From Your Dog Trainer in Tampa: How to Play Sports with Your Dog

Did you know you and your dog could be doing so much more than just playing fetch? Dogs may be domesticated these days, but the wolf deep inside of them still loves to get outside, explore and exercise. Take it from your dog trainer in Tampa at Unleash Fido: You can take your bond with your furry friend to the next level with canine athletics.

dogs catching frisbees

Canine Freestyle

Canine freestyle is a competitive performance sport in which you and your dog showcase tricks, obedience training and even dance moves. And the best part? It’s set to music.

Canine freestyle began in the late 1980s as an offshoot of Musical Kur, which is essentially the same sport but with horses rather than dogs. A number of organizations host canine freestyle competitions, such as the Canine Freestyle Foundation and the World Canine Freestyle Organization.

The key to canine freestyle is teaching your dog how to respond to commands while on either side of your body, as opposed to just the left side, which is the standard practice for obedience training. From there, your dog can learn heelwork that is commonly seen in canine freestyle routines, as well as tricks.

You’ll also work on following the rhythm of your chosen music with your dog, as that is crucial to scoring high in a canine freestyle competition.

Disc Dog

In disc dog, you and your pup will work together competing against other teams of handlers and dogs. Disc dog has several events, each involving the handler throwing a flying disc for their dog to catch. The main event is known as “toss and fetch.” In this event, you try to throw as many discs as you can in 60 seconds, and points are awarded based on distance and accuracy of catches.

Disc Dog also features the long-distance toss, which was adapted from an NFL halftime show in which four Disc Dog teams competed for first place. In today’s Disc Dog competitions, the longest toss and catch wins this event.

Disc Dog also has a freestyle event that is similar to Canine Freestyle, but incorporates multiple flying discs. In this event, you might see more advanced Disc Dog teams complete catches high in the air or catch many tosses in rapid succession.

Dog Obedience Training in Tampa

Admittedly, obedience does not sound quite as flashy and fun as Canine Freestyle or Disc Dog. However, obedience training can be a great start for dogs and handlers who are newer to dog sports. Plus, obedience gives you and your dog the foundation you need to eventually take on more complex or challenging activities.

At Unleash Fido, we offer basic dog obedience training in Tampa to dogs of any age. At our basic obedience training program, your dog will learn commands like sit, stay, heel, down, fetch and come. In addition to group lessons, we offer private lessons for dogs with anxiety and problems socializing.

We also offer advanced dog obedience training in Tampa if your dog is ready to take it to the next level. In our advanced training sessions, you and your dog will learn more of the skills you need to compete in Canine Freestyle, Disc Dog and more.