The Yukon Regional Dog Puller Championship on Saturday was an event of speed, agility and discipline.

The dog puller sport in general requires communication and understanding between the dog and its owner.

In the running event, the owner must throw the purple ring – the puller – a minimum distance of at least 10 metres. The dog must chase it down, grab it while it’s still moving, return it and drop it before the owner can throw another puller in the opposite direction.

In a time limit of 90 seconds, points are scored every time the puller is successfully returned.

In the jumping event, the dog owner holds the puller in one hand raised in the air. The dog must jump up at a 45 degree angle, latch on to the puller and then immediately let go before doing the same with the puller in the owner’s opposite hand. Points are scored not only for successful repetitions in 90 seconds, but also for style. If the pet leaves all four paws in the jump as opposed to just two, the team gets a higher score.

Master dog trainer Erika Rozsa Atkinson explained this week the puller events are physically and mentally exhausting for the dog, and that’s a good thing.

Dogs, she said, don’t like to let go of something once they have it in their mouth. It goes against their DNA, she said.

So it is mentally tough for the dog to continually capture the puller and then let it go.

But it helps to teach impulse control, she said.

Rozsa Atkinson noted one of the competitors at the championship has been working with a rescue dog for two years. It was in such an emotional state when she got it that going out for a walk in public, or even a car ride, was an absolute challenge, she explained.

Not any more.

Puller events were designed to be held in public places, not in isolation, but in places where there other people, other activities going on that the animals must learn to adapt to, she explained, adding that’s why the championship was held in Rotary Peace Park.

Rozsa Atkinson emphasized it is important for dog owners who may be interested in working with the puller to seek out guidance from a coach or instructor before they get started, for safety reasons.

“It is a tool,” she said. “It is not a toy, so it does matter what you do with it.”

In the running event for dogs in the mini class, or dogs under 45 centimetres tall, Debbie Last and Casey finished first while Zsofia Wagner and Zulu were second followed in third by Jessie Sidney and Pipper.

In the drive category for fast dogs, Renata Lendvai and Szotyl finished first. Cathy McNeil and Barley were second and Gordon Rozsa and Lucian were third.

In the maxi category for larger dogs, Chantelle Morcombie and her rescue dog Diva were first, Christina Curtis and Maddy were second and Shari Heal and Ketza were third.

In the heavy weight category, Raelene Paul and Dickson were first and Jenna Peterson and Meeka were second.

In the jumping event, Jessie Sidney and Pipper were first in the mini class followed in second by Debbi Last and Casey. Zsofia Wagner and Ziva were third.

In the drive class, Renata Lendvai and Szotyl were first. Cathy McNeil and Barley were second followed by Gordon Rozsa and Lucian.

Raelene Paul and Keva were first in the maxi class followed in second by Shari Heal and Ketza. Chantelle Morcombie and Diva were third.

In the heavy weight category, Raelene Paul and Dickson finished first. Stephanie Campbell and Kade were second and Jenna Peterson and Meeka were third.