With more than three decades of experience working with dogs across sport, television, and real-world training, I’ve seen first-hand what happens when a dog’s instincts finally have somewhere to go. From competing at the highest levels, including Crufts Obedience, to sharing training principles on Channel 4’s The Dog Academy, my work has always centred on understanding what dogs are built to do, and how to create the conditions that allow them to do it.
Over the years, I’ve worked with dogs across almost every discipline: law enforcement, gundog work, detection, obedience, protection sports, and more. What strikes me consistently is how many of the dogs brought to me as “difficult” or “too much to handle” aren’t problem dogs at all. They’re dogs with unmet needs and nowhere to put their energy. When those needs are understood and channelled purposefully, the transformation is often remarkable.
In this article, I explore why dog sports matter, not just for competition, but for the everyday dog, and how to begin thinking about conditioning your dog for a sport or working role.
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