Why Dog Sports?
A dog as companion or helper, are we meeting their breed needs?
It is now a scientifically supported idea. Not only do you release oxytocin when looking into your dogs eyes, the dog experiences the same. Oxytocin it the powerful bonding hormone that gives you that feeling of love and it does not just work for human to human bonding.
Dogs are socially no longer looked at as just a soulless animal to do our bidding, but as an interconnected yet independent being that is journeying through life with us as a partner. It is thought in some scientific circles that we did not domesticate the dog, rather that the dog domesticated us. It was the dog maybe that initially opportunistically came closer to our camps and scavenged food and warmth.
The relationship quickly turned mutually beneficial as dogs helped to hunt big game and to protect our camps, in exchange for easy food. Over time, we selectively bred them for specific jobs that are often no longer required in our modern western world. We rarely take a bird dog birding, or a herding dog herding, rather expect them to be content with short walks, to lay in our yards and decorate our sofas. They have so much more to give. If we look at these “designer” pets true dog nature, they want more from life. Depression and unwanted behaviors in dogs are at an all time high. Often cuddling with them and feeding is not enough through the eyes of a dog. They do not care about how much money you have, how nice of a house or car you drive, or how fat, thin, or good looking you are.
Finding an activity that your dog was specifically bred for or has aptitude and desire for helps to provide an outlet, training opportunity and can solidify the bond between you.
Their relationship runs deeper and is one of the closest we get to being unconditionally loved. Our dogs provide us with opportunities. They are much more than loyal companions as they can be a conduit for increased fitness and inter human socialization. Just think of the often required trip to the dog park. Your dog makes friends and often you build connections with complete strangers who have common ground with you as they simply love and adore their dogs. We can take this to another level when we engage in dog sports. The structure and discipline required to learn, and the teamwork involved if done in a relational and non dominance based way, will do nothing but reinforce and strengthen your bond with your pet and his with you.
There are many activities offered for dogs in our modern society and can be readily found. For example there is barn hunt, dock diving, obedience, herding, scent work, sprinters along with many more.
Agility can be one of many benificial, fun, fitness and bond building sports. Most urban areas have clubs to join where one can learn form in a knowlageble and supportive community.
Agility is a great example of a strong bonding activity as unlike herding which tends to be a more rural pursuit, classes are offered in many urban neighborhoods. It is a wonderful outlet in which your dog gets much desired discipline combined with learning and physical activity. It is an activity that you can just join in for fun and community, or take all the way to the national competition level as you desire.
There is no breeding requirement for many of the competitions as you just need a dog that is sound and interested. To reach the higher levels your dog also needs enhanced athletic ability and some extra drive. I would encourage you to assess what your dog was inherently bred for (this can be a little confusing and take some time if you have a crossbred dog as you determine his stronger set of expressed genetics), and what you would think was fun and go find a club. Get out, meet people and other dogs, get some more exercise and have lots of fun. This will bring joy on many levels and your dog will love you for it.