If you have multiple dogs, Online Dog Coach recommends that you establish a feeding routine.  This ensures that each dog gets his or her fair share and can helpful making feeding time less crazy.  In this video, 3 year old Chase shows you how feeding multiple dogs works at our house.  Please note that these dogs have had an established feeding routine for multiple years and we do not recommend that a young child try this without proper training and supervision.

Check out the video on our Facebook page.

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Rankine and I attended a Front Range Agility Team seminar this past week with Jennifer Crank.  I signed up for two sessions to work on stress related issues (i.e. Table sniffing) and improved contacts.  I must admit I was a little disappointed in the morning session because it was heavily focused on motivation versus stress and if there is anything Rankine doesn’t need to work on it’s motivation.  That aside, Jennifer made the following very eye opening and obvious statement:

“Those who work on Training tend to perform better in Standard classes versus those who work on Handling tend to perform better in Jumper classes”.  To which I replied, “that explains why have a dog in USDAA Master Jumpers that only has 1 qualifying run in Starters Standard”.  Needless to say that Jennifer and the seminar participates had a good laugh.

So what’s the difference you ask:

• Training focuses on a specific skill (i.e.  you go into the agility ring with one goal such as completing 12 weave poles or training the A-frame down contact).  Note – Online Dog Coach lessons are training focused.
• Handling focuses on sequencing (i.e. you setup and work a full course)

In my case, I am fortunate to have a 100′ x 80′ agility training ring in my backyard with a compliment of agility equipment.  Consequently, I have a tendency to handle full courses because they are readily available.   Prior to moving to this house, my wife and I had a limited amount of space which made us train basic skills versus handle full courses.   Surprise, surprise our older dog, TJ, has beautiful contacts and agility basics.

My goal? Go back to training basic agility skills for the near term.

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Halloween is almost here!  Check out Judy’s Online Dog Coach article on how to keep your dog safe.

And the Top 10 Halloween tips from the Online Dog Coach trainers are…

Number 10: If your dog is trick-or-treating, keep him or her on a short leash.
Number 9: Be sure your dog’s costume does not impair his or her vision or movement.
Number 8: Train your dog to stay at the door with the help of a family member or friend.
Number 7: Keep a positive attitude – Halloween is a great opportunity to train good behavior when the door bell rings.
Number 6: If you have a split screen door, take the top half out to allow you to hand out goodies while keeping your dog safely in the house.
Number 5: Keep the candy bowl and kiddies’ loot away from your dog – it can make them sick.
Number 4: If your pets are overzealous at the door, it might be better to put them in another room while you are attending to trick-or-treaters.
Number 3: If you have a storm door, leave the front door open, or watch through a window so you can see the trick-or-treaters before they ring the bell.
Number 2: Rent a dog training facility for a doggie Halloween party for other dog lovers that would rather spend the evening with their four-legged friends.
Number 1: Turn off the lights and pretend you’re not home!

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Shake and High Five were the first tricks my cocker spaniel learned when he was a young pup. At 10 years old, he is now teaching my son to high five. As you can see from this video they are both having a blast!

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For those of you in the Denver area, the Front Range Agility Team is holding an American Kennel Club dog agility trial at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Castle Rock, CO Friday June 11th through Sunday June 12th.

If you are in the neighborhood, stop in for this FREE event and check out local dog agility stars. Also, there will be a special attraction, the Retired Agility Run of Glory, to honor our four-legged friends that have retired from the sport. Online Dog Coach stars, Kelvin and Shiner, can’t wait to join in the fun!

Click here for directions to the Douglas County Fairgrounds.

As always, please do not bring dogs that are not entered and always remind kiddos to ask permission before approaching a dog.

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