Dog barking is a serious problem. Dogs just bark, it is as simple as that, as you well know if you are a dog owner. But the sole purpose of a barking dog is not just to drive you crazy; there are at least three common reasons for it.

One is frustration, social isolation and attention seeking. Especially the older dog will bark for a long time, if he is left all by himself without any interaction or company. He gets bored, and he becomes very vocal when he is bored.

The environment is also a factor for dog barking. If he is kept in the backyard, and there are no other pets or toys or other dogs, he will get bored; even a friendly cat can keep him occupied and can stop dog barking. [Read more...]

photo courtesy of Sigridur Vala Gunnarsdottir
Agility dog training is all about teaching dogs tricks. Here the old adage holds true – an old dog cannot be taught new tricks. So the start must be made when they are puppies and just beginning to understand.

It is a sport – a sport with shows and prizes across the globe. The main artists are the dog and the handler. The latter guides the dog through an obstacle run in which both time and accuracy are crucial factors.

In dog agility training the dogs are kept unleashed and neither food nor toys are allowed to be offered as incentives. The handlers are not allowed to touch either the dog or the hurdles. The handler can only control the animal by the tone of his voice or [Read more...]