Petplan are proud to introduce the Dog Adventure Park in partnership with Polygon Pets. Designed by a behaviourist to help keep dogs happy and healthy. Open to all dogs, the park gives dogs the opportunity to train, exercise and socialise. It provides the opportunity to add variety to your dog’s normal exercise routine with fun agility equipment, to help keep dogs and their owners happy and healthy.
The park is great for both beginners and professional dog trainers, but also for dog owners who are simply looking to give their dogs a new fun way of exercising. Using dog agility equipment is a great way to get rid of your dog’s excess energy and help strengthen their muscles, improve agility and help keep them fit. Even if you aren’t able to visit the adventure park, we share tips and advice on how you can do some agility work with your dog in your garden or your local park.
Adding variety to your dog’s exercise routine can help support their physical and mental wellbeing. Here we take a look at 3 obstacles from the adventure park and how, through basic training, they can help to develop a trusting bond between dog and owner.
Introducing a platform to your dog can really help increase their ability to channel energy, they have to be calm and steady to get it right which is great mental stimulation.
You can include basic training throughout the challenge by asking them to walk up, sit and stay at the top and even include a basic recall to dismount. Don’t forget you can include obstacles like this in every day exercise, as an example a large fallen tree makes a good platform.
Behaviourist Nick Jones, MA adds “In my experience dogs who have a trusting bond with their owners and lots of varied exercise experience less behavioural issues.”
Tunnels can be great fun for dogs and help develop their confidence. By asking your dog to go away from you and through a dark space there needs to be mutual trust between dog and owner.
There are lots of ways to include this type of activity in regular walks, create something similar in your own garden, or basic agility equipment is readily available if you wanted to purchase something more specific.
Behaviourist Nick Jones MA advises “Set your dog up for the exercise well, making sure they know what you’re asking. A friendly face at the other end of the tunnel or a small treat often go a long way. Don’t forget to make it fun for your dog and to make a fuss of them when they get it right.” Build confidence slowly and never force the dog through the tunnel.
Most dogs enjoy jumping and not only is it good fun it can support physical wellbeing. “Fit and active dogs often have strong hearts, lungs and bones” comments Brian Faulkner MRCVS Petplan veterinary advisor.
It’s best to start with very low jumps to build your dog’s confidence and only very small ones until your dog is at least a year old. Some dogs will be able to jump high and others will get more enjoyment over a smaller obstacle, remember to keep the height well within your dog’s comfort level.
Dog Behaviourist Nick Jones MA concludes; “you can ask your dog to jump these agility type obstacles or there are plenty of jumping opportunities during regular exercise, such as a fallen branch.”
All park locations are surrounded by fantastic walks making for a fun day out with your dog. Entrance to the Dog Adventure Park is a pay as you go fee of a £5 for half an hour session, no need to book just turn up and pay on the day.
Knighton Ln,
Bournemouth, Wimborne
BH21 3AS
We have two Dog Adventure Park's and a Dog Play Park at this location
Off Chainbridge Lane,
Selsey,
Chichester
PO20 9EL
The Petplan Dog Adventure park is a fantastic enclosure, allowing off-the lead training, exercise for dogs in a secure place. The mental stimulation that training provides will keep your dog happy and prevent them from developing traits that could cause problems in the future
Dog Behaviourist Nick Jones, MA
