Diving into Dog Sports

This past Friday, I decided there was only one way to beat the heat this summer and that was to give my dog a chance to get her paws wet! I took Hazel for her first time dock diving and she had a blast! This was not Hazel’s first time swimming, but she isn’t the biggest fan of toys so convincing her to jump off the dock took some creativity. I ended up getting in with her and sure enough she jumped off that dock like she had been doing it her whole life! I will admit if I could have stuck a duck at the end of the pool, I am sure she could have cleared it without an issue!

The best part about dog sports isn’t the ribbons. It’s watching your dog have fun as you strengthen your relationship with them. Not only that, but its a sure-fire way to tire your pup out! After an hour of playing around in the pool Hazel couldn’t wait to dry off and take a nap!

If you’re thinking about trying your hand at some different sports, whether it be agility or detection, remember while technically it is a competition, your dog has no idea. To your dog stepping on an agility course is like being a kid at a playground. It’s fun, enriching and it’s just about having a good time. The best tip I could give anyone getting into sports is to just take it at your dog’s pace and have fun. Training should always be a positive and enjoyable experience for your dog!