Dog training may not be limited to dog training: there is a sport in the world for caudates and their owners. And if you still do not know what you can do with your pet in your free time, then you definitely need to try it.
Sports with a dog: why is it needed
The main character in this activity is the dog. Going in for sports, she develops the following qualities:
- Strength;
- Speed;
- Endurance;
- Dexterity;
- Ability to make independent decisions;
- In some sports – the ability to use your senses (scent, sight, hearing, etc.).
Dog sports are quite common.
In addition, sports with a dog makes it more obedient and helps to keep fit. Dogs and owners involved in sports usually understand each other much better. Sports with a dog is also an excellent stress prevention: completely surrendering to training, you forget about your problems. And pets can also win trophies, which is a considerable reason for pride.
But in order for the dog to become an athlete, you need to prepare it:
- Take obedience courses.
- Then – the general course of training.
- Courses UGS (“Controlled City Dog”) – optional, for those who want the dog to be perfectly obedient or become a champion.
- Zks courses (protective guard service) – optional, suitable only for service and guard-prone breeds.
Sport is a great opportunity to provide a load to active breeds in urban environments.
Little is required from a person: a trained dog, a sufficient amount of time and desire. Before engaging in any sport, be sure to consult a veterinarian: each type has its own contraindications.
Sports with a dog
Each sport with a dog has its own history and rules. Of course, there is no such diversity as in human sports, but what has been created involves all the abilities of dogs of all breeds.
Agility
The most popular sport with a dog. Appeared in England in 1977. The program was developed by two comrades: P. Minwell and J. Varley. The idea was to diversify the usual course of dog shows with a small show, which will be shown by the tailed ones themselves. In this case, the breed of the dog was not important.
Agility is the most popular sport among dogs and their owners.
The competition made a splash at the very first show (Crufts exhibition, 1978): the audience was delighted with the excitement, playfulness and obedience of the dogs-athletes. Already in 1989, the FCI recognized agility as an international sport, in 1996 they held the first world championship. Since 2000, work has been underway to include agility in Olympic sports.
The prototype for agility (from the English agility – agility) was equestrian sport, namely show jumping, where a horse with a rider must go through an obstacle course.
This is what the first agility track looked like
Basic rules of agility:
- The task of the dog is to pass the track in the minimum time without errors.
- The task of the guide (or handler, as it is also called) is to guide the dog with voice and gesture commands. Additional motivators (toy, treat, touch) are prohibited.
- During the competition, the dog is not wearing a collar or leash.
- The arrangement and order of the obstacles varies at each competition. A few minutes before the start, handlers without dogs are allowed to familiarize themselves with the track. During the familiarization, the handler draws up a passing tactic.
Projectiles in agility are divided into contact and non-contact.
Active dogs love agility
Also, the rules depend on the agility class:
- Standard – a numbered strip of 15 (for beginners) or 20 (for experienced) obstacles;
- Jumping – an obstacle course (numbered) for jumping, sometimes with additional obstacles, tunnels or “snakes”.
- Joker, jackpot – an unnumbered line, which takes place in two stages: the first (introductory) – the obstacles chosen by the handler, the second (final) – the obstacle chosen by the judge;
- Snooker is a course of three obstacles to jump over and six of another type. The dog first passes one obstacle to jump over, then one of the other six (all at the choice of the handler);
- Relay – commands are formed, selected according to the size of the dogs, which alternately perform the “Standard” track with the transfer of the relay.
Dogs participating in agility must be at least one year old. They are divided into three classes:
- Mini (S) – up to 35 cm at the withers;
- Midi (M) – 35–43 cm;
- Maxi (L) – more than 43 cm.
Agility classifies dogs by size.
In class S, frequent winners are Spitz, class M – Sheltie, class L – Border Collies.
Each projectile has its own commands that the dog needs to be taught:
- “Home! “, “Hill! “- for a slide;
- “Kach! “- for swings;
- “Boom! “- for the boom;
- “Tun! “, “Down! “- for the tunnel;
- “Up! “, “Jump! “, “Hop! “, “Bar! “— for all types of barriers;
- “Circle! “, “Tire! “- for the ring;
- “Trrrr! “- for slalom (“snakes”);
- For the podium-square, on which the dog stops for a certain time – “Sit! “, “Stand! “or “Down! “.
