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Dog agility is a team sport between dog and handler. The handler must a dog thru a course of obstacles. Judged on time and accuracy. There are no leash or collars used on the dog to direct the dog over the obstacles. No treats or toys are allowed on course. Developed in the UK in 1970 The first trials in the US took place around the late 1980s. Dogs of all sizes and origins are eligible to compete at agility. They must be registered with the specific organization hold the match. Dogs must be physically sound and no younger than 9 months in AKC and 18 months in NADAC and USDAA. Dog must be able to be off leash and well behaved around other dogs and people.

See The Up'N Over Agility Club Web Site - http://unoagilityclub.com/

Bikejoring - a sport where one dog or a team of dogs pull a bike. It is similar to skijoring and dog scootering. Usually the equipment used is a mountain bike to take advantage of dog power. It has not been until recently that bicycle technology with the new brakes and suspension have caught up to the needs of the serious dog musher. This sport allows the dog owner to train and work their dogs in areas without snow. This is not normally a completion sport but a way to have fun with dog and  improve the pulling ability of the dog.

Canine Good Citizenship - a program developed by the AKC to promote responsible dog ownership and to encourage well-mannered dogs. The testing is open to all dogs no matter what breed. A dog and handler must passed a short test and be evaluated. There are ten parts to the test that must be passed to be certified as CGC. In the past The Canine Workshop holds CGC Classes and has provided  CGC certification tests. The ten parts of the evaluation are: 

 1. Accepting a friendly stranger.
 2. Sitting politely for petting.
 3. Allowing basic grooming procedures.
 4. Walking on a loose lead.
 5. Walking through a crowd.
 6.Sitting,down and stay on command.
 7.Coming when called.
 8. Reacting appropriately to another dog.
 9. Reacting appropriately to distractions.
10. Calmly enduring supervised separation from the owner.

All items must be completed satisfactorily or the team fails.

Disc Throwing - start in the early 1970s. Dog catches disc (frisbee) as thrown by handler. Two types of competition - Freestyle and distance formats. Freestyle consists of short routines with music with multiple discs used. Short distance is where the dog and handler earn points for catching the disc at varying distances. Team sport for any dog and handler no matter what breed or dog. Check out these links for more information:
Flying Aces  or Frisbee dogs on line

Dog Scouting - DSA (Dog Scouting of America) was started in 1995 by Lonnie Olson. Gives people a chance to experience as many dog sports and skills as possible.
Requirements to become a Dog Scout is that the dog and owner must be able to pass a test, proving that the owner is responsible and the dog is well mannered and not aggressive toward humans and other dogs. The certification must take place at a Dog Scout Camp which is held for six days. Dog and owner earn merit badges. The camp is held at Maple Valley Conservatory at  5040 Nestel Road E, St. Helen, MI  48656
For more information check out DSA web site. One of our trainers - Laurie B. Glied
and her dogs are members of DSA.

Flyball -  is a team sport for dogs and handlers, which evolved in California in the late 70's. It's a relay race with four dogs on a team.  The course consists of a starting line with electronic lights, four jumps spaced 10 feet apart and a box 15 feet past the last jump, for a total course length of 51 feet.  The dog jumps the hurdles and steps on a spring-loaded box, which shoots out a tennis ball.  The dog catches the tennis ball and returns back over the four hurdles.  When the first dog crosses the start/finish line the next dog goes. The first team to have all four dogs run without a mistake wins the heat, best three out of five heats wins the race. Jump heights are based on the height of the dogs on the team - 4" lower than the shoulder height of the smallest dog.  Eight inches is the minimum height and sixteen is the maximum height. Flyball officially began in 1983 and has grown in popularity to over 300 clubs and over 7000 dogs throughout the US, Canada, Europe and Australia. Many teams can complete the course in less than 20-seconds. The world record is under 16-seconds! The Canine Workshop is the home base for "Canine Express Flyball Team.

See Our Web Site - http://www.flyballdogs.com/canineexpress/

"Henson in Action" (Owned by Maureen McKernan)

Herding - dog and handler must bring single animals together into a group, keep the group together and move them into a certain location. The other term for herding is s called "working stock" or "moving stock". Dogs are used to assist the handler to move the stock. This is now a competitive sport in which the handler and dog combine their skills to control the herd and judged in a Trial. This sport is enjoyed by many of the trainers and students at The Canine Workshop..
 

"Tobee in action."
(Owned by Laurie B. Glied)

Dorothy & Kaylee

Skijoring - Developed in Scandanavia the names means"ski driving." The sport is a combination of cross country skiing and dog mushing. Skiing with one or more dogs attached to the skier with a bungee type line hooked to a waist belt. The person should have check out USA-Midwest  2006-2007 Skijor Race Schedule.

Therapaws Reading Partner - Started in 2003. Its aim is to help improve the reading skills of children by having them read to a dog. Dogs have been screened and tested for health, safety, temperament and skills. Some children are scared to read aloud but love to read to a dog. The books read usually have animal themes.
To become a Therapaws Reading Partner you must be a Certified Therapy Dog for a minimum of 1 year or arrange for a special screening. If you are interested in becoming a partner in the Therapaws to Read Program check out their web site. Members of our staff have dogs participating at your local library. These dogs are at the Chesterfield Library.

Therapaws  for Reading

Stoney

Tobee & Buddy

Therapy Dogs - Do you have a happy, carefree, well mannered dog? Want to bring emotional well being along with improving the quality of life for sick and the elderly?  Or maybe you would like to bring a love of books to young children? The first requirement along the way to having your dog become a therapy dog would be getting the dog tested CGC (AKC Canine Good Citizen) test or TDI (Therapy Dogs International) test. Fill out an application, send in a picture of your dog, have a record of your dog's health care and pay a fee to become a member.
Check out the links below for more information.

Therapy Dogs International - http://www.tdi-dog.org/whatdo.html

Therapaws of Michigan - http://www.therapaws.org/Home-Therapaws.aspx

Buddy & Friend