Not Just a Hobby: What Dog Sports Taught Me
With Gambit, the author’s Belgian Malinois, each activity has allowed them to build communication, trust, and confidence together. photo: Lea Orloski
My journey in dog sports didn’t start with big goals or podium dreams. It started with the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test, which I began with my Doberman, Iroc, because I wanted to do something constructive together. At the time, I didn’t see it as the start of anything serious. I just wanted to prove to myself that we could train and function as a team in a public setting.
Iroc made it look easy and we passed the CGC test with no problem. But that single test quietly opened a door for me. I wanted to see what else we could do.
Together, Iroc and I explored Rally Obedience and took numerous Scent Work classes, learning not just the skills themselves but how to communicate, trust, and problem-solve as a team. Along the way, I realized how much I loved the process of building something together with a dog.
Since then, my journey has grown. With Gambit, my Belgian Malinois, I’ve explored a variety of dog sports, including Obedience, Rally Obedience, Scent Work, FCAT (lure coursing), Dock Diving, and Weight Pull. Each activity has allowed us to build communication, trust, and confidence together. And I’ve learned that dog sports are more than competitions. They’re outlets for dogs to express their natural instincts and a structured way for us to strengthen our partnerships with them.
Training for dog sports has taught me that training is a conversation. If something falls apart in a trial, it’s not a failure; it’s information. It shows me what needs to be clarified, adjusted, or approached differently. Dogs respond to what we have shown them. They are always honest about what works and what doesn’t.
From Iroc to Gambit, my love for dog sports has evolved, but the core feeling hasn’t changed. I still get that quiet thrill - and panic! - before stepping into a trial ring or onto a field. I still treasure the small breakthroughs in our training sessions. And I still find myself in awe of what dogs are capable of when given clarity and purpose.
Dog sports aren’t just hobbies for me. They are ways to connect, to challenge myself, and to honor what these dogs are capable of. And it all started with Iroc, whose steadiness, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn shaped the foundation of my journey in dog sports. The lessons she taught me continue to inspire me and guide me with every dog I work with. Without her, I wouldn’t be the dog handler I’ve become. She is greatly missed.
To anyone considering trying something new with their dog, I say, go for it. Whether it’s Obedience, Scent Work, Dock Diving, or any other dog sport that sparks your curiosity, it will be rewarding for both of you. You’ll be surprised at what your dog is capable of - and what you’ll learn about yourself in the process.
Try it. The experience is worth every step.