Jet's Furkid Palace: Lure Coursing - with a remote control car

Friday, December 3, 2010

Lure Coursing - with a remote control car

I really want to buy a remote control car. I've wanted one since I was a kid, and my brother got to have one but I didn't. My bro's remote control car was cheap and crappy and ate batteries like they were ice cream cake, so I never really got a go driving it.

Anyway, I've seen a lot of footage on youtube of dogs chasing RC cars. I thought that it would be a fun game for Barbie, chasing some kind of off road RC vehicle dressed as a rabbit or towing something that flutters around in the wind.... my little Border Collie x Heeler used to chase one of those micro RC cars in the house. She would flip it over so it couldn't escape. She seemed to enjoy it, even when she wouldn't chase a ball.

The problem is that N doesn't think Barbie will be into it at all. For a car that will realistically have enough top end speed to evade the dog for more than 30 seconds, a significant investment is required. It also has to be electric, as those little nitro engines are too noisy and Barbie will be scared of them!

Then I got to thinking - how much of it is top end speed and how much is the skill of the driver? As long as the car can turn harder than the dog it has a fighting chance, does it not? ;)

Anyway I have decided that I am going to buy a cheapie from Dick Smiths. It just has to be all terrain and have a rechargable battery pack. It also has to look tough enough to take some greyhound pouncing. We have a nice, big flat grass park nearby that isn't very well patronised (and has fences, just in case...) which should be fun for the car and the dog. If she does get into chasing it them maybe I'd upgrade to something faster. If she isn't in to it, I'll give the car to a friend with kids after I've finished thrashing it.

Wheee.

Comments (13)

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Wyatt · 747 weeks ago

We went to a lure course party this year, that was hosted by a local terrier group. It was so fun! It was a professional set up with a string track and a fur pelt. There was an operator who controlled the movement of the pelt. Of course the dogs loved it. Wyatt would have chased that fur pelt, till he dropped dead of a heart attack! Great exercise for any dog that is prey driven!! I bet your dogs can out run a remote control car!
Wyatt's Mom

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Helen, Snoopy+ Arrow · 747 weeks ago

Cool! We have been thinking about doing the same thing, but will wait to see how you get on with yours first I think!
We have a 'hound coursing club' here in Auckland that meets monthly, and works like Wyatt says... we are thinking about going along just before Christmas for a bit of fun!

1 reply · active 747 weeks ago

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jetsagenda 82p · 747 weeks ago

I bought one! It's a big ATV type thing with working headlights and tail lights but I have a feeling that they won't be working for looooooooong..... :P

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Two Pitties · 747 weeks ago

That would be cool to see; I'll be looking for a video post if you get it. We were thinking of getting our dogs that electronic hamster. They're not as fast as yous, but we thought it would be funny for them to chase it in the house.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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jetsagenda 82p · 747 weeks ago

I bought one, I will have to learn to drive it to give it the best chance... hehe
it's pretty big though so if they break some bits off, it might just make it lighter and faster...

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houndstooth4 82p · 747 weeks ago

Oh, look out when you run that car! A lot of Greyhounds go batshit crazy for those things, because they sound like the lure at the track and they move around! If you ever place wagers with N, I'd go for it on this one, because my money is on Barbie going gangbusters after it! A couple of years ago, there was a video a guy did and posted on Greytalk with his hound and an RC car. I was literally gasping for breath because was so funny!

1 reply · active 747 weeks ago

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jetsagenda 82p · 747 weeks ago

hahahah I may need a trained 'slipper' to release the hound ;)

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24 Paws of Love · 747 weeks ago

I think it sounds like a great idea and a lot of fun!! I can imagine any dog that has a strong prey drive would have a blast with them!!

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Never Say Never GHs · 747 weeks ago

Maybe give the hare... I mean car a 100 yard head start. :-) Honestly, an agile car would probably be safer than a fast one. You don't necessarily want her reaching top speed, so making her turn might be a good way to keep her speed in check. You must post video!

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monkeyhobby 2p · 533 weeks ago

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happiestindia 1p · 483 weeks ago

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paper services · 415 weeks ago

Remote control cars are the most favorite choice for the kids to get when they want to play with something. I thing that it could be the best thing that you can give a any kid as a gift.