Barkour Canine Fitness
  • Home
  • What Is Barkour?
  • About
  • Parkour Track
  • Fitness Track
  • Rules and Regulations
  • List of Titleholders
  • Contact

Rules and Regulations

Picture
barkour_rules_and_regulations_ver_2.3.pdf
File Size: 553 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Download the Rulebook Version 2.3 Effective January 6, 2025
​Or read rules below

Forms:

barkour_exercises_list_by_level.pdf
File Size: 190 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Printable Barkour Exercises Summary (Parkour Track)
barkour_requirements_fitness_track.pdf
File Size: 99 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Printable Barkour Fitness Track Summary
barkour_fitness_track_log.xlsx
File Size: 76 kb
File Type: xlsx
Download File

Barkour Fitness Track Log Excel Spreadsheet
barkour_dog_registration_form_fillable.pdf
File Size: 115 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Dog Registration Form
barkour_title_application_form_fillable.pdf
File Size: 167 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Title Application Form

Introduction

​What actually is parkour?  Parkour is seeing one’s environment in a new way, viewing objects not as obstacles to get around, but rather as features to interact with.  Typical moves involve over, under, on, across, and through.  Human parkour became a distinct discipline in the 1990’s but traces its roots back to martial arts and military obstacle course training.  Canine parkour is much newer and modifies many of the moves to make them safer for our four-footed friends.  It is fun for both the dog and human halves of the team, and requires no special equipment other than a harness, leash, and human imagination to create physical challenges with the environment.
​
Training canine parkour skills utilizes many different muscles, including those rarely exercised by traditional dog sports.  In fact, the cross-training effects of parkour are the perfect complement to other dog sports such as agility, lure coursing, FAST CAT, Nosework, and even Obedience and Rally.  And combining this with endurance training (walking/running) creates a sounder, overall fitter canine athlete that can excel at any sport.  Your dog will be in the best shape of their life with Barkour!
 
How It Works – the Parkour Track:
Each level, from Beginner through four levels of Superb, has ten to twenty parkour exercises per level.  Introductory-level exercises may seem very easy but are designed to build strength and confidence to lead up to more difficult ones.  Read through the requirements for each level and ask any questions to the Barkour Canine Fitness Facebook group or via email at [email protected].  There is also a printable exercises list for quick reference while you are training.  Teach each of the exercises to your dog using positive reinforcement such as luring, shaping, clicker-training, or any combination thereof.  When your dog can perform an exercise with one or two verbal commands and no treats, you are ready to video.  Make a video recording of you and your dog completing each exercise (these can be done as the dog learns them and not all on the same day) and upload your videos to YouTube, Vimeo, or Dropbox.  Please read the Video Rules section to ensure your videos meet the requirements before submission.  After you have completed the videos for all the exercises at that level, you are ready to submit your application and earn your Barkour title.  Your dog must be registered with Barkour before we can process your title, but there is no fee for registration and it can be submitted along with your title application.
Parkour Track Titles and Requirements
How It Works – the Fitness Track:
The Fitness Track has the same levels as the Parkour Track, and the two complement each other.  This track has required walking/running distances per week that increase with each level to help build your dog’s endurance.  There is a printable Fitness Track Summary Sheet for quick reference and a Fitness Track Log Excel spreadsheet to help track your walks/runs.  Each distance must be documented using a smart watch, phone, activity tracker, etc. and this proof (screenshots or pictures) submitted with your title application.  Read the Fitness Track Walk/Run Rules for additional information.  Your dog must be registered with Barkour before we can process your title, but there is no fee for registration and it can be submitted along with your title application.
Fitness Track Titles and Requirements

Definitions

Definitions of Parkour Obstacles and Reuse:
Parkour obstacles are everywhere in the environment and as creative as you make it.  You are not limited to picnic tables, benches, and playground equipment, although these are common choices.  In fact, we limit the use of playground equipment in order to prevent conflict between dogs and children.  If children are present, do not use the playground – pack up and take your dog elsewhere for training.  If the playground is empty, then you are free to use it unless prohibited by signage, but be prepared to leave if children show up.  There are plenty of other areas to train.  Additionally, using graveyards is prohibited, and please respect private property.

