No matter what size or breed of dog you have, there are many venues where both of you can participate in activities to enhance your relationship. The days of just having a dog sit on the sofa with you as an only option are over. Many people are taking an active interest in agility, obedience, dance, flyball and even dock diving.
Agility is a team sport where you run a predetermined course directing your dog to navigate various obstacles like tunnels, teeter-totters, weave poles and jumps. Many venues now have games where you compete for points.
Obedience is like a control competition. how well does your pet listen to your commands? Will he sit or lie down when told? Will she come when called or stay when told? Can he walk through a crowd and only listen to you? It seems quite difficult, but with a little practice, most dogs can do this. Competition dance is like obedience, but less strict and to music.
For dogs that are much more active and perhaps not as controlled, flyball and dock diving are for you. Flyball is a competition of how fast your dog can go out and get a tennis ball and bring it back. There are often teams of dogs and handlers. For those dogs that like swimming, dock diving is the sport for you. whether your dog can jump 5 feet or 25 feet off a dock, it is exhilarating to watch.
Here are a few links if you are interested:
http://www.dockdogs.com/
http://www.flyball.com/
www.akc.org/events/agility/index.cfm
http://www.nadac.com/
For information about learning these great sports, check out the Greater Racine Kennel Club (http://www.grkc.org/).
Todd Whitney, DVM
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