Jul 20, Dog Obedience -- For Fun and Competition

Dog obedience competition is a sport in which a dog completes a set of tasks as directed by his handler. The real purpose of these trials, however, is to demonstrate how well the dogs have been trained to behave in the home, in public, and around other dogs.

All-breed obedience trials are the most common type of trials.

They offer competitions for more than 150 dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).

Specialty trials are restricted to dogs of a specific breed.

AKC obedience competitions are offered at three levels: Novice, Open, and Utility.

A dog must complete the requirements at each level before moving on to the next.

The Novice Class demonstrates good canine companion skills.

These include heeling (both with and without a leash), coming when called, standing for a simple physical examination, and staying in both a sit and a down position with a group of dogs.

The Open Class is more challenging, as all exercises are done off leash.

These include a heeling pattern and figure eight, drop on recall, retrieve on the flat, retrieve over a high jump and a broad jump, and group exercises (three-minute sit-stay and five minute down-stay) with the handler out of the ring.

The Utility Class is the most challenging level of competition.

The dog must do a complex heeling pattern off lead that includes a hand signal exercise and a more rigorous stand for examination.

He must respond to hand signals (only) that direct him to go down, sit, come, and return to heel.

He uses scent discrimination to find two articles handled by his owner out of a pile of several items.

His handler then directs him to retrieve one of three gloves placed in the ring. He's also required to clear a high jump and a bar jump at the handler's direction.

Why would you want to bother with obedience training?

Here are a few reasons: Dog training for obedience competition provides an opportunity for you and your dog to work as a team. It provides mental stimulation and physical activity for a bored pet. It provides you with a fun and challenging hobby. It strengthens the bond between you and your dog. It helps your dog realize his full potential. Obedience has useful applications in everyday life with your dog. Training for competitions builds on basic dog obedience training. Your family, neighborhood and community all appreciate a well-trained dog. It allows you to enjoy the fun and excitement of competing in various dog sports. Your veterinarian will be glad you taught your dog to stand quietly for examination. Obedience training is the foundation upon which all dog activities are based, whether conformation, agility, tracking, search and rescue, service dogs, fieldwork, etc.Any dog registered with the AKC can enter AKC obedience trials, regardless of conformation.

Unregistered purebred dogs can also compete in AKC events if they obtain an Indefinite Listing Privilege (ILP) number.

To qualify, a dog must look like an AKC-recognized breed, be spayed or neutered, and be at least six months old.

The ILP is a great help to those who adopt dogs from animal shelters or rescues or who purchase purebred dogs without registration papers.

If your precious pooch is a Heinz 57 mutt, he can still enter obedience events sponsored by the organizations listed in the next section.

Titles are awarded through several organizations. In the United States, these include the American Kennel Club (AKC), the United Kennel Club (UKC), Mixed Breed Dog Club of America (MBDCA), American Mixed Breed Obedience Registry (AMBOR), and Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA). Despite its name, the ASCA allows all breeds and mixed breed dogs into their non-conformation activities.

When a dog earns a title, an abbreviation is permanently affixed as either a prefix or suffix to the dog's registered name. The titles given by different organizations vary a bit, but most are similar to "CD" (Companion Dog), "CDX" (Companion Dog Excellent), "UD" (Utility Dog), "UDX" (Utility Dog Excellent), and "OTCh" (Obedience Trial Champion).

The sport of dog obedience competition in the U.S. dates back to 1933 when the first obedience trial was held to demonstrate how well dogs and owners could work together.

The sport has grown by leaps and bounds since then, and today there are over 2,000 trials held in the U.S. every year, with more than 100,000 dogs competing.

Goldens have been a major presence at obedience trials since the beginning.

When the Obedience Trial Champion title was added in 1977, the first three dogs of any breed to attain it were Golden Retrievers.

Since then, more Goldens have earned the title than any other breed.

Why are they so good at this sport?

Well, obedience trials are designed to demonstrate the teamwork of a dog and his handler, as well as the trainability of the dog.

Those are two areas in which Goldens excel, because they love to be with their owners and they enjoy doing whatever makes their partners happy.

