Agility Plus More... Rally, Treiball, Flyball, Barn Hunt

Agility

AKC says, "Running a dog in a trial is the ultimate game for you and your dog and is one of the  most exciting canine sports for spectators.  In a trial, a dog demonstrates its agile nature and versatility by following cues from the handler through a timed obstacle course of jiumps, tunnels, weave poles, and other objects.  It's an activity that strengthens  the bond between dog and handler and provides fun and exercise for both, which might explain wh it's so enjoyable to watch and has become the fastest-growing dog sport in the United States.

Just as with other forms of competition there are various levels.  Your dog will learn very quickly and can most often move from novice, to open, and excellent at a rapid pace.  PONs can bring fun, excitement, and exercise into your life and are lots of fun.  There have been a few Polish Lowland Sheepdogs doing agility and it is a great fun activity to watch as well as to participate .

AKC Agility

UKC Agility

Treiball

Treiball is one of the newer events in which dogs can be trained and compete.  Because PONS are such great herders and because they learn so quickly  they should be very good at Treiball because it is a combination of classic obedience and herding cues.  The PON would work off leash using his nose or shoulders to drive 8 balls into a goal within 15 minutes.  The following website will give you additional information.
Google American Treiball Association

Rally

"AKC Rally is a companion sport to AKC Obedience.  BOth require teamwork between the dog and the handler along with similar performance skills.  Rally provides  an excellent introduction to AKC Companion Events for new dogs and handlers and can providee a challenging opportunity for competitors in ohter events to strengthen their skills.  The dog and handler team move at their own pace, very similar to rally-style auto racing."
Rally was designed with the traditional pet owner in mind, but it can still be very challenging for those who enjoy higher levels of competition.  A rally course  includes 10 - 20 stations, depending on the level.  Scoring is not as rigorous as traditional obedience.  Communication from the handler to the dog is encouraged and perfect heel position is not required but there should be a sense of teamwork and enthusiasm as they go through the course...the three levels of competition are novice, advanced, and exceellent. 

Flyball

Flyball was initiated when the North American Flyball Association was formed in 1984.It has since grown immensely from the 6000 competing dogs.  The first PON to get a  championship was in 1996 was Shaggi PONs Stormy.  Since then another PON named Panda has also gained a championship.  Tennis balls are launched from a box and the dogs one by one in teams of four must retireve the balls.  On the way back to the starting point they must jump over several jumps.  Knowing how much PONs love tennis balls this is a great activity for them and a very exciting competition to watch.  To learn more  google North American Flyball Association. 

Barn Hunt

The Barn Hunt Association and the AKC have announced that as of April 1, 2013  the Barn Hunt will be recognized as a title in the area of AKC Performance Events.  Canines have long been used to help keep barns free of vermin so it is a natural that some breeds will be able to compete in locating "vermin."  They now have events and you can learn more by visiting their website.   A Polish Lowland Sheepdog named Olek  was the first PON to have a Barn Hunt title.  For more information google 

BARN HUNT ASSOCIATION

PETS PLUS

Feel the love....

MOSELEY'S STORY

MOSELEY 'S STORY ONLY GOES TO SHOW HOW TALENTED A PON CAN BE. HER ABILITY GOES WAY BEYOND THAT OF A PRETTY FACE . THERE ARE MANY WONDERFUL THINGS OUT THERE TO DO WITH YOUR PON .WATCH MOSELEY IN ACTION UNTIL THE DAY SHE RETIRES TO BEGIN HER NEW LIFE PLAYING WITH LOTS OF GREAT TOYS! IT IS A STORY YOU WILL NOT SOON FORGET...I KNOW I DIDN'T, AND WHEN I DID THIS WEBSITE I WANTED HER TO BE A PART OF IT. I HAD LOST TRACK OF ELIZABETH, WONDERED ABOUT HER AND MOSELEY AND THEN ONE DAY A FRIEND CAME ACROSS HER AND I WAS ABLE TO CONNECT WITH HER AGAIN AND AS A RESULT, YOU , TOO, CAN SHARE IN THIS UNFORGETTABLE BOND BETWEEN MOSELY AND HER OWNER.


AS AN ADDED NOTE, MOSELEY MAY BE THE MOST TITLED PON EVER. AT HER RETIREMENT SHE HAD RECEIVED OVER 100 TITLES IN SIX DIFFERENT SPORTS. NOW THAT IS ONE SENSATIONAL PON and PON OWNER! Click on You Tube to see the video

There are now several  activites that have not been named that PONs can take part in.  To learn more about some of them visit   AKC