Hero Dog Awards

Everybody who loves dogs knows that dogs can be the most heroic of heroes.  The American Humane Association has put together an annual award to recognize those dogs who have shown exceptional service to their human counterparts.

Visit their website to see past heroes and nominate dogs for the upcoming awards: herodogawards.org

Dog Wheel

I am not sure whether I approve or disapprove of this exercise device, but its hamster-wheel-like concept is definitely interesting.  What are your thoughts?

Pause to Tip

Bailey and Lee have been working on the teeter totter for several weeks now.  Bailey has only done the large teeter a few times, but she is doing really well.  Watch for how she gets low to tip the board. 

The Amazing Skidboot

This is a longer video (8:37), but definitely worth the time it takes to watch it!

Happy President's Day

George Washington Understood What Dogs Mean to Their Owners

Time: Presidents and Their Dogs  (slideshow)

Abe Lincoln's Dog, Fido

President Pets (list)

Just a little disclaimer: In no way is Zoomdog political.  These are just some fun pictures and links in honor of President's Day :)  

Underwater Dogs

Does your dog like to swim?  Check out this hilarious article: BELLYFLOP

February 2012 Contest Winners

Ethan: First Place Winner

Izzy: Runner Up

Darby: Runner Up

Gina: Runner Up

Spence: Honorable Mention

Bodhi: Honorable Mention

Oscar: Honorable Mention

Drs. Foster and Smith

Here is a good company that has some useful and fun dog products. They are well-known for their dog supplements and low-cost prescription medications.  

They also have the cutest dogs in all their magazines :)

Doctors Foster and Smith

Weave Pole Challenge

Crufts 2011 Large Agility Winner

Furminator

I love dogs, but I hate that most of them shed!  Some people have the misconception that short-haired dogs don't shed very much, but if you've ever had a lab or a pointer, you know that they leaves piles of hair everywhere.

I used to be a big fan of the ZoomGroom, made by Kong, and would scoff at the pictures the Furminator has of the dogs surrounded by the hair that the brush pulled out:

But one day, frustrated by the hair that covered every inch of my apartment, and seeing that PetsMart had an awesome deal on one, I decided to try it out.  After using the Furminator, I knew I was hooked for life!

Pin Wheels

Pinwheels can be a toy, cookie, sandwich, or agility jump pattern.  

There are many different types of bar jump patterns in agility courses.  One of the most common is a pinwheel pattern, typically consisting of three jumps:

Of course, there are also many variations of this pattern, but this is the most standard.  If you are the handler, the best place to be is in the inside of the jumps so that you can direct your dog through the pattern with fewer footsteps.  This is often called being "inside the box."

For a great article about pinwheels, check out this article from AgilityNerd: Pinwheels

Volkswagon and Dogs

Here's another fun commercial by VW:

Forever Dog

Traps and Mistakes

The music on this video is slightly annoying, but the visuals are very informative.  It's full of mistakes from the Agility World Championships a few years ago (see, even the professionals mess up sometimes!).  The first scene you see is an extreme trap.  The dogs come off the jump and are supposed to take the A-frame.  However, a lot of them are sucked into the tunnel.

Later, there are many different shots of the course as the dogs/handlers mess up.  Just watch those handlers as their dogs take the wrong obstacle!  Complete devastation.  Even though most of the footage goes fast and the action is far away, you can often see that the handler has made a cueing mistake: dropped a hand, turned the shoulders before the dog was committed, etc.

How to Build a Dog

The National Geographic magazine just published a neat article this month about dogs' genetic make-up.  Check out the full article in their printed magazine or see a shortened version here.

The Bark Side

You may have seen this already, but here it is for you to enjoy again!

Cat Agility

So, over the course of this blog, many animals have shown off their agility skills (rabbits, pigs, squirrels, etc.), but we have neglected the arch-enemy of dogs: cats! 

The Cat Fancier's Association has their own version of agility for cats.  To learn more about this sports, get training tips, and watch videos, check out the CFA Agility website.

