Let’s face it, having a reactive dog is isolating and yet we still need to meet their needs. But exactly HOW does one do that? So many times clients feel like their lives have to be micromanaged and they can’t go anywhere or do anything and struggle with enrichment and physical activity. So let’s first discuss ways you can get into dog sports without having to be surrounded by triggers.

1. Find a trainer who offers these classes. Ask if you can borrow a dog or take the class without your dog to get a feel for how to teach the sport

2. Ask if that trainer offers 1:1 lessons or virtual lessons to teach the sports so you get coaching without being face to face with triggers.

3. See if there are any online, on-demand courses for the sport you are interested in. We always encourage finding a credentialed professional with decent ethics to take online courses from.

Now let’s learn a bit about each sport. Please note each sport also has rules that change depending if it is ABCA, AKC, CKC, UKC, NDDA, NACSW, etc. So depending on what sport you choose and through which organization will help you train for their rules. Even if you NEVER compete dog sports are excellent fun for so many.

NOSE WORK- A fun sport of scent detection. Nosework focuses on using a dog’s innate sense of smell and powerful olfactory system to search for specifically trained target odors. NACSW (Anise, Birch, Clove). It is usually timed. Can be indoors, in a container, outdoors, or in and out of a vehicle. It requires you and your dog to work together, you to trust in your dog, and you to read your dog to understand when they are alerting (that is the hardest part of the sport). It is fun to train for and compete in. Many reactive dogs enjoy nose work trials. Check it out here

CANINE FREESTYLE- A pairing of choreography, dance, and dog training. Teaching dogs to move in a certain way along with their owners. If you have a hard time picturing this click these links All Big Canines Denver or Jig BGT

Treibball- is Herding for City Dogs! The goal is to teach dogs to move balls into a soccer goal in a set amount of time without handler assistance. It is fun, it engages dogs with herding and prey drive to PLAY! It’s fun and great for small and large spaces and portable equipment. It doesn’t cost much to start and can be played in and out of your home. Check it out here

AGILITY- This is a sport that most people are aware of and it’s FUN, fast-paced, and can be done everywhere. it involves timing and hitting targets while moving at high speed over obstacles with lots of handler direction. Agility is for everyone.

DOCK DIVING- Teaching your dog to jump off a dock into a body of water then grab a retrieving dummy and exit the pool. The goal is to get a good distance into the water. This is a beyond simple explanation. Check it out here.

This is a super small list but I opted for those with the highest reward for dogs that have reactivity issues as well as owners who may not feel comfortable attempting to manage their dog while playing yet.

Let us know what sports you and your reactive dog compete in.