A Golden Retriever from any background (field, show or pet) can do well because it doesn't matter what he looks like. The important thing is how he focuses on your directions and how happily he responds.

If your Golden constantly watches you, waiting for your next signal, he'll do very well in this sport. Teaching him what you want him to do is easy and fun with positive methods like clicker training.

In recent years, a new form of dog obedience competition, known as Rally Obedience, has become very popular.

It's designed to be a "bridge" or casual step between the Canine Good Citizen certification and the more formal obedience trials.

Perhaps adding a little music to your training session might reveal your dog's natural flair for the fun sport of canine freestyle.

Even if you just want to use dog obedience training to help your pooch be a better pet, the relationship you share with your furry friend will be strengthened by working together.

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Aug 26, Old Dog's Incontinence -- Causes and Cures

Many owners find themselves wondering how to deal with their old dog's incontinence problem. Fortunately, it can usually be treated quickly and easily.

Urinary incontinence in dogs is simply a loss of your pooch's ability to control his bladder.

It may be as minor as a few dribble spots on the carpet or as serious as a soaked bed.

The urine simply trickles out while he's asleep or lying down.

In fact, most dogs are just as surprised as their owners when they notice the wet spot.

The look on his face seems to ask, "Did I do that?!"

As dogs age, they may develop incontinence for a variety of reasons.

It's important to find out what's causing the problem so you can get started on an appropriate treatment.

The most common reason an old Golden Retriever starts having accidents in the house is known as hormone-responsive incontinence, which is caused by a hormone deficiency.

The hormones (testosterone in males and estrogen in females) affect a dog's ability to control the urethral sphincter, a band of muscular tissues near the base of the bladder. The sphincter acts as an on/off switch, either holding urine in or letting it flow out through the urethra.

The production of these hormones naturally decreases as a dog ages, which is why this type of old dogs' incontinence may show up sometime after your dog's eighth birthday.

Spayed or neutered dogs are more likely to develop the condition because their reproductive organs (which are responsible for the production of hormones) have been removed.

For this reason, female dog incontinence is often called "spay incontinence."

It's actually a common problem, affecting one out of five older female dogs.

When hormones aren't the problem, often the sphincter is weak because it's just plain wearing out. (Many of us older folks can relate!)

No problem--this one's really easy to take care of.

Besides those two most common reasons for an old dog's incontinence, the underlying problem can also be a disorder or disease such as:

If your dog is on diuretics for another problem, his body may produce more urine than his bladder can hold. Also, some dogs drink so much water that their bladders hit "overflow" before they can get outside. Conditions that can cause him to drink excessively might include:

Painful conditions that make it difficult for a dog to go outside--such as arthritis or hip dysplasia--can also contribute to the problem. Treating your dog for these problems might take care of the incontinence, too.

An old dog's incontinence can also be caused by neurological disorders.

To see if that's the case, watch for other signs of nerve-related symptoms.

These may include loss of coordination, fainting, epileptic episodes, weakness or paralysis in one or both rear legs, improper foot placement or a drooping tail.

Canine cognitive dysfunction (senility) can make our precious old pooches forget basic things like housetraining. You could think of it as extreme forgetfulness.

Some of the less common causes of canine incontinence include: Congenital anatomic abnormalities Tumors or polyps in the bladder Injury of nerves going to the bladder Cancer in the urinary tract Prostate disease in males
Because there are so many possible causes for an old dog's incontinence, your vet will need to do some investigation.

He'll probably start with a full physical exam on your dog, then run a urinalysis and urine culture to check for bacteria that might be causing an infection.

Further tests, including blood work and X-rays, can rule out other health issues that may be causing the problem.

You can help your vet by observing your dog's behavior and routines, and providing as much information as possible.

Once the diagnosis has been made, treatment for the most common causes of an old dog's incontinence is usually not difficult.

If your dog is plagued with a worn-out sphincter, your vet will probably prescribe Phenylpropanolamine (PPA).

It helps increase the sphincter contractions, and works for both ladies and gents.