Photo gallery: apparatuses in agility
The height of the barriers varies depending on the size of the dog Boom – a contact projectile Special elevations are built into the hill so that the dog is comfortable to climb Many dogs are afraid of the movement of the swing under their paws The ring must not be touched On the podium square, the dogs show endurance Slalom, or “snake”, you need to pass bothas quickly as possible The tunnel is a contact obstacle
Agility is not recommended for breeds with an elongated body: bassets, dachshunds, etc.
Weight pulling
The name comes from two English words: weight (“weight”) and pull (“pull”), that is, “pull weight”. This is not the newest sport: it originated during the “gold rush” in Alaska. Then the dogs helped people to transport goods on sledges, and often one dog had to carry not the easiest load.
In the literature, something similar to weight pulling was first described by Jack London (the book “The Call of the Wild”). In it, the dog Back (a cross between a shepherd and a St. Bernard) weighing 69 kg moved and carried about 100 m of sledges frozen to ice with a load of half a ton.
Any dog can weight pull.
Weight pulling developed in parallel with sledding and was even part of it: the dogs that showed themselves best in races then competed in pulling loads. Weight pulling became a separate sport in 1978.
In weight pulling, dogs are divided into categories by weight, each system has its own division. Also, for each dog, in accordance with the category, a starting weight is assigned, which can increase from round to round (which are usually from 5 to 12 in one competition).
Some dogs can shift more than 1500 kg
For weight pulling, a dog is sewn a special harness. It should fit the dog perfectly so as not to cause injury to it. When training, the main thing is to interest the dog and teach it not to be afraid to pull the load. Start with a small weight, gradually increase it.
The breed of the dog doesn’t matter. But gambling pit bulls, amstaffs, dogo argentinos, as well as large and sled breeds cope best with weight pulling.
For weight pulling, you need high-quality equipment that is right for your dog.
Dog frisbee
The story of Frisby with a dog began in 1974 in Los Angeles, when during the baseball match Wippet Ashley and its master A. Stein for 8 minutes surprised the audience at the stadium with incredible tricks with Frisby. Stein was arrested, as his performance was illegal, but he saved Irv Lander – one of the spectators, a businessman and an animal lover. He helped Steine develop and popularize dog-frisbee.
There are two types of dog-Frisbee:
- Mini-Distance. The dog needs to catch a disk at a maximum distance from a person. Forments ACCOUNT FROM 0 to 3 points. The dog is supposed to be a bonus, if in the process of capture she came off the ground with all the paws.
- Frisby-Fristail. Spectacular sport with complete creative freedom. The dog and the owner perform various tricks to the music according to the program they compiled.
Video: Frisby-Fristail
For dog-Frisbee, you will need only a set of special frying plates. The dog should be strong, dexterous, hardy and trained. For such contact sports, the dog and the owner must perfectly feel and understand each other. The shepherds of dogs and small greyhounds show themselves best of all in Dog-Frisbee-they are very clever and jumping.
Freestyle Kinological Freesty, or Dancing with a Dog
Sports originated in the late 1980s. At first, it resembled an equestrian exit and was called “Heelwork to Music” (movement near the music). The prototype for Freestyle was the norm of Obidiens. A little later, movements were diversified by tricks: “snake”, jumping, walking on his hind legs, etc. The first official competition was held in 2005.
Video: Kinological Freestyle
The originality of the program (which is the owner of the dog, picking up music, costume and tricks), coherence during the performance and obedience of the dog are most valued in Freestyle. Any dogs can participate in freestyle.
Driving Sports (harnesses on commands)
Dogs are considered one of the oldest among all breeds. Many thousands of years ago, they helped the indigenous peoples of the North transport goods on a sleigh. The first races on the harnesses were held in Alaska between the sledges of gold miners. Sometimes such races lasted several days, during the time of one race, the harness could pass more than 100 km.
Now shed sport is more diverse: the dog can pull traditional sledges, as well as skis (seizure) and small sledges (skipulling).
1-2 dogs can participate in the seizure
Races on sledges are divided into several types:
- Sprint;
- Average distance 40–100km;
- Long distance 100+ km;
- A multi-day race.
There can be up to 12 dogs in one harness.
Sports for dogs – pleasure
In the seizure of ahead, 1-2 dogs are usually used, and 1-4 dogs are used in skipulling. Commands from the owner and dogs are divided in size.