Service Dogs Enjoys Agility

I ran across this other day and of course thought it was awesome!  This is the same program that Cheri and Lucy are a part of.  One thing to notice is how well the dog pays attention to his handler.  There is obviously a strong bond between the two!

Gentler Leaders

The Gentle Leader is a head halter and training tool that goes on the dog's muzzle and around the top of their neck that generally helps handlers control their dog more effectively.  It is very similar in concept to a horse's halter.  While it will not train your dog for you, it can makes life easier in many different areas, making it one of the best dog training tools out there, especially for larger breeds.

I recommend Gentle Leaders because:

1. They give you a safe, effective way to control your dog.  Because dogs build up resiliency in their necks to flat collars, and harnesses encourage your dog to pull (think dog-sledding), the GL goes on the dog's head.  Heads don't have lots of muscle and very little pulling strength.  Additionally, where the head goes, the body follows.
2. It's relatively cheap.  Shock collars are a $100 plus, while the GL is $30 or less.  Besides the fact that I am not an advocated of using electronic collars in 99% of the cases, price is another good reason to go for the GL over other training devices.
3. As mentioned previously, a dog who is wearing a GL cannot pull with even half the strength they normally have.  Many dogs have behavioral issues because they don't get enough exercise and don't get that walk because they pull. With a properly adjusted and fitted GL, people can almost immediately take their dog for a walk, getting him or her exercise and thereby beginning to work on those other issues he or she might have.  
4. When used properly, the GL helps the dog to focus and have fun with the handler.  When the GL is on, the dog knows it is time to train, do agility, go for a walk, and get special attention from his or her human.  It acts as a signal to behave because the dog associates the feeling of the GL with those good things.

Those are just some of the reasons why I am a Gentler Leader advocate.  However, if not fitted properly and introduced in a positive manner, it loses much of its efficacy.  To address the former, here is a video put out by Premier (the makers of the GL).  It is a little lengthy, but definitely worth watching if you either currently use a GL or are planning to in the future.

The video mentions a few ways to introduce the Gentle Leader, but here is what I typically do after it is all fitted:

• Lure their nose through the nose strap with a treat.  Put on the back strap, give them several treats.  Take it off immediately.  Do this several times a day for a few days.  

Lucy learning to wear her Gentle Leader

• Repeat step one, but before taking it off, walk away from them and have them follow you with a happy voice.  Once they get to you, give them another treat.  Take off the GL, repeat.  Make sure you are excited and happy the whole time.
• To build, if your dog is toy motivated, have him or her fetch a toy with it on.  If your dog is more food motivated, have him or her eat their meals with it on (this is only for dogs who scarf their dinner the moment you set it down-not the ones who munch and walk around).  If you dog just loves to be loved, put it on and give the dog a full body massage.  Do this for two or three days.
• Repeat step three, but before finishing the session, hook on the leash, and take a quick walk around the house or yard.
• After this point, your dog should have a positive association with the GL.  Continue to give your dog treats, build up the length of time he or she is wearing it, and you can now start going on longer walks, go to training classes, and do other fun things with your dog while he or she is wearing the GL.

Here are a few other tips: 

• After the initial introduction process, the pup should only wear the GL when on leash.
• It is NOT a muzzle-the dog should be able to open his/her mouth to hold a toy, eat, drink, etc.
• If you are not going to pay attention to your dog, don't have them wear the GL. 
• If the dog rubs, give him or her a negative marker, distract his or herr attention, and praise when the rubbing stops.

And lastly, let me just say a few words more.  Over the years, the public perception of Gentle Leaders has changed greatly and many people know what they are and are also advocates of them.  However, just like anything else, there are many people who don't completely understand this training aid.  Some people think it's a muzzle (yet it doesn't keep the dogs from barking, biting, or playing with toys if they wanted to), others believe that the GL will injure the trachea, and for the most extreme, some people think that if the dog lunges hard enough, their neck will snap.  Through all the years I've been training, I have never personally heard anything negative about the Gentle Leader from people who use it other than, "my dog tries to rub it off."  However, if you have concerns about the physical health of it, talk to your vet who should be able to give you sound advice.