Guide to Woofs and Growls

Courtesy of: http://blog.jezrose.co.uk/the-childrens-guide-to-woofs-and-growls.html 

Benefits of Agility

Dogs are working animals and need something to do. Agility is a sport that demands intelligence, speed and teamwork and gives dogs a job while providing good physical and mental exercise. Some dogs get bored in obedience training because it’s usually a low-key, controlled environment. When doing agility, you are actively training and progressing together, creating a long-lasting bond. Your dog gets to run and jump and gets a reward for it! This makes agility naturally fun and exciting for dogs! Because you and doggy are becoming a team, you will notice her becoming more attentive and focused on you. Building new skills slowly and creating confidence on obstacles can help bring shy dogs out of their shell too. Weekly agility class is an opportunity for doggy to socialize with other canine participants. Handlers can get to know fellow members of the dog-loving community, have fun, and get a little exercise! Agility is something for you and doggy to look forward to each week and we certainly hope you do!

Credit for this lovely post goes to : Maria

Wedding Bells

You may have seen this on Yahoo today, but in case you didn't it's definitely worth reading!  Canine Wedding

 Frankly, all I can do is laugh (and cry a little inside...)

Dog's View

This video is pretty cool, but if you get dizzy from unsteady cameras, be warned!

Double Dutch

If you liked this, check out the KSL article.  

Another Reason...

I ran across this poem today and thought it was great.  Do you have any neighbor dogs like this?  Or worse, is this your neighbor writing about your dog?

Another Reason I Don't Keep a Gun in the House
Billy Collins

He is barking the same high, rhythmic bark

that he barks every time they leave the house.

They must switch him on on their way out.

The neighbors' dog will not stop barking.

I close all the windows in the house

and put on a Beethoven symphony full blast

but I can still hear him muffled under the music,

barking, barking, barking,

and now I can see him sitting in the orchestra,

his head raised confidently as if Beethoven

had included a part for barking dog.

When the record finally ends he is still barking,

sitting there in the oboe section barking,

his eyes fixed on the conductor who is

entreating him with his baton

while the other musicians listen in respectful

silence to the famous barking dog solo,

that endless coda that first established

Beethoven as an innovative genius. 

www.poemhunter.com

(P.S.  Here's a little English tidbit.  Billy Collins was our American Poet Laureate from 2001-2003.  Typically, his poems are humorous, like the one above, but will often talk about big issues within the humor, unlike the one above.)

Building a Better Walk Through

With mini trials coming up and summer trials right around the corner, here are a few tips to get your run off to a good start. 

Before you even set foot on the course, you can check out the course map and pay special attention to the obstacles and the order they are placed.  Make sure to look for traps and hazards while you have the map in front of you!  It helps to think about questions like “Where is my dog going to have a hard time?”  And “What are my tough or uncomfortable spot s as a handler?”

When you get a chance to physically walk the course, figure out angles of approach for each obstacle. Think about your hand signals and points where it would save time to perform crosses.  Visualize yourself running the course and try and see things from doggy’s perspective too!

Lastly, you can watch how other handlers run the course before you and pick up tips you may have missed.  As handlers, we rarely have time to think these sorts of things through in the moment, so having a good, solid walk through beforehand can make a big difference!  Happy trials!

Credit for this lovely post goes to: Maria

Dog Bark Park Inn

The best part about this, is that's it's within driving distance!

Dog Bark Park Inn Bed and Breakfast

Dining and Dashing

Dining and dashing is not only impolite for people, but is also inappropriate for your dog.  I mean, how rude is it for your dog to go and order a huge steak and fries (minus the broccoli with an extra side of bones) at Texas Roadhouse then run out before they pay the bill or even tip the server?  Geez.

But seriously, does your dog ever come back to you, grab whatever you are offering then bolt away again?  How about when your dog is on lead and you are trying to get his or her attention while that other dog at the park is rolling in the grass or playing fetch-so you say your dog's name, he or she looks up at you physically, takes the treat, and then continues fixating on that other dog "having fun" while he or she is "stuck" at the end of your leash?

Lucy is an expert at the second scenario...and like a server who has been stilted, it definitely annoys me.  So here are five ideas of things that we work on to prevent (physical or mental) dining and dashing:

First, don't let your dog borrow your car.  If they can't get to a restaurant, then there isn't the chance that they'll stiff the establishment.  My dogs only get to borrow the car if they're running errands for us, and even then they have to pledged on their kibbles that they'll be on their best behavior.

Second, make sure your dog is mentally with you and not just going through the motions before you reward them.  Training is as much mental as it is physical performance.  Make sure they are thinking about you-not everything else around them.

