So Your Dog Is Finished…Now What?

By Cheslie Pickett

The completion of a dog’s AKC championship title is a special, marked moment in a dog’s career and often a time to celebrate the end of this journey. For some single dog owners that enjoy competition and events with their dog, this journey can end far too soon. Luckily, there are an assortment of events and activities that are available to active owners looking to enjoy time with their dog; beyond finishing it’s championship. There are even more unique activities reachable to owners, besides the very popular and enjoyable sports of agility, obedience and fly ball.

One of the more obvious ways to continue competing with a new champion is to pursue an AKC Grand Championship title. To obtain a Grand Championship title, a dog must win a total of 25 points, with three majors under three different judges. The same point schedule is used as for Championships.  For continued competition, AKC offers achievement levels of bronze, silver, gold, and platinum.  More information on AKC’s Grand Championship title can be found here. Showing towards an AKC Grand Championship will give your dog and yourself more ring experience and practice.  It also keeps the exhibitor involved in a competitive event, while also requiring the exhibitor to continue a conditioning regimen for the dog that was used to earn the AKC Championship . Also, to fine tune a dog’s showmanship and socialization, exhibitors can continue going to training classes with their new champion.

Another new and unique AKC title available to all breeds is the Coursing Ability Title obtained through passing the Coursing Ability Test three times, where in a dog must pursue a lure with enthusiasm, no interruption, and within a specific time. I personally witnessed this new event at a recent show and was excited by the keen interest that exhibitors were taking in this event.   After showing in conformation, many exhibitors were taking dogs of all breeds over to the lure coursing trial, to see if their dog had any interest whatsoever in the lure by taking the Coursing Ability Test – to some surprise, many of the dogs showed a great enjoyment partaking in this event.

There are several organizations that certify Therapy Dogs, including the AKC. This can be a very fulfilling activity to participate in with your dog. It is extremely rewarding for your dog to provide comfort to those who need it the most – and of course, the dogs enjoy the attention too.  Nursing homes and hospitals are often open to utilizing therapy dogs as aids for their patient’s morale.

These activities are examples of a way to continue a journey with your dog. Although a dog’s championship title is complete, there are many other realms of competition and ways to enjoy your dog. Also, participating in these events after completing a championship can provide time for a dog to mature before furthering a serious specials career.  These are just a few ideas of how to remain active with your dog, however your own personal interests and your dogs temperament may make way for even more activities to partake in with your dog.

Short URL: http://caninechronicle.com/?p=30625

Posted by chesliepickett on Aug 21 2013. Filed under Blog Post. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.