Carolina works for happier dogs

That the dog is man’s best friend is a truth with a long history. At Hundarena Skaraborg, it’s clear that the bond between owner and dog is both strong and joyful. People from all over Skaraborg come here to take courses or to train on their own with their best friend.

“People really care about their dogs today! The dog is a family member, and people invest both money and, above all, time to ensure the dog’s well-being.”

Carolina Flyckt has been running Hundarena Skaraborg for 11 years. It is located in the small community of Vinninga, between Lidköping and Skara, in the heart of Skaraborg. Various courses are offered here, for both puppies and experienced competition dogs, and there is also a dog grooming service and a shop. But what makes many people travel long distances to come here are the extensive training areas. There is both a large outdoor arena and a 700-square-metre heated indoor hall.

“In the summer, we naturally train mostly outdoors, on the field or in the nearby forest. But it’s our large heated hall that attracts people from far away when it’s cold outside. It becomes not just a place to train, but also a meeting place for those of us who love dogs and dog sports.”

Carolina has worked with dogs for 18 years, and before she started Hundarena Skaraborg, she and the dogs she trained with often had to make do with cold riding halls during the winter. But training in sandy, unheated arenas was far from ideal. Carolina began eyeing a barn that had stood empty for many years.

“I contacted the owner, and after a couple of weeks I got a reply saying I could rent it. It was an old chicken house, so we had to start by clearing out masses of feathers,” Carolina laughs.

Today, the barn has been transformed into a hall for all types of dog training, from obedience to agility. The floor is covered with artificial grass, and Carolina explains that the shape of the building is also important for making the training work well.

“Because it’s long and narrow, several dogs can train at the same time without disturbing each other - no one ends up in the middle.”

Training for everyone

So, what do people want to train with their dogs? It turns out the answer is: pretty much anything!

“These days, it’s common to take part in training sessions and courses without having any competition ambitions. People simply enjoy training with their dogs and want to experience the sense of community that comes with the courses. We make sure to offer a wide range, with both competition-focused courses and courses for those who just want to spend time and have fun with their dog. One popular course we offer is called ‘forest fun,’ which is all about how you can enjoy time with your dog out in the woods.”

“I’ve seen a positive development in dog training during my years in the industry. Today, it’s taken for granted that you only work with positive reinforcement - never punishment. That means both the dog and the owner have more fun together. That’s exactly how it should be!”

This text has been translated with the help of AI.