My dog Macy and I are looking forward to the warmer weather ahead and would like to know if you have any ideas for things to do this summer? We already hike and kayak, but Macy is getting bored and I’m looking for a more structured sport or event. I thought as a dog trainer you might have some insight.
Thanks,
rose
dear rose,
The world of dog sports and activities has exploded in the last few years and I’m happy to offer you a few suggestions. Since you know Macy best, the first thing you should do is write down a list of her likes and dislikes, interests and instincts, and also note any health issues she may have or be prone to.
For example, my dog, Boomer, is a three-year-old Labrador male who loves regular activity. Since he is very nose-oriented, we take charge of detecting allergens and tracking human odors. He loves swimming so dock diving and kayaking would be great fun for him but barn hunting and bait hunting less so.
He’s recovering from a tail sprain he sustained from ecstatic wagging (true story), so we’re slowly getting him back into full physical activity. He enjoys the company of other dogs but prefers to work, so we generally avoid group sports and focus on individual fun. Whatever makes Macy’s eyes light up and her tail wags, that’s the path you’ll want to take.
When considering an activity to learn and invest in, you should also consider your own investment of time and energy. Some sports are highly competitive and require extensive travel, while others are more relaxed and locally oriented. Additional activities are only available to dogs of a certain breed or size, are only available in certain parts of the country, or require special equipment or shooting locations.
If Macy loves the water, then dock diving might be a great sport for you. Dogs are taught to run onto a hanging bait and jump into the air just above a pond. They are judged on how far they can jump. The current record is held by a four-year-old whippet named Sounders, who recently jumped 36 feet 2 inches at a dock diving competition in Santa Rosa, California.
If Macy is energetic and loves to run and jump over obstacles, then you can see if there’s a local chapter on agility. Agility is a great way to improve your dog’s off-leash obedience skills and boost his confidence as he zigzags sprints over obstacles. There are tunnels, seesaws, bars and jumps.
If Macy has a passion for obedience work, then you can watch the rally. Rallying has similar components to the sport of agility, involving a course of 10 to 20 activities that you complete with your dog as a team, but using obedience skills instead of physical effort. My husband loves doing agility courses with our other dog, Ragnar, while Boomer and I enjoy the slower pace and emphasis on mental strategy of rallying.
If you and Macy enjoy working in obedience but would like to get involved in the community, you may consider joining a therapy dog team and working with individuals in crisis situations. Some teams go to hospitals or airports to give them joy and comfort. Others are involved in providing care to survivors of natural disasters or in schools. Therapy dogs need to be polite, confident, and cheerful when surrounded by stressed people. They should pass the Canine Good Citizen exam or equivalent temperament and obedience training exam, have a good working knowledge of crutches, sirens and elevators, and have a genuine enjoyment of comforting people.
If Macy keeps her nose to the ground and loves following smells, then she could be a great candidate to work with scents. Dogs can be trained to find and follow specific scents. After a disaster, cadre identification, search and rescue teams are often called in by local law enforcement agencies to help. Some dogs are trained to identify a specific ingredient, such as gluten or peanuts, a strain of bacteria, or even a species’ droppings. The world of smell research is vast and growing fast as we discover new ways we can use our dog’s nose to make the world a better place.
If Macy loves to hunt animals, then herding could be a great way for her to channel that urge. Herding is a structured sport in which a dog moves and controls livestock by fetching or driving and is highly competitive. If you ever get a chance to observe the excellent teamwork and shrewd instincts of a herding team then I highly recommend it.
There are many more sports and activities that dogs can participate in. The American Kennel Club, Dogs Sports America, and Dog Sports USA are great places to do more research and poll your local breeders, dog trainers, and boarding kennels. There are also numerous books and videos on the above sports and others that I haven’t had time to mention.
As a final note, no matter what sport or activity you choose, consider taking a canine first aid and CPR course to keep Macy as safe as possible. A practical course dealing with cut paws, ingested toxins and sprained tails is always a good investment.
I wish you and Macy a wonderful rest of the summer and whatever sport you decide to do, remember to have fun.
Kendall and Chandler Brown are owners of Custom K-9 Service Dogs, a dog training business serving Minden/Gardnerville, Carson and Reno. For information go to customk9servicedogs.com or email [email protected]
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