Agility Sports are Great Events for Owner-Dog Bonding

Agility competition is basically a canine obstacle course. They are interesting to watch. Dogs must run through tunnels, leap over jumps and weave through poles. The sport is done through "team work." The dog does not do all these marvelous things alone. The dog relies on his handler to tell him what to do next and in what order to do it. This sport is fabulous for dog-human bonding.

Above Photo Courtesy of Chocolates Yorkies Beyond the Bay

AKC allows any purebred dog or mixed breed dog to participate in agility competitions. You will see breeds from Border Collies to Chihuahuas in this competition and everything in between. Beautiful Maltipoo's can participate as well.

One excellent aspect is "you don't have to run as fast as your dog runs and you don't have to be very athletic to participate." It is a dynamic sport to get involved with, loads of fun and loads of exercise as well. If you are serious about getting your dog involved I recommend starting he or she on the Life's Abundance Agility Supplement as a puppy.

The ability to move freely and comfortably is crucial to your companion animal’s well-being. Unfortunately, aching and stiff joints are often a symptom of growing old for them as well as us. And some breeds are simply more prone to these issues and need extra support. 

Typical supplements treat the joint as an isolated target. This approach proves inadequate because joints are part of a complex, interdependent system. To effectively address joint health, grain-free Agility Formula supports the entire musculoskeletal system. 

Benefits of this sport are:

• exercise
• social interaction
• the dog feeling like they have a very important job in life to do
• the bond between you and your dog evolves into a deeper form of communication
• going to trials and classes helps you socialize with fellow dog people, make new friends and probably revive old friendships as well

Which dogs are suitable for the sport?

• confident, happy-go-lucky dogs are going to have an easier time learning, however, this does not rule out other dog personalities
• dogs with problem behavior can benefit because agility teaches them there are rules in life and following the rules leads to great rewards
• patient training even helps anxious dogs gain confidence and helps them conquer their fears
• dogs who are afraid of men, or women, other dogs, or noises have been known to exhibit improvement after agility training
• older dogs can participate so long as they are up to it

How to get started:

• start training simple foundation skills and working with home-made obstacles like a large open box for a tunnel, a hula hoop for a tire jump
• there are lots of books and videos you can read and view that walk you through every step of the way
• local clubs and an audit class is helpful to see how professional instructors teach the skills
• look for positive training techniques
• look for lowered equipment for beginners
• use full size equipment when your dog is comfortable and has mastered the basics
• go to local trials to become familiar with how the sport works
• you don't have to enter competitions to benefit from the sport

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IF  YOU RAISE PUPPIES, THE TYPE OF FOOD  YOU FEED AND SEND YOUR PUPPIES HOME ON IS A CRUCIAL DECISION. BE AHEAD OF YOUR COMPETITION AND DEVELOP A REPUTATION OF FEEDING THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF FOOD YOU MOST POSSIBLY CAN. WE NO LONGER HAVE TO RELY ON COMMERCIAL DOG FOODS PREPARED IN LARGE QUANTITIES AND STOCKPILED. WE CAN FEED OUR PETS FRESH FOOD EVERYDAY. TRY THE LIFE'S ABUNDANCE HEALTHY START PACK FOR ALL LIFE STAGES AND SAVE MONEY.

And even better is to feed dog products that will give you a "return" in money to the point you end up feeding your crew for FREE. Become a Life's Abundance Rep and feed your own crew using your down line and customer's residual income.

You will end up with a customer base that will put money back into your pocket that translates into eventually getting your dog products for FREE.

Continue adding reps under you and build your residual income for a lifetime while you raise puppies. When you are no longer able to raise puppies, perform dog training sessions, groom dogs, etc., a Life's Abundance business keeps you in the dog community helping dogs to live longer and healthier lives and continues to give you a residual income to spend on vacations, unexpected expenses, help you make ends meet in retirement and more. 

If Charity work with animals is something you love to do, you also gain by using Life's Abundance products. Using the Life's Abundance products is an excellent way of "giving back" to the pet community. Charitable work is at the core of the Life's Abundance mission. Every order placed contributes to homeless animals. The work is done through the non-profit branch of Life's Abundance.

