Lure Coursing Try Out Day

Try out days are a great way to see if your dog enjoys coursing if they have never coursed before and ensure that they're fit enough to enter lure coursing trials.

We offer a range of different run types, to help protect the growing joints of our younger coursing prospects, help handlers learn how to run their dogs and give dogs the time they need to build their confidence. 

How try out days work

When you enter a lure coursing try out day, we will ask you for some specific information about your dog.

"Assistance Runs" are for adult dogs who have not coursed before, or handlers looking for help getting their dog to run a full course.

Each dog will be allocated a maximum of 10 minutes for assistance. The Lure Operator, Huntmaster and Trainer will be available to assist and advise as required. Dogs may attempt part or full course runs. Off-field assistance is available to learn the best way to release and retrieve your dog, and to answer questions.

"Unassisted runs" is for experienced adult dogs wishing to have a bit of practice before the start of the trialling season. The runs will be over the full course.

"Puppy Runs" are assisted runs for puppies aged between 6 & 12 months. Such dogs are not physically mature enough to attempt a full course.

Puppy Runs will be conducted at the same time as the other try outs, however puppies will only be able to attempt part of the course, with the aim of seeing if the puppy has the instinct to chase the bags. These runs will generally only include a straight line and an open corner to minimise the impact on their bodies and help protect their developing joints.

Lure Coursing uses a loud engine to drive the bags around the course and pulleys on the field. Some puppies can be overwhelmed by this, which can have an impact on their willingness to course in the future. If in the opinion of the WCDS field team your puppy is showing signs of stress you will be advised to take your puppy off the field for its wellbeing.

Please note: Puppies under the age of 6 months are not eligible for puppy runs.

General Conditions of Entry

All dogs must be securely contained in a crate or vehicle. Dogs that escape and interfere with a dog on course will be refused any further participation at the meet.