What are the four conditioning components of top athletes? Most physical therapists agree that they include balance, strength, endurance and flexibility. The same characteristics apply to canine athletes as well and form the basis of this new book by Sasha Foster, co-author of the award winning The Healthy Way to Stretch Your Dog. When the four conditioning components are executed in a systematic approach using the key exercise principles of frequency, intensity and duration, you can train your dog to reach his fullest potential in whatever canine sport or activity you choose to participate in and help keep him fitter and more injury-free over a longer period of time.

For every dog there is a sport that provides a perfect outlet for his intelligence and energy. A smart, focused Border Collie or Corgi might be an excellent agility athlete, while a scrappy little terrier satisfies his tunneling instincts in Earthdog trials. An eager-to-please, alert Poodle or Golden Retriever might shine in obedience, while a crowd-loving Whippet or Pit Bull mix thrives on the excitement of disc dog events. All-American mixed breeds can prove their mettle in almost any sport; find the right fit for your dog and watch him shine! Canine Sports & Games presents the full range of possibilities and identifies canine abilities, instincts, and personalities that work well with each sport. Not sure about competitive sports? Swimming, hiking, and skiing are excellent opportunities for humans and their dogs to have fun together. And Canine Good Citizens, therapy dogs, and search-and-rescue dogs earn the respect and love of the people whose lives they touch. Enthusiastic owners will find suggestions for every kind of canine. Basic training and obedience are necessary before beginning any organized sport. Fundamental commands, nutrition and fitness, and injuries and aging are all covered in an overview that prepares readers and their dogs for the challenges of competition. The heart of the book is a sport-by-sport examination of 19 games, obedience competitions, and tests of instinct. Each sport is described in full, with information on history, complete rules, required equipment, how to begin training, safety reminders, related organizations, achievable goals and titles, and amusing or inspiring anecdotes Ñ everything dogs and their people need to get down to some serious playtime! Praise: "Kristin Mehus-Roe delightfully Ñ and thoroughly Ñ unleashes the true nature of dogs: born jocks and masters of movement." ÑArden Moore, editor of Fido Friendly and author of The Dog Behavior Answer Book "From flyball and disc-throwing to freestyle and herding, Canine Sports & Games makes it all look easy. Even better, Kristin Mehus-Roe recognizes the sometimes dormant athletic abilities that rest within all of us, from human couch potatoes to pit bulls and poodles." ÑKen Foster, author of the best-selling memoir The Dogs Who Found Me and Dogs I Have Met

2014 'Book of the Year" for Dog Behavior and Training! (Maxwell award). In this second book in the "Dog Sports Skills" series, Authors Denise Fenzi and Deb Jones take an in-depth look at the topic of motivation. They talk about what motivation is, and what it is not, along with an illuminating discussion of how a dog is unique in the animal world, and how educated trainers can use that to maximum advantage. They consider a range of options for motivating our dogs, and how a trainer can raise or lower the value of specific motivators to get the exact training effect that may be desired at a given time. Temperament is discussed as it relates to issues of motivation to help the reader understand the strong interplay between temperament, motivation and training decisions. In addition to explaining how to use motivators in training, this book provides specific information on how to reduce their use so that you can eventually get into the competition ring! Finally, they provide case studies - lots of them! The purpose of the case studies is both to cement what the reader has learned in the first chapters and also to help the reader understand how to analyze specific situations and make a plan to apply the concepts. A student who reads both this book and the first book in the series will begin to develop a deeper understanding of the author's underlying philosophy and approach. Each book is more than a stand-alone resource; they are pieces of a puzzle that will eventually weave into a tapestry of concepts, thoughts and applications that create both excellence in training and a very deep respect and understanding for another living being.

This is the first book in the award winning "Dog Sports Skills" series. This first book will focus on developing a competition dog sports foundation based in engagement and relationship. It doesn't matter what genetic package or temperament your dog is born with; you can bring out the best in your dog! To train your dog, you must develop a relationship that encourages a willing and happy attitude with natural focus while eliminating undue stress in both training and competition. If your goal is to create a world-class, enthusiastic performance dog, then this book is for you! We can help you refine your engagement and relationship skills to a higher level. If you are an instructor who is struggling with your novice students or less focused dogs, then this book is for you! You will find advice on how to work with a range of canine temperaments. If you have a dog who works well at home but you can't seem to maintain that connection in public, then this book is for you, too! You will learn the basics of recognizing stress, paying attention to your dog, and alleviating or minimizing problems so that you can focus on work rather than worry. Finally, if you simply want to take the dog you have, your personal pet, and enjoy your training at a more fulfilling level, then this book is for you as well. By understanding and applying excellent engagement and relationship building techniques, both you and your canine companion will find more enjoyment in the training process, even if you choose never to step foot inside a competition ring. The chapters will cover relationship (what it is and how to get it), stress (recognizing it and techniques for lessening it's impact), developing focus, explaining and evaluating positive methods for getting behaviors, and the use of trick training to develop a handler's training skills and a dog's mental and physical flexibility.

The Schutzhund Training Manual begins with the brief history and regulations of the sport of Schutzhund/IPO, to working abilities, pack structure, and understanding the basic language of dogs.

Do you have a gun dog and want to have a great time working with your dog and perhaps enter a field trial? Do you want to find a training method where your dog has just as much fun as you do? Do you want to learn how to combine reward based training and field trial training? If so, this is the book for you. Retrieving for All Occasions is an accessible and inspiring book about how you can use the reward based training philosophy in your gun dog training. The book describes an approach to gun dog training that will challenge you to try something new – if you have the desire and will to do so. This book includes over 100 exercises to train a talented spaniel or retriever. The exercises are for introductory field trial classes for spaniels and retrievers, but this book is also useful for those who have pointers or setters and want to train them for gun dog work.

Special techniques for those training small dogs in competitive obedience! Covers novice through utility, even sources of special equipment!