There has never been a time in our history as it is today with technology at our fingertips to help us build 6 figure and higher incomes with a network marketing business.

A LIFE'S ABUNDANCE HOME BUSINESS MAY BE JUST THE PERFECT SOLUTION FOR YOU

No products to stock or ship out. Life's Abundance takes care of the entire purchase transaction along with shipping.

Let's Get Started

THIS IS A MOST EXCITING TIME TO BUILD A NETWORK MARKETING BUSINESS

For more information about Life's Abundance Contact me, Connie Limon, on Facebook or my Life's Abundance Replicator Site. 

And remember, you never have to have a "minimum order" (your personal order of products) to qualify for a commission check. Life's Abundance does not require people to purchase product just to get paid for promoting product. This is one of the unique aspects of being in the network marketing company of Life's Abundance. 

Most other companies will require YOU to purchase at least $100 of products just to gain commissions on hard work you do to bring in other customers and reps to the company. It is rare that a rep in this company does NOT earn a monthly commission check. They pay you for promoting and bringing in more business to the entire whole and DO NOT REQUIRE YOU to purchase products monthly that you might not even be able to use.

Teach Your New Puppy to be a Happy Camper When you are Away from Home

Getting a new puppy is challenging.While you are introducing him to his new home, starting potty training and puppy proofing your house there is one more critical step you want to include. "Teach your new pup how to enjoy being home alone." If you can accomplish this lesson everything else will seem to fall into place. You want your puppy to be happy alone, not terrified or anxious.

Above Photo Courtesy of Jasper and Jo Jo Mcshihtzu 

A new cute puppy is tempting to just sit and hold he or she your every waking minute. Just know if you start out things this way and continue, you are not doing yourself or your puppy any favors. There will come a time when you have to be away from puppy. What happens then? With a little time and practice you can help your puppy to remain calm, happy and confident when he is left alone without you and family members.

First thing to realize is don't expect your puppy to go from continual cuddling and companionship to spending an 8 hour work day all by himself and "like the process."

Start on day one of puppy arrival's in small steps such as teaching he or she to be alone while you are still in the house. Use an exercise pen or crate. If you use these tools correctly, the puppy will learn and associate the pen or crate as a place to relax rather than a place of punishment. You can also limit your puppy's area using baby gates.

Help your puppy associate his confinement area with good things:

• Feed him his meals inside the confinement area.
• If the area is large enough, spend some time playing games together.
• Set aside toys that can only be found inside the confinement area. Ideally, you should choose his favorite toys to remain in the confinement area and never allow them out anywhere else.
• When you see your puppy happily entering his confinement area by himself, then you are ready to start alone-time training.

Begin alone time training:

• Close your puppy in the confinement area with a chew toy or other constructive activity. Now...quietly walk out of the room.
• Return to the room immediately and reward puppy with lavish praise and a tasty, nutritious treat.
• Repeat the above process while you slowly increase the time you are out of sight.
• Start with one or two minutes, then gradually increase this time.
• Over 3 or 4 days of the above training, you ought to be able to build up to some fairly long periods of time.
• As the time span gets longer, return quietly to check on your puppy. If you find him calm, quiet and happy, reward him again with some low key praise,like a pat on the head and "good boy" and give him another tasty, nutritious treat. Then leave again. In this phase you don't want to make a great big fuss because you don't want to reinforce the dog to miss you when you leave the room.
• If you find your puppy crying in the confinement area, you probably started this phase of training too quickly before puppy was able to associate the confinement area with it being a "good place for puppy to be." Or...you have left him alone too long and need to shorten the time periods. Don't let him out because he fusses. This will only teach him that all he has to do is whine or fuss and the door will open and he is made free. Instead, shorten the time in confinement, build slower the time he is alone.

Confinement in the exercise pen or crate or behind baby gates should only be temporary. This is a time you are trying to teach puppy to be happy alone. 