Definitions:
Natural – found in the environment (not placed for Barkour purposes) and created by nature, examples include stumps, tree trunks, rocks, etc.  Landscaping objects (rocks, shrubs, etc.) can count as Natural if they have not been significantly modified.  For example, a naturally-shaped rock is a Natural Obstacle even if found on a bed of mulch, but not a rock that has been carved into a specific shape.

Constructed – created or used for dog training purposes, examples include platforms, balance beams, wobble boards, step stools, etc.  Dog sport equipment may be used only if disassembled from its original form.  For example, one board of the agility dogwalk may be used for a Balance exercise, but not the entire dogwalk.

Urban – found in the environment (not placed for Barkour purposes) but built by humans, examples include benches, playground equipment, picnic tables, etc.  Urban obstacles may be made of natural materials but have been significantly modified by humans  For example, a rock wall or railroad tie are considered Urban obstacles.
It is possible that an obstacle could fit into more than one category or be nebulous as to which category it belongs.  Please email or ask on the Facebook group if you are unsure or have questions.

Since one of the goals of Barkour is to get out with your dog and create new experiences, obstacles cannot be reused by the same dog for a similar exercise at any level.  For example, a set of bleachers used for a Novice Balance exercise cannot also be used for an Intermediate Balance, but they could be used for an Intermediate Two Feet On.  Additionally, for a second dog, they cannot be reused for the same exercise.  For example, a bench used for Four Feet On by your first dog cannot also be used for Four Feet On by your second dog, but could be used for Under by your second dog.  *An exception to this rule is the Specialty titles - the same obstacles may be used by more than one dog for the same exercise.

​Registration and Titles

Registration:
Registration is free but is required so you can apply for titles.  Fill out the Dog Registration Form and email it to us at [email protected].  Alternatively, you can print and fill out the registration form and mail it to Barkour Canine Fitness, c/o Regina R. Allen DVM, 427 Wess Rd., Mineral Point, PA 15942.  There is no membership or registration for handlers, and the dog’s registration is good for life, including through ownership transfers.

Other Species:
Other species (cats, rats, miniature horses, etc.) are welcome to register and earn titles as long as they are capable of meeting the titling requirements.  Please email [email protected] with any questions.

Titles and Title Certificates:
Barkour Canine Fitness awards the following titles for the Parkour Track:
Barkour Beginner – BARK-B
Barkour Novice – BARK-N
Barkour Intermediate – BARK-I
Barkour Advanced – BARK-A
Barkour Excellent – BARK-E
Barkour Superb Bronze – BARK-SB
Barkour Superb Silver – BARK-SS
Barkour Superb Gold – BARK-SG
Barkour Superb Platinum – BARK-SP
Natural Challenge Designation – -N
Urban Challenge Designation – -U
First for Breed Designation – *
 
Barkour Canine Fitness awards the following titles for the Fitness Track:
Fitness Beginner – FIT-B
Fitness Novice – FIT-N
Fitness Intermediate – FIT-I
Fitness Advanced – FIT-A
Fitness Excellent – FIT-E
Fitness Superb Bronze – FIT-SB
Fitness Superb Silver – FIT-SS
Fitness Superb Gold – FIT-SG
Fitness Superb Platinum – FIT-SP
Backpacker Challenge Designation – -B
​First for Breed Designation – *

​Upon meeting and submitting the title requirements, your dog will be awarded a title certificate and title charm (see photo).  A List of Titleholders will be maintained on the Barkour Canine Fitness Website.  Title submissions will generally be processed and title certificates sent out within two weeks of submission, but please allow extra time around holidays.  Certificates are sent by email and title charms will be mailed.
Picture
​Example of a title charm.  It will have your dog's Barkour title on it.

General Rules for the Parkour Track

Safety:
Safety is paramount in this sport as the exercises have the potential to cause injury if not done correctly.  Please take the time to read the rules and requirements before starting the Barkour program.  Train each exercise at an appropriate pace for your dog and don’t be in a rush – sloppy work will result in an NQ (non-qualifying) and require you to resubmit the exercise(s).  The goal of each exercise is for the dog to perform them safely and confidently on their own.  At no time should a dog be lifted onto an obstacle – they must ascend under their own power via jumping, climbing, etc.  This sport is completely optional for the dog and pressure or compulsion from the human half of the team is strictly forbidden.

