Information on Leicestershire
Canine Couch Potatoes - High Level Hide and Seek (Tracking)
Canine Couch Potatoes - High Level Hide and Seek (Tracking)
By Kelly Marshall
Tracking is a sporting event, which turns your four legged friend into a super sleuth, by tapping into his natural ability to follow a scent trail. Tracking takes take Hide and Seek a step further, and your dog now has to find strategically placed scented items, like a wallet, a scarf and hats. Tracking is a mental challenge, which keeps your dogs mind sharp and alert.
The Ins and Outs of Tracking
Tracking tests usually take place outdoors, and the course may be spread over a natural surface, such as a field of grass or over a variable surface, such as a combination of gravel, concrete, dirt and grass.
Tracking isn't an easy sport to master and there are plenty of distractions to lead dogs astray. Furry or feathered critters or yummy-smelling food fragrances often conspire to derail even the most talented of trackers. Despite the obstacles, your energetic sporting breed can make an excellent tracking dog, especially if she is smart and willing to practice. A sharp nose, keen intelligence and the willingness to practice, practice, and more practice are the key characteristics of an ace tracking dog.
Tracking is a skill best learned from a professional. To get started, look for a professional trainer who trains and competes in AKC tracking events. Your local phone directory is the best place to begin your search. Most reputable trainers are listed under "dog training." Contacting trainers who specialize in obedience are best bets. Many obedience training facilities also offer tracking training.
Competition Basics - Ready, Set, Sniff!
To compete in an AKC tracking event you must first arrange to have your dog certified by a tracking judge. The judge or a tracklayer, a person chosen by the judge, will mark out a Tracking Dog (TD)-level (most basic) scent trail. If your dog successfully follows the track under the watchful gaze of the judge, you'll receive four tracking certificates, which are viable for one year.
The next step, find a real tracking test and sign up, including one of your certificates with your entry form. The TD-level test, requires your dog to follow a 440 to 500-foot-long track with 3 to 5 turns that has aged 30 minutes to two hours. Successful completion of the test means your dog clearly indicated or retrieved the scented item at the end of the trail.
Handlers or owners may not yank, pull or otherwise indicate where the trail or scented items are along the track. Owners may, however, offer verbal praise and commands. Two judges pass or fail the dog based upon two criteria: 1.) how well the dog follows the track, and 2.) whether he actually finds the scented article. A dog can earn its first title after passing only one test, or "leg."
To earn a Tracking Dog Excellent (TDX) title, your dog must follow an 800 to 1,000-foot-long track that has been aged 3 to 5 hours and has 5 to 7 directional changes. This task is made even more challenging because other human scents cross the true track.
Variable Surface Tracking (VST) tests are the most difficult. Your dog must follow a three to five-hour-old track over a minimum of three different surfaces, including two that have no vegetation, such as sand, gravel or concrete. The Champion Tracker (CT) title goes to the dog, who has earned all of these tracking titles.
Tracking is a sport, which keeps your dog mental fit and stimulated. It is akin to you doing the crossword puzzle or other brain teaser games.
Kelly Marshall is a writer for ohmydogsupplies.com, a dog supplies site that includes informative dog articles and helpful dog tips.
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Dog Potty Systems - 4 Tips to Finding the Best!
Dog Potty Systems - 4 Tips to Finding the Best!
By Kelly Hart
What are the best dog potty systems? What features should I be looking for? What makes one better than another? Well here are a few tips to help you find just the right system for your dog!
1. If you are looking for an indoor system, make sure you find one that uses something other than litter pellets or grass. These can be very messy and can definitely hold odors. Find one preferably made out of plastic that is easy to clean. Some even have a grate that fits on top and allows your dog to stand on it without getting their feet wet. These work very well to keep wet dog feet from tracking all through the house!
2. If you are looking for an outdoor dog system that incorporates grass, either synthetic or real, make SURE that the system has some way for you to clean it easily. Preferably, find one that has a self watering sprinkler and drainage system built in. Dog potty systems that don't have a way to be cleaned easily can become very smelly, very fast! And that's the last thing you need is a smelly mess on your hands.
3. Look at all your options and compare prices. There are a lot of products on the market and they are NOT all created equally. So take your time and think it through before you make your purchase. Some companies will even offer a discounted price or coupon code to help you save money on your system. So look at all your options very carefully.
4. You'll find all sizes so make sure you choose one that is appropriate for your dog and its weight. Many will have a maximum weight load printed on it. Also make sure it is easy for your dog to get in and out. Usually around 6 inches ( the height of a stair step) is the maximum height you should be looking for.
Finding the best dog potty systems takes a little time and effort on your part but your dog will love you for it!
Looking for the best dog potty systems? Get all the scoop and find the top rated systems at Dog Potty Systems Solutions.
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Dog Training Tips - How to Activate Your Dog?
Dog Training Tips - How to Activate Your Dog?
By Hannele Hoffren
Is your dog a little bit too energetic sometimes? Particularly puppies and young dogs could be rather hyperactive. Some mental stimulation keeps them more satisfied. Theres a wide range of activity toys on the market, but you can do without them!
One of the most popular dog activity games is surely hiding some food. The dog (preferably hungry) has to use its nose to find tidbits. Remember that food has to be very delicious. Hide tidbits indoors or outdoors (grass, snow, forest etc.) and make it more difficult step by step. You can also make a trail (smell) of blood or food for the dog to track, and at the end of the trail is of course lots of food or dog's favorite toy! If you dont have time to hide some food, give a delicious bone to the dog. Or if your dog isn't so fond of food, but loves his toys (ball, sticks etc.), hide them!
Lively dogs will often settle down if they are encouraged to use their brain more. Dog activity games are good tools to solve some problem behaviors. Start putting an empty toilet roll on the floor and hide a tidbit inside of it. Dog has to figure out how to get the food! Make it more difficult step by step (paper roll, yoghurt can, box etc.). Some easy tricks are also very fun to learn. For example, teach your dog to sit, rollover, stay, dance or weave in and out of your legs while you walk. Make dog training fun!
Written by animal trainer Hannele Hoffren
http://dogtrainingandbehavior.blogspot.com/
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