Once your dog has mastered other skills such as potty training and other rules of your house, you can start allowing him access to your home one room at a time. Never just let puppy run free all through the house on his own at this stage, or you will be teaching him, the whole house belongs to him to do just whatever he wants to do. Big mistake! Your goals in this training is to rear a dog who will be relaxed, self confident and can be trusted with more and more freedom as he grows into an adult.

During the time you leave puppy in his safe area give him constructive things to do, teaching him to entertain himself all by himself. Give him a long lasting tasty and nutritious chew treat. Give him chew toys stuffed with food such as the Kong toys. Leave some food hidden in different areas within the confinement area. Turn on a T.V. or a radio to provide puppy with some company. Radios and T.V. can cover up other sounds that may alarm the puppy such things as the garbage truck going by and picking up groceries or sirens going off. You might do some testing to find out what your dog likes. I have had dogs who would sit and actually listen to Elvis Presley songs. Maybe your dog likes classical music. Just test out different things, even children's DVD's playing may amuse your dog and keep him happy within his confinement area.

It takes time, consistency and patience to train your dog to be how you want him to be. Almost all dogs can be trained. 

IF  YOU RAISE PUPPIES, THE TYPE OF FOOD  YOU FEED AND SEND YOUR PUPPIES HOME ON IS A CRUCIAL DECISION. BE AHEAD OF YOUR COMPETITION AND DEVELOP A REPUTATION OF FEEDING THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF FOOD YOU MOST POSSIBLY CAN. WE NO LONGER HAVE TO RELY ON COMMERCIAL DOG FOODS PREPARED IN LARGE QUANTITIES AND STOCKPILED. WE CAN FEED OUR PETS FRESH FOOD EVERYDAY. TRY THE LIFE'S ABUNDANCE HEALTHY START PACK FOR ALL LIFE STAGES AND SAVE MONEY.

And even better is to feed dog products that will give you a "return" in money to the point you end up feeding your crew for FREE. Become a Life's Abundance Rep and feed your own crew using your down line and customer's residual income.

You will end up with a customer base that will put money back into your pocket that translates into eventually getting your dog products for FREE.

Continue adding reps under you and build your residual income for a lifetime while you raise puppies. When you are no longer able to raise puppies, perform dog training sessions, groom dogs, etc., a Life's Abundance business keeps you in the dog community helping dogs to live longer and healthier lives and continues to give you a residual income to spend on vacations, unexpected expenses, help you make ends meet in retirement and more. 

If Charity work with animals is something you love to do, you also gain by using Life's Abundance products. Using the Life's Abundance products is an excellent way of "giving back" to the pet community. Charitable work is at the core of the Life's Abundance mission. Every order placed contributes to homeless animals. The work is done through the non-profit branch of Life's Abundance.

There has never been a time in our history as it is today with technology at our fingertips to help us build 6 figure and higher incomes with a network marketing business.

A LIFE'S ABUNDANCE HOME BUSINESS MAY BE JUST THE PERFECT SOLUTION FOR YOU

No products to stock or ship out. Life's Abundance takes care of the entire purchase transaction along with shipping.

Let's Get Started

THIS IS A MOST EXCITING TIME TO BUILD A NETWORK MARKETING BUSINESS

For more information about Life's Abundance Contact me, Connie Limon, on Facebook or my Life's Abundance Replicator Site.

Proper Ways to Play Tug-of-War with Your Dog

A lot of people think playing tug-of-war with your dog leads to aggression. As of the time of writing this article the thinking is if tug-of-war and similar games are managed properly dogs do not end up aggressive. 

Above Photo Courtesy of Showy Shih Tzu Love

Sometimes when playing tug-of-war with your dog the dog might just snap at your hand. The reason is probably more that the owner did not set effective boundaries rather than it being due to playing tug-of-war. You need to teach the dog the rules of the game effectively. The game of tug-of-war can actually provide some great mental and physical stimulation as well as teach the dog self-control.

In fact, police dogs and canine athletes are sometimes rewarded with a game of tug-of-war after excellent performances in searches and sports such as flyball.

