The Top 3 Sports Your Dog Can Do

Do you have a dog that is always eager to learn, curious about the world around them and is a ball of energy? Do you enjoy watching dog competitions on television and wish that your dog could compete on the big screen? Are you simply looking for fun activities and sports that your dog can do? If so, you are in luck. The following is a list of structured and fun activities that you and your pup can enjoy.

There is an ever increasing number of events that you can enter your dog in. You can participate with your dog in sporting events that are highly competitive, or you can enter your doggy in temperament tests that are not competitive in nature.

Do not think that you need to have a dog of a certain breed in order to let your pet participate in these sporting events. Even though AKC sporting events are typically only open to dogs who are purebred and registered,  there are plenty of options for dog owners with mixed breed and/or unregistered dogs. 

AKC dog sporting events are known for being extremely organized, and you can visit their website to learn about all of the sporting events that are available for registered, purebred dogs. 

However, keep in mind that new sporting events are being introduced on a regular basis. In fact, there was a new sport introduced a little over 10 years ago. If you do not want to enter your pooch into an official sporting event, there are still several fun sporting activities that you and your dog can enjoy.

Flyball

If you have ever had the pleasure of watching a dog fly ball show, you know that it is a sport that is very similar to the relay races we enjoyed in our youth. This sport includes a series of jumps, and then there is a flyball box. 

The box is spring loaded, and when the dog jumps onto the box at a certain angle, the lever is released. A ball is released from the box and the dog jumps up to catch it. Every dog must be able to jump on the box, secure the ball and then run back to the starting point. Once the dog arrives back to the starting point, the next dog leaves the starting point and performs the same task. 

Flyball is considered a team sport, and usually, 4 to 5 dogs are on each team. These dogs are of various sizes and breeds. Typically, a team will have a height dog. This is the shortest dog on the team, and the shortest dog is in this position because it is this dog’s height that will determine the height of the jumps. 

This sport is fun for both humans and dogs, and it is considered a great option for pet owners who have very active pets. 

Dock Diving

Dock diving is a newer sport that is played as exactly as the name implies. Dogs run to the end of the dock and then dives into the water.

This sport is also referred to as Big Air because of the fact that the dogs make a huge leap into the air when they are jumping off of the deck and into the water.

Dock diving became very popular at the turn of the 21st century when it first debuted on ESPN. It was introduced on Great Outdoor Games. Although there are higher level games at the event, Dock diving is open to all dogs regardless of size or breed. 

If you want to train your dog to participate in this sport, you must have access to a body of water. You will also need to have access to a dock. Once you have the necessary equipment, it is really easy to train your dog. This is a high-energy sport that will give your dog hours of fun. 

The CGC

Also known as the Canine Good Citizen Program, this is an AKC event that is open to all dogs. This is a certification that is available for all pups that are trained and well-behaved. 

Many dog owners use this certification as a foundation to get their dogs into other exclusive programs such as therapy dog training or advanced agility training. Many search and rescue dogs also have this certification. However, many owners just enjoy the recognition the certification gives their pets. 

CGC certification can offer advantages to dog owners who have marginally acceptable AKC dogs. These breeds tend to be bull breeds. The certification can be used to prove that the dog has an even temperament and is mentally stable. 

In addition, dog owners who do not qualify for insurance because of their dog’s breed can use the CGC certification to get insurance coverage. This can apply to dogs such as:

Rottweilers

Akitas

German Shepherds

Chows

These are only some of the many sports your dog can participate in. You can strengthen the bond with your dog, and help improve their health and longevity.