West Michigan Dog Sports
Teach
Train
Unite
We believe dog sports enhances relationships and enriches the lives of both dogs and humans. West Michigan Dog Sports is a 501( c )( 3 ) organization working to teach, train, and unite dogs and people in a supportive community by delivering our vision.
WMDS aims to fill the large demand in West Michigan for dog lovers who need a place to train, compete, and participate in community events with their dogs. And our facility will be indoors and open year round!
Run and Check Out Our New Classes!
West Michigan Dog Sports
Our Purpose:
- Introduce and welcome new dogs and
their owners to dog training! - Offer a blend of services for both beginners who have never trained a dog before to highly successful competitors.
- Bring in highly skilled and educated instructors for classes and seminars.
- Hold training seminars in areas of behavior (reactivity, separation anxiety, etc), and health clinics to improve wellbeing.
- Support rescues by providing resources to help facilitate successful adoption, reducing return rate to shelters.
- Offer “Try it Days” to expose people to new activities they can do with their dogs without the high cost and time commitment of enrolling in a full class.
- Offer education and job shadowing to youth and people interested in careers in the dog services industry.
- Offer a wide array of activities and support community events to enhance your dog’s life as well as your own!
Upcoming Events
Find upcoming training, competition, and education events at WMDS and at other dog organizations in the area.
What Are Dog Sports?
Dog sports are activities designed specifically for dogs to participate in with their humans. They can be done competitively or just for fun. Here are some examples!
Agility
Dog agility is a sport where you direct your dog through a pre-set obstacle course within a certain time limit. Courses typically have multiple obstacles which can include tunnels, weave poles, jumps, and teeters.
Conformation
Confirmation is the official term for "Dog Shows" of purebred dogs registered with a particular registry. Dogs are measured by how closely they conform to a preset breed standard.
Scent Detection
Also known as Nosework, Scent Detection is based on the work of professional detection dogs (such as drug-sniffing dogs) used to detect a wide variety of scents and substances. Teamwork is necessary. When the dog finds the scent he communicates the find to the owner.
Flyball
Flyball is a sport in which teams of four dogs race against other teams over a line of hurdles, to a box that releases a tennis ball when the dog presses a pad, and then returns back to you while carrying the ball.
Obedience
An obedience-trained dog can walk calmly beside you and knows basic obedience commands including sit, stay, down, come and stand, even when distracted and at a distance.
Rally
Rally is a team activity where you and your dog navigate a course together, side-by-side, at your own pace. You move through a course with signs where the dog performs different exercises that include various turns and commands such as sit, down, stay, etc.
Why Dog Sports
Dog sports provide numerous benefits to both you and your dog!
Regardless of whether you compete in dog sports or simply train for the fun of it, you’ll both benefit from participating in one or more sports together. Check out our future training courses and dog-related events in the area.
Give your dog an activity to do
Without a job some dogs will develop behavioral problems such as incessant barking, digging, and destroying their surroundings. Providing them with an activity can increase their confidence and give them a sense of well being. When your dog has an outlet to practice their instincts while also getting out some of their energy, common behavioral problems tend to decrease
You'll have a closer relationship with your dog
Dog sports requires humans and dogs to work closely together and the bond between you and your dog will become stronger the more you work together. As you participate in dog sports you’ll develop your own unique ways of communicating with your dog as well as learning the best ways to handle them that will set them up for success.
Keeps your dog (and you!) in great physical shape
High performance sports will keep your dog in great physical shape, just as sports do with people! Exercise has even been proven to improve their mental health and reduce anxiety. They’ll experience fewer health problems overall and live longer lives.