Third, randomly have your dog do multiple things before earning the treat.  When you call him or her to you, not only should they recall, but they can also do a down, sit, then a shake, or something else.  This changes things up a bit and helps with suggestion number two.

Fourth, randomly give them more treats for a behavior.  This is not jackpotting, but instead is about rewarding them for continued attention.  If your dog thinks they might get more, they'll be more motivated to hang around longer.  Just make sure that you don't always give them a set number of treats each time.  Dogs can't count, but they will pick up on patterns.  So, give them one, give them five, but always switch it up.

Fifth, enforce a 'release' command before your pooch is allowed to move on.  So, when you recall your dog, they shouldn't go back out to play until they get their release.  Likewise, when you are at PetsMart and they are wanting to investigate the smelly and wonderfully-pee-filled world out there, they shouldn't unfocus from you until you give them release.  Kind of like at-ease for soldiers.

Credit for this lovely article goes to: Becca

Automatic DQ

Sometimes, this just happens....

Happy Easter

Jackpot

Okay, okay, this is not the kind of jackpot I want to talk about!  Instead, let's think more along the lines of Vegas.

People primarily play the slots because every so often, they get a huge "reward."  This big flow of coins is what entices people to continue playing the game.  Likewise, dogs are motivated to continue "playing" the game of training when they receive large rewards for excellent behavior and/or actions.

So, what does a jackpot look like?  Here are a few tips:

• Use something super high value to your dog.  Obviously, this is going to be relative.  For Cheri, five pieces of kibble are exciting (let's face it, she's just not that picky).  But if I want to truly jackpot her, I would give her dog log.  She rarely gets it, so once she does, it's like somebody giving you a Lexus after years of driving around a Geo metro that only had first and second gear left.  (For those who've known and taken classes from me for a while, just know that I am still waiting for that Lexus to fall from the heavens ;)) Some dogs prefer toys, others tummy rubs; regardless, it is up to you as the handler to decide what is the alpha treat that dominates all those other lesser rewards.
• Spread out the length of the reward.  If you are giving treats, give them several small pieces and praise the whole time.  Or, give them an extra long tummy rub or instead of just letting them carry the toy, play tug or throw the toy for a few rounds of fetch.  In my brain, I often think that just giving a large piece of treat is sufficient, but I've seen plenty of dogs scarf down a piece of dog log the size of my palm in the same time that they swallow one the size of a dime and don't react any differently.  So, make the reward more meaningful by extending the length of time you hand out the rewards.  (I do also give slightly larger pieces during a jackpot.)  Most trainers recommend that you jackpot anywhere from 20-40 seconds.   
• Be jackpot savvy.  In other words, give jackpots when they do something extra special.  Like when the light bulb finally clicks and they go through the weaves on their own or when they come back to you despite numerous distractions.  However, that being said, don't overuse the power of the jackpot.    Ice cream multiple times a day not only makes you fat, but it also isn't a treat anymore.  

Credit for this lovely article goes to: Becca

6 Top Tips for Desensitization

Courtesy of:  http://blog.jezrose.co.uk/desensitisation-poster.html

Obstacle Lure Coursing

If you don't mind reinforcing your dog's prey drive, this is a fun activity to try with your best friend next time you are at a big canine event.  Here is a video from a Utah-based company: Course a'Lure

Ask a Vet: Small and Large dogs

Today’s Veterinarian: Dr. Ramona Skirpstunas D.V.M./Ph.D./D.A.C. V.P.*

Both large and small dogs come with size specific concerns.  Here are some things to watch out for:

·       
Small dogs can often have knee joint problems such as luxating patellas (dislocation of kneecap).  These problems are often congenital and are breed specific.  Dachshunds for example, can have spinal trouble due to IV disc disease where the discs between vertebrae become damaged. 

·       
Large dogs are prone to hip dysplasia (dysfunctional hip joint) as they grow older.  Sometimes even young dogs can become lame.  Active dogs can also be prone to Cruciate Ligament Rupture, similar to tearing an ACL in humans.  Attend to any symptoms as soon as possible with help from your vet. 


Important things to remember for all dogs are:

Know your breed specific background issues.  This will allow you to give special attention to any issues doggy may related to her predisposed anomalies. 

Keeping your dog at a healthy weight can go a long way.   Extra weight on any dog’s joints will not help keep her happy and agile.

*Ramona Skirpstunas is a board certified Veterinary Pathologist and Veterinarian, who lives in Logan with 5 dogs, all of whom have special needs.  She also provides a home for an axolotl and a rabbit.

Credit for this lovely article goes to: Maria