Dogs that should not participate in games of tug-of-war might include:

• Dog who have a history of aggression toward other animals or humans probably should not engage in games of tug-of-war
• Dogs easily aroused and cannot settle down quickly may become over stimulated during games of tug-of-war

Steps of starting tug-of-war with your dog include:

1. You should start the game. Do not allow your dog to start tug-of-war with you.
2. Throughout the game maintain control. If your dog starts to get over stimulated, obsessed or overly aggressive about grabbing the toy, take charge and end the game.
3. The dog should always be well trained and under control and release the toy upon your command.
4. Watch the dog's tail. If the tail is wagging continue the game as it means he or she is happily playing. If the tail stops wagging it could be a sign to stop the game. A dog can happily wag its tail and play-growl at the same time. So long as his tail is wagging, even if play growling, take this as a sign to continue the game.

You need to protect the dogs mouth and teeth during games of tug-of-war. Choose your toys wisely. Toys can include:

• soft toys such as a piece of towel tied in a knot
• a piece of rope
• commercially made tug toys that are pliable and soft

Things to remember about this game are:

• Always let the dog win
• If you are playing with a puppy, keep in mind he or she still has baby teeth, so be careful and pull gently if any at all. It is probably best to leave the pulling up to the pup and keep the game short.

IF  YOU RAISE PUPPIES, THE TYPE OF FOOD  YOU FEED AND SEND YOUR PUPPIES HOME ON IS A CRUCIAL DECISION. BE AHEAD OF YOUR COMPETITION AND DEVELOP A REPUTATION OF FEEDING THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF FOOD YOU MOST POSSIBLY CAN. WE NO LONGER HAVE TO RELY ON COMMERCIAL DOG FOODS PREPARED IN LARGE QUANTITIES AND STOCKPILED. WE CAN FEED OUR PETS FRESH FOOD EVERYDAY. TRY THE LIFE'S ABUNDANCE HEALTHY START PACK FOR ALL LIFE STAGES AND SAVE MONEY.

And even better is to feed dog products that will give you a "return" in money to the point you end up feeding your crew for FREE. Become a Life's Abundance Rep and feed your own crew using your down line and customer's residual income.

You will end up with a customer base that will put money back into your pocket that translates into eventually getting your dog products for FREE.

Continue adding reps under you and build your residual income for a lifetime while you raise puppies. When you are no longer able to raise puppies, perform dog training sessions, groom dogs, etc., a Life's Abundance business keeps you in the dog community helping dogs to live longer and healthier lives and continues to give you a residual income to spend on vacations, unexpected expenses, help you make ends meet in retirement and more. 

If Charity work with animals is something you love to do, you also gain by using Life's Abundance products. Using the Life's Abundance products is an excellent way of "giving back" to the pet community. Charitable work is at the core of the Life's Abundance mission. Every order placed contributes to homeless animals. The work is done through the non-profit branch of Life's Abundance.

There has never been a time in our history as it is today with technology at our fingertips to help us build 6 figure and higher incomes with a network marketing business.

A LIFE'S ABUNDANCE HOME BUSINESS MAY BE JUST THE PERFECT SOLUTION FOR YOU

No products to stock or ship out. Life's Abundance takes care of the entire purchase transaction along with shipping.

Let's Get Started

THIS IS A MOST EXCITING TIME TO BUILD A NETWORK MARKETING BUSINESS

For more information about Life's Abundance Contact me, Connie Limon, on Facebook or my Life's Abundance Replicator Site.

How Easy Is Your Breed of Dog to Train?

Prospective dog owners usually want to know how smart a particular dog breed is. What they actually are wondering about is: "is this dog easy to train?"

Above Photo Courtesy of Dreier's Fire Poodles

Intelligence is high on the list of characteristics that may predict how well a dog trains. Other factors that affect training ability are:

• dog's distinct personality
• dog's instinctive drives
• dog's genetic heritage

For example, some dogs were developed for specific jobs in the human's life such as "herding sheep" or hunting for ducks and so on. Some dogs were developed to work independently while other dogs were developed to work cooperatively with human partners. Other dogs were developed just to amuse us humans and be companions.

