Hoopers is a relatively new canine sport. Therefore, you might have never heard about it. Obstacles are designed with minimum requirements for the musculoskeletal system of both the dog and its handler. So, it’s also good for older four-legged pets as well as not very sporty dogs.
Hoopers is a new separate discipline based on agility. It comes from the USA and you might have seen it in the Czech Republic only in the last couple of years. It’s time actively spent for dogs even though the obstacles are not very demanding. The advantage is that a handler’s physical disability doesn’t stand in the way of enjoying this activity with the dog.
It’s because the dog runs around and through the individual obstacles on its own, guided by visual and voice instructions of the handler. At the same time, the obstacles are completely safe and have minimum requirements for the musculoskeletal system of the dog. Therefore, it’s a sport suitable not only for dogs of all sizes and age groups but also for those with physical abilities who can’t jump anymore.
Training and the whole learning process makes use of non-coercive means. Clickers are used a lot. The objective is to teach the dog to understand and then also to respond to voice and visual instructions in a way it could go through the track on its own, i.e. independently on the movement of the handler. All obstacles are on the ground level. The dog has to either run through, around or along them.
Doing this sport, the dog moves a lot and the handler a little. So, if you are too slow for your dog when trying agility, you can try hoopers! It is also a great opportunity for example for dogs who have been excluded from agility races due to an injury, but which have not lost their active sparkle and miss obstacles. Last but not least, it can also be an option to tire indefatigable dogs without being totally exhausted yourself.
Does it seem interesting? There is at least one dog school in practically all regions of the Czech Republic that trains this sport, so it won’t be a problem for you to find one in your vicinity.
In this cycle, we’re going to have a look together on how cats and dogs are doing around the world. Where they are pampered and people forego them and where, to the contrary, the pets suffer and their situation is critical. Today, I will introduce you...
Especially outdoor cats are often suffering from ear mites. What is it actually, and how to get rid of it?
In this series, we will get to know famous dog personalities. Dogs play an important role in our life, so let’s take a look what they have already achieved during the time of our lives together. With his determination, Balto saved lives of many people...
Everyone likes to take their four-legged friend along with them on a holiday, but the situation just won’t allow it sometimes. Not all the dogs take well to long trips by car or high temperatures, or are A graders in obedience, some are habitual...
Already since about 100 thousand years ago, when people started with domestication, we have been aware of positive effects of living together with animals. And this doesn’t concern only healing methods. Already the very presence of our pets helps us to...
If you have a cat at home, you have certainly encountered the issue of who will take care of it at times. Especially now, at the time of holidays and departures for vacations. Relatives or friends are not always able to come over and to take the cat...
I have already written about dangerous foods for dogs. But how about cats?
All of us probably know that chocolate is dangerous for dogs. However, did you know that you can poison your furry friend even with nuts, for example?
The time of kittens is getting closer. Outside, however, the kittens may lose their mum from various reasons. Besides, people will start getting rid of unwanted family arrivals. So it can easily happen to you, that you will find little cat new-borns....
Do you know, that you can insure your pet? But does it even pay off, what does the insurance cover and what are the conditions?
You may have already met a dog with a tied yellow ribbon on its collar or on its leash in the street. Did you know, that it is not a fashion accessory, but a message for the passers-by?
Rabbit hopping is a relatively young discipline that is quickly gaining new fans. After all, rabbits are virtually born for jumping, so why not use it for both their and their master’s entertainment.
