Having a reactive dog means a lot of the traditional dog world and dog events are shut to you if your dog has trouble controlling themselves around other dogs. And reactive dogs are very often the dogs who need a job. High energy. Sharp. Busy brain.
These days with advances in technology and dog training, there are a lot more options for competing and titling with a reactive dog. Now you can send in a video of your dog performing and your dog can earn titles in a variety of different sports. This is also a great option for people who live far away from dog sport venues.
Agility: The Virtual Agility League “provides a non-traditional, skills-based agility venue that allows people to submit dog agility performances for review by video. To give reactive or distracted dogs an equal chance to show off their agility skills, and recognition for the people who love and patiently work with them.”
Disc Dog: If your dog is a frisbee pro, Pamela Johnson offers disc dog titles by video. She also offers canine freestyle routine and trick titles.
Musical Freestyle: Dogs and humans show off a dance routine choreographed to music. “Rally Freestyle Elements offers video entries in Musical Freestyle for those that either live too far from live events or for those dogs not suited to the show environment.”
Nosework: Nosework is traditionally recommended for reactive dogs, both as a way to build confidence and because the sport is set up to accommodate reactive dogs and their needs. This sport is also good for dogs with various disabilities.
Parkour: In Dog Parkour, dogs use skills from human parkour and dog agility to overcome obstacles. “Dog Parkour helps with confidence and overcoming fears, and it is a low impact but challenging activity for any canine athlete.”
Rally – FrEe: This sports combines cues from Musical Freestyle and the competition format of Rally-Obedience. “It emphasizes the precise execution of fundamental freestyle and obedience skills while encouraging creative and novel behaviors on a Rally-Obedience style course.”
Trick Dog: Shake. Roll over. Sit pretty. Fetch! Do More With Your Dog! offers trick dog titles from novice to champion.
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| Photo by Grace W. |
October 30, 2015 11:41 am
You always keep fit and have fun!
October 30, 2015 1:22 pm
Great ideas to help work that 'busy brain'.
October 30, 2015 2:00 pm
How cool! I didn't know there were virtual agility trials! Our trainer has told us about some activities at the end of in-person trials near us where the ring is totally closed off so that it's just your dog and they can't see other dogs anywhere and only people you've invited in (like classmates/trainers) are watching and you can request a judge if you'd like. Barley and I might give that a try sometime, but the virtual agility sounds great, too!
November 2, 2015 7:29 am
That sounds like a good option too.
October 30, 2015 2:55 pm
We have heard about sending in agility videos rather than attending events. I guess if you really can't go it would be an option, but for us, half the fun of sports is the event itself. We are pumped for this weekend with two days of nose work. Mom likes the nerves explosion before I work, and loves the time we get to spend together and hopefully get a title or two. Nose work is really great for reactive dogs, though.
November 2, 2015 7:31 am
I agree that going to dog sports is fun but some dogs really can't handle the various triggers at a trial very well and this gives them a chance to participate too.
October 30, 2015 7:40 pm
We do noseworks with our reactive dog. They are quite good about dogs being very separated and the dog is the only one in the room during a trial.
October 30, 2015 7:54 pm
This is such an interesting post! I had no idea you could send in agility videos…what a great opportunity for reactive dogs.
October 30, 2015 8:44 pm
Wow! this was great to learn, thanks!
October 30, 2015 9:45 pm
That's pretty great! Have you heard of Ian Dunbar's Growl classes? They sound super interesting and seem very helpful for reactive dogs.
http://www.tiffanysdiamonddogs.com
November 2, 2015 7:31 am
I've seen them but haven't looked into them closely. I'll have to check it out again, thanks!
October 30, 2015 10:17 pm
This is such great information, it's so good for families of reactive dogs to know that their dogs can compete in sports as well. We have the challenge of not only a reactive dog but living in a rural area as well where it's difficult to find competitions, so some of that virtual stuff is interesting. We definitely have nose work and possibly a trick dog title on Luke's list.
Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets
November 2, 2015 7:32 am
I agree, it's great that reactive dogs have these chances now too. And you have a double whammy!
