KIDS AND DOGS – Column 8

It’s hard to believe that spring is just around the corner.  The daffodils and jonquils are already in bloom and kids are already planning activities for their spring break.  As we throw off the darkness of winter and get ready to embrace the sunshine and warmer temperatures, it seems like a great time to talk about kids and dogs. 

I’m from the generation when Saturday morning TV consisted of real people with real dogs lighting up the screen.  Lassie, the rough collie, always ran to get Mom or Dad when Timmy was in danger.  Rin Tin Tin, the German Shepherd Dog, was a hero who helped protect Rusty the orphan in the wild West.  The Little Rascals always had their pit bull, Petey, with them.  Movies about kids and dogs included Old Yeller, Irish Red, and The Biscuit Eater. 

It’s a different culture now.  Dogs on television are animated and much less involved in story lines.  I have trouble remembering the last time I saw something positive about kids and dogs as most stories involve either a dog bite or animal cruelty.  Yet, kids and dogs still go together.  Dogs can play a huge part in getting kids off the couch and in shape.  They can also help children learn responsibility, confidence, and how to handle disappointment well.  As a reminder, children and dogs should always be supervised by an adult to prevent injuries.

Most competitive dog sports have junior handling levels.    There is a sport that could fit almost any child and dog team.  It should be remembered that some sports require the dog to be purebred and registered.  Other sports are open to all dogs.  As you search for a sport that is just right for your child and dog, keep in mind that certain events fit certain dogs and may be limited to certain breeds. For example, lure coursing is only open to sight hounds, such as wolfhounds or afghans.  Earthdog trials are only for terrier breeds.  Likewise, some children like to run, others like to dance.  Help your child choose a sport that best fits his or her lifestyle.

 Competition Obedience teaches a young person many excellent handling skills while training the dog to perform behaviors that include the heel and the retrieve.  Dogs who compete must be purebred. APDT has a less stringent obedience sport called Rally O, which allows the handler to talk with the dog while completing a course with obstacles to jump, turns, backups, and stays.  Dogs do not have to be purebred to participate in Rally.  Flyball, a team sport consisting of four dogs with four handlers, was demonstrated recently at Bark in the Park and drew a huge crowd of spectators.  Each dog jumps four hurdles, retrieves a tennis ball from a box, then returns over the hurdles allowing the next dog to be released. Canine freestyle (Dancing with the Dogs), has been highlighted both on the internet and on the news.  Like playing Frisbee?  Disc dog involves the dog retrieving many Frisbees as part of a routine designed by the handler.   A sport that is gaining more popularity is dock diving, in which the dog runs top speed off of a dock and into the water to retrieve a toy.  The longer the distance covered by the dog before hitting the water, the better the chances of winning. There is also carting, skijoring, and scootering.  The list of dog sports is amazing.

 Of course, my favorite sport is agility.  Basic behaviors such as sit, down, and stay are learned while having fun.  Dog and handler bond as each learns to read the other’s body language.  Memorization skills are honed as the handler must memorize a course while planning the best method of handling the dog on each obstacle.  In many of the trials I have entered, junior handlers have had their own division. The folks in agility have always gone out of their way to help the juniors and to remain positive as they realize that young handlers are the future of the sport.  

All of these sports are highly organized.  Searching the internet will lead you to rules, regulations, teams, and competitions.  I would highly recommend your family take trips to as many different competitions as possible to meet the people,  to observe the requirements, to get information about training the dog, and  how to get involved in the sport. 

Of course, not everyone has the time, the energy, or the money to become involved in one of these organized sports.  Training during the week is an absolute necessity and the costs include not only the entry fees, but hotels, food, gas, and organization registration fees as well.  So next column, we’ll look at some games kids and dogs can play at home.