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Information on Dogs and Training
What is Competitive Obedience?
Ok, so I'm totally biased here! Competitive obedience is my passion. I love to watch and train happy, enthusiastic dogs performing precise moves and exercises with attitude and pizazz. There is something about having a dog so tightly and joyfully synchronised with...
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What is Rally-O?
Rally-O, short for Rally - Obedience, is a relative newcomer to the dog sport world. Unlike traditional competitive obedience and agility, which have been around for many decades, Rally-O has only been officially recognised as a sport here in NZ for a few years. ...
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What is ‘Nosework’?
Nosework is the sport of scent detection. Although it is not available as an actual competitive discipline here in NZ just yet, the benefits of teaching it as a skill are many. It is easy and cheap, requires very little space or equipment and any dog can do it. In...
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Dog Sports For Fun. Why Sports Training is Worth it – Even if You Never Compete.
I hear it all the time. People take their dog to training classes or see a private trainer to fix problems and get the basics. And then they stop. Just like that. The problem is fixed. The dog civilised. Why do more?
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Dog Training Books. Reader Beware!
Don’t believe everything you read… You have a dog. Maybe you just want to know more about training. Maybe you have a problem. For whatever reason, you decide to get yourself some education so you buy yourself a dog training book. I love reading training books –...
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Socialisation: Not What You Thought It Was…
Contrary to popular belief, socialisation does not mean throwing the dog in the deep end, trying to take him to lots of busy places then introducing him to every new person and dog that approaches. ‘Socialisation’ is the process of familiarising a dog or puppy to all...
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Introducing a Cat to Cujo
A few weeks ago, I did something bonkers. I decided to get a cat. That might not seem so strange until you realise that I live with a dog who kills things. Breezy is a 9 yr. old husky x border collie. He has killed birds, rodents and rabbits. He would have LOVED...
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The 5 Biggest Mistakes New Puppy Owners Make – And How To Avoid Them
Puppies are just SO much fun!! Who can resist that cute little bundle of joy, energy and...teeth??? However, as many new puppy parents find out, if you aren't prepared it's easy to make some huge mistakes that will take that soppy smile off your face in less time...
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Why Manners Matter
For most dog owners, the thought of having to carry food or toys everywhere is a turn off. Who wants smelly dog treats or soggy toys in their pockets all day? Yuck! Well, with a bit of effort it doesn’t have to be that way. All dogs have things they LOVE to do....
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Puppy Education – To ‘Puppy Class’ or Not ‘Puppy Class’? That is The Question…
Puppies. Lovely little cute bundles of learning potential. A dog trainer’s dream! Puppy classes. Often crowded, badly managed and focused on teaching irrelevant things. Some dog trainers’ idea of a nightmare. So, how do you pick a good puppy class? Here are some...
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