Parkour is a great activity for any handler to do with ANY DOG. Getting started is easy as going for a walk to see what things you can find. However; before getting out there are a few things to be aware of regarding safety.
The video below will cover a few different ways to help spot or support your dog while you are asking them for certain behaviours. Overtime as you and your canine friend develop your parkour abilities their needs for spotting will change and transform. The goal with spotting is to help support your dog and increase the likelihood of them being successful (and safe) on different obstacles. Spotting can be as simply as helping your dog find the best route on or off an object and as complex as helping to counterbalance while they find their footing on a narrow or small object.
Drop In Class Expectations:
Parkour is a fun hobby for you and your canine companion. There is a wild array of benefits that range from making your walks more enriching to teaching your dog how to finely move their whole body to increase body awareness for other sports and decrease the likelihood of injury. There are no real set ‘rules’ to parkour in the sense that it can be as big and as little of a feat as you wish and depending on your dog each obstacle will take on a different challenge. To keep parkour safe and enjoyable to your dog for the longevity of their hopefully long lives there are some things to go over before you join in! All teams are to complete a waiver found under the files section and return to hello@pawsnrelax.net prior to attending their first class. Equipment: Harness – During parkour handlers are there to help spot the dog. For proper spotting an appropriately fitted back clip harness is key. Look for a harness that does not restrict motion when the dog is not attached to a leash, so a Y front that does not cut across the shoulders. Fit should be snug but not so tight the dog can not properly move/breath. Loose fitted gear can restrict motion & easily be slipped through. The back clip should be around the mid section of your dogs back. Too close to back back of the neck or end of the dog will mean the dog may be thrown slightly off kilter if the handler has to spot them. 6 -8 ft leash – Long lines or shorter leashes tend to decrease the hander/dogs ability to safely maneuver obstacles. Treats – A variety of small soft treats are ideal for class. Many of the behaviours are easily lured and once off the lure paying for duration can increase the fluency of the behaviour. NOT TO BE IN CLASS- Aversive Tools such as (but not limited to) Prong collars, Shock collars, or choke chains. Different leash options such as Long lines, flexi-leads, or special leash and harness “in one” set ups. Bad attitudes. Parkour Class is just as much about community and cheering each other on as it is about training your dog. Comradery, celebrating others successes and helping each other be successful is part of the expectations when it comes to joining in class.
Drop in class
Unattended Children or Extra dogs. Kids are always welcome but must be directly supervised by an adult (1 child per adult). It is the adults responsibility to ensure the child in their care is not bothering other teams and are keeping appropriate space from dogs that are not comfortable with little ones. Each handler can only have one dog per class. You may rotate which dog you attend class with but you can not safely spot one dog while managing a second so only 1 dog per handler. *Children are NOT considered handlers, they may handler the dog with help of the adult directly supervising them if it is safe to do so* *Flat collars, Martingale collars, front clip harnesses may be used to transport between obstacles in class* Spotting: Unlike agility the obstacles we use are not build with safety of the dog using it in mind. Because of this spotting appropriately is important. Spotting is when the handler utilizes the leash/harness combo or maneuvers their body in a way to prevent the dog from falling or loosing balance. Please watch the video located above to get an idea of spotting prior to your first class. Parkour is about you and your dog freely exploring the natural environment. The goal is to have the dog physically and mentally capable to preform the behaviours – without physical manipulation. In saying that; dogs should not be lifted, pulled or physically handled to achieve an objective. All of these things are shown to increase the likelihood of injury and decrease the likelihood of the dog to repeat the behaviour of their own free will. Payment: All payment is due prior to class start. All classes are on a pre-scheduled drop in basis. Please confirm your attendance to an event and specify time if required. Inviting Environment: Class is always a mixture of brand new parkour students and more experienced parkour students that have varying degrees of obedience skills. Class is welcome to dogs who may show some reactivity concerns with the caveat that they can handle class. ALL HANDLERS are to assume every team is a reactive dog. This means dogs should NEVER meet or play on leash, and dogs should all be afforded as much space as they need. For example if you notice a dog struggling to focus please help them out by increasing your distance and helping to keep your dogs focus off of them. Lastly, these classes simply focus on enjoying your dog in the company of others with the same interest as you. Everyone has their own journey in parkour so this is not a ‘competitive’ class. Classes are of a relaxed atmosphere and your instructor is there to help you with your creativity, spotting, and progression of behaviours.
The overall goal of enjoying parkour with your dog is to start where you will find success and slowly build your behaviours off of this. Handlers and dogs of any age or ability can enjoy parkour – it will simply look a bit different for every team.
Excited to get started but not sure where to go? Check out this page for core behaviours and their descriptions. You can also check out Calgary Dog Parkour on facebook for the next drop in class.
