5 of the Best Dog Sports To Try With Your Pup

Have you ever envisioned you and your pup becoming Olympic champions? Anything is possible, but like Rome, athletes aren't built in a day! Participating in sports with your dog trains both their body and mind and strengthens their bond with you. Here are five of the best dog sports to try with your pup, whether you're aiming to be the best of the best or just want to have fun.

Agility

Agility courses aren't simply about going fast—they're about going fast in a graceful, controlled way. During an agility course, you'll lead your dog through a variety of obstacles. The goal is for them to go through the course as fast and as flawlessly as they can. Agility work requires a deep bond between you and your dog. As you guide them through the obstacles, they trust your instructions and fearlessly do as they’re told.

Rally

Another one of the best dog sports to try with your pup is rallying. It’s a sport centered around obedience. You and your dog navigate a course covered in dozens of signs, and each sign provides a new instruction. Complete one instruction, and you can move on to the next. This sport challenges your dog's body and mind. It's great for training young pups and for maintaining older dogs' memory and comprehension.

Scent Work

Scent work is a fun and exhilarating sport for dogs. During scent work, your dog runs around and sniffs out hidden cotton balls or cloths soaked in essential oil. You won’t know where these items are hidden—and neither will they. It's a treasure hunt! This activity is best for scent hounds and other scent-sensitive breeds, but all pups are welcome to participate.

CAT

The name of this sport might perplex you. How can CAT be an activity for dogs? CAT, which stands for Coursing Ability Test, is a sport where your dog runs down a course in hot pursuit of a lure. If your dog loves to run around and chase things, this is the sport for them! One great thing about CAT is that it's completely pressure-free. CATs are professionally judged—but not strictly. Your dog will earn a pass or fail depending on their speed.

Canine Freestyle

Do you love to dance? Does your dog love to dance? Combine your musical talent and impeccable footwork during a canine freestyle comp. Canine freestyle is a competition where you and your dog put on a musical performance. A normal routine typically involves dogs doing twists, turns, weaves, moonwalking, and jumps.

Whether you need a safe leash for agility training or a comfortable crate for your pup to rest in after a long day of activity, DogGoods can help. We're one of the best places to buy dog products online. Make a difference in your dog's life and the lives of pooches around the world with your purchase—we donate a portion of every sale to animal charities.