Getting into Racing - Australian Horse & Greyhound Racing Forum

Aussiedogman · #1 (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 01:22 AM

Hi1

lilyflowerandroxy · #2 (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 08:15 AM

Hi

Best place to start is to learn the ropes from an experienced trainer, as there are so many things that can go wrong and land you in hot water with the authorities ;-) You have to have a owner's licence for a start, and read up on all the rules by the controlling body in your state.

Buy some greyhound books on Ebay (make sure it's australian version as training methods are very different overseas, plus different rules) and learn all about the history of the game, especially read on how top trainers fed and worked their dogs.

Common sense is a big necessity in training, knowing what your dog needs and knowing how to get the best out of your dog without overworking/underworking/overfeeding/underfeeding him etc and maintaining the best racing weight. There are rules on weight, if you present your dog for racing 2kgs too heavy or too light, you can be penalised for it.

Not as easy as it sounds, just going out to buy a greyhound, is it? lol ;-)

I would suggest that you buy a racing greyhound, leave it with a trainer, as you can learn a lot being an owner and going to the racetracks and listening to experienced folks.
Later on when you think you have gained sufficient knowledge, you could give it a go training your first dog. Make sure your first dog is an old hand, with plenty of starts (at least 30 or more) that way, the dog will teach you what to do! lol

However, you can also buy a pup, and leave it at the rearing farm to be reared with other pups in big runs so it can learn social and chasing skills. Then you can have the fun of waiting anxiously for its breaking in to start, to see if you have bought a good 'un or not!
cheers

bundy · #3 (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 03:53 PM

Ill PM you some details on who to buy dogs from.

But you cant just get a few books and then get a dog to train, be around greyhound trainers for a good few years before you do.

Best for you and the dogs, learning and inexperience means stuffing up and thats not fair on a dog

Bundy

lilyflowerandroxy · #4 (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 04:51 PM

I agree, Bundy.

New owners who have never been in the greyhound industry before, are best off NOT training the dog themselves, as it's not fair on the dog.

There are so many things to learn, it will take a couple of years of being an owner before one can say they are confident enough to give training a go.

In reply to the question, placing a dog with a trainer isn't like a syndicate, an owner can buy a dog, give it to a trainer to train, some trainers will charge a weekly fee, but most trainers will train on a 50/50 prizemoney basis (where the owner gets half the prizemoney, the trainer gets half) with no costs involved to the owner (except in case of veterinary bills).

A syndicate is a group of owners, which is more affordable as they can all share in the costs.

cheers

Morgan · #5 (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 06:29 PM

Good luck Aussiedogman,

If you want to get into racing quickly try joining a syndicate, that way you can be in the action when you learn the tricks of the trade.

bundy · #6 (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 07:22 PM

Syndicates, blah, who would wanna join a syndicate....

hehe

Morgan · #7 (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bundy

Syndicates, blah, who would wanna join a syndicate....

hehe

Haha true

myanimall · #8 (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 11:22 PM

dont trust that bundy character either, real snake in the grass when it comes to syndicates :P

bundy · #9 (**permalink**) 07-20-2008, 11:24 PM

hahaha

TheChook · #10 (**permalink**) 07-21-2008, 09:53 PM

Can only agree with all stated.

Buy a pup - go visit it often, speak to the rearer a lot about future steps taken, learn a lot through it. Then find a trainer through possible help of the rearer (most are willing to help) who will later take your dog, then go over weekly and have a yarn to them, learn about training and dont be afraid to ask WHY.

My mentors copped that WHY question all the time WHY do u feed that WHY do you run them this many times WHY do you do this WHY do you do that.

They were things i wasnt fully aware of and it helped me learn a lot.

Then when the time came i bought kennels, the works to get set up through the guidance of my mentors, and bought my first dog to train. Was an ok dog who i got cheap and had a LOT of fun with. Made my mistakes but upon learning over 2yrs with trainers, i didnt make any that could bring any harm to the dog. Learned my own way to train dogs and found what worked for me and the dogs.

If you take a step like this, look at what your budget is too - how much you are willing to pay per week for a trainer, unless you find one on 50/50. How much for a pup... and as a member of this forum stated and i dont think ive heard a truer word spoken.....
Greyhounds are like a bus... dont jump on the first one or for that sake be disappointed you missed it - there is always another one around the corner.

Do your study, speak to many people, make sure theyre respectable, and they can help guide you into it the right way!

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