All The Things
All the Fun. All the Time.
We knew we wanted a dog for therapy work but, in true Flat-Coated Retriever style, Suzie is game for all the sports, too. It could be a 3 hour hike to the top of a waterfall, or running Fast CATs, or competing in Rally. It could be water retrieves and frisbee catch, or agility practice, or an ocean swim off a kayak. It could be a romp in the fields or learning to climb playground equipment or a morning of tracking practice.To stay healthy an FCR needs four things: (1) 12-24 hours of mental and physical exercise a week (building in intensity and duration over the first two years); (2) a great diet and plenty of fresh water; (3) safe and comfortable rest for recovery-naps and 7 hours at night; and, (4) a loving family that uses positive training methods, privides regular vet care and weekly grooming, and gives lots of cuddles.
Rally
Dancing Together
It's the obedience sport where you get to do all the communications as you complete in progressively harder courses. Suzie is all about the two-way communication ...and dancing!
Fast CATs
Get the **** Bunny!
Fast CATs are the straight 100 yd dash for dogs with sight hunting instinct. CABT is the figure-8 500-600 yd run. Suzie has clocked 26.26 mph as her highest speed and her average of top three speeds have kept her in 12th place among FCRs in 2021 and 2022. Suzie will have over 1000 pts soon, giving her the FCAT title behind her name. Fast CATs have some incredibly fun people, Suzie loves it, ...and, since we are finished by noon, we take advantage of the beautiful hiking opportunities in Northeastern Oklahoma and Northwestern Arkansas whenever possible.
Agility
Zap, Zoom, Zip, Bang-Pow
Fast CATs are the straight 100 yd dash for dogs with sight hunting instinct. CABT is the figure-8 500-600 yd run. Suzie has clocked 26.26 mph as her highest speed and her average of top three speeds have kept her in 12th place among FCRs in 2021 and 2022. Suzie has over 1000 pts as of March 2023, giving her the FCAT title behind her name. Fast CATs have some incredibly fun people, Suzie loves it, ...and, since we are finished by 11AM, we take advantage of the beautiful hiking opportunities in Northeastern Oklahoma and Northwestern Arkansas.
Tracking
The Nose Knows
Using the nose to find food, things, and people is somethings dogs do best. Their noses are so much more strong and accurate than human noses it's like smelling in full color. Tracking allows a dog to be the boss and lead us to the items that have been hidden by following the smell of footsteps and disturbed foliage. It's really pretty miraculous to watch Suzie engage her nose and lead me to the objects.
