Jogging with Small Dogs

Some breeds of smaller dogs that may be up for a short jog in the neighborhood. However, most toy breeds are not built for their athleticism and long distance endurance, so always check to make sure that you pooch is well hydrated and not over exerting himself. Flat-nosed breeds such as the pug are prone to overheating and do not do well in hot weather, so this is important to keep in mind.

Carting with Canines

If you are looking for a sport for a larger breed of dog, try carting! Carting is a canine sport in which a dog pulls a wagon filled with supplies or people.

Some larger dog breeds were used for pulling small wagons such as milk carts. This work has evolved into an activity enjoyed today by breeds such as Rottweilers or Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, among others. Special carts and equipment are available for enthusiasts.

Frisbee for Dogs

Once upon a time, a dog owner tossed a plastic disk for a dog and a canine sport was born. Now Frisbee is a popular competitive sport for dogs and people. Dogs get lots of exercise and also bond with their owners.

There are two main variations. Canines can participate in distance catching. Short distance involves multiple throws of the Frisbee or disc during a timed event. In long distance, the longest throw and catch wins. Freestyle consists of a series of short routines choreographed to music and involves multiple discs.

The Sport of Lure Coursing

Lure coursing is a competition where dogs chase a lure around a field. The lure has a number of turns in order to simulate prey darting back and forth.

Competition is limited to the sighthound breeds, so called because they hunt mainly by sight rather than scent. These breeds include Afghan Hounds, Basenjis, Borzoi, Greyhounds, Irish Wolfhounds, Ibizan Hounds, Pharoah Hounds, Salukis, Scottish Deerhounds, Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Whippets. Greyhounds and others of these fast breeds also participate in track racing.

Frisbee - A Sport for All Dogs

Frisbee is a sport which provides entertainment for the dog, the handler, and the spectator. And the best part? Almost any dog can participate in Frisbee due to its accessibility. All you need is open space and a plastic disc. Dogs with high energy and a good degree of athleticism tend to excel at Frisbee. Interestingly enough, a good number of dogs originally from animal shelters have been known to do well at Frisbee. These rescue dogs could channel their energetic nature into this great sport.

Walk for Exercise

The answer here is yes, you do need to walk him. Believe it or not, dogs loose in a yard seldom get the exercise they need. Their time may often be spent sleeping or lounging. Try taking you canine out for a walk daily or several times a week to build strength, burn calories and for a change of scenery.

Active Breeds

So you're looking for a dog to go jogging with, take some hikes, and maybe try a competition sport or two? In general consider a dog from the Working Group or Sporting Group. Working dogs like German Shepherds and Siberian Huskies would do well covering some outdoor terrain with you. A dog from the Sporting Dog such as the Golden Retriever or English Pointer are high energy dogs and would love go accompany you on a physical jaunt to burn off some steam.

Flyball is a Lively Sport

Dogs chasing balls are an age-old sight, but flyball puts a new twist on it. Competing in teams, dogs must jump low hurdles, push a flyball box to release the ball, catch the ball, and run to the finish line. One team has four dogs and they take turns much like a relay race. This great sport offers opportunities for training and exercise for a dog.

Water Work or Water Trials

Water work trials involves six main components: team swim (with human and dog), underwater and surface water retrieval, delivery in the water and to the shore, towing in the water, scent work in shallow to deep waters, and boating skills.

Generally, any dog that is suited to be a strong swimmer can participate.

Dancing with Dogs

If you want to combine your love of dogs, music, dance and performance, then try a new activity called canine freestyle or musical freestyle. Canine freestyle is a choreographed set of moves where you and your pooch display skill and teamwork to the backdrop of music. You´ll really build a bond with your dog in this activity!

There are two camps to canine freestyle: one showcases the artistry of the dog's movements and one emphasizes the handler and dog's movement together. Both are excellent forms of competition for dog lovers to become involved in.

Fetching a Frisbee

All dogs have a natural prey instinct. They will tend to chase moving objects. In order to teach your dog to catch a Frisbee, you can try and tap into this instinct.

Start by teaching your dog to fetch and return a tennis ball. Reward your canine with praise or a treat each time he returns the ball successfully.

Next, throw the ball up in the air a short distance, close to your dog. There's a good chance the dog will naturally try to catch the ball before it hits the ground. Work with this skill until your pooch is good at catching and returning it.

Now you're ready to start with short tosses of the Frisbee for your dog to catch!

Skijoring is a Snow Sport

If you love cross-country skiing and dogs, you might want to try skijoring as an activity or a competitive sport. Your dog, working in harness, helps pull you over the snowy trails. You both get great exercise!

Field Trials for Hunting Breeds

If you own a hunting breed of dog, you may enjoy field trial competitions that test your dog's abilities to find and flush birds and then retrieve them. There are trials for pointers, retrievers and spaniels among others.

Hunting trials is another consideration. In this competition, a hunting dog is tested not against other dogs, but against a standard. Your dog will be put through exercises including blind retrieves, honoring another dog's retrieve, and marking multiple birds prior to retrieval.

Canine Eventing

Eventing is the triathlon of dog sports, consisting of three segments: dressage, cross country jumping and stadium jumping. In dressage the dog will perform an exact set of movements performed in the ring. Cross country jumping requires the dog to jump over a series of fences. The last phase, stadium jumping, tests the technical skills and physical fitness of the dog. Canine eventing has its roots from horse eventing. It is an excellent sport for those who wish to give their dogs advanced training.

Exercising my Dog

There are so many wonderful ways to exercise your dog and build a close relationship. Most dogs love being active and doing things with their owners.

One of the easiest ways to exercise your pet is to take a walk with her each day. If you walk briskly and go far enough, you and your pet will get a good amount of exercise.

If you have a big backyard or good fenced-in area, play an active game of chase and retrieve with a ball or rubber bone, a natural for your breed of dog. You can also teach your dog to catch and return a Frisbee. The amount of chasing, jumping and returning your dog does will be good exercise.

Another good way to get your dog exercise is to pick up a competitive sport. Try learning about the sport of agility. Even if you never enter the competitions, you might train your dog in some of the jumps. Along with exercise, you'll forge a stronger bond with you canine.

Agility is a Popular Canine Activity

Canine agility has become one of the most popular dog sports around. It requires an excellent bond between trainer and dog. The trainer must guide the dog to do the course exactly right during a timed exercise.

Agility gives the dogs plenty of great exercise as they jump over the bars and climb the ramps. Dog trainers get lots of exercise running the course as well. Trainers encourage the canines through cloth tunnels, through weave poles, and other exercises that must be completed in correct order and in the precise fashion.

The sport is open to dogs of varied sizes as the equipment can be adjusted. Clubs offer opportunities for training and for competition. If you are seeking a new activity for you and your dog, consider agility!

Weight-pulling for Strong Dogs

You might want to consider involving your dog in weight-pulling. This dog sport is suitable for breeds often used for sledding, such as Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies. Each dog is attached to a cart or sled and pulls it a short distance through grass or snow. A variety of weight classes make this sport open to a range of dogs.

Earthdog Trials for Terriers

Earthdog trials are tests designed especially for toy terrier dogs. In this test, the dog must navigate through an underground tunnel and find her quarry, often a rat. Once she has located the quarry, she must "work" the quarry, which includes barking, scratching and pawing at it. At all times, during the earthdog trial, the quarry is protected from actual physical harm.