Canine Recreational Activities

There are a lot of fun activities you can try with your canine companion. Some are more formal like obedience, agility, tracking, etc and some are just for fun. Although, a lot of the just for fun events do have ways to compete and earn titles if you are interested.

SKIJORING

Skijoring started in Alaska and Scandinavia where the musher would often ski beside the sled loaded with cargo. Skijoring combines the best of cross-country skiing with the exhilaration of dog-mushing. Having some skiing experience is a real plus especially how to balance on skis. No more than three dogs are used to pull the skier because it would become too dangerous to have more since the dogs are so powerful. Skijoring gives the human participant a chance to see what mushing is about without the cost and expensive of the large team required for sledding.

Although the Nordic breeds are more typical, any healthy and properly conditioned 35 lbs and over can be a skijoring dog if properly trained. Knowledge of basic obedience commands is a plus. As well as learning how to pull, gee (right) and haw (left) commands, and how to stop. Skijoring is relatively inexpensive if you already owns skiing equipment. Either downhill or cross-country skis may be used. A mushing dog harness (x-back or h-back), towline, and skijoring belt are also required.

Both the dog and owner will need to be conditioned as well as the dog needs to be used to wearing the harness for light drags and eventually moving on to wearing it while running beside the skis before moving onto the first skijoring run which should be an open area where the terrain is easy. If there is any question about your dog's health be sure to check with your veterinarian first.

BACKPACKING

Backpacking allows the owner to enjoy the outdoors with their canine companion. In this activity the dog carries its own load in a similar fashion to saddlebags used with horses. Any healthy dog over the age of one year can backpack provided the dog is healthy and in good condition. Dogs new to backpacking should never carry more than 20% of their total body weight eventually working up to 30% of their total body weight.

Backpacking is relatively inexpensive. The dog needs a backpack, collar, water, bowl, and a leash. Packs should be made from a light-weight, water-proof material, with adjustable nylon web straps and quick-snap buckles for ease in getting on and off. It is important to place the weight which your dog will carry over the shoulder blade (withers) area, and not in the middle of the back.

Start out by getting the dog used to the backpack. Strap on the empty pack and have the dog just walk around with it on. As the dog becomes used to it add a little weight in each saddlebag. You'll eventually need to get the dog used to the 20% of its body weight.

For the first hike the owner should choose a short trail that they are familiar with that is easy for the dog to negotiate as well as not too steep or narrow. The dog should remain leashed at all times. To avoid weather related problems on the first hike pick a day that's moderate in temperature and humidity. Start out slowly, walking only a mile or less the first day. Slowly build on the distance you will cover on your hikes. Remember to stretch your muscles (your dog's too) before exercising.

FLYING DISC

Flying Disc (also known as Frisbee) is enjoyed by most dogs. The sport got its start in the early 1970's, when Alex Stein, a 19-year-old college student from Ohio, and his dog,

Start by enticing the dog with the flying disc. A good way is to roll it along the ground or toss it away from the dog. Always encourage the dog to chase after and grab the disc. Once the dog is confidently chasing the disc put them on a long line and throw the disc. When the dog picks up the disc grab the line and call the dog to you. The disc should be thrown at increasing heights, gradually throwing the disc higher, until it finally goes over the dog's head. At that point the dog instinctively follows the disc all the way around.Ashley Whippet, jumped the fence at a nationally broadcast baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds. Stein had with him a couple of flying discs, which he threw for the dog. Ashley astonished the crowd with her disc-catching, as he ran up to 35 miles per hour and leaped 9 feet in the air to snag the Frisbees. Always offer a treat and praise in exchange for the disc.

Dogs of all kinds can play Frisbee. It can be difficult on a dog's hips so any healthy dog with no hip problems can enjoy it. For competition the best dogs are usually medium sized dogs and have a lean, muscular build. Part of the popularity of the sport is its accessibility. All that is necessary to enjoy it is a level playing area, a dog, and a flying disc.

Divisions in frisbee dog events are usually based on the skill and experience of the handler. The events usually include a "toss and fetch" category as well as a freestyle event.

FLYBALL

Flyball is a special relay race in which the dogs jump over four hurdles and jump on a flyball box to release a tennis ball that sails through the air that they must catch and then return over the hurdles. There are four dogs on each relay team. Each team is judged by its speed. Any healthy purebred or mixed breed dog can participate as long as its not aggressive toward other dogs. The height of the jumps are set at the height of the shortest dog on each team so its common to have at least one shorter dog on an otherwise large dog team.

You'll need a flyball box and four hurdles along with numerous tennis balls to start. Your dog should enjoy playing with tennis balls. The dog must also learn to catch the ball in midair, step on the flyball box, jump over hurdles, and lead out. Start by teaching your dog to catch a ball as you throw it. Once it has mastered catching the ball call the dog to you. The next step is to have your dog become familiar with the flyball box. Start by stepping on the box and releasing the ball. Get your dog interested in catching the ball from the box. You will also need to teach your dog to jump. Start with one jump at a low height and send your dog over and then call it back. You may have to start on leash. Once the dog is proficient at one jump move on to two and so forth. When you add the flyball box you may want to briefly go back to just one or two jumps until the dog gets the idea of releasing the ball after going over the hurdles.

FREESTYLE

Canine freestyle (or dancing with dogs) is a choreographed routine set to music in which the owner and dog perform as a team. It is a mixture of obedience, tricks, and dance. This is a new sport developed in the mid 1990s. The dog must perform a variety of required moves.

Any healthy dog can engage in canine freestyle. Competition judges artistic merit, precision, and whether the dog and human partner perform the required moves. The required moves include handling on both sides, changing pace, backing and lateral moves, turns, serpentines, pivots, circles, spirals, and distance work. Freestyle requires a selection of music, costumes, and a place to train.