Is it too hot/cold for my dog?

• Did you know dogs can get heat stroke? Or that it only takes a temperature increase of 3 degrees to seriously impact their systems?
• International regulatory bodies for dog sports have come up with some helpful guidelines to assist in making a call with respect to temperature and canine exercise:
  • Dogs should not engage in strenuous exercise when the temperature is above 30 degrees Celsius (” ̊C”) or below -30 ̊C.
  • When the temperature exceeds 15 ̊C, a small swimming pool or a body of water should be available for dogs to cool off near the finish area
  • Heat & Distance Guidelines (per international standards)
    • Between 10 and 17°C: maximum 8 km;
    • 18 to 23 ̊C: maximum 3.5 km;
    • 24 ̊C at 28 ̊C: 2 km or less at an easy effort (regulatory bodies do not allow hard-effort racing at this temperature)
• Remember, every dog is different and different breeds with more or less coat may be more sensitive to thermal changes.

Is the distance or physical effort involved appropriate for my dog’s current stamina?

• Like people, dogs need to build up mileage and exercise gradually over time with a careful plan (which will look different for every dog depending on breed, age, health, weight, etc. and should be discussed with a veterinarian).

Will my dog be a hindrance to other participants and spectators?

• Not all events are designed to accommodate dog spectators. As a conscientious owner, it’s important to consider the impact your dog’s presence might have on other event participants, volunteers, and/or officials.
• Is your dog liable to be reactive? Are they a “good citizen” in crowds? Have they ever been in a crowd before?
  • If your dog is reactive (barks or lunges at other dogs or people when on leash), aggressive or not used to crowds, skip taking your dog. You want to set your dog up for the best possible experience and that means preparing your dog properly and taking into consideration their specific needs. If you’d like to start conditioning your dog to going to public events, contact a CAPDT trainer or behaviour expert for assistance.

Are dogs allowed?  Is the event insured for dogs?

• Did you know that most insurance companies will not insure events that involve dogs and are not affiliated with a canine sports association. Check with the event organizers to make sure they have insurance in place that will cover your dog in the event of an accident or organizer negligence.

Is the event appropriate for my dog’s age?

• The following guidelines are typically applied with respect to the age of dogs involved in dog sports:
  • dogs – particularly large breeds – are recommended to be at least 10 months of age before participating in strenuous activity or jumping higher than their shoulder height or onto hard surfaces
  • While these age guidelines take into consideration the average growth rate of most dogs, they are a general standard and may not be appropriate for every dog. For example, it may not be in the best interest of a 10 year old large breed dog to run 10+ km. If you’re not sure what’s best for your dog, it’s a good idea to check in with your veterinarian.