GRC Dogsports Inc

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Does GRC Dogsports Inc have an official affiliation program?

GRC Dogsports Inc is not currently offering official affiliation, though it is something we may do in the future.

A club registered with us is welcome to run their own affiliate program, but such programs should be clear that the affiliation is with that club only. Such programs should also be clear that it is not an affiliate program that has official endorsement from GRC Dogsports Inc.

A lot of GRC clubs include a geographical location in their name (for example a club might be called "GRC Florida"). Please take care when promoting your affiliate programs/events that it doesn't give the impression that your program is for that territory. For example "GRC Florida affiliate program" can give the unintended impression that this is for all GRC related activities in Florida. Whereas "Affiliate program run by the GRC Florida Dog Club" or "This program is affiliated with the GRC Florida Dog Club" is clearer that the program is with a specific club.

It's been great seeing all the new ideas promoting the spirit of GRC. Good luck with your club and go play with your dog.

Re: Wall climb - “I don’t want to teach my dog to jump fences

Your dog already knows how to jump. Show jumping horses don’t jump out of their pastures, even if they jump significantly higher than their pasture fences. Giving your dog an outlet where they’re allowed to jump and use their athletic ability will actually make it LESS likely that they’ll jump your fences, not more.

Re: Tug/Spring Pole - “I don’t play tug because I don’t want to make my dog aggressive or make them try to grab Grandma’s sweater when she comes to visit"

Putting your kid in football won’t make them tackle their math teacher unless the coach is terrible about communicating when it’s appropriate to use those tackling skills. And in the instance of a kid with anger issues, teaching them how to use those feelings in a productive way can be a game changer for their emotional control! As long as you’re clear about when it’s time to play and when it’s not, you’re not going to make your dog aggressive.

Re: Spring Pole - “That looks dangerous"

Tension in line with the dog’s spine is safer than tension perpendicular to their spine. When you play tug with a dog and yank them around, you’re actually putting them at a higher risk for neck injury than a properly adjusted spring pole. Spring pole uses gravity to your advantage (with the front paws off the ground) to keep the spine in alignment and keep the dog safe.

Re: Dog sports in general - “I want my dog to be calm, not to do all those crazy things”

For dogs that NEED physical activity and drive expression, teaching them to channel that energy and drive into a productive outlet allows them to be calm since they’re fulfilled and happy.

Re: Slat mill/Weight pull - “Isn’t that stuff used for dog fighting?”

People that fight dogs use a lot of different equipment to condition the dogs for fighting, but there’s nothing about the equipment itself that makes the dog into a fighting dog. You can lift weights so that you can beat more people up, or you can lift weights so that you can be healthier and happier. It’s the fool, not the tool.

Re: Dog sports in general - “Why should I get my dog involved in stuff like this?

”The main benefit is biological fulfillment. Doing activities that make your dog happy and fulfilled will make them easier to live with. Some dogs “need jobs,” and these activities are just a few of the many options!