Lure Fun Days

Lure Fun Days give your dog the opportunity to do what comes naturally! To chase, sniff the ground, jump, pivot and chase again. Regardless of the breed of dog, they are able to run and enjoy themselves in a safe and controlled environment. There are no dangerous obstacles which they can run into and the area is enclosed within a special dog facility owned by the Dogs Victoria.

The Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Victoria has a proud 30-year history of running Lure Fun Days. After some club members saw the sport whilst on a visit to the United States. They came back with photos and contacts and provided information to a member with an engineering bent, who developed the equipment needed, given there wasn't any available here in Australia.

The equipment used is quite simple and consists of 300 metres of fishing line strung around several pulleys set into the ground to form the course. A plastic bag is tied to the line and is powered around the pulleys by a battery operated motor. The operator can stop the lure at any time and can change direction as well.

This is a sight to behold and every dog owner is encouraged to give their dog the opportunity to prove their canine skills at this sport. Words cannot describe the expressions on owners faces when they see their dogs stride out in full flight and chase the lure for the first time. Even if they don't run the whole course, it doesn't matter. These days are not competitive like formal Lure Coursing Trials but many of the dogs now competing with great success at that level, had their start at the Ridgeback Fun Days. The club's aim is that you can give your dogs a fun activity to participate in, which increases your dog’s fitness levels and keeps them stimulated.

This sport appeals to both big and small dogs and we have an incredible range of breeds turn up to try their paw. Imagine seeing a long legged Deerhound bounding along, or the short legged Staffordshire Terrier with their relentless desire to chase. They both have their own styles and are a joy to watch. If your dog is unsure of what to do, we can run them with an experienced dog so that they get the idea. The dogs are encouraged by the crowd and if confused, their owners are encouraged to show them how to run. This can cause quite a few laughs as well.

For those dogs who regularly attend, we have developed a system of thin pipes which the lure will go through and then stop inside. The dogs will then frantically search for where it has gone by sniffing the ground, looking in the pipes or try to look under the pipe. The lure can either proceed through the pipe or can reverse and trick the dogs by coming out the opposite end.

The smaller dogs endeavor to put their heads in the ends of the pipes to see where the lure has gone, while the bigger dogs just try and flip the pipes over. Others will cut the corners and wait for the lure to come to them. Little do they know that the operator will stop and reverse the lure. Then the chase is on once again…