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 Some dogs have so much energy to burn. They are always on the go looking for mischief in all the wrong places, digging holes, obsessively demanding that you throw their ball and if you ignore them .......
they jump up with their muddy paws, nuzzle you with their wet and sticky noses and claw you with their evil talons.
If this sounds like your dog then you may like to know how to burn up that excess energy by participating in some of the novel dog sports that give aerobic exercise and brain exercise at the same time - now that’s good therapy for any bored, super-active pooch.
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Agility Training
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Agility training is one very good choice. Agility training is one of the best known sports for dogs and in many ways, is the canine equivalent of horse show jumping. Dogs are progressively trained to run an obstacle course where they perform many skills such as weaving though pegs, climbing A-frame obstacles, jumping hurdles and even racing through canvas tunnels. It provides the benefits of intense aerobic exercise and skilled brain work in the one event.
Courses are run by many dog obedience clubs affiliated with your state body of the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) - visit www.ankc.aust.com for contact details. You may also find independant agility clubs in your local Yellow Pages.
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Flyball
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The novel sport, Flyball, is also an interesting activity for dogs and their owners. This competitive sport involves two teams of four dogs running over four hurdles to trigger a pedal on a flyball box. A tennis ball is ejected, which the dogs must return to their owners, via the same four hurdles. There, another keen dog waits in relay for its turn. All breeds of dogs can enter Flyball competitions. The event encompasses all things dogs love such as chasing balls, and jumping, catching, retrieving, competing and striving to please their delighted owners.
You can find out more about flyball through your local obedience training club or contact the Australian Flyball Association (www.flyball.org.au).
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Lure Coursing
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For dogs with energy to burn, lure coursing is another fun event to put on the list. Lure coursing stems from the strong urge some dogs have to hunt and chase. Years ago dogs were encouraged to hunt live animals but that would never be allowed today, and rightly so. Instead, dogs chase a bunch of plastic strips or a plastic bag which is tied to a rope. The rope is pulled around an irregular array of spindles and pullies and the enthusiastic pooches charge after the ‘lure’. Dogs are judged for their enthusiasm, their ability to follow the lure as it twists and turns, on their speed and on other characteristics. However, the owner’s enthusiastic yelling and screaming is not taken into account!
Click here for more information on lure coursing or contact your local obedience training club.
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Dog Endurance Training
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Dog Endurance Training is another emerging sport for dogs that you may like to consider. Endurance training started in Western Australia. In some ways, it is similar to endurance events for horses. However, in contrast to the horse event, it is not a race as dogs only need to complete the course in a set time and in a fit state. Eligible dogs run a twenty-kilometre course along with their owners who compete on a bicycle. Veterinary inspections are held during the event to ensure the dogs are coping easily with the exercise.
In Queensland, Endurance Training is conducted once yearly by the Ipswich Dog Obedience Club. Events are also held in Townsville and Mackay. Contact Kerry Lovell on 07 3814 4928 for more details. In other states contact your local obedience club, breed club or state body of the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC)
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Tracking
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If your dog has a nose for trouble then you may like to put its nose to good use by trying Tracking. A dog’s ability to track scents is legendary and, for dog owners, seeing their pet following a scent is very rewarding. Dogs are trained to recognise and follow human scents over distances ranging from three hundred metres with one right angle turn, to over one kilometre with many turns and challenging elements.
Sadly, as with many other dog competitions, only pure bred dogs can officially compete in Queensland due to over-restrictive and archaic rules but, over the border, unregistered and cross bred dogs can also compete. For more information on dog tracking click here.
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Sled Dog Racing
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If you have a Husky or Malamute you may like to consider Sled Dog Racing. While snow and sleighs are in short supply in South East Queensland, that doesn’t stop the keen supporters of this event having fun. They use two or three wheeled ‘gigs’ to which one or more dogs are tethered. While Huskies and Malamutes predominate, any dog can participate. Events are held only in winter to prevent heat stress and are tightly controlled to ensure the dogs are not over exerted. More details are available from Sonia Moore on 07 3882 0193.
In NSW you can contact the Siberian Express Sled Dog Club or visit the Australian Sleddog Sports Association website.
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Whippet Racing
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Lastly, if you have a lively Whippet, have you ever thought of Whippet Racing? Just like their bigger brothers, the Greyhounds, Whippets also enjoy a gallop around the track. It’s good exercise for these little live-wires.
In Queensland, trials are held at the Waterford Trial Track on Wilson Road at Buccan and more details are available from Vince Wilmot on 07 3200 4701. Whippet Clubs in Australia can be found by clicking here.
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Dr Cam Day BVSc BSc MACVSc is a veterinary surgeon, an animal behaviour consultant and media presenter. In 1995 he qualified as a Member of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in the discipline of Animal Behaviour and is one of only 15 veterinarians with this qualification in Australia. He works full time in animal behaviour management in Queensland, consulting with dog, cat and bird owners on a daily basis as well as appearing on air as Brisbane’s radio Pet Vet, and writing for various magazines.
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