Connect With Your Canine Through Sports

By Gillian Ridgeway

Seeing your dog zip through an agility tunnel, complete a precision obedience exercise, race again and again in a flyball competition or successfully complete his tracking title can make the heart of many dog owners soar.

Dog sports encompass a wide variety of activities for you and your dog to enjoy. Sure, you can compete and collect titles to go behind your dog’s name if that is your goal, or you can simply train together for a sport you love and do it for the sheer joy it brings to both of you. Whatever your motivation, having fun with your dog is what it’s all about.

Why do people get involved with dog sports? That is the same question asked of many athletes. Why play golf? The simple explanation is that for the golfer it is fun. Sure, they might say it is to get outside in the fresh air, enjoy nature and get some much-needed exercise but the bottom line is that it is enjoyable. When picking a sport for our dogs, we need to take into account that we will enjoy it, and that our dog is physically and mentally up for the challenge.

To pick a sport that is right for both of you, consider first the hard wiring of your dog. This is his genetic make up. Of course, herding breeds do well instinctually at herding. The Border Collies and Australian Shepherds are a shoo in for rounding up those ducks. They also excel at any sports that require endurance and physical exertion. Many top flyball teams consist of mainly Border collies, in fact this breed is picked for its ability to adapt to most sports. The flip side of that is that the high-energy breeds do best at home when involved in extra curricular activities.

Keep in mind, that while top flyball teams, and top agility competitors, often have high drive dogs as their team mates, it is not necessary to compete at the highest level. I used to love playing flyball, and I am considering getting involved again soon. In the years past, I played with my fabulous Duck Toller, Cruiser. He did everything well, and with a lot of speed. He is now retired from sports, and spends his days boating with the family. My newest dog is an English Cocker, Yardley. While I am under the impression that he is a speed demon, reality sometimes hits me over the head. Could he play flyball or do agility? Of course! He could be on a flyball team that competes in a slower division. This will still give you a ton of fun, as you are competing with teams that are similar. Most pet dogs, that are in good physical shape (keep your eye on those extra pounds around their tummy) can play most sports given the opportunity to learn.

Of course, training a breed, or mix of breeds, that is not commonly seen in the sport world can be a lot of fun. Our friend, colleague and Dogs Dogs Dogs behaviorist has a Pug (Puggy Sue) that plays flyball, and plays it well, she is the number one Pug in North American Flyball Association. She is a delight to watch. To see a Bloodhound do tracking is one thing, but to have a Pomeranian give it a go can be a ton of fun, for both the handler and the dog.

Competitive obedience seems to be loosing its popularity. When I started dog training, back in the olden days, there was not a lot of choice. There were not many dog activities and obedience was a way to go out and compete, and socialize, with other dog enthusiasts. It is a shame to see it loose its momentum, as I particularly enjoy this sport. Obedience incorporates not only solid sit/stays but also jumping, retrieving a dumbbell, article discrimination and even at the beginner level, precision heeling. To see a happy, well-trained dog in the ring is a delight. Recently I had the experience of joining in with North York Obedience Club to try my hand at competitive obedience with Yardley. It had been over ten years since my last venture into the sport with Cruiser, and I am happy to report that the experience was great. The dogs at the trial were happier than I had seen in the past, and it was great to see so many dogs working on flat, buckle collars and off the choke chains. Now, with the rising popularity of rally obedience, we might start to see a surge in the obedience ring again.

Another consideration when dealing with dogs and their sports is the fact that your dog will become overall a better companion. Any training you do with your dog is beneficial. If you are doing Agility, and combine it with some obedience, that has to help out in both areas. The obedience will help your agility, as your dog will be able to utilize some of the words such as a solid stay at the start line. Agility will help your obedience as you go up through the levels. Directed jumping is a component of obedience at the open level. For everyday life with your dog, spending time teaching them a sport rather than simply going to the park and tossing a stick, can greatly improve their listening skills around the home. That thought alone should provoke your interest in sports. Of course, tossing a stick around should be incorporated into your day too, but combined with training, it will make for an all rounded dog.

Dog sports can also offer a huge bonus, one that you don’t know exists until you give them a go. Dog sports are a fantastic way to improve the bond you have with your dog. Think about it. You will spend many more hours teaching your dog the tasks needed to accomplish your goal. No matter if you involved with tracking, herding, agility, flyball, rally, obedience or freestyle, there will be a lot of time devoted to developing your craft. These days, we have so much more knowledge and information to properly teach our dog what is expected that there is no need for any negatives. Of course, you will experience frustration, but you can bet your bottom dollar that the dogs doing well in their chosen sports have been taught with respectful methods, lots of rewards and play time in between and by an owner that is enjoying the process. The relationship you have with your dog will grow in leaps and bounds.

Playing dog sports has taken me on a path that I will be forever grateful for. Cruiser and I have titles in obedience, flyball, agility and have done freestyle for the Superdogs show. Starting again with Yardley is exciting. The friendships I have made along the way are amongst the most solid I have ever encountered, and the laughs along the way have been worth every minute of preparation.

Play dog sports. For your dog, for yourself, for your life.

Gillian Ridgeway, AHT, has worked with dogs for over 33 years. She is director of Who’s Walking Who in Toronto and Ajax. A consultant for Dogs, Dogs, Dogs!, Gillian also writes for Dogs in Canada. She has appeared on Dogs in Canada TV, Global television, Q107 radio and in Toronto Life, and is co-author of the book, “Citizen Canine.” She travels with the SuperDogs Performance team and teaches learning theory at University of Toronto. Gillian can be contacted at 416-465-3626; www.whoswalkingwho.net