Start by creating a race track around your garden or backyard, using garden canes or soccer training cones as markers. The layout would be a zigzag or circular course. Time with the stopwatch how long it takes for each player to race the course, and mark down individual times on a race sheet.

With your dog on the lead or walking to heel, walk around the course with him. Them, the two of you should gently trot around the course and finally jog around it together. During each of these stages, use plenty of encouragement, praise and treats.

You may need to begin the race with some form of staggered start, if your dog is small and slow, or if small children are playing and he is much faster than them. Put the dog off lead in the start position and the player in sprint mode, then blow the whistle or call to start the face. Any deviation from the course by dogs or person incurs an appropriate time penalty- strategically position other family members or friends to prevent shortcuts being taken by dogs or humans. Most dogs will successfully run the course off the lead, although a few may need to be taken around on a short lead. The winner gets a treat(dogs) or a sweet( for a child).