Dogs and Dog Sports

Because I’m bored to death being on bedrest and this is a very serious controversy happening in the service dog community 😂

So here’s the gist:

- a well known service dog trainer made these posts on their page within the last 24 hours. {TL;DR: T&M states that service dogs should not do agility or other dog sports due to the risk of injury, then posts follow ups in response to those who disagree with her defending her stance)

- she also made a -now edited out- comment that if you do agility or other sports with your dog, you don’t really need a service dog and are faking/exaggerating having a disability, which is a pretty bold accusation to make in our community. She tries to backtrack from that statement in the other posts by saying she isn’t ableist.

- many SD handlers are now calling her ableist for that comment and disagreeing with her stance. It’s such a big deal a few gear shops are actually making patches saying things like “my service dog does agility, get over it”.

- the actual vet community is torn on this topic: some say dogs who compete in sports are happier and healthier because of the stimulation and exercise the sport gives them, others say the risk of injury negates the benefits.

Sooo...

in your opinion, is it irresponsible for dogs (all dogs, not just service dogs) to compete in sports due to the risk of injury?

Are pet owners wrong for putting their dog at risk of possible injury by competing in sports?

Should service dog handlers specifically refrain from entering their dogs into sports due to the fact the dog is medical equipment and may receive an injury that would cause them to no longer be able to work?