Most popular dog hobbies

Every person gets a dog for their own reasons. But with any, even with the smallest dog, you need to exercise regularly. The more interesting events and activities there will be in the life of your pet, the happier and more developed it will be. And if you are sincerely interested in something together and learn how to work in a team, then a strong friendship is guaranteed to you!

What activities can master and dog master? First of all, it is important to understand that everyone is individual. It is not only about your preferences, but also about the state of health, physiology, individual characteristics of the pet. Almost any dog ​​will enjoy daily walks, but jumping over obstacles or running long distances is not for everyone. When choosing an activity for your team, be sure to consider the capabilities of your particular pet.

The most popular thing you can do with your dog is to learn new walking routes and exercise. The level of difficulty depends on your desire and preparation. It is enough for someone to get out with a pet for walks in the park. Someone likes to play ball, frisbee or fetch. This does not require any special skills and equipment – only your desire and enthusiasm! The most athletic owners run marathons with their dogs, ride a bike accompanied by a pet, go skiing or, for example, learn to ride.

You and your dog can start a hobby “for yourself”, and it will certainly benefit you. But if you wish, with some activities you can go further, reach a new level: study, practice technique, attend competitions, turn your passion into a profession and even help people. Here are the most popular of these activities.

• Agility. This dog sport was invented in England in the 70s. Now it is popular all over the world. 

During the competition, the dog passes the obstacle course together with its handler (owner or handler). In this case, the handler can influence the dog only by voice or gestures. Treats and touching are prohibited. Judges evaluate the speed and quality of passing obstacles.

To show high results, the dog and the handler must deeply feel each other and develop their own strategy. There is no way in this sport without trust, mutual understanding and focus on each other.

• Frisbee. Another type of gaming competition. The handler (dog owner or athlete) throws the discus and the dog catches it. This is a very popular destination, because. it does not require special projectiles, equipment and platforms. Frisbee can be practiced with almost any dog, as long as it has no health contraindications. During the competition, judges evaluate the jumping technique and coordination of the dog’s movements.

For a high result, the pet needs to be in excellent physical shape, and its accompanying person needs to master different types of throws and understand the flight path of the disc in order to adapt to the dog’s capabilities.

• Freestyle (dancing with dogs). And this is perhaps the most spectacular sport with a dog. Freestyle is a dance that a dog performs with its owner (or a specially trained athlete). This is real, living art. 

The team selects music in advance, invents a dance, which is a set of commands, works out movements, prepares spectacular costumes. A well-coordinated number looks simply amazing. But the main thing is the level of trust and mutual understanding, which the owner and the pet come to in the process of training. Awards are rewards, but such a hobby will unite you and give you a huge amount of positive emotions!

• Flyball. This is a fun relay run by several dogs. Dogs run along parallel tracks with obstacles. At the beginning of the relay, the dog jumps onto the pedal of the catapult, which launches the ball. The dog runs after him. The first team to bring the ball and clear the distance wins.

Flyball originated in the USA in the 70s and is now very popular in Europe.

• Nosework. Such an interesting word is called teaching a dog to find a variety of sources of odors in a variety of conditions: indoors, transport or in open areas. Dogs are taught to work with hydrosols, essential oils, natural and other scents. 

The main advantage of this sport is that any dog ​​can master it. Sometimes the state of health or individual characteristics do not allow animals to engage in active sports that require excellent physical shape. But any dog ​​can track and search for sources of odors, even those with chronic diseases and disabilities. Such a hobby allows the pet to use its natural potential and makes his life more fulfilling.

Nosework was founded in the USA in the 2000s. Today it is becoming popular all over the world.

• Dog sled racing. Or, in another way, sledding with dogs. If you think that sledding is just about huskies, winter and sleds, great news awaits you!

You can practice sledding with almost any dog ​​and all year round! A special scooter or bicycle can act as a sleigh. In addition, the owner can run with the dog on his own legs or skis. This sport is popular all over the world. For our country, this is still a young direction, but sledding competitions are held regularly.

Perhaps big sport is not for you. But that doesn’t mean your dog can’t become a Champion!

If you are a true fan of a certain breed and enjoy attending dog shows, perhaps a show career is your calling. However, you need to think about this even at the stage of choosing a pet. Only purebred show class dogs are allowed to participate in exhibitions. The better the pet’s pedigree, the more likely it is to get high marks. At exhibitions, the dog does not need to perform unique tricks and show miracles of ingenuity. Judges evaluate the exterior of the dog, its compliance with breed standards, the beauty of movements.

Preparing for an exhibition is an interesting process. The dog needs to be exercised regularly to keep it in good shape. In the ring, she must move in such a way as to show the judges her best side. Both the owner himself and a specially trained person, the handler, can work with the dog. Great importance is attached to external data: professional groomers take care of the dog, because even the wrong haircut can disqualify a pet! Of course, the owner also needs to master the basics of grooming, so that, if necessary, before the performance, quickly give the pet a gloss.

Our country annually hosts a huge number of exhibitions of various sizes. Preparing and participating in them is very interesting, and anyone who sincerely admires their pet will enjoy winning places and collecting medals! And how many interesting acquaintances with like-minded people this lesson will bring you!

If your dream is to help people and want to get involved in socially responsible activities, then your dog can keep you company. A pet can be trained to follow the trail and direct this talent to find missing people in organizations such as Lisa Alert. Special training courses will allow you to grow a canine therapist or rehabilitator out of a dog.

You don’t even have to have your own dog to help those in need. There are special programs where you are given a dog from a shelter for temporary care. During the search for new permanent owners, you become a curator for such a dog, taking it home and providing full care for it.

We have listed the most popular dog activities in our country. For each of them you will find professional support and development opportunities. Dare!