If your female dog is suffering from a hormone deficiency, your vet will likely prescribe diethylstilbestrol (DES) to replace the missing estrogen.

In the tiny amounts used to treat urinary incontinence in dogs, side effects are extremely rare.

For neutered males, your vet will probably prescribe testosterone to accomplish the same thing.

Keep an eye on your pooch afterwards, as some dogs develop aggression issues or begin urine marking their territory as side effects of the therapy.

If you're looking for a natural remedy for incontinence, many people have found corn silk to be quite helpful for their dogs. You might check with a holistic veterinarian in your area to find out what he suggests.

While you're waiting for your dog's medication to take effect, or in case his problem isn't as easily solved, there are some ways to help manage the effects of an old dog's incontinence.

Keep your lady Golden's rear-end fur trimmed short and, after a bout with incontinence, rinse the fur.

You don't have to give her a bath every time--just use a fine-mist spray bottle with warm water, and dry well.

You want to keep her as clean and dry as possible, to avoid skin irritation from the ammonia in the urine.

Areas in the house where the dog has urinated should be cleaned with an enzymatic cleaner.

Wash damp or wet bedding daily, using bleach.

For dogs who need to urinate more frequently as they get older, owners may need to change their schedules or find a pet sitter who can take the dog outside several times during the day.

Most importantly, never withhold water from your dog, no matter how much you think it affects his incontinence. Water is essential to your dog's health, and withholding it can cause or increase kidney problems.

If you have a "leaky" dog, don't despair--get to your vet!

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May 24, Dog Agility -- The Fun, Fast Dog Sport

Dog agility is a fast-paced sport in which a handler directs his dog over an obstacle course, racing to finish it correctly in the shortest time.

It's become one of the most exciting dog sports around.

It's great fun for both the participants and the spectators.

All dogs seem to love agility!

They respond to it as if they were being turned loose in a playground paradise.

Your Golden Retriever already loves spending time with you, whatever you're doing.

Add a few challenging obstacles to his natural playfulness and desire to please, and you have a recipe for an enthusiastic agility dog.

Local dog clubs usually host agility trials. It might be a breed club, or a dog club devoted solely to agility, or perhaps a club that hosts many types of dog sports.

An agility trial is a timed event in which a dog races from obstacle to obstacle.

He must run through or over those obstacles in a particular sequence as his handler runs nearby, signaling to indicate which obstacle is next.

Agility obstacles consist of several types.

These may include a dog walk, A-frame, seesaw, tunnels, jumps and hurdles, plus weave poles and a pause table.

The judge arranges these obstacles into sequences of his own choosing.

Every dog works off-leash. The handler may give commands and direction, both verbally and by body movements and hand signals, but he may not touch the dog or the obstacles.

Courses are complicated enough that a dog could not complete them correctly without human direction.

Because each dog agility course is different, handlers are allowed a short walk-through before the event begins.

This helps them formulate strategy to complete the course as accurately and quickly as possible.

Each course must be run within a set time, which adds to the tension and excitement.

With the crowd cheering the dogs on, this is probably the most rousing of all the dog sports and the most fun to watch.

The AKC (American Kennel Club) offers three types of agility classes.

The first, Standard Class, includes contact objects such as the dog walk, the A-frame, and seesaw. It also has a variety of jumps, weave poles, pause table, tunnels and a closed chute.

The second class is the Jumpers with Weaves.

It has only jumps, tunnels and weave poles with no contact obstacles or a pause table to slow the pace.

This is a very fast course requiring instant decisions by the handler and close attention from the dog.

The third is the FAST (Fifteen And Send Time) class.

It's designed to test a team's strategy, skill, accuracy, speed and distance handling over a variety of agility obstacles.

All classes offer increasing levels of difficulty to earn Novice, Open, Excellent and Master titles.

The classes are divided by jump heights in order to make the competition equal between the different sizes of agility dogs.

You see, there are over 150 dog breeds (plus mixes) involved in agility worldwide, from tiny Chihuahuas to giant Irish Wolfhounds. And they all love the sport!

To participate in AKC agility, a dog needs to be at least twelve months old and registered with the AKC.

