Activities With Your Wheatens
Do you think a dog show is just “a beauty pageant for dogs”? Sadly, this is what many people think, but dog shows and dog sports are much more than that. There is a whole world of dog sports and participation in these events can be one of the most personally rewarding endeavors of your life. Before you assume you aren’t interested, check out the rewards and benefits first.
Something special happens between owners and their dog when they train together. A magical bond forms, a connection between owner and dog, a sense of teamwork, and the thrill and excitement you experience when success happens. Dog sports help to keep our minds and bodies healthy and enhance our dogs’ daily lives.
Wheaten terriers are typically smart dogs, though willful, and often have their own agenda. This can make them a challenge to train, though can also make training fun. This also makes those successes in dog sports that much more special.
There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in dog sports with AKC hosting more than 22,000 events each year. Whether you want to train your Wheaten just for fun, or actually compete, we encourage you to check out the different sports that you could participate in with your Wheaten.
Agility
Is your Wheaten highly energetic? Does he enjoy running and responding to instruction? If so, Agility could be a great fit.
Barn Hunt
If your dog loves to chase squirrels and dig for moles, then they would love the sport of Barn Hunt.
Dock Diving
Will your dog do anything for his favorite toy? Have you watched him fearlessly dive into water – say, in a lake or pool? If so, he might love participating in one of the fastest growing sports, Diving Dogs!
Fast Cat/Coursing
One of the easiest ways to get involved in the world of dog sports is with a Coursing Ability Test (CAT). All dogs have skills and instincts that come naturally, whether it’s running, hunting, or chasing. If you’ve ever wondered how good your dog’s natural abilities are, you might consider a low-stress, non-competitive test where each dog runs individually to measure performance. Learn more about CAT/FAST CAT.
Herding
Did you know Wheatens can herd? Does yours have the basic instinct? Noncompetitive herding tests are offered as a standardized gauge by which a dog’s basic instinct and trainability are measured. See how Wheatens got approved to participate in AKC Herding Trials.
Junior Showmanship
Junior Showmanship offers children between the ages of 9 and under 18 years of age an opportunity to develop their handling skills, learn about good sportsmanship, dogs, and dog shows. Juniors are judged on their ability to present, or handle, their dogs as they would in the breed ring. Learn More About Junior Showmanship
Obedience
Has your dog mastered basic commands such as sit, stay and heel — and seems eager to learn more? Try Obedience.
Rally
Does your dog like doing obedience work in a low stress environment? Have you never competed before? Rally is a great place to start.
Scent Work
Is your dog a scent sleuth? Can he find his food or toys by smell alone? Try AKC Scent Work.
Therapy Dog
Whether they’re working with a child who is learning to read, visiting a patient in a hospital or a senior in assisted living, therapy dogs and their owners work together as a team to improve the lives of other people. Learn more about Therapy Dog.
Tracking
Will your dog follow a scent no matter where it may lead? Does he work well independently? Try Tracking.
Trick Dog
Do you and your dog love to be the life of the party by showing off his arsenal of tricks? Then he might be perfectly primed to earn AKC Trick Dog titles!
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