One important factor with all dog breeds is  how easy is the dog to be distracted. Is the dog able to concentrate and focus effectively on what you are teaching or are other things in the environment pulling his attention away from training lessons. 

Take for example the Bloodhounds who are lead around by their noses. A sudden interesting smell will win a Bloodhound's attention over the training lesson almost every time. By instinct the Bloodhound is driven by scents. 

Proper training methods have an impact as well, yet, people must understand the instincts of their particular breed and take this into consideration before throwing up your hands and saying, "this dog cannot be trained, he or she cannot focus." Almost every dog can be trained using proper methods.

Important aspects of training:

• engage and excite your dog with rewards the dog thinks is worth working for
• make training a fun, loving time for bonding

With all this said, there is no doubt there are still some breeds more easily trained than others. Dogs from the Herding, Sporting and Working group all are probably more trainable than hounds and terriers. Here is a list of dogs the experts say are easier to train. If you are looking for a dog breed easy to train, you might choose one from the following list.

1. Border Collie
2. Poodle
3. German Shepherd Dogs
4. Golden Retrievers
5. Doberman Pinschers
6. Shetland Sheepdogs
7. Labrador Retrievers
8. Papillon
9. Rottweiler
10. Australian Cattle Dogs
11. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
12. Miniature Schnauzer
13. English Springer Spaniel

Do not fret if your favorite breed of dog is not on the expert's lists of dog most easiest to train. Almost all dogs can be trained when people will use appropriate training techniques. Tasty and nutritious reward treats is the number one way to entice your dog to obedience. Don't feed your dog just any old treat from the local retail stores. Be sure that everything you feed your dog is highly nutritious. I recommend using one of the Life's Abundance treats. Their Tasty Rewards Nutritional Treats is a good place to start. Find out what your dog likes best and use that treat consistently.

• Positive reinforcement has never tasted so good
• Perfectly sized for carrying in your pocket
• Gluten free, no artificial preservatives, colors or flavors
• Made in USA with Chicken and lamb from New Zealand

IF  YOU RAISE PUPPIES, THE TYPE OF FOOD  YOU FEED AND SEND YOUR PUPPIES HOME ON IS A CRUCIAL DECISION. BE AHEAD OF YOUR COMPETITION AND DEVELOP A REPUTATION OF FEEDING THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF FOOD YOU MOST POSSIBLY CAN. WE NO LONGER HAVE TO RELY ON COMMERCIAL DOG FOODS PREPARED IN LARGE QUANTITIES AND STOCKPILED. WE CAN FEED OUR PETS FRESH FOOD EVERYDAY. TRY THE LIFE'S ABUNDANCE HEALTHY START PACK FOR ALL LIFE STAGES AND SAVE MONEY.

And even better is to feed dog products that will give you a "return" in money to the point you end up feeding your crew for FREE. Become a Life's Abundance Rep and feed your own crew using your down line and customer's residual income.

You will end up with a customer base that will put money back into your pocket that translates into eventually getting your dog products for FREE.

Continue adding reps under you and build your residual income for a lifetime while you raise puppies. When you are no longer able to raise puppies, perform dog training sessions, groom dogs, etc., a Life's Abundance business keeps you in the dog community helping dogs to live longer and healthier lives and continues to give you a residual income to spend on vacations, unexpected expenses, help you make ends meet in retirement and more. 

If Charity work with animals is something you love to do, you also gain by using Life's Abundance products. Using the Life's Abundance products is an excellent way of "giving back" to the pet community. Charitable work is at the core of the Life's Abundance mission. Every order placed contributes to homeless animals. The work is done through the non-profit branch of Life's Abundance.

There has never been a time in our history as it is today with technology at our fingertips to help us build 6 figure and higher incomes with a network marketing business.

A LIFE'S ABUNDANCE HOME BUSINESS MAY BE JUST THE PERFECT SOLUTION FOR YOU

No products to stock or ship out. Life's Abundance takes care of the entire purchase transaction along with shipping.

