Dog Parkour is a fun, engaging, non-competitive and interactive activity for you and your dog, where everyday objects or existing items are used to create obstacles in 3 different environment categories - Urban, Natural and Built. Using these obstacles a Behaviour, such as placing front paws on a raised object (2 feet on), is encouraged through shaping and luring. The behaviours for Foundation Level 1 include - 2 feet on, 4 feet on, Under, Through and In. On completion of Foundation Level 1 you can then progress to the next level, which could be either Foundation Level 2 (which involves different obstacles) or Challenge Level 1 (which involves a sequence of behaviours).
Shaping and Luring
Breaking down a behaviour into smaller steps is beneficial for your dog, rather than trying to complete the behaviour in one go, and this is known as shaping.
Luring is when your dog is guided by using a treat to encourage them into position when attempting a new behaviour. A verbal cue or clicker can then be added.
The behaviours involve going under items, as well as getting on to items, whilst using a range of obstacles which encourages your dog to use different muscles. As Dog Parkour makes use of everyday objects around you, it reduces the need to purchase expensive equipment as well as encouraging your dog to explore and become comfortable in different Environments. Thus building confidence as well as encouraging focus/engagement while exercising, and ultimately building on your existing bond. Progression with each behaviour is always done at your dog’s pace, and the height or width of obstacles can be modified to suit them.
These low impact activities are suitable for dogs with different fitness levels, as well as a range of ages, and are adjusted for your dog as necessary. Safety rules are built into Dog Parkour and the Stopper Height Rule is an adjustment to ensure your dog does not engage with obstacles outside of their physical ability. The stopper height refers to the measurement from the ground to your dog’s carpal pad (wrist area).
Within Dog Parkour there are a number of safety measures; one particularly important rule being the Shoulder Height Rule which is in place to protect your dog’s joints. Shoulder height refers to the measurement from the ground to the top of your dog’s shoulders (ie, the highest point of your dog's shoulder blades, where the shoulder blades and neck meet). During behaviours your dog must not jump down on to a hard surface (ie, concrete) from an obstacle that is higher than their shoulder height. For softer surfaces, such as grass, your dog must not jump down from an obstacle that is higher than two times their shoulder height. This rule is also in force for the Stopper Height Rule, but instead of shoulder height, refers to stopper height (see above). You should be able to safely remove your dog from the obstacle if the behaviour falls outside of this rule, or find a safe route off the obstacle within this rule.
All obstacles should be stable and have a surface that is not slippery, and when necessary obstacles can be held. Prior to starting a behaviour all obstacles should be checked to ensure there are no protrusions, or a surface that could cause injuries, taking note that previously safe obstacles could become slippery when wet.
Another important safety measure is Spotting. This is your dog’s safety net should they become unbalanced whilst on an obstacle, and prevents your dog from falling. The lead should be held vertically above your dog’s back ready to take up the slack in order to break any fall, and this measure should be in place at all times during Dog Parkour (bar Through (Foundation Level 1 behaviour), Over, Gap Jumping and Precision Jumping (Foundation Level 2 behaviours)). The video outlines the correct position of the lead for spotting.
A suitable harness is required for Dog Parkour to ensure free movement, and for spotting. It should allow free movement of the shoulder and have a D ring at your dog’s back, and the video gives more information about this.
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