The Kennel Club in the U.K. does not allow dogs to compete until they are at least 18 months old.

This is actually for the dogs' safety.

Continuous jumping at a very young age can put stress on a puppy's developing joints and muscles.

The AKC requires that dogs entering its competitions must be purebred.

However, most organizations allow any sound, able-bodied dog to compete in agility. They can be either purebred or mixed breed dogs.

The agility trial was devised in England specifically for the 1978 Crufts Dog Show.

Dogs were run around a course (designed similar to horse jumping courses) during intermission as a way to entertain the audience.

It was an instant success.

Just as the wonderful breed of Golden Retrievers came to America shortly after it was established in the United Kingdom, so this exciting canine sport made its way to the United States in 1986. The AKC held its first agility trial in 1995.

Agility is now an international dog sport with many different sanctioning organizations and competitions worldwide.

Before beginning agility training, it is recommended that your dog have basic obedience training. He needs to know how to sit, stay, and come when called (recall).

Clicker training is an excellent way to show your dog what you want him to do.

Once he understands how to negotiate each obstacle, it's as easy as guiding him over a prescribed course, one obstacle at a time.

The training alone, whether or not you enter a competition, is a good confidence builder for many dogs.

You can buy or build dog agility equipment and practice at home if you have a big backyard, or you can locate a club to join and use their equipment.

Dog agility is a fun and exciting sport for you and your Golden Retriever. Whether you choose to compete or just run the course for fun, it's a great way to bond with your dog and meet new friends who share common interests and love their dogs like you do.

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May 30, Drug Dogs -- Sniffing Out Illegal Drugs

Drug dogs are trained to find illegal drugs, whether it's a large amount or just residue.

Drug dealers and smugglers go to great effort to hide their wares.

They seal drugs inside furniture, vacuum-pack them in cans, stuff them into fruit and submerge them in automobile gas tanks.

They even bury them in strong-smelling products like pepper or coffee.

And these amazing dogs find them anyway!

The dogs have absolutely no interest in drugs. What they're actually looking for is their favorite toy.

Why do they associate their toy with the smell of drugs?

It's all in the training.

You see, these dogs love to play tug-of-war with a towel.

So the handler simply plays with the dog and a scent-free towel.

Then a bag of marijuana is rolled up inside the towel.

After playing for a while, the dog starts to recognize the smell of marijuana as the smell of his favorite toy.

The handler then hides the towel, with the drugs, in various places.

The dog quickly learns that if he sniffs out the smell of drugs, he'll be rewarded with a game of tug-of-war.

As training progresses, different drugs are placed in the towel, until the dog is able to sniff out a variety of narcotics.

Positive reinforcement (rewarding with food and praise) is used to build the dogs' confidence and keep them eagerly anticipating each day's activity.

They're trained to perform regardless of distractions such as gunfire, loud noises and crowds.

They learn to find drugs in any location: buildings, vehicles, luggage, packages, lockers, aircraft, on people and in open areas.

When a drug dog finds what he's sniffing for, he lets his handler know it's there by giving the alert signal. He can do this in one of two ways.

He can use an aggressive alert, digging and pawing at the spot where he smells the drugs.

Or he may simply sit down, pointing with his nose to where the drug is located.

This passive alert is usually preferred because it doesn't make people nervous in places like airports.

Most drug dogs are trained to detect the basic odors of marijuana, hashish, powdered cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, opium, methamphetamine and Ecstasy.

They can be trained to detect many other odors, as well.

They also receive basic obedience training. Both on- and off-leash commands are taught, using hand signals as well as verbal commands.

Ensuring your child is safe from drugs requires a drug free school.

First, school officials need to decide whether to use drug dogs at all.

Then they can decide whether to use police dogs or hire a private company.

The main difference between the two is the presence of a law enforcement officer.

When a private company conducts the search, findings are turned over to school officials to let them determine what action will be taken.

The primary goal is to keep the school free of drugs and thus safer for the kids and teachers, not necessarily to arrest students.

Random searches by drug sniffing dogs can be a very effective deterrent.

They send a strong message that drugs won't be tolerated at school.

