Dog sports are growing and growing in popularity. They're a great way to bond with your dog, keep you and your dog fit and engage your dogs brain (and some sports like agility work your brain too!)
Agility
This is probably the most popular dog sport
In this activity you have to navigate your dog around an obstacle course made up of jumps, tunnels, weaves, seasaws, A frame and a dog walk (a ramp leading to a narrow plank and a ramp down the other side). Other obstacles can be added to the course too but these are the main ones.
This sport is judged and against the clock. You're eliminated if your dog misses an obstacle or doesn't complete it correctly (the dog must go in and out of each weave and enter the weaves from the right hand side, the contact equipment must be completed by touching the target zone at the bottom and the seasaw must touch the ground before the dog comes off). You're also eliminated if your dog takes the wrong course.
You get points (or faults) if your dog misses an obstacle but then goes back and completes it correctly or if the dog knocks a jump pole down. You also get faults if your dog gets distracted and wonders off.
In competition you have 5 minutes to walk round and learn the course before you run it. This is the hardest part for the human and it's a good test for your memory!
If you're interested in starting agility you can find a local training class here
Hoopers
This is an up and coming sport. Similar to agility but much lower impact on the dogs joints as there are no jumps. Only a series of hoops, barrels and tunnels to navigate through.
This is very popular with retired agility dogs or those dogs that are not physically able to participate in agility for whatever reason.
Any breed can take part as it's low impact so even young puppies can take part.
Flyball
Another popular sport. In flyball a team of 4 dogs run a relay race against another team over a set of 4 hurdles. At the end of the hurdles the dog must collect a ball from a box and return over the hurdles with the ball. Fastest time wins!
This sport is popular with border collies and collie/whippet crosses but any breed can take part.
Competitions are split into divisions so each race will be against teams of a similar time.
Canicross
In this sport you are attached to your dog with a harness and usually a bungee lead and together you go for a long distance run.
You can enjoy this activity with just you and your dog or join a club and go together as a group and you can also do it competitively.
Dogs should be of a certain fitness to take part. Small breeds might find the long distance a bit challenging.
Canibike/bikejor
In this sport you cycle with your dog attached to the bike. The dog should pull ahead like pulling a sled.
For health and safety a bike antenna is used to stop the dog getting hit by the from wheel
It can be done as a hobby or competitively. In competition you can have a team of dogs pulling the bike and they use a special scooter to ride on rather than a bike.
This sport suits more powerful breeds that like to pull.
Dog dancing/heel work to music
As the name suggests in this activity you create a heel work routine to perform to a piece of music. Props and costumes can be used to help perform your routine.
In competition the judges will give each competitor a score out of 10.
This activity really strengthens the bond between dog and owner. Any breed can take part but some may take longer to learn than others.
Obedience Rally
In this activity you direct your dog round an obedience course. The course has different stations each with a different command e.g. sit, stand, down ect. In competition each competitor starts with 200 points and points are deducted for mistakes.
This is a low impact activity and any breed can take part.
Mantrailing
In this activity dogs are trained to find humans using scent work.
The human is sent to hide (most commonly in woodland areas), the dog is then given an item with the humans scent to smell and then the dog goes to find the person using it's incredible sense of smell
This activity can be done for fun but it's also used in services such as police, search and rescue and the military.
This activity suits gundog and hunting breeds best but any breed can have a go.
Disc dog/canine frisbee
This activity is most popular in the USA but is getting more popular.
All you need to do is teach your dog to catch a frisbee!
In competition you are judged on distance and creativity, getting your dog to perform tricks to catch the frisbee.
This activity requires your dog to be of a certain fitness level but any breed can take part.
Whatever you decide to do with your dog always ensure your dog is enjoying it as well as you and stop if your dog is tired. They need to build their fitness too. Also be aware dogs will struggle more in the heat than you do.
Remember you know your dog better than anyone so if you think they're struggling then take a break.
Some dogs will pick up new skills quicker than others so be patient if your dog doesn't get it straight away. Enjoy learning together and bond with your dog.
Why not give one a go!
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