Dogs have a lot of energy to burn, and exercise is very important for our furry friends to release their pent up energy. Not only does exercise help to release energy, but it helps to better the wellbeing of your dog, leading to a happier and healthier lifestyle.

While daily walks are a fantastic way of keeping your dogs healthy, they can also benefit from incorporating a sport into their routine. With plenty of options available, you’re bound to find a suitable option for your pooch, regardless of their current fitness levels, or breed.

Finding the right sport for your dog can be difficult, as well as choosing the right intensity for your pup’s training. Luckily for you, this blog explores the top five dog sports that you can introduce to your pup.

If your dog has any medical issues, we’d recommend speaking to your vet before introducing any new physical activity into their routine.

Take your Dog Running

A fantastic way of introducing your dog to sports is to take them running. Not only is this excellent exercise for your dog, but it sets the foundation for other sporting activities to be introduced.

There are plenty of different methods when it comes to getting your dog running. Some owners opt to run alongside their dog, taking them on muddy runs through the woods, or even round the block on a lead. Not a keen runner? Don’t worry, you can even take your bike!

Another activity that you can integrate is a simple game of fetch. While it may take a little training to get your dog to understand the concept of returning the ball, fetch makes for a great exercise due to the short bursts of energy released while sprinting.

Dog Agility

Perhaps the most well-known sport for dogs, agility is a very high-intensity activity that will definitely give your dog a good sleep afterwards! The sport entails an obstacle course including jumps, tubes, and seesaws that your dog must navigate through in the quickest possible time.

Not only does dog agility improve fitness, but the sport is an excellent mental stimulant as your pup learns to overcome new obstacles. Dog agility also works to strengthen your connection with your dog, through consistent communication and positive reinforcement during training.

If you find that your pooch looks to be a natural-born athlete, you can turn their exercise into something competitive, with plenty of contests and tournaments that your pooch can enter. 

The Kennel Club has a useful search tool to find a club near you. 

Frisbee

Frisbee, otherwise known as Disc Dog, is an enjoyable, engaging exercise for both you and your dog. Whether you’d like to make it a casual hobby that you and your pooch can play in the local park, or take it down the competitive route, frisbee is a brilliant way of developing your pup’s fitness.

There are two different types of competitive disc dog that you can explore with your pup, these are:

Frisbee Distance Competitions: In this competition, your dog will start by your side, with the aim being to throw the disc as far as possible with your dog catching it. The throwing area is split up into distance zones, with points being allocated depending on the zone that the disc is caught in.

Freestyle Disc Dog: As a more technical, command-based competition, freestyle disc dog involves creative tricks involving frisbees. Each competition is different in its point system, with some events favouring creativity, and others preferring difficulty, with scoring being predetermined beforehand.

Swimming

Another excellent method of improving your pups fitness is to take them swimming. If you live by the seaside, allowing your pup to doggy paddle in the sea on your trips to the beach is a good idea in calm conditions, as long as they’re closely supervised. 

If you’re looking to take your pup into the sea, you may wish to invest in a higher quality ID tag. Our range of Reinforced Dog Tags are crafted with excellent durability measures to last through any adventure.

For those living inland, there are plenty of swimming pools, also known as hydrotherapy pools, for dogs across the country. Hydrotherapy is a supervised, dog-focused activity that allows dogs to exercise in water. This inclusive exercise is also very beneficial for dogs with health conditions, or disabilities.

There are even competitive water sports for dogs, with the most common being dock jumping, which is essentially long jump for pups, plunging into a pool instead of sand. 

Flyball

This competitive sport is a test of speed, discipline, and teamwork. Perfect for sociable, athletic pups, flyball is a relay race where a team of four dogs run over hurdles towards a ‘flyball box’ that releases a tennis ball. The dog will then bring the ball back through the course to their handler or trainer where the next dog will take off.

It is to be noted that this sport is strenuous for dogs without proper training. It is important not to overtrain your pup, and to know their boundaries. However, most healthy dogs will be able to learn the sport with little difficulty.

More information can be found on the British Flyball Association’s website.

Summary

All dogs love to get out and exercise, it's just about finding what’s right for them. You may find that your pooch doesn’t take to ball games, but loves to run, or that they’re uncomfortable in a social environment, preferring solo sports.

The most important thing to ensure is your pup’s safety during exercise. For high octane sports, your dog will require a tag that matches their lifestyle. Designed with durability to endure intense training, our Easy Fit Agility Collar Tags make the perfect tag for our athletic dogs, reducing the risk of catching during exercise.

Click here to explore our range.