The dogs typically check around lockers and cars in the parking lot when students are in class.

They can also check classrooms and other areas.

The dogs use a passive alert, as it's less intrusive.

Most private companies prefer to use dogs that don't appear threatening to kids. Golden Retrievers are perfect in that role.

Drugs in the workplace cost companies millions of dollars every year in decreased productivity and increased absenteeism and work related injuries.

Random inspections by drug detection dogs are less intrusive than other drug testing methods.

Unannounced inspections create a strong psychological deterrent against anyone using or selling drugs at work.

Teen drug use is a scary thought for most parents. Private companies can provide a confidential method for finding out if someone you love is using drugs in your home. The service is discreet and confidential, giving you the information you need to either help the person affected by drugs or to put your mind to ease.

The dogs' noses are so sensitive, they can smell marijuana residue on clothing from a joint smoked two nights before. It might seem sneaky, but if you really want to put your suspicions to rest, it's easier than forcing your child to submit to a drug test.

The breeds most often used for drug detection include the Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd and Beagle.

Drug detection dogs are selected for their intense search drive and compatibility.

They have great perseverance and enjoy working for long periods of time.

They're quite playful, and look forward to being rewarded for successful drug searches by playing with a favorite toy or tennis ball.

Many good drug dogs actually come from animal shelters and rescues.

They were turned in because they were destructive in homes.

They needed more mental and physical exercise, which is just what they'll get in their new role.

They're usually quite intelligent and intensely curious (which got them into trouble as pets).

Drug detection dogs have great noses! Research at Auburn University's Veterinary School shows working dogs can detect a few odor molecules per billion parts of air. That would be comparable to a person being able to locate one specific grain of sand in a thirty square foot section of beach!

Not only do drug detecting dogs have the ability to perceive tiny levels of a substance, they can also separate different odors.

For example, people can recognize the smell of pizza, whereas a detection dog can distinguish the smells of flour, tomato, onion, mushroom, peppers, cheese, and pepperoni.

With this ability to detect individual odors, drug dogs are able to find narcotics even when they're wrapped in items to mask the drug's scent. Nothing gets past their amazing noses!

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Sep 16, Frisbee Dog -- The Amazing Flying Dog

It's a bird...it's a plane...it's a flying frisbee dog!

Have you seen this on TV?

A dog races out, makes a spectacular leap and snags the flying disc from the air.

Grinning, the dog races back to his owner, eager for the next throw.

You can also find these fun-loving dogs at your local park, no less enthusiastic but with varying degrees of skill.

This fun sport has many names: dog frisbee, disc dog, frisbee for dogs, canine frisbee, pet frisbee or canine disc.

It's an activity that appeals to the general public as well as people involved in dog sports.

One of the advantages of this sport is its simplicity. All that's needed is a level playing area, a dog, and a flying disc. (Frisbees for dogs comes in many types and sizes, by the way.)

But why would you want to teach your dog to play frisbee? Here are several reasons: It's a fantastic way to keep your dog physically healthy and mentally alert. Frisbee is great for a dog's eyesight, as it helps him track (follow) and focus on a small moving object. It promotes camaraderie and teamwork between the owner and his frisbee dog. It's an excellent way to exercise big dogs (like Golden Retrievers) in the city. It allows a less-athletic owner to stand in one place and still help his dog get lots of exercise. It's one of the most popular family activities because men, women and children can compete on equal terms, or just watch the fun together. Playing frisbee with your dog may help curb his destructive behavior by giving him an outlet for all that extra energy. Here's the best reason of all: Dogs love it!

Disc dog is very exciting for dogs because it engages the instinct to chase and capture small moving objects -- the dog's natural prey drive.

It's a bigger challenge than chasing a tennis ball because it can hover in the air a long time and even reverse directions.

Why is the Border Collie such a popular frisbee dog? It's been bred for generations to herd sheep. But in our modern world, these smart dogs have been relocated to the city and their job has been eliminated. (Gosh, does that sound familiar?)

Struggling with a major case of frustration, they try to herd anything that's handy: kids, cats and cars.

