PetLvr.com - [The Blog]

Practice Makes Perfect!
(to the tune of “I Can’t Dance” by Genesis)

Sure looks like fun, eh? I was browsing YouTube watching some dancing dog videos, and thought this was a nice one to post at PetLvr Blog.

By: Jimmy Cox

Who are the people who show dogs? Are they lunatics or fanatics? The dog people have a favorite joke about themselves. They say you don’t have to be crazy to enjoy shows, but it certainly helps! This is because they actually go through many hardships and disappointments but still enjoy it and call it fun.

It is one of the fascinating peculiarities of the dog game that the people who are thrown together in the pursuit of this sport are from so many different walks of life: dentists, carpenters, teachers, bankers, housewives, farmers, musicians, engineers, artists, industrialists, young and old, rich and poor. All have the same desire - to take home a blue ribbon.

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By: Debbie Ray

Do you really want a new dog? Have you really thought about it long and hard? Why are you thinking about adding a new dog to your family in the first place? Do you have any idea what you’re looking for in a new doggie companion? What are you real needs in the dog itself? What do you really want your dog to do for you? There are a lot things to consider first before bringing home that new bundle of joy.

It is very important, first, to match your new dogs overall personality, exercise requirements and needs to you and your family as closely as possible. With luck you’re choosing an animal that is likely to be with you for 10 years or longer so put forth a little research time in the beginning and you’ll be rewarded for your efforts for years to come.

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It’s always nice to pass along current events that are happening around the world in the PETLVR Kingdom .. (and feel free to ADD YOUR OWN PET RELATED EVENT to our Calendar) ..

I am passing along a reminder message from “JJ” (aka Jumping Jockey) ..

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Getting the Right Dog Agility Training Equipment for Your Dog

By Andrew Bicknell

Agility training is considered a specialized area when it comes to dog training and while it may not be for every dog the majority of dog breeds can enjoy this exciting type of training. There is a variety of dog agility training equipment on the market today that can assist the owner who is interested in this form of dog training. The great thing about agility training is the fun that all dogs have doing it. There is no greater outlet for a dog than getting lots of exercise, and if they are learning at the same time it is a win-win for both dog and owner.

Before buying any agility training equipment it is a good idea to check out a training manual or check with your local agility training club to see which type of training and equipment is best suited for your particular dog. Because each breed of dog has its strengths and weaknesses it is important to set tasks that they can excel in. Every aspect of your dogs breeds abilities needs to be considered when determining not only the training methods but also the type of agility course to use.

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By Michael Russell

Some obedience classes are slanted towards providing instruction, which will lead towards acquiring a C.D. title on your dog. Instructors of such a class often require a strict adherence to details regarding the obedience commands. Often they have their own set of beliefs regarding instruction and will not be willing to allow handlers to stray from the techniques they themselves espouse. For example such instructors either will allow treats or not and do not allow the participants of the class to do anything other than what they request, at least within the class.

Other obedience instructors are interested in providing to the general public a class for “pet dogs” which will involve very basic skills and do not expect that the participant will go on to achieve titles on the dog. These classes are often available through such markets as the chains of dog stores or vets offices. Usually these classes have a wide level of expertise on the part of the attendees. Unfortunately, many of these classes often have so many enrollees that individual instruction is at a premium.

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How to Get Organized for a New Year of Horse Shows

By: Kathy Keeley

Mom’s Perspective:

By the time December rolls around each year, we all get slightly crabby during those first two shows of the month. We really need this time to regroup and maybe even celebrate the holidays! So, traditionally we’ve taken off from mid-December to mid-February. The horse, the trainer, and the rider all need a break from a tough show schedule.

This break is also a great time to regroup and reorganize. We take a complete break for two weeks with almost no riding or jumping. Our horses get to go out to the pasture, roll, get dirty, and just be horses. We sleep late (no 4:30 mornings!), my daughter catches up on her homework, and we just take rest and relax and go to movies or to the mall, or my daughter spends time with her boyfriend. Eventually, we even start to feel like normal people with a normal life!

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10 Lessons to Survive the Horse Show Circuit

By: Kathy Keeley

Our daughter showed on the A Circuit for 3 years at shows that were mostly in the southeast. We live 15 minutes from the Olympic Horse Park in Atlanta, so we had many circuit show opportunities at home. We also found our way to the Capital Challenge and National Horse Show in Wellington for two of those years.

Some of our more interesting experiences:

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