Dog Sports

Did you know there are dog sports that you can teach your dog and then participate in competitions? There are a number of sports you can do with your dog, depending on your goal. The most popular are agility, fly ball and herding. However, there is also dock diving, lure course, dog Frisbee and rally obedience, all of which have become increasingly more popular over the past few years.

Why sports with your dog?

There are numerous benefits to participating in a sport with your dog… As you train, the dog starts to focus on you, their owner/handler, and the trust and confidence built between you and your dog will strengthen throughout the training process. If trained properly, you will see significant changes in your dog. For example, if you have a high energy dog, the exercise will be priceless, both physically and mentally. Your dog will naturally become a good listener and respect you as their pack leader. These are attributes which will carry over in your day to day activities with your dog and family. With regular training and exercise, your dog will less likely have behavior problems.

How do you start your dog in a sport?

First, make an appointment with your vet to make sure your dog is healthy and ready to start training. Second, pick a sport that you think you and your dog will like. Is your dog a tennis ball fanatic? Fly ball may be the answer. Two websites to check out are www.flyball.org and http://ufli.com Does your dog like to herd? Check out http://ahba-herding.org or www.akc.org to find a herding association in your area. Meet people who are involved, and ask a lot of questions to see if you’d like to participate. Do you think agility is your sport? Find an agility club (http://usdaa.com) and contact people who are involved. Some clubs have training classes in more than one sport, so you can try a variety of sports to see where you and your dog will fit in. Set yourself up for success by talking to as many people as possible. The more information you gain, the more fun you and your dog will have together.

How much does it cost?

There are various costs of participating in a dog sport. It compares to having a hobby or a child join a team sport. If you find a class to take, more than likely, there will be a fee. If you join a dog club, there can be yearly dues or if you decide to compete, there can be entrance fees, traveling, food, and gas expenses. It all depends on your goals and how involved you want to become with your dog.

How much time will it take?

That depends on what sport you choose and how dedicated you are. Training will take time, but the more practice you put into training, the more enjoyment you will have with your pet. Whether for competition or for fun, participating in a sport with your dog is extremely rewarding and in the process, you will gain a well trained, and loyal friend.