Dog agility training made its debut in Great Britain in 1977, inspired by the timed cross-country and stadium jumping in equestrian combined training events. The sport consists of an inspiring team of a dog and his handler negotiating a course of obstacles. The trainer gives commands while the dog quickly manipulates his way around jumps, tunnels, dog walks, see-saws, A frames, and weave poles.
Competitions are judged based on time and the dog’s ability to clear the obstacles. Although the sport is loved mostly by its competitors it is also a treat for the spectators.
Dog agility training competition is a serious and well organized sport with many guidelines and regulations. The two divisions in the competition are based on the dog’s size. A dog between sixteen and twenty-one inches from the shoulder is put in the mini division.
Competitors in the ‘mini’ division are required to complete courses with jump heights being twelve inches, eighteen inches and twenty-four inches. Dogs measuring over twenty-one inches at the shoulders compete in the ‘open’ division and are required to jump twenty-six, twenty-eight, and thirty inches. Competitors must be measured by an approved dog agility judge prior to the competition.
Before beginning training, the dog’s growth plates must have closed in order to prevent injury. Growth plates close around nine months old. At this time the animal can begin dog agility training and will be ready for competition when he is able to clear the jump heights in his division.
How do dogs get started in dog agility training?
The first step in the dog’s competitive career is the ‘starter’ division; this division is reserved for dogs that do not yet hold agility titles. After the dog has one clean round he earns his ‘starter’ title. With this title the dog is qualified to compete in the advanced level. To earn an ‘Advanced Title’ the dog must successfully clear three rounds judged by two different judges.
At this time the dog is eligible to compete in the ‘masters’ classes. In order for the dog to earn a ‘Masters’ title he must successfully complete a six part qualification process. This process includes versatility classes with three clean rounds by two different judges. The ‘masters’ title also requires three successfully completed games courses with qualifying scores from two judges.
Not every dog can be a ‘Master’, but they sure have fun trying. Dog agility training is a fun and challenging sport enjoyed by many people around the country, but none of them are having nearly as much fun as the dogs.
Can Cats Live With Other Pets?
November 18, 2008
Cats by nature are independent and solitary creatures and you must be cautious whenever you introduce your cats to other pets. You must make sure that there is no hostility or unease among them. If you feel that the two animals are not getting along too well under your observation, there is no way they will grow to love each other in your absence. This is the only way you can find out whether your cats can live with other pets.
This especially applies to cats and dogs. Ideally, these two species should be introduced to each other when they are kittens and puppies. Then, they learn to live with each other, and probably even grow fond of each other. However, for older animals, this relationship comes with more difficulty, and you have to chaperone the first few meetings and protect the more vulnerable pet.
Dogs by nature are predatory creatures, and will not tolerate the new pet if they are aggressive towards the species. Likewise, if the residential cat is a bully by nature, it will attack the puppy whenever it gets an opportunity. In these situations, the puppy/dog may learn to steer clear of the dangerous cat’s way, or the kitten/cat may live in caution and anxiety of the dog; however, both these cases are not desirable to you as the owner.
One solution is to find out the nature of the two species that you want to keep as pets. Is the cat sociable and the dog meek? This relationship will probably work. Is the dog aggressive and the cat hostile? This may probably not work at all. Also you could introduce the two pets on a trial basis; keep them under observation for a few days, and if you think they have started warming up to each other, keep it going; else give it up before someone gets hurt.
It becomes even more difficult when it comes to the question of keeping cats and mice together. It is in the nature of cats to hunt mice; there is nothing you can do to change this fact. Therefore, if you want both these species as pets, you need to take certain essential precautions. For instance, the mice should always be caged when the cat is anywhere around, and the cage should be sturdy and kept at a height.
The same policy should be adopted with fish and birds. The lid of the fish tank should be strong and kept tightly closed to avoid a cat from making a meal of the fish. Similarly, the bird feeder or a bird cage should be away from a cat’s reach. Anything else is inviting disaster.
Absolutely Amazing Animal Abilities
April 2, 2008
You might think you’re smart, but none of your senses rival the keenest abilities in the animal world. Animals see in the dark, sniff prey miles away, and detect electrical output from muscle twitches in hidden meals.
Read on, so you don’t become one of those meals.
