Weight Pulling
November 30, 2010 by Beth
Filed under Dog Activities and Training
We’ve already covered a few of the more popular dog sports in Straight Poop – dock diving, agility, and flyball, so I thought this issue might be a good time to learn about one of the lesser known dog sports – weight pull competitions. What is a weight pulling competition? Very simply, weight pull competitions […]
Earthdog Training
November 30, 2010 by Beth
Filed under Dog Activities and Training
I’m always on the lookout for new ways to entertain dogs, and I stumbled across a sport I hadn’t been aware of, probably because I don’t have any terriers. This sport, called Earthdog, allows vermin-hunting dogs to experience the job they were originally bred for. So, coax your terrier down off the couch and see […]
National Adopt-A-Shelter-Pet Month
October 17, 2010 by Beth
Filed under Dog Activities and Training, Featured Articles
October is National Adopt a Shelter Pet Month, and I wanted to take a few minutes to emphasize the plight shared by shelter dogs throughout the country. How would you like it? Imagine for a moment you are a dog. You are living with a really cool family, but the father just lost his job, […]
It’s Back to (Obedience) School Time
September 12, 2010 by Beth
Filed under Dog Activities and Training, Featured Articles
It’s September! You’ve picked the last of your vegetables and are now waiting on your pumpkins to ripen. You’ve started packing up your summer stuff and getting out the fall lawn equipment, clothes, and decorations. You’ve sent your kids back to school. (Yeah!) But what about your dog? Does your four-legged best friend need a […]
Herding Dog Trials
August 28, 2010 by Beth
Filed under Dog Activities and Training, Featured Articles
Have you ever watched a sheep dog work? It’s amazing to me that they can move a whole herd just by the look in their eyes. It’s your mother’s evil eye, on steroids. Competitive events featuring herding dogs are often called Sheepdog Trials, but the term “Sheepdog” is used to indicate the function for which […]
Camping With Your Dog
July 30, 2010 by Beth
Filed under Dog Activities and Training
Do you love the idea of camping out under the stars? Lying on the ground with just your sleeping bag to keep you warm? Or setting up a tent in one of the wilderness areas near you? Your trip might include hiking, swimming, backpacking, and yes, even your dog! Preparing for your camping trip The […]
Dog Agility
July 18, 2010 by Beth
Filed under Dog Activities and Training
If both you and your dog have a bit of athletic ability, agility may be just the sport you are looking for to allow you to bond with your dog while getting some exercise. You must be prepared for the fact that you will get as good of a workout as you are giving your […]
Lure Coursing
July 3, 2010 by Beth
Filed under Dog Activities and Training
There are many sporting activities your dog may enjoy, but if you have a sighthound, perhaps the most fun will be lure coursing. The combination of running at full speed and chasing a lure uses your dog’s natural prey drive to provide great exercise as well as a mental workout. The history of lure coursing […]
Take Your Dog to Work Day
June 19, 2010 by Beth
Filed under Dog Activities and Training
It’s that time of year again! For those of us who aren’t lucky enough to bring our dogs to work every day, June 25th is the official Take Your Dog to Work day. According to TakeYourDog.com, the tradition was first started by Pet Sitters International in 1999 as a way to encourage dog adoptions. Take […]
FlyBall!
June 5, 2010 by Beth
Filed under Dog Activities and Training
I’ve never personally seen a flyball tournament but it looks like a lot of fun. If you’re not familiar with the sport, it involves a dog running down a run which includes jumps (similar to hurdles). When the dog gets to the end of the course, he hits a trigger on the box, which launches […]