The snow brings lots to admire even while coping with travel difficulties and other winter issues. Here are some of the things we saw.
Author Archives: RogerGafke
Intro to agility
In our beginning classes (Puppy Kindergarten and Level 1) this week (Feb 23-28), we will introduce the dogs to agility exercises — the A-frame, tunnels, the dog-walk, etc. The agility exercises are great confidence boosters for the dog. It also teaches them to work at a distance from you.
Ice is pretty, but…
It’s surely a good idea to have cancelled morning classes for Saturday(21st). Ice was accumulating at a rapid pace early Friday evening.
Mindin explores the accumulating ice in the kennel this evening (Feb 20, 2015). It’s pretty, but …
No Saturday morning classes (Feb 21)
By Saturday morning, their pond may not be all that is ice-covered. So! We will cancel classes for Saturday morning – Puppy Kindergarten at 9, Level 1 at 10, and Level 2 at 11. We will make a call in the morning about the afternoon classes. Could be the temps in the mid-30s will have melted the ice and snow by that time. 
Senior dogs compete in Westminster agility
Nice detail in this article about the 330 agility entries at the Westminster championship. Surprising that the average age for the competitors – about 7. Not surprising a Border Collie won.
No classes February 16 – too much snow
The dog’s surely enjoy it, but it’s a headache for the rest of us. We won’t hold classes this evening (Monday, February 16). We plan to conduct classes on the regular schedule for the rest of this week. We will make up tonight’s classes in mid-March. Meanwhile, we can take our dogs out for a romp. Here are some pictures of Scotia this morning. 
If a dog can do it, how about a pig?
Take a look at this short video of a pick in the beginning agility class at a dog school near Seattle. It ought to give you inspiration for training your canine.
Dog training on display in holiday show
40 dogs and their handlers presented three holiday programs at the school the first weekend in December (2014). The show featured holiday lights, music, costumes and lots of impressive dog training. Here is a sample of the event captured in pictures. We welcome others to join our group. Use the ‘contact us‘ tab on our website for register online.
Holiday hazards for dogs – beware
The end-of-the-year holidays can be joyous for us and hazardous for our dogs.
Beware.
Our homes are normally filled with hazards for a dog’s wellbeing, and during this time of year the number of hazards seems to explode. Much of the holiday food, and many of the decorations and the gifts can all be dangerous or poisonous for a dog. Couple that with our own inattention caused by the change in our own schedules and you have a receipt for danger.
Check these lists for things to attend. The first is from the College of Vet Medicine at Washington State University. The second is from the Pet Poison Helpline. The third from the American Kennel Club some advice on general care for the dog during the holidays.
Food’s role in early training
Luring a puppy with food early in training has lots of advantages. The puppy chooses where to be. The handler does not have to hold the dog in place with a tight leash. The treat begins to build the dog’s attention on the handler and builds the dog’s concentration. Here is an early picture of Stuart’s second training session.