Wordless Wednesday: Motivation

Rookie's favorite reward is getting a 'bite'. It's his highest motivator - even better than food :). He considers the sleeve the best toy ever!

Here's a recent video of his first session learning to go around a blind (for the blind searches in IPO1). He'll do pretty much anything for a bite :).

What reward brings out your dog's highest motivation?

Christmas Loot!

Happy Holidays!

Whew, I can't believe the year is basically over! Every year I marvel how fast time goes and every year it goes faster. Damn that cycle :(.

Well the good news about this time of year - Christmas loot! :) The dog were quite happy with their haul this year, lucky pooches. They have generous pet parents...LOL.

FitPaws, toys, and treats :). Not pictured: Bourbon's heating pad,
5 other boxes of Blue Dog Bakery treats, and Monday's pajamas :)

The name of the game this coming year will be FITNESS :). I'm sure the dogs are super excited LOL. But we should have lots of fun utilizing the FitPaws accessories and adding to our collection as the year progresses. This should help/add into all the work I am doing with Rookie on body awareness :). And for Bourbon we are working on keeping some muscle tone in his rear end - I hate watching him get old :(.

We are so excited to use these leashes! Monday got the short end
of the stick and you can't really see her name, but I am going to see
if I can have it outlined so that it's more visible.

My parents got us these amazing leashes made by UpCycled Hound. They are repurposed Karate belts :). Each pup got a personalized leash (coordinated in their favorite color of course) and I got one with my business name! I'm in love with the extra length (they are 8-10') and the wider width. I might be a bit of a leash 'collector.' :)

What was your dog's favorite Christmas present? And if you're like me, what was your favorite dog-related present? :)

Dog Parkour!

Rookie showing 4-feet-on.

Dog Parkour is a new 'sport' that is quickly spreading across the US. Most people are familiar with 'human' parkour - a physical discipline in which people move through their environment and conquer obstacles in their path by climbing, balancing, jumping, running, vaulting...you get the idea :). So what is dog parkour? Taken from the International Dog Parkour Association's website: 'Dog parkour, sometimes knows as urban agility, is an activity based on the same principles. It is a challenging, but fun, physical activity in which the dogs learn to interact with their environment. Just like in the human version, in dog parkour we work on ways to conquer obstacles, such as climbing, balancing, and jumping. Dog Parkour is a non-competitive event, but it is a titling event.'

And Rookie just received his Training Level title: PKD-T!

Woot, woot :). In order to receive a title, you have to submit videos of your dog performing each of the behaviors called for in each title level. Here is Rookie's Training Level Title video:

The Training Level (Parkour Dog in Training PKD-T) consists of these behaviors:
*Dog must complete one obstacle outside

• 4 feet on: Dog approaches an obstacle and places all four feet in no particular order onto the obstacle in a safe manner and remains on the obstacle for at least 5 seconds. Two different obstacles must be used, and at least one much be at least elbow height. Be sure that we can see the dog getting on and off each obstacle.
• 2 feet on: Dog walks up to obstacle and places two front feet onto the obstacle and remains on the obstacle for at least 5 seconds. The object must be at least elbow height.
• Under: Dog crouches down and passes under an obstacle shorter than head height.
• Through (between two obstacles): Two obstacles must be less than dog's body length apart from each other. The dog must pass through these two obstacles with confidence.
• In: Dog must safely walk into or hop into an obstacle that has four sides. All four feet must remain in the obstacle for 5 seconds.
• Balance: Balance across an obstacle that is twice shoulder width or narrower and 3 times longer than dog. Dog must have all four feet on obstacle and safely walk across it.
• Creativity: Owner chooses and demonstrates two different parkour behaviors that can be done with a single obstacle. For example, a dog may do an under and an on using the same obstacle. The behaviors must be parkour behaviors and not just tricks.

Seriously, can it get any cuter than a dog in a box?!?!

We're off to work on our Novice Title behaviors :)!!

Have you heard about Dog Parkour? Is it something you would be interested in trying with your dog?