October 31, 2015 1:37 am
I never thought of using video for agility titles. What a great idea! Mr. N is a busy fellow!
October 31, 2015 1:44 am
That is so cool, having the ability to virtually participate in a sport! What a great idea, I love that.
Love & biscuits,
Digs Luv Us and We Luv Them
October 31, 2015 10:20 am
Great post, love the photos. The tongue poked out indicates concentration right?
November 2, 2015 7:32 am
In his case, it does!
October 31, 2015 1:16 pm
Oh wow, I had no idea about being able to "virtually compete" – that's such a clever way of giving reactive dogs a chance to show off their skills! Love it!
…Mr. N looks cute as always… 🙂
October 31, 2015 1:32 pm
Great list! We'll be checking out a couple of these (already took a peek at the tricks workshops!)
October 31, 2015 6:45 pm
Virtual Agility! What a fantastic idea =) And what a great way to showcase your dogs skills when they're reactive. Wonderful post — thanks!
October 31, 2015 10:15 pm
Cool sports to get your dog active. Go Mr. N!
November 1, 2015 12:06 pm
Interesting. I am not sure what I think about earning a title based on a video. One of the difficult parts of testing is doing it on the given test day with all of the distractions.
November 1, 2015 3:04 pm
Thanks for all the descriptions on activities for dogs. This is a great resource to share with others!
November 1, 2015 3:17 pm
Great info! Our GSD mix is dog reactive and weighs 75#. Not easy to control if she gets past threshhold. We do nosework at home and some obedience training at home. Great ideas!
November 1, 2015 3:44 pm
This is a great idea – not just for reactive dogs, but for other dogs too who maybe can't afford to travel or are super remote! How wonderful dat dis exists – thanks for sharing!
November 2, 2015 7:34 am
It's great there are so many options now!
November 1, 2015 3:47 pm
Way to go Mr.N! Great ideas to keep your pups active! 😉
November 1, 2015 4:37 pm
Great ideas for Kilo. We do virtual trick training with several groups through Facebook and Videos. We also do obstacle courses in the house and outside. Mr N looks adorable.
November 2, 2015 12:31 am
These are some great ideas for reactive dogs.
November 2, 2015 12:33 am
These are wonderful tips and will keep dogs physically active and mentally challenged. I am sharing.
November 2, 2015 7:34 am
Thanks for sharing!
November 2, 2015 2:21 am
Great article….have you heard of Barn Hunts?
November 2, 2015 7:34 am
Yes, I have and Mr. N has done some fun tests. I find that dogs are in close quarters there though.
November 2, 2015 2:56 am
I'll have to share this with a few people I know who have reactive dogs but love agility!
November 2, 2015 7:35 am
Thanks! I hope it works for them.
November 2, 2015 6:16 am
These sound like really fun activities! I love the musical freestyle one. I'm very musically oriented, so my kitties have to put up with a lot of singing and dancing. Sometimes the really enjoy hearing me sing.
-Purrs from your friends at http://www.PlayfulKitty.net
November 2, 2015 7:35 am
You could start cat freestyle!
November 2, 2015 6:44 am
Great ideas here, but I wouldn't have thought of Mr N. as being particularly reactive… he seems like a calm, clever little man.
Annette @PetsAreFound
November 2, 2015 7:36 am
He is leash reactive to dogs out of excitement. He's a lot better than he used to be and he's great around people. I would not describe him as naturally calm though!
November 2, 2015 6:22 pm
I had no idea that there was a virtual agility league! So cool!
May 9, 2016 8:42 pm
Great ideas
September 2, 2017 9:00 am
No idea these things even existed. Great to see so many options for dog owners with reactive dogs!!!!!
September 4, 2017 4:02 pm
It is my dream and intention to have a little agility playground type of thing for Cookie one of these days. For now she’s just happy chasing after small critters.
September 4, 2017 7:52 pm
I think my dogs would enjoy nose work! I think it is so great that there are so many options for reactive dogs!
September 5, 2017 9:25 pm
I never really thought about using dog sports for reactivity. I keep saying I’m going to get Ralph & Luna into some kind of sport or activity, but need a little butt kicking to get going! This might be the little nudge I need. Great info!