Assistance:
Assistance is defined as “the action of helping with a job or task.”  In Barkour, the goal of assistance is to transfer some of the impact of obstacle dismount to the human half of the team to prevent excessive or repeated concussive forces to the dog’s front half.  This is especially important for puppies, senior dogs, and tripod dogs who are missing a front leg.  Assistance is important for injury (both acute and chronic) prevention and to ensure your dog a long fitness career.  Assistance is also why we require a harness instead of just a collar for exercises preformed above the ground – the harness handle is used to support the dog and transfer some of their weight to the human half of the team, thus lessening impact. 
When necessary, assist the dog down from the obstacle by either holding up the harness handle to reduce impact or by lifting the dog completely to the ground.  When assistance is required, it is listed with the exercise.  However, when in doubt, assist!  Failure to follow assistance rules as written for any exercise will result in an NQ and the need to re-do the exercise.

Spotting:
Spotting is as important as assistance in injury prevention.  The goal of spotting is to be able to catch or assist your dog to the ground if they lose their footing to prevent an awkward fall.  It is required when four feet are on any obstacle above elbow height.  This involves staying close to and observing your dog while performing the exercise, ready to provide help down if needed.  Failure to properly spot will result in an NQ and the need to re-do the exercise.

Surfaces:
Before having your dog attempt any obstacle, be sure to evaluate the obstacle, landing (ground) surface, and surrounding area for any potential hazards.  Watch for protruding nails, sharp corners, etc. that could cause injury to your dog’s feet when they attempt the obstacle.  Wet or slippery surfaces can cause dogs to lose their balance and fall, even with proper spotting.  Ground exercises (Under, Around, etc.) can be done on wet days, but save your obstacle work for dry days.  Always check landing surfaces for broken glass, sharp rocks, etc. and avoid using obstacles with these hazards around them.  Additionally, make sure the surrounding area permits dogs and is far enough away from roads, pedestrian traffic, off-leash dog areas, etc. to keep your dog safe.

Ground Surfaces:
Definitions:
Hard surface – concrete, blacktop, gravel, and similar
Soft surface – grass, dirt, mulch, matting, carpet, and similar

​​Harness and Leash:
All Barkour exercises, unless otherwise specified, must be performed on a harness, preferably with a handle, and a four to six-foot leash.  Flexi leads are not acceptable.  Harnesses must fit the dog correctly and snugly.  Exceptions include exercises performed on the ground and are noted with each.  The dog may wear a buckle collar or work naked, but training collars are not permitted. ​ However, the walk/run requirements for the Fitness Track may be completed with the dog wearing equipment of your choice.  Please follow all leash laws and pick up after your dog, along with respecting private property.

Measuring for Parkour Obstacles

When reviewing your videos for titling purposes, we will not be measuring your dog.  Additionally, you will not be required to measure your dog before performing specific obstacles.  However, you may want to in order to better size obstacles that require one-half elbow height, elbow height, shoulder height, etc.

Definitions:
All measurements are with the dog standing in a relaxed natural pose.  See diagrams for examples.

Head Height – the distance from the ground to the top of the dog’s head (does not include ears) while held in its natural carriage (Diagram 1)

Body Length – the distance from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail while the head is held in its natural carriage (Diagram 1)

Shoulder Width – the width of the body between the widest part of each shoulder when measured from above (Diagram 2)

One-Half Shoulder Width – one half the width of the body between the widest part of each shoulder when measured from above

Shoulder Height – the distance from the ground to the withers (highest point of shoulder) (Diagram 1)

Elbow Height – the distance from the ground to the point of the elbow (Diagram 3)

One-Half Elbow Height – one-half the distance from the ground to the point of the elbow

Wrist Height – the distance from the ground to the top of the carpal (wrist) pad (Diagrams 3 and 4)
​
Paw Length – the distance from the center of the back of the large paw pad to the tip of the longest toe, nails not included (Diagram 5)
Picture

