​Dog Days Challenge
June 2025
The goal of this challenge is to encourage training, enrichment, and quality time for owners and their dogs in a way that allows dogs of all ages and backgrounds to participate.
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Take videos of your dog(s) performing the tasks below, post your videos on your Instagram story, tag @pliantpackdogtraining and the rescue you choose to nominate. Nominated rescues will earn a point for every successfully completed task posted, and a free one hour training session for every 20 points earned!
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Rescues
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Any shelter or rescue worldwide may be nominated and will receive a one hour private training session with detailed follow-up notes per 20 points they earn in the challenge. Rescues within Winnipeg will receive in-person training, and those outside of Winnipeg will receive their training via Zoom call. Rescues will be contacted via email with their total amount of services won in early July. They can redeem their services anytime subject to trainer availability and can dedicate the services to fosters, volunteers, or even adopters needing additional support.
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Task Descriptions and Rules
Your video must demonstrate your dog meeting the criteria of the task as outlined below. We may provide feedback on what you would need to adjust in order to post a successful video and redeem the points associated with the task.
Once you have submitted a successful video of a task, you may not redeem the points for that task again with the same dog. If you own multiple dogs, you may redeem the points for a task once per dog by submitting separate video submissions.
The dogs in your submissions must be a dog that you presently own or are fostering. Pet professionals may participate with their own dogs, but not with videos of client dogs.
You may post as many different tasks as you wish on any given day and they do not need to be in any order or on any specific day, so long as they are posted in June.
Visit our Instagram Highlight called ‘Dog Days Tasks’ for examples of what a successful video of each task would look like.
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5 Point Tasks
Down On Recall - Call your dog towards you and give a ‘down’ command while they are in motion. The dog should get into a down position before reaching you, ideally at least 4-5 feet away from you.
Dog Sport Video - This video can be of your dog participating in any type of dog sport, including but not limited to dock diving, rally obedience, competitive obedience, conformation, agility, herding, barn hunt, bikejoring, frisbee, flyball, etc.
Stand, Stay, & Circle - While your dog is in a standing position, ask them to stay and walk a complete circle around them without them moving any paws.
Chain Door To Place - When there is a knock at the door or a doorbell sounds, the dog should go to and stay on/in their dog bed or kennel. This should be at least 5 feet from the door and the handler should remain at the door while the dog moves into place. A verbal command may be used as a reminder.
4 Point Tasks
Long Line Sniff Walk - With a 15+foot lead, take your dog to a large field, gravel road, or other open area. Allow your dog to sniff, run and explore safely.
Head Down - Without luring with a treat, ask your dog to place their chin on the ground while in a down position.
Sit Pretty - Without luring with a treat, ask your dog to lift their front paws off of the ground, sitting with their hind end.
Relax At A Patio - Visit a public, dog-friendly patio and display your dog being happy and relaxed.
3 Point Tasks
Roll Over - Without luring with a treat, ask your dog to roll over on the ground. Their tummy should begin facing the ground, and the roll should cause their tummy to face the side, the sky, and then the other side.
Go Swimming - Capture your dog swimming in a pool, pond, lake, or other safe body of water. The dog should appear happy or relaxed and not frightened.
Loose Leash 20 Sec - This video must display 20 consecutive seconds of your dog walking on a leash up to 6 feet in length without reaching the end of the leash or creating tension on the leash. The dog must appear relaxed, happy, or excited, but not frightened or anxious.
Back Up Cue - Without luring with a treat, ask your dog to move backwards. You may walk towards your dog and use a hand signal, but it should be clear that the dog knows what is expected of them.
Walk Past Dog Calm - Capture a video of your dog walking calmly in the presence of another dog. The dog must not be lunging, growling, barking, or pulling towards the other dog. The other dog must be seen in the video, but can be at a distance of your choosing.
Catch A Frisbee - The dog must catch a frisbee that is in motion. The frisbee can be rolling on the ground or be in the air at the time the dog gains possession of it.
Wear A Muzzle - The dog should have a cage-style (not fabric) muzzle on and appear comfortable. The dog may not appear shut down or be trying to paw at the muzzle.
Polite Dog Play - This video should include your dog playing with another dog in a polite manner. Any play styles and even growling can occur, so long as both dogs are having fun and the play is reciprocal.
2 Point Tasks
Visit A Pet Store - Take a video of your dog shopping! The dog should appear relaxed in the store.
Verbal Kennel Cue - Tell your dog to go into their kennel without using a treat to lure or bribe them. You may be near the kennel, but cannot put your hands into the kennel.
Jump Onto Object - Ask your dog to jump onto a raised object that is not a piece of furniture. They must remain on the object for a minimum of 3 seconds once on top of it. Ensure that the object is stable and that it is not so tall that the dog may strain or injure themselves by attempting the jump.
Touch Cue - Without using a treat, ask your dog to touch their nose to your open hand. It must be clear that the dog is moving their nose to touch your hand, and not that you are moving your hand to touch their nose.
Stay & Leave Sight - Ask your dog to stay and then move out of their line of sight. In the frame of the video, we should be able to see the dog staying still as well as you moving out of their sight.
Leave It With Motion - Ask your dog to leave an item that they are showing clear interest in while they are in motion/walking. The dog should give up on interacting with the item and instead offer eye contact to the handler. The handler should not have to physically stop the dog from reaching the item.
Get A Pup Cup - Pick up a whipped cream, ice cream, or even a timbit while out with your dog and get a video of your dog enjoying it!
‘Middle’ Cue - Without luring with a treat, ask your dog to position themself between your legs with their head facing in the same direction you are. The dog must remain stationary between your legs with their head poking out in front of your legs for a minimum of 2-3 seconds.
1 Point Tasks
Spin / Twist - Without luring with a treat, ask your dog to spin in a circle on the spot either clockwise or counter clockwise.
Fetch Ball To Hand - Throw a ball and have your dog retrieve it and bring it back to you. The video should include you gaining possession of the ball again.
Sit & Down Verbal Cue - Without luring with a treat, ask your dog to perform a ‘sit’ and a ‘down’ command. Your dog must be in an alternate position when you give the cue for their requested position (ie. don’t ask them to sit if they’re already sitting). You can ask the commands in any order you would like.
Frozen Kong/Toppl - Freeze something yummy in a Kong or Toppl. Get a video of your dog enjoying their frozen snack!
Treat Puzzle Dinner - Put your dog’s kibble or some treats into a treat puzzle. The puzzle can be store bought or homemade, but must require some level of troubleshooting for the dog to be able to access the food.
Recall - When your dog is not near you, call them to you. The dog should move directly towards you without taking any detours.
"I want to work like a dog, doing what I was born to do with joy and purpose. I want to play like a dog, with total, jolly abandon." - Oprah Winfrey