What equipment will be needed for sled sports:
- Drill slope;
- Dick – a shock-absorbing cable attached to the harness (during the operation of several dogs) or to the skier belt (in the discipline of the discounting);
- A belt for the skier – in the discipline of the seizure, a hake is attached to it, the belt softens and distributes the pressure of the pulling dog;
- A harness – a design uniting a sink and mount to the sledges, attached to the harnesses;
- Sleds (or other types of sled);
- Boots – during races over long distances and in extremely low temperatures, protective boots are used to prevent injuries to the paws;
- Ski and sticks.
For the successful passage of the dog’s route, the owner’s commands should obey. There is a leader in every big command, he sets the direction to all dogs.
Dog command can take place up to 45 km per day
Any dogs from medium and large breeds can participate in drilling. Of course, sled rocks and large hounds show themselves best of all.
Dreyland
One of the varieties of driving sports. It is produced along snowless routes. Dreyland is an international sport. Competitions are regularly held on it.
Which commands use for Driving:
- Left turn;
- Right turn;
- Stop;
- Progress;
- Slowdown;
- Acceleration;
- Increasing the force of jerking;
- Ignoring distraction.
Special commands are used in Dreyland
Dream is divided into 3 disciplines.
Camross
Camross is a competition of runners with dogs. The dog, as in the seizure, is connected with a person with a special harness.
For the kicaros, you will need:
- Special belt;
- Drill slope;
- Dick – a cord 2. 5 meters long with shock absorbers, connecting a runner and a dog.
For the kicaros, sled, hunting, mestizo and unfortunate dogs are used. Both the owner and the dog should be in good physical shape, which is achieved only by regular training. As a rule, 1-2 dogs interact with 1 person.
The fastest command wins in the kicaros.
Bike-joring
In the bike-jinging dog, a bicycle pulls. In one harness usually no more than 4 dogs.
- A special design harness, individually selected for each dog.
- Pull – the dog is attached to the bicycle with a special cable with a shock absorber that allows you to extinguish sharp jerks at starts and braking.
- A helmet for a cyclist.
- Protective glasses for a cyclist, especially when rains in forest areas.
- Cycling gloves, for long training sessions and long distance rides.
- Springer – a special device that prevents traction from getting under the wheel of a bicycle. It is important that the harness straps are not attached to the handlebars.
Bikejoring has pretty strict rules about the age and health of the dogs. Each tailed participant undergoes a veterinary check before the start.
Shorthaired pointer recognized as one of the best breeds for bikejoring
The best breeds for bikejoring are recognized as kurtshaar, drathaar and sled dogs. But other breeds can participate in this sport.
Karting
In karting, dogs pull “sleds on wheels,” or cards. In total there are two types of karts – a single gig and three-four-wheeled karts.
When riding a gig, the dog pulls the cart itself and the person in it. You can harness any number of dogs, the main thing is that the weight of the gig with a person does not exceed the total weight of the dogs by more than three times.
Go-kart riding is the same as sled riding. You can harness up to 12 dogs, one of which is the leader and sets the direction. Races are run in the same way as on snow, with the same equipment, rules and commands.
In dog karting, the main thing is that the load does not exceed the weight of the dog by more than three times
Driving, pointing and shepherd breeds are great for driving on the map.
Dog pulling (tug of war)
Dog pulling appeared quite recently in USA. The initiators of the first competition were the members of the American Pit Bull Terrier Breed Club. The participants of the first competitions were only pit bulls, later owners of other breeds became interested in dog pulling.
Dogs of three weight groups participate in the competition:
- Up to 25 kg;
- 25–35 kg;
- 35–45 kg.
Dog pulling is a American sport
The rules of conduct are as follows:
- A rope 3 m long is selected.
- Its middle is indicated.
- The rope is pulled through an opaque “wall”.
- Rival dogs stand on either side of the wall and begin to pull the rope on command.
The scoring system is simple: for every 10 seconds of pulling, the dog is assigned 1 point. 10 points are awarded for a win. The dog with the most points in the competition wins.
Dogs love tug of war
The breed can be any, the main thing is that the dog is at least a year old.
Coursing
Coursing is the pursuit of bait. Previously, greyhounds were trained in this way, but now coursing is available to everyone.
