Have more fun with your dog
Hands up if your new years resolution was to do more with your dog?
If you want to have more fun with your dog, then I can recommend giving dog sports a go. Belle and I have been having lessons for a couple of years now. Our trainer’s motto is just that – Have more fun with your dog!
While I don’t think you’ll be seeing us at CRUFTS any time soon (and by that, I mean EVER), we love it! I thought I’d share a little about our hobby for anyone looking for some inspiration and motivation to keep their 2023 goals.
Location
K9Fun Dog Training is based in Hopperton, North Yorkshire. The training field is completely safe, secure and without any outside distractions. Parking is off road and safe. It is only two minutes from Junction 47 (A1), making it easily accessible for dog owners from York, Easingwold, Wetherby, Harrogate. (I live half way between Strensall and Easingwold and it takes me about half an hour in the car).
Training Methods
At K9Fun only reward based, positive reinforcement training techniques are used. Book a lesson and you’ll be encouraged to pack your treat bag full of tasty treats or bring your dog’s favourite toys. Or both depending on what your dog finds most rewarding!
There is lots of praise and encouragement for us dog owners too. And you’ll get the added bonus of burning a few calories trying to keep up with your dog if your dog is anything like as speedy as mine!
One to one or class based training is available in a variety of dog sports, which means there is something for everyone…
Agility
Dog agility is basically a fun obstacle course for our dogs! You’ll learn to teach your dog to tackle jumps, weaves, the seesaw, A Frame and going through THE TUNNEL!
The TUNNEL – Belle’s favourite thing ever!
Hoopers
Hoopers is great for all dogs, from puppies to older dogs. There is no jumping or impact making it safe for everyone to enjoy. You’ll learn to send your dog through a series of large hoops, tunnels and around barrels – all at their own speed.
Flyball
Flyball is a team dog sport. Teams of 4 dogs will race against each other down a track over 4 jumps, collect a tennis ball and run back over the jumps without dropping the ball. Fastest wins.
When you see this event at top level it looks like it is an activity for only the fast and the furious.
I’ve since learned, this isn’t true. Racing is split into divisions so your dog will have a place whether they’re Speedy Gonzales or Slowpoke Rodriguez!
The Trainer
Kim Gillespie owns and runs K9Fun. Kim has been in the dog sports world for many years and has competed at the very top level. Kim, along with her amazing dog Mouse, have a really impressive track record –
- 2020 Crufts Flyball Champions
- 2x Crufts Flyball Runners Up
- 2022 British Flyball Association Outdoor Champions
- British Flyball Association Record Holders (running a time of 14.70
Mouse and Kim achieved all this, as part of team FOCUS. While these guys are super competitive, their ethos is love the dog first and the sport second.
This approach is something Kim brings with her to her training too. Neither you, nor your dog will ever feel under pressure or uncomfortable while at K9Fun – the focus is on, you guessed it, having fun!
Importantly for me, Kim has experience of rehoming and handling reactive, nervous dogs. This means she ‘gets it’ if you have a dog with specific needs and everyone is made to feel welcome.
Benefits
Learning something new in a positive environment is great for confidence building. This in turn helps build resilience in our dogs. Resilience helps our dogs cope when faced with potentially stressful situations. Working together to learn new skills will strengthen the bond with your dog – it certainly has for us! A strong bond and good communication with our dogs results in easier, more enjoyable walks and makes home life more harmonious for all.
Belle and I love our lessons, its real quality time together and we always look forward to our sessions. Belle is always happy, relaxed and ready for a snooze when we get home, which is always a bonus when you own a Weimaraner.
LINKS
K9Fun https://www.k9fun.co.uk/
I also recommend for force free, expert agility training Katie Bell at KatsDogs https://www.katsdogstraining.co.uk/
If you need help providing your dog with stimulation and exercise, check out my dog walking services here.