Maybe you’ve heard the phrase “you should do a dog sport with your dog”? Ever wondered what it means?
I often recommend dog sports to my clients as not only are dog sports fun and a fabulous way of building the relationship between the dog and owner, they also are a great way of providing a productive outlet where the dog can use the skills it was bred with, which can prevent the dog from developing problem behaviours due to frustration or boredom.
So what sports are available to you and your dog? Below are links and information about the most popular dog sports currently available in Western Australia.
Agility
Is a sport where the dog is directed around an obstacle course by their owner (handler). Agility is a wonderful sport for most breeds that are structurally and physically capable of completing the obstacles.
What it looks like – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woRBpEHFE3U
Where you can do it – https://kalmpets.com.au/services/dog-training/
Herding
Is best suited to herding breed dogs such as Kelpies, Border Collies, Corgis, Koolies, etc. Herding teaches dog to control and work stock under the direction of their handler.
What it looks like – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvWfyIDCBUo
Where you can do it – http://www.dogswest.com/dogswest/Activities-Herding.htm
Tracking
Dogs learn to use their amazing sense of smell, to follow a trail to find articles and the best reward of all, to find a tracklayer at the end. Handlers learn to read their dog’s body language, this enables them to trust their dog’s nose and follow them into the unknown – Trackwest.
What it looks like – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFVckg9ra7o
Where you can do it – http://www.dogswest.com/dogswest/Activities-Tracking.htm
Scent work
Is a scent detection activity. Dogs use their noses to find a target odour – just like at the airports!
What it is and where you can do it – https://kalmpets.com.au/services/dog-training/
Retrieving
Is where the dog is taught to hunt game in a simulated shooting situation.
What it looks like – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bp8FQMTy8Q
Where you can do it – http://www.dogswest.com/dogswest/Activities-Retrieving.htm
Dances with Dogs
Incorporates dog obedience moves and music.
What it looks like – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL3DXJE9UJk
Where you can do it – http://www.dogswest.com/dogswest/Activities-Dances_With_Dogs.htm
Sledding
\Sled dog racing is where either one dog or a team pulls either a sled or rig designed for areas with no snow, a rig or scooter. The musher (the person who controls the team) stands on the back of the sled or rig or on the scooter – ASSA.
What it looks like – http://www.assa.asn.au/
Where you can do it – http://www.wassa.com.au/
Lure Coursing
Lure Coursing is a Sport, where a dog is allowed to use their natural instincts and run or chase after something. Lure Coursing is a simulation of a rabbit (the lure) in flight from the predator (the dog) which is chasing after it. Live rabbits have been replaced by white plastic bags which are moved through the coursing field by means of a string at ground level with pulleys controlling the direction. The lure makes sudden turns, veers off in various directions and often does the unexpected as a rabbit would if pursued.
What it looks like – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7q_WX6gqlY
Where you can do it – https://www.wcds.com.au/untitled-cd6f
Trick Training
Trick training is a sport that not only nurtures the bond between dog and
Where you can do it – https://kalmpets.com.au/services/dog-training/
Happy training!