Treibball or Push Ball

Treibball is a very exciting dog sport that can be practiced in a fairly small yard. It started in Germany as a way to engage working dogs in an urban setting. It is a great game to exercise dogs, or dogs that need a bit of entertainment. Do you have a working dog without a job? This is for her, specially if she is a herding breed.

Playing consists of a combination of classic obedience and herding cues. Instead of herding livestock the pup herds big exercise balls. The dog must use her nose or shoulders to drive 8 balls into a goal under 10 minutes. The first ball to go in the goal should be the point ball, after that the dog must drive the balls she is asked to push. For example the blue ball or the large ball first. In this sport the dog runs around while the handler stands at the goal and cues, so the handler doesn't need to be in great shape like in other sports.

Some of the cues your dog needs to learn to play treibball are target, stand, stop, down and how to move off leash to the left and right. You can begin with just one ball and as your dog becomes more proficient add balls of different sizes and colors. And later who knows? People and their dogs travel  nationally and internationally for competitions, you might like it too. 

Corgi

There are two different types of Welsh Corgi. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, they were originally one breed but they separated the breeds in the 1930’s. These dogs originate in the British Isles and date back more than 3000 years. They are a royal dog, Queen Elizabeth II of England keeps many of them and they often appear in pictures with her. 

Corgis are part of the herding group and therefore considered a working dog. They were bred to  nip at cattle’s heels to move them out into fields, unlike most other herding breeds that are meant to bring the livestock close in. Corgis are wonderful little workers that are deceptively fast.

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is one of the first breeds in Britain. They have a long tail almost reaching the ground. In the US most Pembroke Welsh Corgis have their tails docked very short which can help you tell them apart. Pembroke are usually under 30lbs and no more than 10 inches tall while Cardigan are a bit bigger up to 38lbs and 12 inches tall. Both have their ears perked up giving them the look of a fox.

Both types of Corgi come in a wide variety of colors. While most have some white the other colors (black, blue merle, brindle, red or sable) should be the prominent color. They can have tan points too. A dense, fluffy under coat and longer flatter overcoat are typical. The Corgi coat can be quite weather resistant and therefore help them work in cold, rainy weather. However most of the Corgis you’ll meet love hanging out indoors and sleeping on the couch. They shed quite a bit so regular brushing and baths will help keep the house clean.

This dog is very trainable and was bred to think for itself. Welsh Corgis are great guardians with a big dog bark, extremely loyal and friendly. They usually love children though it can be expected to have this dog nip at heels and bark since they were bred to do so.

Though small, they need proper exercise to stay fit. Corgis are quite food motivated so care must be taken to not over feed and make them fat. Due to the shorter legs they shouldn’t be encouraged to jump off high spots like furniture or borders. However they do enjoy sports like agility and fly ball and do very well in them due to their amazing speed.

If you think a Welsh Corgi might be a good addition to your family make sure you find a reputable breeder to avoid health concerns. Or adopt one from the various breed specific rescues.

RagaMuffin Cat

The RagaMuffin breed is know for their docile nature and even temper. They are calm, great with kids and love to be carried. They actually get part of their name from the fact that when you carry them they go limp in your arms, like a rag doll.

The RagaMuffin Cat is a fairly new breed of cat, born in the US in 1994 as a way to expand the Ragdoll gene pool. They outcrossed with Persians, Himalayans and domestic longhaired to create this super sweet cat.
This cat is a big baby, it takes them a good four years to fully mature, so expect a playful cat that loves attention.

These kitties can easily be found walking the streets in a harness, playing house or being pushed around in a baby stroller. Though they are happy to sleep on your lap they are not a lazy cat, they love to play and many of them can be taught to fetch.

These kitties are quite large, their average weight is between 18 and 20 lbs for males, about 8 to 10 lbs heavier than the average cat. Females are considerably smaller, weighing between 10 and 13 lbs, still bigger than most cats. They have rabbit like, long silky fur that thankfully doesn’t mat so regular brushing, a nail trim and the occasional bath is all they really need in terms of grooming.

Many of these kittens are born white and then develop the color as they grow. They come in all coat colors and patterns. From solid colors, tabby and white, tortoiseshell to mink, all of these cats are pretty unique.

Since RagaMuffins are very trusting and friendly, it is important to keep them indoors only when they are not being watched. They are not well suited for fending for themselves in the great outdoors, but put them in a kitty stroller or a harness and they will certainly enjoy joining you on a short walk.

How smart is your pup?

Is your pup a genius? 

Write down one answer per question. Remember this is supposed to be a set of fun challenges for your dog, if she seems uncomfortable at any time skip the item. Once you have completed the test follow the score card to find out how your dog ranks.

1. With your dog lying down at least 10ft away from you, say her name in a calm voice.

Did she:

a) Sit up and look at you?

b) Stay lying and look interested?

c) Ignore you, move away or look away?

d) Immediately come running?

2. While you and your dog are in the same room go get her food bowl and pick it up.

Did your dog:

a) Come running toward you excited and expecting food?

b) Remain totally oblivious?

c) Watch you but didn’t move?

d) Try to grab the bowl from you?

