Camping with Fido

Summer is here and camping season is in full swing. Here are some tips for camping with your dog to make it a pleasurable experience!

1. Don't go naked! Make sure doggy is wearing tags! Bring a leash too.
2. Bring plenty of water for you and your pup. There are some great portable bowls available if you will be doing a lot of hiking.
3. Know the area you will be camping in and make sure that campgrounds allow dogs.
4. Bring prophylactics such as sunscreen and bug spray. I like to put bug spray on bandanas, and then put the bandana on doggy, just to make sure it doesn't irritate anyone's sensitive skin.
5. Consider bringing a few of doggy's toys and a brush. Don't forget their regular dinner! Mmm meat cereal! Always clean up after pup, and make sure food (theirs and yours) is not in a spot where it can lure other creatures into your camp.
6. Know your dog! Some dogs can get very nervous in new surroundings. Give them time to adjust. Sometimes short day trips or nature walks can help ease them into a camping situation.

Have fun camping and be safe!

This blog post is credited to Maria.

Ever Feel Like This

This video really hit home for me this week :-) Enjoy

Smartest Breeds #8, #9 and #10

Coming in at #8 is the Doberman. These dogs were bred less than 150 years ago and have been bred as guard dogs. These dogs were built for speed and endurance.




Next up is the Rotweiller. These dogs were bred to work, protect, and please. Because they have been bread to protect, owners need to be dedicated to training from a very early age.



Let's not forget the Australian Cattle Dog. These dogs are known for their red and blue coats and are great at herding.

Skin Problems in Dogs

I was attending an obedience training class yesterday and the conversation moved to skin problems in dogs (we were actually talking about Maria's puppy Cache, who has a pretty large skin rash on one of his legs).

Skin disorders include conditions that affect a dog's fur and skin. Causes are often related to allergies, parasites, fungus, and even bacteria. Some dogs may develop skin irritations in the summer due to heat and humidity.

Here's some information from WebMD about skin problems in dogs:

http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/ss/slideshow-skin-problems-in-dogs

Smartest Breeds #4, #5, #6 and #7

Coming in at number four . . . the Golden Retriever. I loved this video and learned so much about this beloved dog.How about first ever in AKC obedience. Yes, that would be a goldy.




Number five finds, of course my favorite, the Shetland Sheepdog. This breed, along with the Border Collie was bred for herding and is known for its trademark bark to ward off danger (and of course announce how fun agility is).



Number 6 is a Labrador Retriever. Labs have webbed paws and an otter like tail that makes them excellent swimmers (these dogs were actually bred to swim. These dogs also have a unique ability to learn, so you don't have to be the best trainer to raise a Labrador.



Smartest breed number seven is a Papillon. After watching this last agility trial that was held in Logan, I'm convinced these make excellent agility dogs. This breed is very confident and easy to train.

Smartest Breeds #1, #2, and #3

Listed as #1, #2, and #3 are the Border Collie, Poodle, and German Shepard, respectively.

Border Collies are VERY smart, but need LOTS of exercise.



Poodles are one of the most popular breeds and comes in three sizes, but requires a LOT of grooming.



German Shepards are classified as the third smartest breed and are the most popular breed for law enforcement and military. Don't let this defer you from having a Shepard as a family dog, this breed wants to please, but needs to be trained early NOT to bite. They will also be very protective of their family.

Trial Training

The best ways to get handler and doggy ready for a trial are to come to class and work hard, and then get your paws wet and participate in one! The mini-trial events we have are a good way to see where you are in regards to training and what you need to work on. If you feel confident (every team did well in mini trials and SHOULD feel great about their performance) you may be ready to start competing!

UKI trials are coming up in Draper on the 21st of July. You must be registered with UKI to participate. Registration is easy and you can do it online at http://www.ukagilityinternational.com/Members/RegistrationForm.aspx.

Handler online registration is only $10.50 for a 5 year handler membership. Your handler membership will allow you to:

• enter and pay for any UKI show online
• track your dog’s level points from their results

The entree fee in the upcoming trial will be $12.00 per dog, per class and is hosted by our friends at Wasatch Agility. UKI trials are a bit different from AKC and USDAA events. They are super easy going and a great starting point for competition. You may use a toy in the ring if you let the judge know you are training.