Frisbee to the rescue!

It doesn't take him long to figure out that this is a job he's good at!

You can see it written all over his face: "Out of my way! Frisbee dog coming through!"

He's in full-on mode at the frisbee field, so he can actually rest quietly when he's home because he's not full of pent-up energy. Whew! What a relief for everybody!

Do you have a Golden Retriever that wants to keep chasing tennis balls long after your arm has turned into a wet noodle?

Try throwing a frisbee instead!

You don't have to throw it as hard or as frequently to keep him on the move. It might take a little practice to smooth out your frisbee throws, but once you both get the hang of it, you're off and running.

It's true that certain physical types have an advantage in competition.

But all dogs are welcome--purebred and mixed breed dogs alike.

Does your dog like to play fetch with a stick or tennis ball?

He can easily be transitioned to catching frisbees.

Is your dog involved in other dog sports?

Agility and flyball dogs have become awesome frisbee dogs as well, and vice-versa.

If you don't have a dog yet and want a frisbee dog, the most reliable way to find one is to visit your local animal shelter or humane society.

Why? Because almost all shelters will allow you to take a dog out into a grassy area and see how the dog responds to you -- and a frisbee. Some of the best frisbee dogs in the world have been rescued from animal shelters.

The basics of disc dog are simple enough. Throw the disc, dog catches disc, dog returns disc. It's the details that get complicated. First of all, there's the just-for-fun hobby disc dog who likes to frolic in the water, like this one.

But for the serious competitors, there are two basic types of competition: Freestyle and Distance/Accuracy.

Freestyle can be very showy, involving a great deal of creativity.

It may involve spectacular vaults off the knees, back, or chest of the handler.

Routines may involve throwing multiple discs, requiring rapid returns or dropping one disc in favor of the next.

Depending on the event, the length of a routine might be anywhere from 90 seconds to three minutes.

It may even be choreographed to music.

In distance/accuracy competitions (or "throw and catch"), the handler throws discs from any location and doesn't wait for the dog to retrieve them. The judges count the number of catches made in 60 or 90 seconds. Points are awarded for showmanship, execution and leaping ability.

The sport got its start in the early 1970s. The definitive moment came on August 5, 1974 when Alex Stein, a 19-year-old college student from Ohio, and his dog, Ashley Whippet, jumped the fence at a nationally broadcast baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds.

Stein had with him a couple of flying discs, which he threw for the dog.

Ashley astonished the crowd with his disc catching, as he ran up to 35 miles per hour and leaped 9 feet in the air to snag the frisbees.

The stunt was so novel that the game was stopped and Joe Garagiola continued to announce the frisbee disc action on the field.

Finally, after eight minutes, Stein was escorted off the field.

The nationally televised exhibition of Ashley's skill launched the sport's fame.

Disc dogs are still popular attractions at sporting events as half-time entertainment. They've performed at countless football, basketball, baseball and soccer halftimes, as well as at amusement parks, county and state fairs, and pet festivals of all kinds.

Disc dog clubs organize and promote the sport on a local level, and work with national organizations to run events. They're often active in local humane societies, animal shelters and dog rescue centres, putting on demonstrations to help raise money and awareness for such groups.

Clubs offer newcomers a way to learn more about the sport and get some pointers on how to throw a frisbee.

They provide canine disc enthusiasts an opportunity to get together and play frisbee with their dogs, both for fun and competition.

It also gives them the chance to share their love of dogs and enjoy the friendships made along the way.

Do you have a dog with more energy than he knows what to do with, and a desire to chase and/or retrieve things? Great!

Drop by your local frisbee dog club and learn how to have some extraordinary fun with your furry friend!

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Aug 12, Rally Obedience -- Dog Obedience With A Twist!

Rally Obedience is the new dog sport that's taking the nation by storm. Also called Rally-O, it combines competition dog obedience with agility -- with the emphasis on having fun. That's why fun-loving Golden Retrievers love this sport!

Rally-O is basically an informal, relaxed version of competition dog obedience.

All dog breeds are welcome -- both purebred and mixed breed dogs.

