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Dog Training Tips of October: Quirky Dog Sports to Try🏅🐕

Most people think dog sports are just agility or obedience competitions. Hovever there is a big range of less known sports that are super fun to try and can give you behavioural benefits for your dog beyond what happens on the field.
These sports provide mental stimulation, confidence, and practical skills that can make life easier and more manageable at home.

⚽Treibball – Herding Without the Sheep

Treibball is a competitive dog sport where, guided by their handler’s commands, dogs push large balls into goals—an activity that mimics their natural herding instincts.
This sport helps dogs develop problem-solving skills, impulse control, and confidence, while also strengthening their bond with their owner.
Beyond the training field, dogs that practice Treibball often become calmer when facing new challenges, respond more reliably to instructions, and show improved behavior on walks.

👃Canine Nose Work / Scent Sports

Scentwork is a sport where dogs use their incredible noses to locate specific scents in a variety of controlled environments. Once they find the target scent, they alert their handler.
This activity provides powerful mental stimulation, helping dogs become calm, focused, and confident.
In everyday life, scentwork carries over to better focus on the handler during walks, reduced reactivity, and less likelihood of being distracted.

🐕‍🦺Rally Obedience

Rally Obedience is a dog sport that grew out of traditional obedience, but with a more relaxed and fun atmosphere. In this activity, the handler and dog follow a course marked with numbered signs, each giving a clear instruction for an obedience exercise to complete.
Like traditional obedience, Rally is a great way to strengthen core commands such as sit, stay, and come. But it also helps dogs learn to cope with distractions, develop good manners, and build a strong bond with their owner.
Outside the training ring, these skills translate into safer walks, polite greetings, and calm, controlled behavior in public.

🎵Musical Freestyle

Musical Freestyle is a sport where a handler and dog perform choreographed routines set to music, showcasing creative tricks and teamwork.
This activity builds focus, coordination, and a deep bond between dog and owner.
In everyday life, dogs who practice freestyle become more patient, attentive to their owner’s cues, and better at communication.

🐁Barn Hunt

Barn Hunt is a sport where dogs use their noses to locate safely contained rats—or target items—hidden within hay bales.
The activity provides excellent mental stimulation, encourages problem-solving, and strengthens natural scenting skills.
Outside the ring, Barn Hunt helps dogs become more confident in using their nose and stay focused in stimulating environments.

🥏 Disc Dog (Frisbee Competitions)

Disc Dog (Frisbee) is a high-energy sport where dogs leap, chase, and catch flying discs—sometimes as part of exciting freestyle routines.
The game offers incredible physical exercise, while also building timing, balance, and athletic ability. It strengthens focus, improves impulse control, and helps develop a rock-solid recall.
Outside of play, Disc Dog skills carry over into better responsiveness, control, and confidence in everyday life.

🎣Lure Coursing

Lure Coursing is a sport traditionally reserved for sighthounds, where dogs chase a mechanically operated lure across an enclosed field.
It helps develop focus, stamina, and a controlled prey drive, giving dogs both physical and mental fulfillment.
Because it provides a safe outlet for natural instincts, lure coursing can also reduce chasing behaviors and hyperactivity during everyday walks.

Ready to learn something new?

I hope this article inspires you to try some of these dog sports. They’re not only incredibly fulfilling for your dog but also a lot of fun for owners too! And the best part? You don’t need to compete to enjoy the benefits: you’ll see the rewards in every walk, cuddle, and adventure you share together!

Even if you don’t have the time to explore these activities yourself, your dog can still get a fantastic outlet for their instincts. Through tailored walks, I can help your dog get the exercise, mental stimulation, and confidence they need — all while enjoying a fun and engaging outing.

Want to give your dog a stimulating and enjoyable walk? Click the buttons below to book a tailored walk or get in touch to find out more.