Clean Run

Here's a great website for agility products: www.cleanrun.com
Check it out and post your feedback!

How I Trained My Human to Come When I Ring a Bell by Maria Hansen

I am an apartment dweller without the luxury of a dog door.  My dog Katie has always been pretty good about “asking” to go out, but we’ve had our fair share of accidents.  At first Katie would either whine, or bark, or paw at the door to ask to go out, but since consistency is such a big part of agility, or any dog training for that matter, we wanted to find a better way.  In reading up on potty cues, I found that there are basically two methods out there that will successfully teach your dog to ring a bell to go out.   We started preparing by purchasing a small bell that I could hang from my doorknob, and yummy treats that are kept near the door.

If your dog already paws to go outside you can teach him or her to ring a bell by ringing it yourself every time you open the door.  You can start pointing to the bell when your dog paws, or do this with a treat in order to lure their nose to the bell.  Give lots of praise/ positive markers and allow the dog to go outside.  Soon they will associate the bell with going outside and you will have less scratch marks in your door paint. 

The targeting approach is accomplished by teaching your pup to “touch” something, either with their paw or snout.  Katie learned this by touching my hand with her paw when given the command “touch.”  If she did this, she received a treat and quickly learned what “touch” meant.  Next we learned to “touch” the bell.  First I held the bell in my hand and had her touch it on command, then, we moved it to the doorknob. I began giving her a treat when she touched the bell as well as opening the door and saying “potty.”  From there she then learned that she could touch the bell to go outside, potty, and then get a treat immediately when she came back in.  Letting your dog out is really a life reward, so they won’t need to be treated after they connect ringing the bell to having the door opened.  I have a window by my door so I always keep an eye on her to make sure she does go potty.  No potty, no treat.  Several days of consistent practice later, and my dog has trained me to come to her at the ring of a bell to let her out.  I’m not really sure if this “trick” is actually being performed by the canine or the human, but there are no more accidents in the house.

Flying Rabbits

Seems like all sorts of animals these days are doing the agility scene.  Although these rabbits only jump, it's still pretty impressive!

Check out the article here: Now That's a Bunny Hop

Read the article:  Do you agree or disagree
that this could be considered inhumane?

Think Positive

I've decided over the years, through numerous experiences (both good and bad) that dog training is as much mental on the part of the handler as it is anything else.  So, in order for me to be the trainer I feel I should be, I've developed a little mantra that I will say to myself:

I am calm, confident, and in control.  I am quick to correct and quick to forgive.  I will help (dog's name) learn to (desired behavior) by teaching her/him the correct behavior of (blank) through ongoing practice.

Obviously, fill in your own dog's name and the desired activity-the more specific the better.  Also, it's always best to avoid "not" "stop" "don't" and all of those negative words.  If you want your dog to stop jumping, you may say something like: "I will help Freddy to learn to remain on all four paws when visitors come over by teaching him the correct behavior of sitting while being greeted through ongoing practice."  The last part is especially important because it helps me to remember that dogs learn the correct behaviors because we teach them through practice and over time.

I like to use the first two sentences when I'm simply frustrated-it helps me to relax and rededicate myself to what I am doing.  Feel free to create your own mantra-whatever helps you to be good to your dog, and always remember that most ideas start inside our head, come out in our actions, and eventually affect our lives.

Canine Companions for Independence

Love dogs, golfing, and helping out a great cause?  Check out this upcoming golf tournament for Canine Companions for Independence-a non-profit organization that trains service dogs for people with disabilities.  This is the organization that Cheri is with, so obviously it's one of the best around!

To sign up for the golf tournament, visit CCI Golf.  Visit these sites  CCI  and Wasatch Champions to find out more about CCI in general and the local CCI chapter.

Zoomdog Gourmet

Introducing Zoomdog Gourmet!  This is the homemade line of dog treats and cupcakes that our agility club is selling to raise funds for things like new equipment.  This weekend we'll be at the Gardner's Market here in Logan.  Homemade dog treats are great because they have no added colors, preservatives, or other items your dog doesn't need.  Plus, they're fresh and smell great-Cheri absolutely loves the mini cupcakes.  Sometimes she will lick the frosting off first, then chew the rest, getting crumbs everywhere; other times, she just eats them in one big gulp!