Please contact Maria at maria.hansen@zoomdogagility.org if you are interested and would like more information. 

Here are some great pictures from our most recent mini trials.

This post contributed by Maria.

Smartest Breed

Have you ever looked at your dog and said "You're so smart," or "You're not very smart?" Have you ever wondered if one breed is smarter than another? What about researching the type of breed that fits best for you and your family?

For the next several posts, we'll take a look at "The Smartest Breeds." (Don't feel bad if your dog's breed isn't included, that doesn't mean she/he is not the smartest!)

This first video is from Canine psychologist Stanley Coren, who has measured the intelligence of more than100 dog breeds. Coren is the author of The Intelligence of Dogs a book on dog intelligence, a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.

Coren defines three aspects of dog intelligence in the book: instinctive intelligence, adaptive intelligence, and working and obedience intelligence. Instinctive intelligence refers to a dog's ability to perform the tasks it was bred for, such as herding, pointing, fetching, guarding, or supplying companionship. Adaptive intelligence refers to a dog's ability to solve problems on its own. Working and obedience intelligence refers to a dog's ability to learn from humans.

Smartest Breeds

Friday we'll take a look at the Border Collie (and possibly a few more).

Alphabet Drills

What about setting up a course of only jumps? Can we keep the dogs motivated and engaged on this type of a course?

Jumping drills (more specifically, Alphabet Drills) are a great way to become more imaginative when setting up practice drills and to help familiarize both handler and dog with common obstacle patterns seen on agility courses.

With alphabet drills, jumps are set up as different letters of the alphabet, where each letter focuses on specific handling skills or dog skills; and can be done using a minimal amount of space and a minimal number of jumps (five jumps is usually the average). Practicing jumps in this manner aids the handler in remembering each pattern of jumps, so that eventually they can associate the pattern of the letter with the associated drills.

Here is a YouTube video showing some alphabet drill practice.

Watch for news about upcoming Zoomdog Alphabet Drills classes.

Every Dog Wins at Trials!

June trials at Zoomdog were a windy hit! All of the participants (dogs and handlers) did very well. It was a first for some to be outside and run a course. For others, it was the first trial event. A HUGE thank you to all who participated in the trials and helped set up and break down. More pictures will be posted soon. Also, if you are interested in a picture CD, contact Maria at maria.hansen@zoomdogagility.org 

Job well done!

Thank you to our professional photographer Stacey Moss!

Credit for this lovely post goes to: Maria

Don't Worry, I've Got It!

Wagwear

Wagwear is a company that creats fashionable dog items.  This little blurb is from their "about" section:

Dogs Rule.

In 1996, Amy Harlow adopted six week-old twin Shiba Inus, Lucy and Tonto, and quickly discovered how difficult it was to find cool, classic, quality apparel for dogs that were both fun and functional. With her education in fashion and a successful career in modeling, Amy brought her expertise from the catwalk to the dog park and the wagwear brand was born.

Founded in 1998, wagwear offers puppy chic in the latest colors with fully-functional details such as reflective tape in the leashes and coats, materials such as oil cloth, canvas and climbing rope, and overall classic design one might find on the beaches of Martha's Vineyard or the streets of Tribeca the same weekend.

In 2006, Amy opened her flagship store in the heart of Greenwich Village. All of wagwear's clothing and accessories are designed, fit and made right here in NYC! That makes for high quality dog gear and the unique ability to custom-tailor most garments, whether a Daschund or a Great Dane, to your dog's special shape or size .

Stop by her shop for a custom fit or call and be guided through some fairly simple measurements. "But Fido and I live in Paris?" Wagwear ships internationally, domestically, down the street, or under the boardwalk. Anywhere your pup goes, we go.

Our Department: Walk. Carry. Play. Wear. Sleep.

