Walking your dog and participating in dog sports is healthy for you and your pet. A bonus is meeting and spending time with people who enjoy the same doggy activities that you do.
People are more likely to meet their weekly minimum exercise requirements when they walk their dogs. Involvement in AKC performance sports with your dog benefits both of you. These include improving heart health, easing stress, adding confidence, and boosting mental well-being.
Good for You and Your Dog
There’s nothing better than spending time with your dog. It’s a bonding experience between you, and also has positive benefits for your health. Plus, it’s good for your dog! Whether you’re exercising with your dog or just spending time with them, it’s good for your mental health and fitness as well as your dog’s.
So why not get the best of both worlds? Participating in group activities with your dog, like dog sports, dog walks, group training classes, or dog clubs, can help you connect with others, exercise your dog, and more.
Physical and Mental Benefits of Dog Groups
Joining an AKC all-breed, national breed, local breed club, or performance group offers many physical and mental health benefits. Group membership allows you to spend time with friends who share your affinity for your breed and helps you build a social network. Many studies show that social networks improve physical and mental health. Connecting with people in a dog club can lead to a longer life span, reduced cardiovascular disease and cancer incidence, and enhanced immune function.
Research shows that building strong social ties in a group expands your social ties, which is vital to brain health. For example, numerous studies show that volunteering can help reduce levels of anxiety, depressive symptoms, and the risk of cognitive impairment.
Belonging to an AKC dog club and working with others to help dogs can give you a sense of belonging and security. The participation with others of like mind helps elevate your self-esteem, which can enable you to handle anxiety and stress more easily. It makes it easier to call or email a dog friend you’ve met in an AKC group to talk. When you need a little help from a dog friend, the network helps to support you.
Dog Activities You Can Do in a Group
There are many different AKC dog sports that offer opportunities to participate, whether in an individual, team, or group format. Whether it’s conformation events or companion sports, there are so many different ways for dogs and owners at different experience levels. Consider trying these activities that are especially great for building community with other dog owners:
AKC FIT DOG
If you and your dog are in good shape and walk with your dog regularly, this program is an excellent choice. You’re already out there walking your dog, and this program lets you earn titles for your efforts. You can participate alone or join a regularly scheduled canine fitness or conditioning group that offers AKC FIT DOG. With four AKC titles, the beginning level involves walking at least 30 minutes five times a week for at least 150 minutes per week for at least three months. AKC FIT DOG clubs are a great way to meet other people who enjoy walking their dogs, plus experience all of the physical and mental benefits that come from time spent outside with your dog.
Obedience
Obedience is a practical dog sport that has rules and regulations and requires training and conditioning. While accuracy and precision are essential, the dog’s willingness to follow basic skills such as sit, stay, down, and heeling on and off the leash is also important. Your local AKC training club may offer Obedience classes that may inspire you to enter an Obedience trial with your dog. Along the way, you will build a network of other Obedience participants who you can learn from and cheer for.
AKC Rally
In this event, you and your dog compete as a team. You steer your dog through a course of 10 to 20 signs. These provide instructions on a skill your dog needs to perform. AKC Rally is a timed routine, although your dog’s talents and the teamwork count. AKC Rally is another sport that an AKC training club may offer both as a class and by hosting trials. AKC Rally is another sport where the friends you make will be an essential part of learning and building a network of support.
AKC Scent Work
AKC Scent Work takes advantage of a dog’s greatest sense: the sense of smell. As a sport, AKC Scent Work teaches dogs how to communicate to their handler when they’ve recognized and located a specific scent. Many dog clubs offer AKC Scent Work, or you can train a dog to use its nose in the comfort of your home. And if you feel like your dog is ready to compete, you can meet others who enjoy the fascinating sport by entering an AKC Scent Work trial.
AKC Fast CAT
In AKC Fast CAT, your dog runs alone on a 100-yard course to chase a lure. This is one of the newest AKC sports, and it’s an excellent way to start your dog off on the fun of competing. Plus, AKC Fast CAT events are an opportunity to meet other people who may also be newer to the world of AKC sports and competing for the first time. (And it’s just really fun to come and watch, even if you aren’t competing!)
AKC Therapy Dog
AKC Therapy Dog is a program which recognizes the work of therapy dog and handler teams. These teams work through accepted organizations to bring joy, comfort, and calm to people who can use a furry hug. Owners and their dogs schedule visits with patients in facilities such as classrooms, libraries, assisted living centers, hospitals, shelters, and courtrooms. Sharing your dog with lonely seniors or stressed-out students connects you with other people and gives you the opportunity to give back to your community with a real sense of purpose.
Benefits of Group Activities for Seniors
It can be hard to find ways to connect with people who share common interests and community, especially when you’re 65 or older. It’s not just socially beneficial to be part of a group, but can also be helpful for your long-term health. Loneliness in seniors can be detrimental, so it’s important to stay active with others. Plus, everything’s more fun with like-minded people!
It can also benefit your health to maintain friendships. A study at the University College London found that people in their 50s and 60s were less likely to develop dementia when they saw friends once a day. Health benefits like these are part of the reason that it’s important to maintain relationships throughout all stages of life. And dogs can be our partners in maintaining and building these relationships every step of the way.