Have you ever considered stepping up the game with your furry pal to learn a new skill together or does your pup have too much energy and could use an outlet? Classes are a great way to bond with your dog, give him or her something productive to do, and learn a cool skill!
To choose a class, consider the breed of your dog to help direct the search in finding what will be a successful venture. Here are a few options to get you started:
Agility
Agility classes are great for high energy, athletic dogs. Breeds that excel at agility include Border Collies, Huskies and Jack Russells, just to name a few. Agility is an obstacle course of ramps, jumps, tunnels, and more. Your dog must learn to navigate these obstacles at a high rate of speed and competitions are timed.
Herding
These type classes are specifically for the herding breeds, such as Border Collies, Corgis, and shepherds. These classes involve teaching your dog succinct movements to contain animals like sheep and even geese. It’s a great way for them to use their natural instincts in a constructive way.
Tracking
Tracking is a good option for hunting breed dogs and other dogs with a high scent drive. This training could even lead to a career in search and rescue. Dogs are taught to identify a scent and from there, are taught to find the scent in a variety of different situations.
Fly Ball
Fly ball is a sport that involves
joining a team of other dogs. They run in turns like a relay race down an aisle of four jumps. At the end, there is a spring-loaded box that shoots a tennis ball when they pounce on it. Once the dog returns with the ball, the next dog is then released to complete the obstacles. The team with the fastest time wins.
Diving Dogs
For the competition, dogs are instructed to wait on a dock while their favorite toy is thrown into the water. When commanded, they run down the dock and leap into the water. The dog with the longest leap, wins. Retriever breeds excel at this sport.
These dog sports are only a few of the many types available. For more information on dog sports and how to get started, the
American Kennel Club is a great place to begin your search.