Guest contribution by Ingeborg Müller & Diego
Hoopers has always been one of our great passions
This type of sport, in which the dog handler navigates the dog from a given position (i.e. without running along) through an obstacle course, sometimes over long distances, using verbal signals and body language, fascinated me from the start.
The devices used include the so-called hoops (round arches), buoys, gates and short tunnels as well as a hooper slalom.
The dog learns to get involved and to accept the change of direction even from a distance. It's about sending the dog off and being able to control it from a distance.
The speed is not paramount, but the dog should be willing to run.
It takes a lot of instinct, timing and knowledge to be able to lead the dog smoothly and precisely through the course.
Tricks is another passion
For fun, I taught Diego a few tricks early on. The little nerd was so enthusiastic that it soon became part of our daily ritual. If mistress ever forgot, she was obtrusively reminded that he still had his tricks with her.
Meanwhile we have quite a big bag of tricks: from playing football to skateboarding, different slaloms, cleaning up toys and much more...
It is important to me to build up the various tricks in small steps using shaping, so that he can decide for himself whether and when he is ready for a more difficult task.
Guest contribution & photos: Ingeborg Müller