Let's Get Started

THIS IS A MOST EXCITING TIME TO BUILD A NETWORK MARKETING BUSINESS

For more information about Life's Abundance Contact me, Connie Limon, on Facebook or my Life's Abundance Replicator Site.

Plump Dogs and Puppies are Extra Cute, However, Lean is Better, Here is Why

Little plump dogs and puppies are extra cute, however, lean dogs and puppies is better for their health. There are way too many dogs overweight today. Humans like to feed their dogs. Too much feeding often results in obesity. When a dog is just too fat life threatening diseases are on the horizon.

Above Photo Courtesy of Top-Hatz' Kennel

Obesity in dogs is a worldwide problem just the same as obesity in humans. Best thing is to avoid obesity, but when you become trapped in a cycle with a dog who is way too fat, there is help. A lot of dog owners just don't realize their dog is too plump.

Here are some of the health problems that can result from dog obesity:

• Type 2 diabetes heads the list
• Osteoarthritis is not far behind and especially in the hip
• Other orthopedic problems and ligament injuries
• Skin diseases
• Heart and Respiratory disease
• A 2 1/2 year decreased life span

How do you know your dog is overweight? By touch, you should be able to feel your dogs ribs when you press her sides.

Tips for slimming your dog down a bit include:

• First, talk it over with your vet and get your vet's expert opinion as to whether or not your dog needs to lose some weight. Sometimes excess weight is due to underlying health problems that need to be ruled out.
• Measure your dog's meals
• Have a set feeding schedule, do not free feed
• Limit in between meal snacks and be sure every snack is low in calories and high in nutrition
• Increase activity 
• Use a weight loss dog formula such as one offered through Life's Abundance
• Add a high quality Fish Oil supplement to your dog's diet to help promote good health.

IF  YOU RAISE PUPPIES, THE TYPE OF FOOD  YOU FEED AND SEND YOUR PUPPIES HOME ON IS A CRUCIAL DECISION. BE AHEAD OF YOUR COMPETITION AND DEVELOP A REPUTATION OF FEEDING THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF FOOD YOU MOST POSSIBLY CAN. WE NO LONGER HAVE TO RELY ON COMMERCIAL DOG FOODS PREPARED IN LARGE QUANTITIES AND STOCKPILED. WE CAN FEED OUR PETS FRESH FOOD EVERYDAY. TRY THE LIFE'S ABUNDANCE HEALTHY START PACK FOR ALL LIFE STAGES AND SAVE MONEY.

And even better is to feed dog products that will give you a "return" in money to the point you end up feeding your crew for FREE. Become a Life's Abundance Rep and feed your own crew using your down line and customer's residual income.

You will end up with a customer base that will put money back into your pocket that translates into eventually getting your dog products for FREE.

Continue adding reps under you and build your residual income for a lifetime while you raise puppies. When you are no longer able to raise puppies, perform dog training sessions, groom dogs, etc., a Life's Abundance business keeps you in the dog community helping dogs to live longer and healthier lives and continues to give you a residual income to spend on vacations, unexpected expenses, help you make ends meet in retirement and more. 

If Charity work with animals is something you love to do, you also gain by using Life's Abundance products. Using the Life's Abundance products is an excellent way of "giving back" to the pet community. Charitable work is at the core of the Life's Abundance mission. Every order placed contributes to homeless animals. The work is done through the non-profit branch of Life's Abundance.

There has never been a time in our history as it is today with technology at our fingertips to help us build 6 figure and higher incomes with a network marketing business.

A LIFE'S ABUNDANCE HOME BUSINESS MAY BE JUST THE PERFECT SOLUTION FOR YOU

No products to stock or ship out. Life's Abundance takes care of the entire purchase transaction along with shipping.

Let's Get Started

THIS IS A MOST EXCITING TIME TO BUILD A NETWORK MARKETING BUSINESS

For more information about Life's Abundance Contact me, Connie Limon, on Facebook or my Life's Abundance Replicator Site.