4 Sports to Try With Your Dog

For many dog owners, keeping their dogs active and engaged is key to their overall well-being. What better way to stay fit, bond with your pet, and have fun than trying dog sports? These activities not only provide physical exercise but also challenge your dog mentally, strengthening your relationship. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or looking to try something new, here are four sports to try with your dog.

1. Agility

Agility is one of the most popular dog sports worldwide, and for good reason! It involves navigating a timed obstacle course filled with jumps, tunnels, weave poles, and seesaws. Agility requires coordination, communication, and focus between you and your dog.

• Benefits: Agility enhances your dog’s physical strength, balance, and obedience skills. It’s also mentally stimulating as they figure out how to navigate obstacles in sequence.

If you’re just starting out, many local training centers offer agility classes for beginners, and you can even set up a DIY agility course in your backyard!

2. Flyball

Flyball is an exciting relay race that involves teams of dogs racing over hurdles to reach a spring-loaded box that shoots out a tennis ball. The dog must catch the ball and race back to its handler before the next dog on the team takes their turn.

• Benefits: Flyball is a high-energy sport that promotes teamwork and sharpens your dog’s retrieving and jumping abilities. It’s a fast-paced activity perfect for dogs that love to run and chase.

Flyball leagues exist all over the world, so it’s easy to find a team and compete locally.

3. Canicross

If you enjoy running and want to involve your dog in your workouts, Canicross might be the perfect fit. It’s a sport where you and your dog run together, with your dog wearing a harness connected to you by a bungee cord. While your dog runs ahead, you maintain control through verbal cues.

• Benefits: Canicross improves cardiovascular health for both you and your dog and builds endurance. The sport also encourages obedience and reinforces teamwork through communication.

To get started with Canicross, you'll need a proper harness for your dog and a hands-free leash system. Many Canicross events also offer beginner-friendly races, so you can ease into the sport at your own pace.

4. Mantrailing

Mantrailing is a fascinating and highly engaging sport where dogs use their exceptional scent-tracking abilities to locate a specific person. It’s similar to search and rescue operations but designed as a sport or hobby. The handler provides the dog with the scent of a “runner” (the person to be found), and the dog uses its nose to track the individual’s path over varying terrain.

• Benefits: Mantrailing taps into a dog’s natural instinct to track scents, which is mentally stimulating and highly rewarding. It helps dogs build focus, confidence, and problem-solving skills while getting physical exercise. Plus, it’s a low-impact sport, making it suitable for dogs of all ages and breeds.

How to Start Mantrailing

Mantrailing classes are available in many areas, and the sport is becoming increasingly popular. To get started, you’ll need a harness, a long lead, and a scent article from the person to be found. Professional trainers often help beginners by guiding the dog and handler through the basics of scent work, gradually increasing the difficulty as the dog gains confidence.

Why Try Mantrailing?

If your dog is naturally curious, loves sniffing around, or shows strong scent-tracking instincts, mantrailing is an excellent way to harness their abilities in a structured and fun environment. It also provides an opportunity for you and your dog to work closely together, enhancing your bond.

Tips for Getting Started With Dog Sports