Your alarm goes off, and for a brief second, you question every life choice that led you to this moment. But there’s no time for existential crises - you’ve got a dog sport competition to get to.

If you’re interested in agility training, it’s probably because you think your dog will have fun doing it and there is absolutely no better reason to give it a try. But there are plenty of other benefits to be had, whether it’s on a formal agility course or out in the real world.

Meet my sporty dog Crimes. He’s successfully competed in dock diving, fast cat, barn hunt, and nose work. He trains in flyball and agility - we are a playful household.

The most accessible dog sports are generally the scenting sports, and there are good reasons for this.

Do you think about pursuing dog sports but aren’t sure where to start?

Flyball is a wild and crazy ride. It’s unique among dog sports because it is a team sport, which makes it a nice entry-level activity.

Do you ever wonder how the heck dogs learn to do the complex routines you see in most canine sports? 

I am walking in a wide open field with my dog Laz. It's just the two of us out there, the sun beating down.

I’ve been a runner for 20 years now. Sometimes I get serious about it and train for a particular race, but mostly I’m a casual runner.