According to a November 4 email from Donna DeVoist, the early run of dry fall weather in central New York is promising enough that she will try to fit in one more lure coursing date in Afton, N.Y. This workshop joins the schedule of lure coursing dates already scheduled in November for Pawsitively Fun in Freeville, N.Y. The newest lure coursing workshop is scheduled for the Houndstooth Bark Park in Afton NY on Sunday, Nov. 20, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Late in October, DeVoist announced three November workshops in Freeville at Janet Frand's Pawsitively Fun Training Center, 930 West Dryden Rd. Pawsitively Fun is about 55 miles southwest of Syracuse near Ithaca. The Houndstooth Bark Park, 1473 State Highway 7, Afton, is about 90 miles southeast of Syracuse near Bainbridge in the Southern tier.
DeVoist provides an online sign-up sheet at the Wyldepups website. Readers can enter their preferred time slot directly in the sheet for the workshop they'd like to attend.
The new lure coursing workshop joins these November dates:
- Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2:30 – 5:30 p.m., Pawsitively Fun, Freeville, N.Y.
- Saturday, Nov. 12, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Pawsitively Fun, Freeville, N.Y.
- Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2:30 – 5 pm, Pawsitively Fun, Freeville, N.Y.
- (new date) Sunday, Nov. 20, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Houndstooth Bark Park, Afton, N.Y.
Lure coursing is a fast-paced chase sport where dogs run after white plastic bags tied into a line to simulate chasing a rabbit. Coursing is run in an open field, and dogs can run as fast or slow as they want. Although the sport was developed for sight hounds, it also appeals to dogs that love the thrill of the chase. Wyldepups workshops are open to dogs of all breeds, and DeVoist even offers Wyldepups coursing titles to participants.
Wyldepup coursing worskshops can also help owners discover whether their dogs might have a hidden talent for AKC coursing ability test (CA) titles. In spring, 2011, the AKC began offering Coursing Ability Tests for all breeds, including mixed breed AKC Canine Partners. Lake Country Lure Coursers in western New York hosted testing for the first time at central New York's September Wine Country circuit.
According to DeVoist, no special skills or training are required to start a dog in lure coursing. However, the dog must be in good physical condition to handle the speeds and tight cornering required by this demanding sport. Dogs should be warmed up before coursing and cooled down after running the course, which DeVoist explained “can be a simple five-minute walk on leash before and after the run." DeVoist emphasizes both fun and safety in lure-coursing training. All dogs are inspected before they can run, and the trainer reserves the right to refuse to allow the dog to run for safety reasons.
Dogs can get very excited when they see the course. Owners should be prepared to hold them securely on leash or crate them when they are not running. Dogs can not be dog or people aggressive if taking part in this training. DeVoist also specifies that prong, electronic and slip or choke collars are not allowed on either the Pawsitively Fun or Houndstooth training premises.
DeVoist won't run lure coursing workshops in the rain. Participants should call the morning of their workshop if the weather seems questionable. For more information about lure coursing or to participate, email DeVoist. To confirm that coursing will run as scheduled, call DeVoist at 607-648-2696 or 607-343-0377.
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