FUN THINGS YOU AND YOUR DOG CAN DO
There are lots of things you can do with your dog. Just walking, playing ball,
or Frisbee in the park are some that come to mind, but there is also a whole other
world of stuff to do. Here are just a few of them!
We'll start with American Kennel Club *events* as they are called by the AKC.
AKC has events for most every breed beyond just conformation and obedience. There
are herding events for all herding breeds, "go-to-ground" (or as AKC calls them,
Earth dog Trials) for Terriers, Lure Coursing for Sight hounds, Hunt Tests for
Setters, Pointers and Spaniels , Retriever Trials for the Retrievers although
the Standard Poodle is also allowed to compete in them, Beagle Trials for Beagles
and the list just keeps going. For a more comprehensive list of those breed-specific
events, visit the AKC web sight by clicking on the logo .
Agility is the fastest growing sport for dogs. Dogs seem to love it and the competition
is open to all purebred as well as mixed breed dogs; from 3lb Yorkshire Terriers
to 150lb Mastiffs, each has it's own category for jump heights, as well as mixtures
of obstacles. Being competitive does require an understanding of courses and course layouts as well as some basic
obedience commands and an athletic dog (having an athletic handler helps, but
isn't a requirement). Along with the AKC, the UKC (United Kennel Club, Kalamazoo,
MI) and USDAA (see below for their address and telephone number) offer agility
trials and titles. Check out The Dog Patch for more information and links to other agility-related sites.
Flyball is a team relay race that any tennis-ball-loving dog worth his salt could
do. While there are organized competitions, if you have a team of four, can build
the box and hurdles, you can "do" Flyball just for the fun of it. Here's a link
to more information on Flyball - Flyball Information
Love to dance? Then Freestyle is the thing for you. Freestylers combine their favorite songs, costumes appropriate
to the tune, and pair up with their dog in a dazzling display of choreography
and canine rhythm. Get out your old top hat, your cane and your 16 rpm's and boogie
on down! Freestylin' With Fido
Is your pooch especially simpatico? Have an hour or two a month you can spare?
Then donate that time to be a Therapy Dog handler. Therapy Dogs visit hospitals,
nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and even prisons to bring the healing benefit
of interaction with pets to the sick, mentally ill and unfortunates. While it
can be stressful for both the dog and handler, being a pet therapy volunteer is
especially rewarding. One of the newer "categories" of pet therapy is the Reading
with Dogs program. Dogs and handlers spend time in libraries with children who
need special help with reading. This program has enabled many children to become
better readers by providing a relaxed atmosphere for them to practice their reading
skills. No special training is required, just a friendly dog who is up to date
on his vaccinations, clean and parasite free. Therapy Dogs
Got a Frisbee catcher par excellent? Then you'll want to find out all about the
Frisbee Championships. Frisbee Dogs
And if you just want to do that same old thing, Info Dog has a list of dog shows, agility trials and obedience trials all across the
US.
Do you have a dog that LOOKS like he would be eligible for AKC registration,
but don't have any papers? You can do one of two things: If he LOOKS like a purebred
whatever, you can apply for an ILP or Indefinite Listing Privilege number from
AKC or UKC. (Please note that all registries require ILP registered dogs to be
spayed/neutered as does AMBOR) The forms can be requested from their sites ( AKC or UKC) send pictures, the registration fee, the form and in a few weeks, voila! a
certificate! OR if he's without a doubt a Heinz 57, you can apply to AMBOR (American Mixed Breed Obedience Registry) for registration. AMBOR registered
dogs can compete in UKC obedience and agility and USDAA agility trials as well
as Flyball, Therapy and many other fun things.
For more information on USDAA, contact the following:
United States Dog Agility Assoc.
P.O. Box 850995
Richardson, TX 75085-0955
214-231-9700
Whatever you do with your canine friend, he will enjoy most is just being together
with YOU. Even if you never compete in a trial, just attending a class once a
week with your dog will make him happy.
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