It doesn't take athletic skill to participate and is even open to physically challenged handlers and dogs.

Rally is a natural bridge from the Canine Good Citizen certificate to dog obedience (if you choose to go that route).

It's also a great way to have fun with your dog!

Attitude is more important in Rally than precision. The emphasis is on having a good time and developing teamwork between you and your dog.

Here's how it works.

You and your dog will enter the ring and follow a course of numbered signs.

Each sign indicates a different obedience skill for your dog to perform.

You move at your own pace, completing each skill before moving on to the next one.

Though your dog has to be under your control, a perfect "heel position" is not required.

Rally is a fluid, continuous performance.

Once started, you move from one exercise to the next without being directed by the judge. He just tags along to watch for mistakes.

His stopwatch is running, but the time is only taken into consideration if there's a tie in scores.

There are currently about 50 different exercises in the sport.

The judge will choose 10-20 exercises and build a course using the signs designating the selected exercises.

All exhibitors will receive a course map from the judge.

They're allowed to walk the course without their dogs prior to the start of the class.

Each owner/dog team starts out with the same number of points.

The judge deducts points for such errors as missed or incompletely performed stations, touching the dog, and leash corrections.

The team with the highest score (i.e., fewest number of faults) wins first place. The next highest score takes second place, and so forth.

Unlike traditional obedience, in Rally you can give your dog numerous verbal cues and hand signals to help him with each exercise.

You can talk to him and praise him as much as you like. You may even repeat your commands without losing points.

You can also encourage your dog by clapping your hands, patting your legs, whistling, or whatever works for the two of you.

In some venues, like the APDT, you can even use food to reward your dog at the end of selected stations.

Now that's encouragement a Golden Retriever can understand!

In fact, the only thing you can't do is physically touch your dog or make leash corrections.

Loud or harsh commands or intimidating signals will also be penalized.

The signs for beginning levels include basic skills like sits, stays, and downs. The more advanced level skills introduce jumps, distractions, stands, spins and heeling backwards.

There are three levels of Rally-O competition: Novice, Advanced and Excellent (or Levels 1, 2 and 3 depending on the venue). Titles can be earned at each level.

Your dog will perform on-leash in the Novice class, but off-leash for the Advanced and Excellent levels.

This fun sport was originally devised by Charles "Bud" Kramer from the obedience practice of "doodling."

That means doing a variety of interesting warm-up and freestyle exercises.

Bud is a dog sports enthusiast who has been instrumental in using positive dog training methods (like clicker training) in the sport of agility.

He came up with the idea to merge obedience and agility, and called it Rally, for the sport of road rally for cars.

Rally-O is now offered by several venues: The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) conference held the very first Rally trials in September 2001. The American Kennel Club allowed AKC Rally Obedience as an exhibition sport at obedience trials for several years before it began awarding titles in 2005.

The United Kennel Club (UKC) added Rally Obedience to their program in January 2009. C-Wags is a relatively new organization that appears to be mainly in the midwestern US. Canadians participate in the sport through the Canadian Association of Rally Obedience (CARO) and Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) Rally. In the UK, Talking Dogs Rally (TD Rally) produced their own version which was launched in January 2010.

The American Kennel Club held their first Rally, Agility and Obedience trials for mixed breed dogs in April 2010. How did this come about?

In response to surveys and inquiries, they initiated the AKC Canine Partners program in 2009 to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the organization. The program allows owners to register their mixed-breed dogs, making their pets eligible for participation in AKC events.

Many local dog clubs offer Rally Obedience training classes, as well as schedules of upcoming Rally events. Check the Internet for your nearest club.

Rally is an excellent way to practice basic obedience skills, work toward passing your Canine Good Citizen test, or train with the goal of formal obedience competition -- all while having fun with your dog.

Although Rally was designed with the traditional pet owner in mind, it can still be very challenging for those who enjoy higher levels of competition.

So why not give Rally Obedience a try? You're guaranteed to have a great time!

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Jul 26, A Guardian Dog

by Carmen
(El Salvador)

Honey

My dog, Honey, is a guardian dog. He barks at strangers in the night. And he protects me!!!!

