Rotating your dog’s toys can prevent boredom, and save you money! Every time you pull out a new toy, it’s like you’ve just returned from the pet store with a new gift.

If you are gone for long days, have a wide variety of toys and treat toys that are appropriate for your dog. If your dog loves to tear things up, don’t give him a plush toy while you are away – get those out when you are home. Make sure the toys are indestructable for your dog’s level of activity.

To easily rotate toys on a daily basis, a time saver is to choose 2 or 3 toys the night before, and place them with your keys safely out of your dog’s reach. In the morning, you can toss the toys down for your dog when you pick up your keys to leave.

Reserve your dog’s most favorite toy for special play times and training. A special toy creates high treat value that serves as a big pay check for your dog.

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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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Burr! Winter is in full swing in the Rocky Mountains!  With the privilege of dog ownership comes chilly waits by the door while fido does his business.   In some cases, it may seem like a game of chance as you plead with your dog to hurry up before your toes get frost bite.   If only your dog had a clear way of communicating that he or she needs to go outside??  Good news, your dog can let you know that he or she needs to go out by ringing a string of bells hung on a door knob.   Check out the Online Dog Coach video lesson Ring A Bell for any easy “how to” make a string of bells and teach your dog to ring them.

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If you have having guests over for Thanksgiving dinner, you will want to take a peek at our Settle In Place lesson which teaches your dog to settle in a comfortable place until he or she is released.   This is a great command that will help keep your dog out from under Grandma or Grandpa’s feet and might keep your dog from licking the kid’s face and plates clean.  You’ll want to start training this command a few weeks in advance with short daily training sessions.  Gobble, Gobble!

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Before the Trick-or-Treaters arrive, give your dog a quick brush-up on his  manners at the door with our Stay at the Door Lesson.  If you have trained this before, but perhaps haven’t been as consistent as you would like to be, it should only take a few short sessions for your dog to be proficient again.  If this is a new lesson for your dog, be sure to train your dog in short sessions every day this week.

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