Some of my favorite items include:

Agility: Slip Lead (comes in 5 color combos)
http://www.wagwear.com/catalog/detail.asp?id=cat65&x=3

Night out on the town: Toggle collar (they even have a human belt to match!)
http://www.wagwear.com/catalog/detail.asp?id=cat34&x=6

Casual: Bandanna Bed
http://www.wagwear.com/catalog/detail.asp?id=cat79&x=50

Camp out: Tee-pee Hound Lounge
http://www.wagwear.com/catalog/detail.asp?id=cat30&x=52

Ready, Set, Trial!

Mini trials are right around the corner on June 19th at 6PM! 

Here are a few tips to help you and your pooch get the most out of any trial you enter.

#1 Know where your dog’s nose is at all times.

No stealing treats or saying hello without permission!

#2 Know what the dog’s opposite end is doing.

Carry extra poop bags and alert the judge if your dog (accidentally) “goes” on the course.

#3 Take care of the trial site.

Don’t litter and don’t allow pups or people to dig up the area.

#4 Know and respect the judges and hosts.

Abide by leash rules and use only equipment that is allowed.

#5 Be considerate of other exhibitors.

Keep the course entrance clear and try not to distract teams that are running.

#6 Have fun with your dogs and enjoy your time together!

See you at trials!

Credit for this lovely article goes to: Maria

Taken from: CleanRun (5/09 p.55) Simmons-Moake, Jane

Who Knew?

Who knew a dog could ride a bike...?

Bionic Toss-N-Tug

Supposedly the Bionic Toss-N-Tug is one of the best new toys on the market.  Bionic Rubber is flexible yet strong.  It floats, can be cleaned in the dishwasher, and has no harmful materials, making it an ideal material for dog toys.  

In the video below, you can see many of the different uses for the toy as well as "tests" showing off its strength. It definitely looks like a promising product!

Interested?  You can buy their products here.  Also, if you already have experience with this product-please share!

Prison Break

This is one talented dog!

Easy Listening

I often listen to this podcast while cleaning or doing other mundane necessities. It is a good review of basic dog obedience as well as many canine tips and tricks! You can download each short (4 to 8 minutes) show on iTunes or listen via the website at http://dogtrainer.quickanddirtytips.com. Although some of the information on the shows pertains to initial training, many of them feature suggestions all dog owners can use such as keeping your dog calm and travelling with your pet. Yes! After all, we are never really finished learning!

Credit for this lovely post goes to : Maria

Dog vs. Balloons

If only we could get our dogs to focus with this intensity and duration on the agility course!

Of course, you have to wonder about the mess left over from all the balloon casualties...but don't worry, this little terrier "helps" with that as well.

Wishbone

The other day a bunch of us started talking about the Wishbone TV show that was popular years ago. 

The Jack Russell had quite the repertoire of tricks and an amazing imagination!  Enjoy the clip in honor of a great classic!  (You can also find a handful of full episodes on YouTube.)

Bee Stings

Spring is here, summer is (thankfully) right around the corner, and the bees are busy.  Many dogs find free entertainment in chasing those noisy little insects.  But the sign below says it all:

Panda, whom many of you will recognize as the little black and white speed demon that tears up the agility course in classes, has first hand experience with "herding" bees.

Before-head shot

After-head shot (notice the swelling on her left cheek)

Before-profile shot

After-profile shot

Unfortunately, unless you plan on keeping you dog locked in the basement and naming him Boo Radley, bees are pretty much unavoidable.  However, it is good to know what to expect.  For most dogs, a not-so-friendly encounter with a bee will simply result in a slight swelling reaction (like Panda's) and can be treated much like you would treat a human who has been stung.  However, also just like humans, some dogs can be severely allergic to stings and would need to be taken to the vet immediately.  Severe symptoms may include but are not limited to:

• Itching or rubbing the stung area
• Immediate swelling
• Difficulty breathing/swallowing (constricted air passages)
• Excessive swelling beyond the immediate area of the sting
• Disorientation
• Excessive drooling
• Seizure-like symptoms
• Fainting

Overall, the best course of action is to simply be aware of your dog and what stings typically look like so if/when they do get stung, you can take care of it immediately, preventing further complications.

Credit for this lovely post goes to : Becca