Hula Hoops
Hula hooping, a beloved children’s game that has stood the test of time The mere sight of a vibrant hoop spinning around instantly ignites memories of sunny afternoons spent outdoors with friends.
As children, we would compete to see who could keep the hoop up the longest, twirling our hips and swinging our bodies with sheer determination. The excitement would fill the air as we cheered each other on, celebrating victories and giggling when the hoop inevitably slipped down.
We have well and truly repurposed this childhood classic for your dogs. In fact, you have 4 options, depending on whether you want to tackle a serious training skill, or simply have fun.
- Serious training skill: Teach your dog an Emergency Stop cue using a hula hoop (see the module inside Club Dogwood). Â
- Fun with your dog: Train your dog to jump through the hoop – guide belowÂ
- Work together: Navigate a series of hoops as a smooth flowing team – guide below
- Fun for you (ok, for us!): Pick up that hula hoop and take it for a spin yourself!
Train your dog to jump through a hoop
There are hula hoops at Dogwood so you can try this on your visit!
In this activity, your dog will walk, trot or jump through a hula hoop which you are holding aloft. For young dogs, elderly dogs or dogs with injuries the bottom of the hoop should be touching the ground. The maximum jump height for healthy dogs is level with their shoulder.
Method
- Holding the hoop up, with the bottom touching the floor. Lure your dog through the hoop with a piece of food. You may find that throwing food through the hoop is easier. As soon as they have fully passed through the hoop, reward them with the food from your hand (if you throw food through, they will eat the reward from the floor).
- Once your dog is confidently and smoothly following the lure, remove the food and use just your hand for your dog to follow.Â
- Once your dog is confidently and smoothly following your hand without a lure, add a verbal cue just before you begin. The verbal cue is ‘Glide’.
- Once your dog understands the cue and is performing the behaviour, move onto 00K9.
00K9
- If it’s appropriate for your dog, gradually raise the height of the hoop (just centimetres at a time) so they’re jumping through.Â
- Try it on the move! Jog a few paces away, stand and cue. Move again to build a relay through hoops!
Hoopers
Hoopers has the same pace and excitement as agility, but the courses are flowing and don’t involve the tight turns, making it fun for dogs and people of all ages and abilities. Dogs and owners work together as a smooth flowing team so it’s a great activity for bonding too.
Have a go using the hoops at Dogwood.
Start with just one hoop and gently encourage your dog to go through it, giving them a treat when they do. Add a second hoop and do the same, then a third.Â
Then, try these different formations!
Scentventure Guide Rachael is bringing Hoopers back to Dogwood! Stay tuned for more information.