Over the next few months, we'll be selling many tasty varieties, but here is what will be available this Saturday:

• Peanut Butter Carob Rings
• Carrot Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
• Banana Cupcakes with Blueberry Cream Cheese Frosting
• The Dog's Revenge (BBQ mini-men)
• Peanut Butter Buttons
• Pooch Pretzels
• Cheesy Chicken Chews

The Tiny Chihuahua Who Thinks He's a Buddhist Monk

By LIZ HAZELTON

Last updated at 12:50 24 March 2008

He is admired for his impeccable zen and ability to radiate a sense of inner peace.

And while other Buddhists may have to wait years to reach enlightenment, this devotee seems to have attained Nirvana in just two.

Unfortunately, appearances can be deceptive, especially when the "monk" in question is a Chihuahua named Conan.

The tiny dog actually launches into "prayer" when he wants treats - and is richly rewarded by impressed visitors.

Zen-like: Practice makes perfect for Conan whose prayers are answered (usually very quickly) with treats

Conan, a two-year-old male with black hair and soulful eyes, begins his routine by standing beside a priest before the altar and staring intently at a statue of a Buddhist deity.

When the priest begins to chant and raises his clasped hands, the little dog also lifts his paws and joins them at the tip of his nose

He is now the top attraction at his Japanese temple.

"He started to pose in prayer like us whenever he wanted treats," said priest Joei Yoshikuni.

"Clasping hands is a basic action of Buddhist prayer to show appreciation. He may be showing his thanks for treats and walks."

"It's so funny that he does it," said Kazuko Oshiro, 71, who has been going to Jigenin temple on the southern island of Okinawa for more than 25 years.

It's a dog's life: Conan's prayer pose is perfect

"He gets angry when somebody else sits on his favourite spot. He must be thinking that it's his special place."

Conan may not be as devout as first appearances indicate but he does seem to have brought his temple home good luck.

Visitor numbers have swelled by 30 per cent since his arrival and he a particular attraction for younger people.

"I'm glad that people feel more comfortable visiting the temple because of Conan," Yoshikuni added.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-543470/The-tiny-Chihuahua-thinks-hes-Buddhist-monk.html#ixzz1RoTDOC00

Proofing

Proofing is essentially teaching dogs to perform their commands with distractions present.

Why is proofing so important?  Many dogs know how to sit, stay, down, come, and do all those basic obedience skills; but so often I hear, "Sparky is great at home, but when I take him to _____________, he just doesn't seem to listen!"  While there may be other factors contributing to Sparky's lack of focus, one major component is that Sparky and his handler haven't practiced enough in distracting environments and have spent very little time proofing the commands. It is especially vital that agility dogs are proofed on their commands and the obstacles since agility typically entails numerous tempting distractions (dogs, toys, grass, open sky, leaves, birds, awesome tunnels...you get my meaning).

Here's a great video of a dog/handler team working on their stand (for conformation) with another dog distraction.  Does the overly happy Black Lab remind you of anyone?

I like to think of proofing always with the end result in mind: your dog obeying his or her commands regardless of what's going on around him or her, kind of like this Dane. This dog does great, but just realize the Dane (and the Lab) has had a ton of work put into him before he got to this level!  This stellar behavior is always your ultimate goal, but remember that you will need to take baby steps to get there.  So, to start you off, here are some ways you can start proofing your dog's stays.

(Please note that in order to create an environment of success, proofing comes after your dog already knows the command and is proficient at it 85% percent of the time with minimal distractions.)

10 Ways to Proof Your Dog's Stay
1.  Name (it's not their 'release'!)
2.  Walking around
3.  Different body postures
4.  Toys
5.  Dogs
6.  Children
7.  Pet stores
8.  Dancing
9.  Fake commands
10. Food

Jesse

If I could only get my husband to clean up that much enthusiasm!

Fireworks and Fidos

Humans love fireworks-we love the thrill, the colors, the boom that shakes our bones.  However, I've never met a dog that looks up into the sky and says, "Jeez, that is SO AWESOME!"  At best, you're going to get a dog that is oblivious.  At worst, your dog will be cowering under the corner of your bed, traumatized  So, this Fourth of July, let your dog stay home, away from blinding, smelly, ear-drum bursting fireworks and let him chew a fabulously stuffed Kong and stay in his nice cozy crate instead.

Oh, and just for fun, I had to throw in these pictures as well!

(Caution: Do not attempt this at home!)

Picking up all channels

This isn't Cheri-but he sure is cute!