If you enjoy doing sports and also love spending time with your dog, what better way than combining both passions? There are varied sport modalities with dogs which meet different interests. Running with dogs, overcome obstacles at a dog agility course, ride a dog sled… all this in perfect coordination with the animal. It’s a good way to strengthen the bond with your dog, to spend time together and to do sports outdoors.
Challenge your dog!
Canicross is the sport of cross country running with a dog, always attached to the runner. The runner wears a waist belt, the dog a specifically designed harness, and the two are joined by a bungee cord. The coordination between both is the key factor!
You can take your dog with you when you go running. If you’re both experienced in running together, you can participate in Canicross running events.
Mushing today is practised also as sport, originally it was a transport method powered by dogs. It implies the use of one or more dogs to pull a sled on snow or a rig on dry land. Whether you try carting, sled dog driving or skijoring… you’ll experience an exciting adventure!
In sheepdog trail or herding events a dog and handler team work together to move livestock around a field, through fences, etc., reproducing the real herding activities during the competition. The dog must keep the herd contained and under control and guide them effectively through the course. A challenge for the dog and the handler!
Benefits of dog agility training
Dog agility has become the most popular modality of dog sport. In a dog agility course the dog has to overcome a series of obstacles in a race for both time and accuracy. The handler directs the dog with the aid of voice, body signals or any other way, except for touching neither dog nor obstacles and with no food or toys as incentives. This requires an excellent mutual understanding!
Mobipark offers a range of equipment to create your dog agility course that adapts best to the designated zone. All the obstacles have been designed following the agility regulation’s guide lines defined by the F.C.I. (World Canine Organization).
Mobipark’s dog agility equipment is made of weather-proof and vandal-resistant materials for a long durability. Naturally, the obstacles do not pose a risk to the dogs.
JUMPS
Jumps are indispensable obstacles for any dog agility course. The dog has to pass them without touching them. With these contactless elements are trained the dog’s dexterity and strength. Different jumps are hurdle, broad jump and tire jump.
CONTACT OBSTACLES
These elements have to be crossed by the dog, training mainly his dexterity and balance. On the seesaw, the dog has to traverse the platform by seesawing with his own weight. The A-frame and the dog walk have to be traversed completely, climbing up at one side and descending the other side, without jumping off the element.
MISCELLANEOUS
Apart from jumps and contact obstacles, there are other obstacles of dog agility courses for the training of concentration and obedience. To pass the slalom the dog has to be very agile and fully concentrate as he has to zigzag without missing any port. The obedience can be improved with the table. The dog has to mount on it and stay on the table until he’s instructed to descend. Tunnel elements require obedience and courage. The dog has to cross the whole tunnel, entering at one side and leaving at the opposite side.
Even so it’s known as a dog sports competition, agility has transcended this limitation and has become a popular leisure activity. You can find a dog agility course in more and more municipalities, where you can enjoy your spare time with your dog while taking advantage of it for the training of your dog’s skills and education.
