Alexandria, VA – There are many benefits to having a well-trained dog that makes the right behavior choices, even in distracting environments. When you can’t give them attention, they know to settle and relax and the value of giving you attention and focus. They learn how to live in harmony in our human world.
One of the great benefits of teaching your dog a repertoire of behaviors and foundation skills is that it prepares them for learning new, advanced skills and behaviors and provides opportunities for mental and physical activities such as “dog sports.”
Just what are “dog sports?” Over the years, various sports have been developed and become very popular for people and their dogs. These outlets increase the bond between humans and canines, the dog’s confidence. They can be mentally and physically challenging and fun for both. Many people are familiar with agility because it is part of Westminster, and they watched YouTube videos showing fast dogs. The dog follows their handler’s verbal instructions and body positioning to navigate successfully on, through, and over different obstacles. It’s a fast-paced sport that builds your dog’s stamina, strength, balance, fitness, and engagement and focuses on you and the task.
Other dog sports may not be as prominent as agility but can offer similar benefits, including:
1. Rally – a fun and exciting sport that challenges dog and handler teams to navigate a course of numbered signs displaying 10-20 skills they need to perform together.
2. Dog parkour, or urban agility, is a non-competitive sport where dogs perform tricks and navigate obstacles. It’s a fun and challenging way to exercise your dog and build confidence.
3. Musical Freestyle—a mixture of foundation behaviors, advanced skills, and dance that allows for creative interaction with your dog. In this sport, a handler and their dog perform a choreographed routine to music.
4. Fast Cat – also known as “lure coursing,” mimics the thrill of the chase and taps into your dog’s natural prey drive. Dogs chase a mechanically operated lure across an open field as fast as possible.
Other dog sports include dock diving, disc dog, nose work, treibball, fly ball, and more. Several dog sports offer competitions at live events and video submittals. But you don’t have to compete to play. Many do it to enjoy the sport and engage in activities with their dog. Either way, the main goal is to have fun with your dog.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) includes good information on the various dog sports on its website. akc.org.
Sandy Modell, CPDT-KA, is the Founder, Owner, and Head of Training of Wholistic Hound Academy, Alexandria’s award-winning, premier canine training and learning center — offering classes and private lessons in puppy training, adolescent and adult foundation and life skills, behavior modification, agility, nose work, dog sports, and fitness, babies/kids and dogs, and pre-pet planning and selection. Classes are starting soon! Visit www.wholistichound.com to enroll in our programs, like us on Facebook.com/wholistichound, and follow us on Instagram at Instagram.com/wholistichound.
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