Is My Dog Ready? Evaluating Instinct, Temperament & Fitness
- Lorena Caballero
- Apr 28
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 29
Getting Started with Lure Coursing | Part 3 of 9
This is the question I get asked most often, and it deserves an honest, nuanced answer. Readiness has several layers: instinct, temperament, off-leash training, physical development, and your own preparedness as a handler…and it's worth thinking through all of them before your dog ever sets foot on a coursing field.
Reading Prey Drive
Prey drive is the foundational prerequisite for lure coursing. The AKC describes sighthounds as dogs whose "natural inclination to hunt by sight, not smell, is literally in their DNA," bred to chase by instinct rather than by training.(6)
Watch your dog when a squirrel runs across the yard, when a plastic bag skitters across the road in the wind, when a cat bolts from under a bush. Do they freeze, fix, and launch? Does their whole body orient toward the movement with a focused intensity before the chase? That is prey drive. If you see it regularly and clearly, your dog has it.
Prey drive exists on a spectrum, and higher is not always better for coursing specifically. A dog with moderate, clean prey drive who tracks the lure with intelligence and commitment can outscore a faster dog with scattered focus. The AKC judging criteria rewards follow and enthusiasm too, not raw speed alone.
Temperament Considerations
Two areas to watch closely are dog reactivity and handler connection. Dogs who compete at a lure coursing trial run in groups of two or three from the same breed simultaneously (unless they are running singles), and if they qualify for Best in Field (BIF), they will run against other sighthound breeds too. A dog who becomes dangerously reactive toward other dogs when aroused is a safety risk. This doesn't mean your dog needs to be a social butterfly in regular life, but there is a difference between social selectivity and predatory redirection that can turn a run dangerous. Dogs who show aggression are disqualified from continuance in the trial. Some clubs require that dogs wear muzzles while others do not. It’s always a good idea to muzzle train your dog, in case your club requires it (and if you want to do straight/oval racing later on).
Handler connection is the other piece. You don't need competition-level obedience, but you need enough of a relationship with your dog that you can get them back safely when the run is over. Work on that before you go to your first event. You can get fined if your dog takes too long to get caught. By the same token, your dog needs to have enough confidence and independence to willingly run far away from you. Some fearful dogs who have never been trained off-leash will take off instinctively after the lure, only to realize that they are far away from their owners a few yards out and turn right back, darting to the starting line and the safety of their owners. Other dogs are so nervous and/or uncomfortable with the intensity of the venue (sensory overload with wind, dogs screaming, so many people, so many dogs, the loud noise of the generator, smells from the food trucks, etc.) that they stay put at the starting line and refuse to move.
So take your time training off-leash, working on recalls, and playing with white grocery bags. Having trained horses in the past, I highly recommend the Parelli Carrot Stick. I am not associated with them nor do I get a commission from your purchase. I just really like the product quality. Most “flirt poles” made for dogs or cats simply do not withstand the wear and tear of this game of chase. I’ve had the same Parelli Carrot Stick for almost 10 years, and it has a lot of life left. Tie a plastic bag to the end of the rope on this lunge whip, and play with your dog. They will learn to chase the plastic bag and to associate the noise of the whipping plastic with fun. Always end the game before they are tired, leaving them wanting more. Please, be sure to train off-leash in a safe area.
Age and Physical Readiness
AKC regulations require dogs to be at least 12 months of age to compete in lure coursing trials.(12) This rule exists for good reason: the physical demands of a full course, the explosive acceleration and deceleration, sharp directional changes, and sustained high-speed effort are significant, and a dog whose musculoskeletal system is still developing should not be asked to perform them at competition intensity (read the blog about puppy exercise to learn more). Before beginning any formal coursing activity, I personally recommend a full veterinary examination, including cardiac and joint evaluation.
The AKC Instinct Test
Before a dog can compete in AKC lure coursing trials, they must first QC. This is a requirement to make sure that your dog can/will run the full course, and do it without being a danger to others. Your dog goes to the starting line with an experienced “test dog” to run in pairs, and if your dog runs well, s/he can then be entered in the Open stakes to compete in the trial. I am personally very adamant about foot wrapping, having witnessed several accidents in the field and wanting to treat my dogs as the athletes that they are with the care and respect for their efforts in the field. I will cover foot wrapping in detail in Part 7 of this blog series.
Prepare for the QC the same way you'd prepare for any new experience: make sure your dog is well-rested and hydrated, not overfed, comfortable with the environment, and as focused as possible. A dog who doesn't pass on the first attempt can try again; it is not a reflection of long-term potential. Click here to read the AKC Regulations for Lure Coursing and Test Trials.
Not every dog will want to course, and that is completely okay. Honoring what your dog actually enjoys is part of being a good advocate for them.
Want to talk coursing?
I'm always happy to answer questions, talk through whether your dog might be a good candidate, or meet you at a fun run. Reach out through visalorewhippets.com or find me on Instagram. Wherever you are in this journey — just starting to wonder, or standing at the field with a hound who is absolutely ready — I'm glad you're here.
Next up: Part 4 — The Staged Introduction: FastCAT → Solo → Braces → Trials
This post was written, reviewed and personalized by me, Lorena Caballero, and it was researched and refined with AI tools.
REFERENCES
6. American Kennel Club. (2024, April 18). Lure coursing. https://www.akc.org/sports/coursing/lure-coursing/
12. American Kennel Club. (2022). Regulations for lure coursing tests and trials (Amended October 2022). https://images.akc.org/pdf/rulebooks/RELURE.pdf
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