During the competition, the following parameters of the dog are evaluated:
- Intelligence;
- Maneuverability;
- Excitement;
- Speed;
- Endurance.
Coursing dogs are agile and hardy
Coursing tracks can be from 400 to 700 m (for Basenji, Whippets and Italian Greyhounds) and from 0. 5 to 1 km (for other breeds). The bait moves with sharp turns at various angles, testing the speed of reaction and maneuverability. Greyhound dogs show themselves best in this sport.
Dog racing
Dog racing is the same as horse racing. Dogs race for artificial bait. The dog that reaches the finish line first wins.
Since the 18th century in England, where racing originated, they were considered entertainment for aristocrats. Bets were placed on dogs, the best dogs won valuable prizes. Previously, only greyhounds participated in the races, but now other greyhounds can compete in speed.
Competitions are held at hippodromes or cinemadromes. They are used mainly as a way to maintain the physical and working shape of greyhound breeds.
Greyhounds are a traditional dog racing breed.
In some countries, greyhound racing has a higher popularity rating than football.
Rally obedience
Rally obedience is a young type of cynological sport, which is a kind of obedience standard. Many exercises are based on the rules of the international obedience class recognized by the FCI, but have been modified. Rally obedience is closer to game types of training than obidiens.
This is a more spectacular, less rigid standard in terms of judging and requirements for the dog and handler. The dog and the handler go through a sequence of exercises with various complications, in which the dog demonstrates the skills of moving near, adopting positions, fetching.
Obidiens rally is more spectacular obidiens
This sport is open to handlers of all skill levels and dogs of all breeds and ages.
Pitch and go
Pitch and go appeared in Japan at the end of the 20th century. This sport is pure fetching. The dog must, on command, bring the thrown object to the owner and do it in accordance with the regulations.
Pitch and go can be held on land and in water. Dogs are categorized by height:
- Up to 35 cm;
- 35–43 cm;
- Over 43 cm.
Dogs in pitch and go must have the skill of fetching
It is allowed to throw any object to the dog, except for the Frisbee. The performance of one pair lasts 90 seconds. Any dogs are allowed to compete, except for aggressive and shy ones.
Fasttrack
Fasttrack is a combination of adjility and OKD. During the competition, the dogs go through an obstacle strip as in adjiti, but with a delay at the end of the track. During the passage, the ability to change the direction of movement on command, the dog’s knowledge of the basic commands and its reaction to a shot and a muzzle are also checked.
Fasttrek is a very young sport that is only gaining popularity. Any dogs can participate, the division into categories is the same as in Adjility.
Fasttrek is similar to Adjility
Flibol
Flibol is a story about how the owner was tired of throwing toys to his dog, and he made a Flybol installation from a car for throwing tennis balls, which gave the dog the balls if she pressed the button. This happened in the late 1960s. Later, B. Whiterox, the daughter of the famous trainer, became interested in the installation. Several barriers were added to it, which dogs pass on the way to installation. In 1983, the first competitions took place.
In flyibol, commands of 4 dogs are formed. Two or more commands can take parallel routes at the same time. The task of the dog is to go through the barriers, start the installation for flybole, grab the ball and return, again overcoming the barriers. The fastest command wins.
In flyibol, you need to have time to catch the ball
Doc-diving
Doc-diving is a young unrecognized sport in which dogs compete in the length or height of the jump. Competitions are held as follows:
- A toy is suspended above the marked pool (or the owner throws it into the water).
- The dog jumps after her.
- The dog who jumped further or above all wins.
The most popular sport in homeland is in North America. It is carried out in the summer, available to dogs of all breeds. Dogs are divided into categories in size.
In docking, dogs compete in the length and height of the jump
Nousing
A knife is a sport resembling the service of search dogs. The task of a non-assembly dog is to find a smell source on the selected area as soon as possible. Beginners compete in searching for goodies or toys in several containers. More experienced dogs can find an unfamiliar object in any area.
In the laptop, dogs with a sharp sense of smell are most successful: hounds, shepherds and uniform dogs. Any dogs with any health can participate, which is a significant advantage of sports.
The laptop develops the dog’s search abilities
Whatever sport you choose, it will definitely help you not only to train the dog, but to learn to understand it. The dog, in turn, will become not only stronger, but more devoted and obedient. Sport unites not only people with people, but also people with dogs.
