Over the years I have used many different methods to teach the send away, mainly for French Ring. Putting a "place" marker down the field, having a toy down field by the fence, a ball hanging from a "arm", even food in a bowl were all methods used. While this has worked with most of…
Volunteering in a Pay to Play Organization
While talking with a co-worker the other day, who is a non-dog sport person, we were discussing dog sports and the clubs that run them. I had recently received a renewal letter from one of the clubs I'm a member of, and they changed how they do renewals. I felt it had the potential to…
Iliopsoas Injury – Ares Injury and Recovery
First, what is the iliopsoas? The iliopsoas muscle is actually two muscles fused together – the Psoas Major and the Iliacus. This muscle is quite long attaching to the underside of the last 3-4 thoracic vertebrae, all the lumbar vertebrae and a part of the pelvis just below the head of the femur on the…
Herding and Protection Sports – Can My Dog Do Both?
On a regular basis I am asked about doing both herding and protection sports, more specifically Mondio and French Ring sports, with one dog. Can it be done, and is it a good idea? My answer is "yes and no" 🙂 First, you have to look at your goals in each sport. Both sports are…
Are Malinois Good with Kids?
On a regular basis people ask me that loaded question "Are Malinois good with kids?". My reply is usually "how are your kids with dogs?". I purchased my first Malinois in 1993, when my son was just barely starting to walk, and have had many many Malinois since. Everything from dogs born at…
Living in the Poorhouse
A few years ago a good friend of mine named Tami McLeod introduced me to the phrase "rich dog"/"poor dog". So what does this mean? Your average well cared for pet dog is a "rich dog". These are dogs who have everything available to them at the drop of the hat. They live in the…