3. While your dog is outside or in a different room, move a piece of furniture that she is allowed on or her bed to a different place in the room.

Did your dog:

a) Seem frightened, cower or hide?

b) Notice a difference as soon as she come in, seem alerted and start exploring the room?

c) Seem not to care at all?

d) At first didn’t notice but within a few minutes looked puzzled and begin to explore?

4. Show your dog a high value treat (cheese, hot dog, something special). Place the treat under a couch or low chair where she can’t reach it with her mouth or tongue.

Did she:

a) Sniff and push her nose against the couch without using her paws?

b) Use her nose and then quickly use her paws?

c) Run around the couch or bark at it without making an attempt to get the food?

d) Ignore the food. 

5. Ask someone your dog hasn’t met to come to your home. As he walks in ask him to ignore the dog. After a few minutes, if your dog hasn’t responded already ask the stranger to greet your dog by name (without using any commands).

Did your dog:

a) Fly to the person. Greet him as if he’s someone she knows really well?

b) Ignore person until called by name and then walk towards him in a relaxed manner?

c) Respond immediately but with caution?

d) Ignore the person during the whole visit?

6. Which do you and your family say most about your dog?

a) What a dumb dog.

b) She acts like she’s a human or she thinks she’s a human.

c) She knows exactly what I’m thinking.

d) She would let anyone in our house as long as they had food (or pet her). 

7. Grab an old toy your dog is not crazy about. Place the toy between you and your dog, about 4 ft. away from both of you. Sit down and grab something to read, after about a minute call your dog by name to get her attention. Move your eyes from the dog to the toy several times without a word.

Did your dog:

a) Look at the toy without getting up?

b) Walk over to the object and smell it, bark at it, or pick it up?

c) Pick it up and try to get you to play with it?

d) Stare back at you or look uninterested?

8. Put your dog on a leash and have someone else hold her. Bring out a brand new toy you think she’ll like. Show it to her and let her sniff it (don’t let her have it). Then place the toy on the floor and cover it with a blanket. Set your dog loose.

Did she:

a) Run up to you or the other person, forgetting about the toy?

b) Chew on the blanket?

c) Run to the blanket digging or chewing to try to retrieve the toy?

d) Look around for the toy but make no attempt to get it from under the blanket?

9. While someone holds your dog. Place two small, clean and empty plastic containers on the floor about 5 ft. from you. Show your dog a high value treat and place it under one container. Release your dog.

Did your dog:

a) Go directly to the container with food within 5 seconds?

b) Go to the container with food within 15 seconds?

c) Go to the container with food within 30 seconds?

d) Never show any interest in the container?

10. Get three different sized treats (no bigger than a golf ball) and a crumpled piece of paper about the same size as the largest treat. Have your dog lie down about 5 ft. from you. Toss one of the treats towards her so it lands about 2 ft. from her. After she’s eaten repeat with another treat. Then the other. Then throw the paper ball in the same manner.

Did she:

a) Ignore all the food treats and the paper?

b) Eat all the food treat and ignore the paper?

c) Eat all the food treats, grab the paper but not eat it?

d) Eat all the food treats and eat the paper?

11. Find three things your dog knows by name, like “toy”, “blanket”, “leash”, “water”, “bed”. With your dog in another room, place items about 2 ft. apart in a line. Ask your dog to go get or go to one of the objects, then another, repeat at least six times. Reward with a treat when she approaches the right one.

Did your dog:

a) Go to the right thing every time?

b) Go to the right thing 3 times?

c) Go to the right thing only 2 times?

d) Never make an attempt to retrieve the object?

12. While your dog is relaxed. Go lie on the floor about 5 to 10ft away from her and cover yourself with a blanket.

Did she:

a) Totally ignore you?

b) Walk over calmly, investigate a bit and then move away?

c) Act excited and dig or pull at the blanket?

d) Try to get under the blanket?

Add the scores above. Remember this is supposed to be fun.

Total points:

12-18 Your pup is not the sharpest knife in the drawer. But adorable none the less.

19- 23 Bellow average. But still cute and lovely.

24- 29 Average. Doesn’t feel the need to try too hard, she can hold her head up around the block.

30- 35 Smart. She should feel pretty good about herself.

36- 40 Very smart. Now you know why she has that swagger.

41- 44 Genius. Very few dogs reach this level, she must be eating all her veggies.

45 - 48 Your pup is extremely gifted. Maybe you should send her out to make a living.

Amore

Amore

Your dog’s birthday: 8-26-08  

How did you obtain your dog?:   DFW Labrador Retriever Rescue Group

How old was your dog when you got him/her?  1.5 yrs old

How would you best describe him/her in 5 words?  Lover, pleaser, teaser, energetic, obedient

Your dog’s favorite food:  Sweet potato and Venison 

Cutest thing your dog does: Enjoys a pillow for his head when he sleeps

Smartest thing your dog does: He understands directional commands like "left", "right", "back", as well as many other commands.

Anything else you would like to share about your dog:His foster mom described him as a "loverly" so we named him Amore. He is 75lbs of pure LOVE. He also knows when to be obedient wit makes him our perfect Fur child.