Tees Life Tees Life Issue 8 | Page 41

PETS A DOG’S LIFE With Jennifer & Rudolph Jennifer and Rudolph investigate fun, new ways to up the activity stakes in 2019! 2019 is a fresh, blank canvass to plan fun and entertaining things to do with your furry pals – so why not dedicate some time to getting active whilst improving communication between you and your dog? Canicross is a fast-growing sport in the region (above left) while Dog Jog takes place in Middlesbrough in August. R udolph and I have resolved (obviously this was a mutual discussion…) that in 2019 we will be more active and adventurous. We spent time scouring social media to find organisations and events in the Tees area offering opportunities to get involved in new canine disciplines. One that particularly caught our interest is canicross…this is cross country running with dogs! The sport is open to all and originated in the sled dog community with the aim of having your dog pull on ahead. A correctly fitted, specialist harness is fitted to the dog with a bungee attaching them to their human. Tees Valley Canicross can be found on Facebook, where you can sign up and read further details about the sport, how to get started and where to meet. Dog agility training is another activity involving a huge host of disciplines including flyball and timed obstacle courses. Wilton Dog Agility Club is an active club offering activities based around obedience, agility and flyball. This is an exciting multi-discipline sport for the dog and owner - a high octane pursuit, working together as a team against other participants. The dogs race from start to finish over hurdles, catch a ball from a spring-loaded pad and return the caught ball to the owner. Phew! There are a number of excellent agility clubs in the Tees region where activities are designed to focus on fun and bonding between dog and owner. Communication is paramount in this sport where dogs run off the lead over obstacles and against the clock, closely following instructions from their owner (hopefully!). For more information contact Middlesbrough & District Dog Training Association or Cleveland Agility Training. Our commitment to staying active in 2019 means we’ve already marked our diary with a few important dates, as follows: Dog Jog, Middlesbrough 2019 is a unique 5k jogging event for you and your dog with a generous doggy bag of gifts at the finish line for all participants. It’s being held on Sunday August 4, 2pm-4pm, at Albert Park, Middlesbrough. Visit dogjog.co.uk Bark in the Park 2019 events are wonderful charity fundraising occasions held across the country - and our region won’t miss out! Planned routes are marked and walkers set off with their dogs, in a friendly, celebratory atmosphere! Bark in the Park, Preston Park, Stockton, is held on July 28, 11am–2pm, raising funds for Age Uk Teesside. Tickets are available at ageuk.org.uk Bark in the Park, South Park, Darlington, is held on April 28, 10am–1pm, raising funds for St Teresa’s Hospice. Tickets are available at support.darlingtonhospice.org.uk The North East Dog Festival, which is being held in Northumberland on September 7, really is an all-encompassing event celebrating dogs and the fantastic joy they bring to our lives. The event showcases many activities with an opportunity to have a go at new canine pursuits. A host of information can be found at northeastdogfestival.com tees-life.co.uk 41