A new hobby can brighten your week.

A new hobby that you and your dog can enjoy together will deepen your bond and help you to stay more active. Your communication and collaboration will improve too when you learn, solve problems, and experience successes together. A hobby will also give you an opportunity to better understand your dog and how he or she learns new things. Best of all, a new hobby helps both dogs and dog parents get out of their comfort zone which is a great way to expand your horizons and grow.

Dogs are inherently active animals that enjoy doing things together. When bored, dogs will often create their own activities, which don’t always make dog parents happy. But a hobby allows dogs to release their energy in a more constructive way. You pick the hobby, your dog will bring the focus and energy, and together you will learn something new and have fun doing it.

There are many different dog hobbies to choose from and new ones are always being discovered. Don’t feel overwhelmed, having more options will allow you to try different activities and find something that appeals to both of you.

Think about the things that your dog likes. Does your dog love running or learning new tricks? Does your dog get excited near water or at bath time? Does your dog like to search and find treats using his or her nose?

Almost all dogs will enjoy a hobby but of course your dog’s nature and physical attributes must also be taken into account. Some say that a hobby should be chosen according to characteristics shared by specific breeds. For example some breeds have a strong herding pasture, while others are natural retrievers. But just as we humans have different abilities, so too do dogs, and some are beyond what you might expect from a certain breed. That means the right hobby will be a combination of your dog’s natural abilities and what he or she likes to do personally.

One engaging and relatively easy sport for most dogs is rally obedience, which is a bit more relaxed and versatile than traditional obedience training. It’s a fast-paced sport and dogs are taught various tricks that are performed on a course. Nosework and agility are two more hobbies that have grown in popularity and both are suitable for most dogs. Nose work develops your dog’s natural scenting abilities by using things they love like toys and food. And agility challenges the dog’s ability to concentrate while also developing the dog’s physical condition and balance.

Almost without exception, every dog loves the outdoors and hiking. Hiking with dogs is extremely popular and can be enjoyed almost anywhere. You have to tailor the length and complexity of a hike to the size and condition of your dog, but hiking can be a very rewarding pastime. And when you’re out on the trail you can take advantage of and practice the skills your dog acquires in the hobbies mentioned above.

• The best dog sport or hobby is one that you and your dog will both enjoy.
• Choose a hobby that your dog takes to quickly. If your dog is happy and shows interest from the beginning, he or she will be more comfortable and focused.
• Spending time together is more important than the actual hobby. Dogs love spending time with us, the hobby is mainly a way to strengthen your bond and grow together.
• Happiness is the best reward. For a dog it’s a smile on the dog owner’s face. And for the dog owner it’s a smile on the dog’s face.