Dog sports, besides being a great pastime, help strengthen the bond between dog and owner. They also give the dog a purpose.
All living things produce energy necessary for sustaining life and daily activities. Dogs, however, live alongside us in a way that prevents them from using this energy, so it accumulates.
Dogs don’t need to hunt for food, nor do they have to defend their territory most of the time. In many cases, their reproduction doesn’t depend on overcoming rivals.
In the past, each species had a specific role, and they truly earned their keep. Today, urban dogs live in what can be compared to a luxury prison. Therefore, canine sports aim to address these missing roles.
Coordinated group work and “collective action,” led by the dominant individual – here, the owner – are crucial for a dog’s well-being.
It doesn’t matter which sport you choose (though it’s best to consider the dog’s temperament); just get started! Putting a dog on a treadmill and letting it tire out isn’t considered dog sports.
The range of lifestyle programs is almost limitless. However, all of them share two common elements: without a good program, there is no happy dog. Moreover, a good program benefits both the dog and the owner, including the well-deserved rest that follows.
