Agility Is for Big Dogs, Too!

As a semi-awkward Rottweiler-Newfoundland mix, I may not look like the best candidate for agility. However, I mastered the first three levels of alpha agility and was pretty darn good, if I do say so myself.

Agility competitions are typically won by smaller dogs, such as terriers and shelties because they're faster and can rip through the obstacle courses. However, I had an advantage in the early classes: I'm not afraid of anything. So while the terriers were hesitating on the teeter totter (which is exactly like a child's teeter totter but smaller) and the shelties were afraid to run through the tunnels, I was stomping through every obstacle with a gusto. An important part of agility training is how you handle these obstacles. You don't want to drag your dogs across an obstacle they are afraid to do. Instead, use treats and coax them, allowing them to take things at their own pace so they don't feel scared or pressured. Use praise, not punishments, and have fun, even when your dog makes mistakes.

Let me share one of my own, though they were few and far between. I love to chase flies. So one day, we were off leash, and a bee came through my course. A bee! It's like a fly but bigger and louder. Surely, I could catch one of those! So I took off after it like it was a flying steak, tearing off across the field, ignoring my moms calls to return. When I finally did return, I found, much to my delight, that everyone found it hilarious. The trainer just said, "Well, at least we know he can do something fast." Apparently, they were worried I would be slow. Ha! But, no, I didn't catch the bee. Darn wings.

I loved agility because I made new friends, both dogs and humans. When I did a course well, everyone would clap. I loved that. Plus, my mom and I had to learn new skills together, so it was really fun for us to bond in that way. I finally had to stop because I started a new thyroid medication that made me really tired. I didn't have energy for anything. By the time I recovered, I had developed arthritis in my front ankle. And any dog who has an injury should not do agility because the courses are really hard on your joints and stuff.

Anyway, if you are young and healthy and looking for some fun, try agility. I can recommend a great trainer who even laughs when you take a break to chase bees.

Love, Chubbs

Dog Beach: Not For Me

As my mom stated on her facebook note about summer activities, the dog beach is not for every dog. I'm one of those dogs. I actually get along fine with most dogs, but I don't like dogs getting too close to my mom, and I don't really like people. This makes me too dangerous to be off-leash in a public area. There's nothing wrong with this. Some people are more social than others. The same is true with dogs. Don't force your dog to be something he's not.

So what can you do if you want to socialize your dog but you don't feel comfortable at dog beach? Make friends with people who have dogs and try to find a good match for your dog. Some dogs get along well with one or two dogs as long as the environment isn't too stressful. Make sure your friends' dogs are calm and well-behaved, similar in age or older and have a similar play style as your dog. Just like my mom said, dogs like bully breeds and labs like to body slam and play rough while dogs like herding dogs are more sensitive and just like to run. If you have a sensitive border collie, don't take him to meet a house full of boxers. He won't have fun.

Try taking the dogs on a walk together first. If your dog really isn't social, you may have to do this several times before you let them meet. Don't let them sniff each other during the walk but let them sniff each other's pee. It seems gross to you, but it's great information for us. Don't force a meeting. Let it happen naturally after several walks.

If things seem to be going well, let them meet in a neutral location, not someone's yard. If you let them meet on leash, keep the leashes loose. Don't pull! If you do, you could start a fight. You can always put them on long lines and let them drag so you can grab them if things get out of control but you aren't complicating the interaction with your human emotions.

Keep early interactions short. If you have five good minutes, don't push it. Try for 10 next time or the time after that. Always try to end on a good note and build from there. Better safe than sorry.

I don't have a lot of dog friends, but I do have some human ones. Maybe socializing your dog just means hanging out with humans or having coffee in a place where you can people watch but not socialize. The same rules apply: keep sessions short, keep them positive and build up from quiet settings to louder ones.

The most important thing to remember is that you have to accept your dog for who he is. If his favorite thing in the world is just to cuddle on the couch with you, that can be your activity. Whatever you do, just have fun!

Love, Muggsy (who is getting ready for his favorite activity -- sleeping next to Mom while she reads)

All That Loud Banging

Humans have weird holidays. I'm not going to pretend to understand them. To celebrate the independence of your country, you blow things up and make loud noises? Really? I still don't get it, no matter how many times Mom tries to explain it. Is there anyway you can keep it down a little?

No matter how much I bark at you to keep quiet, the Fourth of July is always a tough holiday for me. Those loud noises just won't stop. So my mom had to teach me how to calm down when I hear loud noises. She described how on her facebook page today. Let me tell you this: it works. We used to have to go out of town on the Fourth. Last night, I barked for the first few minutes, and then I calmed down and spent the evening lying next to Mom on the couch.

Sure, I was nervous. Sure, I couldn't go outside by myself. I showed some nervous signals, such as panting and licking. But I didn't bark. And that helps keep the anxious hormones in my body a little bit lower.

When I heard the first loud noise, I admit it, I barked. I always hope you guys will listen. You don't. So my mom gave me the quiet command. I toned it down to whining. She gave me the "say it" command, which means I'm allowed to howl my little heart out. It's better for me than barking because it doesn't release those same angry hormones. Instead, it just sounds like sad wailing. But it always makes me feel better when I'm upset. Then, she rewarded me and told me how good I thought she was. She brought me up on the couch to cuddle with her. Then, she just petted me every time a loud noise made my ears perk. Her giving me love like that was all I needed to stay calm.

See, my mom doesn't subscribe to the "don't comfort your dog" idea, thank goodness. As long as I'm not barking, she'll give me as much attention as I want. So she just tells me to be quiet. Then, she lets me wail. Then, we curl up on the couch and she makes me feel better. I love getting pets and sitting on her lap for hugs when I'm scared. Your dog does, too. So don't get mad at him/her. Comfort! You would want us to do the same for you if you were upset. That's what best friends are for.

Love, Muggsy