Diagram 1

Picture

Diagram 2

Picture

Diagram 3

Picture

Diagram 4

Picture

Diagram 5

​Video Rules

In order to receive credit for the Parkour Track titles, you must submit videos of your dog performing each exercise as stated per level.  Videos may be uploaded to YouTube, or Vimeo or Dropbox links included with your Title Application.  Rules for proper videos are as follows:
  1. A tripod or second person to video is recommended.  Videos taken with a chest-mounted camera on the handler are acceptable as long as you show your hands so we can determine no luring is taking place.
  2. No luring with food or toys.  Hand gestures are acceptable, but pretending to have food is not.
  3. The handler’s hands must be visible at some point, preferably most of the time, to ensure luring is not taking place.  Turning away from the camera to support your dog getting on and off an obstacle is fine, but having your hands hidden the entire time is not.
  4. The majority of the dog must be visible at all times during the exercise, from start (before attempting the obstacle) to finish (after completion of the obstacle).  It does not matter if the handler partially out of the picture or their head is cut off, but it essential to see the dog to ensure correct execution of the exercise.
  5. Verbal commands are limited to three per exercise, and the dog’s name counts if it is used on its own.  For example, “Fido, paws up,” is one command, but “Fido, Fido, Fido, pay attention,” is more than three.  If you have to beg your dog to attempt the exercise, you need to train more before videoing.
  6. The video must show the entire execution of the exercise including mounting and dismounting the obstacle to ensure that assistance and spotting rules are followed.
  7. Rewards (food, toys, play, etc.) are encouraged, but cannot be used until the exercise is complete.
  8. The dog does not have to be handled by the same person for each video, but only one handler is permitted per exercise.
  9. Videos are limited in length (see Title Application for specifics) and may be trimmed at both the beginning and the end to meet these requirements as long as the other conditions are met.
If you have questions as to if a video is correct before submission, please email or post it on the Facebook group and we are happy to help.
​
Errors in Videoing:
If your application videos earn an NQ (non-qualifying) because of one error, you will be allowed to resubmit your application with a corrected video at no charge within a two-week period.  If there is more than one error, you will have to resubmit your application with the corrected videos and pay the application fee a second time.  In either case, the correct videos will not need to be re-done.

​Fitness Track Walk/Run Rules

​The required distances for each level do not need to be part of a formal race or community activity. However, they must be documented with a smart watch, phone, activity tracker, or other wearable that shows the milage completed. Screenshots or photos of this documentation must be submitted with the application in order to receive credit for the miles/kilometers completed.  Above the Starter level, the weeks do not need to be consecutive – it is okay to take a break one week and then pick up with your walks/runs the next.  Additionally, the dog does not have to be handled by the same person for each walk/run.
​
No matter how the distances are completed, the dog must walk or run the entire distance. Being pushed in a stroller or riding in a wheelchair or carried in a backpack is not acceptable. This requirement of the program is to demonstrate that the dog is increasing their level of fitness.  If you are in a safe area where off-leash dogs are permitted, you are allowed to have your dog off-leash, but will only receive credit for the miles the handler walked as documented with the activity tracker.

Please be cognizant of the surface while exercising your dog.  There are no ground requirements beyond those at the Beginner level, but “pounding the pavement” every day is not beneficial to either the human or canine half of the team.  While some walks/runs on hard surfaces may be unavoidable, please make an effort to use softer surfaces (dirt trails, etc.) for longer distances, especially while running.

Humans and Dogs with Special Needs:
We strive to be inclusive of those with disabilities or special needs (both human and canine) so please contact us if you need to modify the program in order to participate and we will come up with alternatives.  For example, the distances for each level may be walked, ran (except for Beginner which must be walked), or rolled in a wheelchair by the human half of the team.  Those with mobility issues (in a wheelchair, utilizes a walker or cane, etc.) or tripod dogs may split any of the distances in half (except the 0.25 mile) and complete them in two walks instead of one.  These two walks also do not need to be completed on the same day.  ​For example, the two 0.5 - 1.0 mile walks/runs per week at the Novice level may be completed in four or more 0.25 mile walks per week instead for those with special needs.
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • What Is Barkour?
  • About
  • Parkour Track
  • Fitness Track
  • Rules and Regulations
  • List of Titleholders
  • Contact