Activities For Athletic Dogs

Some dogs are instantly obsessed when they are given new toys, while others take a bit of convincing. For both the sake of interest and safety, we recommend you get a dog-specific Frisbee - that is, one with softer edges, either rubberized or nylon to prevent any damage to their teeth. See if they're interested inherently. If so, feel free to jump in. If not, entice them by getting them to take the Frisbee and reward them with attention or treats in the process. If you need to go further, you can even go so far as to use it as a bowl for treats or actual food so as to make good associations. Once they're finally interested, you're ready for the next step.

Now that they're interested, give it a soft, short toss nearby but away from them and see if they chase and grab it. They may not have the instincts to return it immediately, but we'll save that for the final step. Once you get them to chase it, see if you can also get them to catch it a few times in closer range with more soft tosses. Once they master it close-range, stretch it out and see what kind of distance you can eventually get them to run for it. The more they have to run, the more fun they're likely to have (and the more tired they're likely to get; shhhhh) , and most will even try to catch it while still in flight if they haven't already.

Once they're interested, leaping for mid-air grabs, hitting the accelerator in open space, and with any luck, actually catching it, you'll probably want to teach them to bring it back (unless you want to get just as much exercise as they are). Feel free to use a phrase they may already know like one for fetching toys or teach them a new one by using consistent repetition and lots of rewards for the right behavior. Once all is said and done, you can both play to your hearts' desires, tire them out, and improve their overall happiness and health, both mentally and physically.

Most dogs won't instinctively jump over something that is placed in front of them, so needless to say, it will take some training to get them over the first hurdle, pun intended. Knowing your dog can be key to getting started, as you may already know their comfort zone. Start with something they are comfortable with already. If they don't like going through or under things, a tunnel probably isn't the best way to start. Almost every professional agility skill obstacle can be remade at home. For weave poles, you can put garden stakes, PVC, or even ski poles in the ground. Dogwalks can be made with bricks/cinder blocks and a plank of wood. Jumps can be made with cinder blocks and a rake. Pick something easy your dog will be comfortable with. If they're a bit more reserved, try a simple dogwalk. If they're adventurous, try a tunnel or a jump.

Once you've decided on which skill to focus on and built a mock version at home (or taken them to a place where they can practice on professional gear), you can start incentivizing the act. For this example, we'll use a dogwalk, as it's usually the easiest for most dogs. First, allow them to examine the obstacle to get them comfortable with it (you may need to introduce treats if they're less than excited to do so). Once they're comfortable and familiar, see if you can get them to get up and onto one end. Try placing treats on the board and make sure they don't just try to walk up and eat them, or you give them a treat near it, then slowly lure them onto the dogwalk, peppering them with treats or praise once they've climbed aboard (again, pun intended). Try successively placing treats across the board as motivation to walk across, try holding treats in your fingers and luring them across, or try get them to nibble as you move your arm across the board, whatever method proves most effective. Once they reach the other side and exit, remind them how good they did!

Once they've made it across a few times at that pace, try to increase your speed and see if they'll follow suit in pursuit of a reward. Once they begin taking less treats, see if you can help direct them across with just one, then just praise. Keep upping the ante until they're entirely comfortable with the action. For confident, excitable dogs, it can sometimes only take one or two tries for them to get it. For other, more reserved dogs, it may take several sessions altogether. But don't get discouraged! These types of activities not only help form a better bond but they also imbue the dog with additional confidence. Once that is established, you can move onto more complex actions like a weave, tunnel, or jump.

Like Frisbee, your dog may already have an inherent interest in a new toy or object to play with, which is half the battle. If they don't have initial interest, you can surely help them form some by starting with the basics. Take the ball out and give it a few shallow kicks and see how they react. If they show interest, give them praise. If they do not, don't hesitate to institute your current best method, which is usually a clicker or treats. Get them started by praising them whenever they look at the ball, then when they approach, treat-induced or not. Make sure if they're moving slow to understand or be interested, you should slow the process down and reward them small step at a time, as some need more specific and regular encouragement than others. Once you've generated enough interest in the ball, you're ready for step two.

Once your dog seems to be interested in the ball, you can start to introduce basic movement. Use your treats or clicker to reward them when they touch the ball with any body part. Then move it for them a few times and see how they react. If they mimic you, you're on your way. If not, feel free to help them use a paw to move it, then reward them again. See if you can get them to move the ball on their own. Try pushing it towards them slowly, then reward them again when they move the ball themselves. If they seem excited by the idea, try rolling it towards them from farther away, or better yet, away from them so they have to chase it. If they take the bait, you're ready for step three.

Once they have established an interest in moving the ball themselves, you can start stretching the field a little more. Take the ball away from them and see if they want to follow. If they do, kick it around yourself once or twice, then towards them softly. If they repeat the kicking/moving process themselves, you're on your way. If not, spend a little more time getting them accustomed to moving it, or use your knowledge of their personality to entice them to join you whatever way you know how. Once they get the hang of it and join you in moving it around back and forth, playing keep away, or just chasing it, you can up the ante and try teaching them to push it in the goal, by using the same reward technique.