How To Have A Happy Dog

If you are quite creative, love music and enjoy dancing, you might like to try the relatively new sport of heel work to music. This is now extremely popular all over the world and has evolved into many different divisions including musical dressage, heel work and freestyle.

Handlers may wear costumes and use some props, while dogs can wear fancy collars. Most dogs really enjoy dancing to music and it’s fun trying to find a composition that suits your dog’s personality and the way he moves.

Can any dog do this?

Yes: A dog of any breed or size, pedigree or crossbreed, can have fun with heel work to music. If you don’t want to compete, you can entertain your family and friends. Some people get pleasure from taking doge to perform for senior citizens or at a children’s home.

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Agility is a fantastic sport for dogs and owners of all ages to enjoy. It is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK, Western Europe and the USA. Using voice and hand signals, handlers are timed as they instruct their dogs to negotiate a series of obstacles such as tunnels, jumps and ramps.

If you’ve done some basic obedience work with your dog, you can take this to another level by having a go at agility training.

Can any dog do it?

Any dog – cross-breed, mongrel or pedigree – can take part provided he is over 12 months old, and is reasonably fir and healthy. Before starting any agility training, have a chat with your vet to ensure your dog is physically capable as the sport involves running at speed, jumping hurdles, balancing and negotiating various obstacles.

There are elementary, starter and novice classes available for dogs of all sizes including minis (dogs under 38 cm (15 in) high at the withers). There are also classes for young handlers, seniors and disabled participants.

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