Dog Agility Training is Fun For Fido

By Lee Dobbins
Hurling over jumps, running through tunnels, dodging weave poles, negotiating see-saws - do these sound like things your dog might enjoy? Then your pet might love dog agility training.

Inspired by equestrian events, agility training for dogs started in the late 1970's in Great Britain. It's a great sport for both dogs and their owners as the team up to negotiate a course of obstacles and is a true test of your dogs training as he will have to listen to commands in order to run the course.

If you want to start your dog in agility training he must be at least 9 months old to be assured that his growth plates have closed and in order to prevent injury. Your pet with start with dog agility training and must be able to clear the jump heights of his assigned division before he can compete.

He'll first be put in the 'starter' division; which is the division for dogs that do not hold agility titles. When he makes it through a round here he earns his 'starter' title and is now qualified to compete at the advanced agility level. The next title your dog can earn is the "Advanced Title" which he can take when he clears three rounds as judged by 2 different judges.

Once he gets his Advanced Title, he can compete in the masters classes. Earning a "Masters Title" is a bit more difficult and consists of a 6 part qualification process along with three successfully completed games courses.

Although a fun sport for both you and your dog, dog agility training is also a serious competition that is well organized and has many guidelines and regulations. Dogs are placed in divisions based on their size. The mini division consists of dogs between sixteen and twenty-one inches from the shoulder. These dogs have jump heights that are 12, 18 and 24 inches. The larger dogs that measure over twenty one inches at the shoulders are sorted into the open division where they will jump heights of 26, 28 and 30 inches.

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.

Not every dog can win the coveted "Master" title, but I don't think they really care because to them the fun is in the sport. Dog agility training is a great way for both man and beast to enjoy a little fun competition as well as each others company.
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Dog Parvo - The Deadliest Viral Disease of Dogs

By Steven Grey
The dog parvo virus is probably the most common viral illness of dogs at the moment. The virus is extremely small (the Latin word for small is "parvo") - just a few grams of stool can contain millions of virus particles. The dog parvo virus has been known and identifiable since the late 70's and can be transmitted by direct or indirect contact with vomit or diarrhea from an infected dog.

The Canine parvovirus (CPV), also refered to as "the dog parvo", attacks the intestinal tract, white blood cells, and in some rare cases the heart muscle. The common form of the dog parvo has a predilection for rapidly dividing cells (similar to cancer) such as the cells of intestinal lining and that is why it causes diarrhea and ulcerative enteritis. When the virus lashes out and attacks this type of cells, it makes dogs and puppies not being able to assimilate or absorb nutrients or liquids.

Symptoms of the dog parvo can take anywhere between 7 to 10 days before they are visible. In the early stages, symptoms that are likely to be noticed by the dog owner are a lack of energy and a loss of appetite. As a result, dogs infected with the parvo virus will soon show clear symptoms of dehydration and malnutrition. As the virus spreads, the dog parbo symptoms are characterized by high fever, severe diarrhea, quite often bloody, vomiting, lethargy and severe dehydration. If your dog, but especially your new puppy, begins exhibiting any of these symptoms, see a veterinarian right away. Because even though the dog parvo virus can also infect adult dogs, it is more often found in small puppies because of their low immune system. Parvovirus requires swift action to help an infected dog survive as when parvo is involved, every hour counts.

The severity of the disease depends upon the age of the dog, presence of maternal antibody, size of the virus dose and the breed of the infected dog. Though many dogs become highly ill due to this viral disease, breeds like Doberman Pinschers and Pit Bull Terriers may reveal clinical symptoms to a very severe degree.

According to conventional veterinarians, there is no known cure for the dog parvo. Conventional treatment is, therefore, mostly supportive and consists of maintaining the dog's body fluids, balancing electrolyte levels and maintaining body temperature. But even if a dog survives the initial bout of dog parvo, there is still a high risk of collapsing during the recovery period. You should get your dog immunized to protect them in case they come into contact with dogs that have the illness. Most veterinarians recommend that young puppies to be vaccinated every 3 to 4 weeks beginning when the pup is 6 weeks of age and continuing until it is 20 weeks old.

The dog parvo virus is most common in places where dogs congregate, such as parks, animal shelters or even at dog shows. Dogs may take in the virus from sniffing or consuming contaminated fecal matter, from cleansing himself, or from consuming food off the ground or flooring. That is why dogs that spend their time confined to a house or a yard and are not in contact with other dogs have much less chance of exposure to the canine parvo virus. You must also be aware of the fact that the dog parvo virus may be even brought home to your dog on shoes and even automobile tires. If you allow your dog to live outside, then remember to alter drinking water on a regular basis because there is a chance that the water can contain parvo virus (carried by birds on their feets or feathers or in their feces).

CPV is very resistant and can remain in feces-contaminated ground for five months or more if conditions are favorable.

Be aware of the fact that the dog parvo symptoms resemble other diseases (like poisoning or worms) and are often misdiagnosed. The only way to know if a dog has the Parvo virus is through a positive diagnostic test.
For more information, visit http://dog-parvo.blogspot.com - a website dedicated to inform pet owners about Dog Parvo. The website contains articles on symptoms, treatments and prevention.

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How to Make Gourmet Dog Treats

By Jessica Alicea
If you have a pampered pooch, then you have probably heard of a gourmet dog bakery. Gourmet dog bakeries are on the rise and they are especially popular with concerned pet owners. Because most commercially sold pet treats are mass produced in huge factories. These types of treats are usually made in large quantities and can be filled with potentially harmful preservatives. Most dog bakeries bake their dog treats using only the finest all natural ingredients. If you have never seen a treat that has been made in a gourmet dog bakery you're missing out on some really creative treats!
If you would like to spoil your dog with these types of treats and you have some time on your hands, then you can bake you furry friend some delicious homemade dog treats in the comfort of your own kitchen. Many people would love to bake for their dogs but they're not sure what to use. There are tons of dog treat recipes available. You can purchase books filled with recipes for healthy dog treats or you can search online for free recipes.
There are a lot of human foods that can be very harmful to dogs. For example, chocolate is toxic for dogs, onions are too! If you have ever been to a dog bakery you may have seen treats that appear to be dipped in chocolate. It's actually carob. Carob is safe for dogs and en excellent "disguise" when it comes to aesthetics. Many gourmet dog bakeries also have what appear to be chocolate chip cookies. Again the chips are made of carob. Here's an awesome recipe that will teach you how to make gourmet dog treats. They are called Peanut Butter Chippers- a peanut butter cookie with carob chips. (They will look like little chocolate chips cookies.) Absolutely adorable!
Ingredients: Oat flour 1 cup Rolled Oats 1 cup Peanut Butter 2 tbsp. Baking Powder 1 tbsp. Water 1 cup
Directions: Mix the flour, rolled oats and baking powder in a mixing bowl. Add the peanut butter and water. Make a ball of dough. Roll out and use cookie cutters in desired shapes. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Let cool. Serve.For more dog treats and recipes http://begginbeaglebakery.com
J. Alicea
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