaching your pup to do something that she naturally does on her own but that is hard to physically show her how to do or to lure her into doing. Such behaviors might include: yawning, sneezing, shaking her body, or trying to talk to you. This method can also be used for more common behaviors too, such as: lying down, sitting down, standing up, and going to a bed or a crate.

How to train a dog to be a dog?

To get started you will need lots of small, tasty treats that your pup loves, something to place them into, such as a small plastic bag in your pocket or a treat pouch, a calm location, and any props or tools that are required to teach the specific command that you are training. You will also need good timing, a positive attitude, and consistency. If you are using the 'Lure the Behavior' method, your dog will need to be very motivated by food. If you are using the 'Capture the Behavior' method, then you will need attentiveness and patience. If you are using the 'Create the Behavior' method, you will need gentleness and your pup will need to be comfortable with being touched and handled.

How to teach a dog to be a good dog?

To begin, choose what command you would like to teach your dog first. Grab lots of small treats that she loves and something to place them into, such as a small Ziploc bag or a treat pouch. Go to a calm location with her and get started .

What is an Italian greyhound?

A true Greyhound in miniature, the elegant Italian Greyhound is an alert, playful, and highly affectionate toy companion. IGs make decorative couch dogs, but at heart they are flash-and-dash coursing hounds with an instinct for pursuit. IGs are Greyhounds in miniature more slender, but a greyhound is equal in grace and elegance.

Where did the miniature greyhound come from?

The miniature Greyhound was a popular companion, and perhaps a small-game hunter, throughout southern Europe in the days of the Empire, but the breed came into its own in Renaissance Italy, where owning miniature versions of popular breeds was a status symbol among aristocrats and wealthy strivers.

Can IGs run off lead?

Even obedience-trained IGs should not be allowed off lead outdoors in unfenced areas, since small, moving animals are a huge incentive to run, possibly into danger. A true Greyhound in miniature, the elegant Italian Greyhound is an alert, playful, and highly affectionate toy companion. Click To Tweet.

How to make a lure course for dogs?

You can make your own lure course with a plastic bag and fishing line. Just attach the plastic bag, or possibly a small toy your dog loves, to the fishing line, and then have your pup chase it. You’ll act as the lure operator by pulling the line, let your dog go after, and grab it.

What is a lure coursing dog?

Lure coursing is a sporting event that allows your dog to utilize its innate prey drive in a safe, controlled environment. An artificial lure is made to zig-zag across hundreds of yards of open field to simulate active prey. The dogs chase the lure while making agile turns to follow the pattern.

What do you need for lure coursing?

The primary gear you’ll need for lure coursing is a slip lead and coursing blanket. A slip lead is an easy-on, easy-off style of leash that can be used to let your dog loose in competition quickly. A coursing blanket is draped or worn like a shirt on the dog when they run in the competition.

What are the breed clubs in North America?

Organizations in North America. The active breed clubs in North America are the AKC and ASFA in the United States and the CKC in Canada , so they’ll be the organizations to register your dog. They’re also the main sponsors of lure coursing competitions.

How to avoid a lure coursing injury?

How to Avoid Lure Coursing Injuries. The first step is ensuring your dog has the overall ability to take part in trials. You’ll also want to keep your dog’s nails trimmed, as nail injuries are common, and use Vetrap bandaging on dewclaws if your dog has them.

Why are not all dogs good lure coursers?

Not all dog breeds are meant or ideal for lure coursing because many lack the instinct and hunting agility for the sport, like scent hounds. This is for canines who have a skillful sight and speed, which are mostly sighthounds.

Where did lure coursing originate?

The history of lure coursing goes back much farther than you may assume. Evidence of lure coursing can be found in 4,000-year-old Egyptian writings, so it can be considered an ancient dog sport. Certain dog types are bred for their ability to chase down prey like rabbits, foxes, pigs, and deer.

How old do you have to be to train a dog?

The recommended age to train this kind of puppy is when they are around 10 to 12 weeks old.

Can Italian Greyhounds be trained outside?

Since Italian Greyhounds don’t like a cold, wet or windy environment, it is advisable for trainers to create a space for them outside that can be used as their shelter. And when training a dog, they should be in a secured area so that you can manage them better.

Can you train an Italian Greyhound outside?

But if the weather is always sunny, then outdoor training would be okay. Actually, people can still train them both ways but not at the same time. They should first master one before they can proceed to the other one. This is important so as not to confuse the dog.

How long is a lure course?

A standard lure course is 600-1,000 yards in length. The dog that stays focused on the lure will finish the course from the start to the finish without going off course. The dog must also be focused enough not to interfere with the other dogs running the course.

What is the challenge of owning a sighthound?

One of the challenges in owning a sighthound is finding an activity that takes full advantage of their natural abilities to fix their sights and chase after a target.

What breed of dog is driven by what they can see?

As the breed type suggests, these dogs are driven by what they can see, not what they can smell. Breeds in the sighthound (AKA gazehound) group include Greyhounds (of which there are several types), Italian Greyhounds, Whippets, Basenjis, Sloughis, Azawakhs, Afghan Hounds, Irish Wolfhounds, Salukis, Borzois, Hortaya Borzayas, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, ...

What is a sighthound used for?

Sighthounds were bred and used for sight tracking small game like hares, foxes, and pigs, as well as larger game like deer and antelope. Today, the sport is more likely to use an artificial lure that is made to look like a live animal.

How to train a dog to chase?

Keep the practice coursing simple, with easy turns and low intensity runs. Be sure to reward and praise your dog for giving chase and allow him to “catch” the prey when you are ready to wind the game down so he gains a feeling ...

How old do dogs have to be to race?

Because this intense sport can be hard on a growing dog’s joints, dogs must be at least one year of age before they are allowed to race. And although dogs that have been spayed or neutered are allowed to participate, those with retained testicles are not eligible for competition.

Can sighthounds go leash free?

Many sighthound owners, in fact, cannot go leash free at their local parks for fear that their dogs will catch sight of something and run into the nearest intersection. Lure coursing for fun and sport is an ideal solution for these dogs.