Dog Tricks and Agility For Dummies

Dog Tricks & Agility For Dummies®, 2nd Edition
About the Author
Dedication
Author’s Acknowledgments
Contents at a Glance
Table of Contents
Introduction
Part I: Getting Started: The Foundations of Training
Chapter 1: Exploring the Fun that Awaits You
Beyond Obedience: The Value of Tricks
Starting with Trick Training
Getting Active with Agility and Other Sports and Hobbies
Chapter 2: Prepping for Training — Mentally and Physically
Turning Your Dog onto Learning
Communicating with Your Dog
Outfitting Your Dog for Training
Training with a Clicker
Taking Training to Another Level with Targets
Chapter 3: Understanding Your Dog’s Natural Abilities and Limitations
Making Your Lessons Age-Appropriate
Sorting by Breed Characteristics
Considering Body Type
Tagging Your Dog’s Personality
Rolling with Your Dog’s Natural Gifts
Chapter 4: Encouraging Self-Control before You Launch into Lessons
Reviewing Basic Commands
Introducing Temptations
Out and About: Putting Training to the Test
Working toward Off-Leash Control
Part II: Teaching Tricks with Positive Reinforcement
Chapter 5: Minding Manners and Trying Out Some Tricks
Giving Your Dog a Place to Settle Down
Party Time . . . I Mean, Potty Time
Fending off Frustrating Habits with Fun
Starting with Some Simple Moves: Tricks for a Happy, Loving Dog
Introducing Interactive Play
Chapter 6: Engaging Favorites
Playing with the Plain Ol’ Paw
Going on a Roll
Sitting Up: Ain’t Too Proud to Beg
Expanding Your Repertoire with Stretching Tricks
Chapter 7: Go Fetch! Finding and Retrieving Tricks
Snoop Doggy Dog: Training a Canine Detective
Fun Fetching Tricks
Carrying This and That
Advancing with Fetching Skills: Pulling Out Tissues and Raiding the Fridge
Part III: Tackling More Advanced Tricks
Chapter 8: Jumping and Dancing for Joy
Dancing Dog and Other Two-Legged Tricks
Leaping Up and Over
Jumping Through
Jumping Into
Chapter 9: Barking, Counting, and Singing on Cue
Barking and Not Barking on Cue
From Counting to Calculus
Doing a Doggone Duet
Teaching Your Dog to Sound an Alarm
Turning Off the Bothersome Barker
Chapter 10: Adding Drama with Clever Tricks
Acting Emotional
Being Zany
Getting Ready for Bedtime
Balancing Acts
Playing Housekeeper
The Action Hero: Evading the Bad Guys
Part IV: Exploring the World of Agility
Chapter 11: Considering Agility Training
Discovering Agility
It’s All About the Obstacles
Deciding Whether Your Dog Has What It Takes
Chapter 12: Laying the Foundations for Agility
Modifying Familiar Commands for Agility
Introducing New Agility Commands to Your Dog
Using Positive Reinforcement with Agility
Calling In Reinforcers: The Tools of the Trade
Finding A Good Instructor to Help You and Your Dog
Getting Some Agility Equipment of Your Own
Chapter 13: Introducing Your Dog to Jumps, Tunnels, and Tables
Planning for a Good Training Session
The Jumps: Taking a First Leap into Agility Training
Going through Tunnels
Waiting on Tables
Chapter 14: Teaching the A-Frame, Dog Walk, Teeter, and Weave Poles
Using Inventive Ways to Teach Contacts
Cruising the Contact Obstacles
Weave Poles: Teaching the Ol’ Bob-and-Weave
Chapter 15: Sequencing and Troubleshooting Your Agility Moves
Mixing Obstacles
Directing Your Dog to Do a Sequence of Obstacles
Troubleshooting
Chapter 16: Competing in Agility: Ready, Set, Go!
Entering Agility Events
Preparing for a Trial
Ready, Set, Go! Running the Course
Relaxing Once Your Run Is Over
Part V: Getting Hip to Hobbies, Events, and Earning Credentials
Chapter 17: Sharing Favorite Spor ts and Backyard Games
Ball Game, Anyone?
Inspiring Flying Disc Fun
Giving Flyball a Whirl: A Retrieval Relay
Chapter 18: Participating in More Hobbies and Breed-Specific Events
Showing Off in Obedience
Keeping Livestock in Line: Herding Tests and Trials
Hunting Dogs: Going after Game
Tracking: Finding What’s Hidden or Lost
Schutzhund: Offering Protection
Getting Certified for Pet Therapy
Chapter 19: Harness Sports: Bringing Pulling Dogs to the Starting Line
A Few Caveats
Canine Carting
Sledding
Joring: Pulling Skiers, Cyclists, Runners, and More
Part VI: The Part of Tens
Chapter 20: Nearly Ten Agility Moves Anyone Can Try
Jumping Over a Single Barrier
Practicing Spread Jumps
Flying through the Hoop
Running through Tunnels
Coming to a Halt
Navigating the Low Beam
Weaving In and Out
Mastering “Two On–Two Off”
Going Left (or Right)
Chapter 21: Top Ten Sports Injuries for Dogs
Dehydration
Fatigue
Fever
Back and Neck Injury
Broken Bones
Foot Injury
Strains and Sprains
Torn Ligaments
Shock
Chapter 22: Ten Ways to Ensure Fido’s Fit for Tricks and Agility
Give Water, Water, Water
Encourage Regular Exercise
Feed Your Dog Quality Dog Food
Brush Up on Grooming: The Peanut Butter Connection
Keep Your Dog’s Nails Clipped
Be Easy on the Eyes
Keep the Ears Clean
Protect the Nose
Avoid a Foul Mouth
Index