What is Dog Parkour?

So, what even is Dog Parkour, and more importantly, how can it benefit you and your dog?

Dog Parkour is a rapidly growing, low impact dog sport that can be done anywhere and requires very little specialist equipment.

In our classes you learn behaviours like through, under, over, 2 paws or 4 paws on or gap jumping to name just a few.

These behaviours are taught in a way that helps your dog grow in confidence, learning how to move their body safely and knowing that you will always be there to support them! We can adapt exercises to match your dogs ability and fitness levels, increasing the difficulty as their fitness and confidence grows, its a brilliant opportunity for you and your dog work as a team doing something your dog loves.

2 Paws on

It really is a sport for all.

Not only does Dog Parkour help build confidence in those that are a little more cautious about the world, but it also helps those who come at life at 100mph slow down and really think about what they are doing. A great skill for our more 'outgoing' doggy companions.

As if that wasn't enough, it also helps you to make walks more fun and engaging by finding things in the environment to practice your skills on, making walks more enriching for your dog, and giving them that all important brain workout as you both learn to use the environment in creative ways.

What do our dogs GET from DOG PARKOUR Classes?

• Builds Confidence - believe it or not, learning to climb into things, over things and around things is amazing at building confidence. As your dog completes each stage of a behaviour they will feel amazing and each time they are successful at something new they will feel a little braver. It's also a great way to get them to focus on the task in front of them rather than what is going on around them.

• Helps to develop a solid bond between dog and handler - as you and your dog work as a team to find and explore new things in class and out in the environment, a great bond and feeling of teamwork develops. Your dog feels like you are part of the fun, and learns to trust that you wont push them into situations where they aren't safe. It is a fantastic opportunity to develop a two way communication between you and your dog.

• Builds core strength and improves body condition - Although Dog Parkour is a low impact sport there is lots of climbing, stretching, crawling ect which for your dog feels like a good Pilates work out (imagine doing an hour of step climbing, or push-ups at the gym!). So you are sure to find them snoozing after a good Parkour session.

• Improves Balance and Proprioception - Proprioception is a body's ability to sense where it is, and what each muscle and limb is doing. It's an important sense that helps with balance and movement. Proprioception exercises will help improve balance and athletic performance while also reducing the risk of injury and falls when running at top speed through the park. These are also really useful skills to develop in a dog that does other faster pace sports such as flyball and agility, and will help to improve speed and accuracy, whilst also reducing the risk of injury.

• Suitable for any age or breed - Because the behaviours are low impact, and easy to tailor to each dogs requirements, Dog Parkour is suitable for dogs of any age, fitness and breed....and every one of them will benefit from the classes in different ways!

• Excellent Enrichment - enrichment essentially refers to a behaviour that allows a dog to engage in natural, species appropriate behaviours in a safe and controlled way. The more enrichment we can offer our dogs on a daily basis the happier and more fulfilled they will be. Learning a new skill, and having to think about using their whole bodies in new ways is a great work out for your dogs brain too!

• Improves engagement with you on walks - I know its tough to hear...but on walks you are rarely the most exciting thing in the park! However if hanging around with you on walks provides your dog with the opportunity to climb a tree, or crawl under a fallen log I think you will find them much more willing stick close, and more likely to come running when you call them over to try the next amazing thing you've found for them to have a go at!

• It's Great Fun!! - Perhaps most importantly Dog Parkour is great fun! You and your dog will have a great time in class making friends and learning fun new skills, and you will start to see the world differently too, that old tree stump you pass every day? That old farm gate or street sign...all perfect opportunities to practice your skills at home without having to spend anything on expensive equipment!

If you think Dog Parkour is the dog sport you have been waiting for, we run regular workshops for you to come along and have a go, and regular weekly classes too!

I'd like to have a go!