Dog sports for teenage children?

[Retq]

Has anyone had their children become involved in any dog sports/activities? I have a 12 year old who needs a hobby and we have a one year old dog who would be keen to do stuff. I am planning to start hiking /hill walking with dog soon and think he would enjoy that. I am just wondering if anything else would suit? I not sure if this is something children can really do?

There's lots of kids in all sorts around the dog world. Agility or flyball may be a good place to look if your dog has basic training already. Alternatively trick training classes really appeal to kids quite often ☺️

What sort of dog have you got? Your options include gundog training, agility, flyball, competitive obedience, and that one where you dance with the dogs. It would make sense to pick one that would not only interest your DC, but play to the strengths of the dog.

There are also outdoorsy ones like man-trailing, as well as some like the ring sports where I think you would probably have to be at least sixteen.

IME most dog-related activities are welcoming to secondary-aged kids. I go to a gundog training club and one girl came from the age of 14 or 15 until she went to college. We'd happily incorporate younger kids if they turned up (we have a junior membership) and were prepared to stand around in the awful weather that we sometimes endure.

The tricky thing will be finding one that is fairly close by and has space.

We have a border collie so she should adapt well to most activities I think.

I like the idea of man trailing. I think this seems a bit cooler than agility for some reason.

Cooler for a child I mean. Cos it is done in more outdoorsy locations

I think if you have a collie then other sports are going to be a better fit than mantrailing

Canicross?
My DCs run with my collie cross.
Otherwise I'd say agility, or informal outdoors agility/barkour type stuff. Basically which is parkour for dogs. Good for agility/obedience but out in the countryside

All of these are doable. Mantrailing is cold and wet. Perhaps try a few and see what your 12 year old and the dog enjoy?

It would also be worth looking at the Young Kennel Club. Structured activities, and a free ticket to Crufts. www.thekennelclub.org.uk/young-kennel-club/

Agility is quick to see results and easy to train at home on foundations. Boost owners endorphins as well as the dog. A very friendly community that welcomes everyone (usually)

Mantrailing can cover long distances and a lot of hanging around in the cold and wet. Being a misper can be a bit of a chore (although some people love it)

Scentwork is great for collies but again can take time to see fab results. Not quite such a big competitive community to be part of but great skill to teach any dog.

If you have an active dog club near you speak to them. Many clubs cover a lot of disciplines and would let you try out some to see which works best.

However all disciplines will need focus and a good level of general obedience so that would be the place to start whatever you final decide on.

The Young Kennel Club is also a great place for youngsters, loads of camps, training days etc Young Kennel Club

cross posts with Motorina

@PollyRoulllson if both of us recommend it it must be good

Thanks. Didn’t know the young kennel club existed!