Nancy's Notes: Honey is beautiful, Carmen! I love how dogs are so helpful in letting us know when people are around. Most Golden Retrievers aren't what you'd think of as "guard dogs" because they're usually so friendly, but they're at least often very helpful to alert us when people are nearby. Thanks for sharing!

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Sep 8, Therapy Dogs -- Touching Many Lives

Therapy dogs bring joy to the lives of hurting and lonely people through their loving touch and quiet presence.

These trained service dogs visit various facilities, offering comfort and companionship.

They draw draws smiles from those in pain, encourage mobility in the disabled, and comfort the sad and lonely.

Being able to stroke a soft, warm, loving dog can provide the key that opens the door to communication for elderly people who haven't spoken in years.

In recent years, these special dogs have become popular visitors in such places as: Hospitals Hospices Retirement homes Nursing homes Senior centers Rehabilitation centers Assisted living facilities Homeless shelters Correctional facilitiesWherever they visit, the dog and his handler go from room to room, offering each person a few minutes of company and friendship.

A dog may simply rest his head on a patient's bed. For those who feel too sick to talk and laugh, he offers silent consolation.

These gentle dogs are especially comforting to sick children who are scared because they don't understand what's happening to them.

Some patients never say a word to anyone, but will allow a dog to lay his head on their lap and look up as they stare at each other.

Such patients are often drawn out of their depression and talk to the medical staff later, the topic of conversation being the dog that came to call.

These special dogs are understanding and patient with autistic children. They're great listeners, too, and help schoolchildren gain confidence and skill in reading aloud.

They comfort the bereaved and frightened after disasters such as earthquakes, fires and bombings.

They help calm down people who were hurt in a crime. Some courtrooms allow this special type of service dog to sit beside frightened children as they testify, soothing their fears and giving them courage.

Golden Retrievers are a favorite therapy dog breed because of their friendly personalities and willingness to please.

They seem to have it all: expressive eyes; a loving, gentle nature; and beautiful, soft coats that invite hands to touch and stroke.

Given the right personality and training, any dog can join these ranks.

But the Golden Retriever is a master at working a crowd, making each person feel like he or she is the most important person in the room.

Goldens who like to nudge you for attention or rest their head in your lap are wonderful at bringing shy patients out of their shells.

These special dogs must be outgoing, friendly and people-oriented.

They need to interact with frail, debilitated, and disabled patients with gentleness and care.

They need to be calm enough to work in surroundings that are often crowded and confusing.

They must courageously deal with strange equipment, noises and scents on a regular basis.

An ideal candidate is forgiving of rough handling, as many patients may not know how to interact with a dog or may have a disability that prevents them from patting a dog gently.

A therapy dog must not only possess the right temperament, he must also have extensive training and social skills with other dogs and people to be a useful partner in the visiting therapy team.

There are several therapy dog organizations that certify dogs as suitable for this special line of work. The best known of these are the Delta Society, Therapy Dogs Inc., and Therapy Dogs International.

Certification allows your dog access to the insurance coverage required by many facilities.

There are also small local groups that organize therapy dog visits. You can usually find them by networking through your local dog club or veterinarian.

Requirements are not the same for all therapy dog programs, but there are a few particular qualities they all look for. A dog must be able to do the following: Walk nicely on a leash without pulling Be good with children and accept rough handling Be able to ignore other dogs Be able to tolerate being petted by a group of people Know how to Sit, Down, Stay, and Leave it Be able to greet a stranger without jumping, barking, or pawing Not show any aggression or fearfulness to other dogs or peopleMost dogs are also required to go through special training programs to make sure their behavior will not upset the people they're visiting. You can check with the facility you want to visit, to see if they offer or require such a training program for pets and owners.

The use of pet therapy is continuously rising in popularity, for excellent reasons. Medical studies and clinical research show that pet therapy not only makes people happier and less lonely, but also provides medical benefits such as lower blood pressure and reduced stress levels.

Today, tens of thousands of certified therapy dogs work in the United States, bringing comfort and cheer wherever they go.

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