Links and Resources you May Enjoy
NEW: AKC Titles and Programs You Can do From Home:
During COVID AKC started offering virtual programs that could be done at home without going to a show. Each program is very different and some like the virtual rally will end December 31, 2021. Others like the virtual obedience do not crossover to the regular AKC titling in obedience. Below is the most up-to-date information from AKC (June 2021)
AKC Virtual Rally Pilot Program: (click here to learn more)
This first virtual program included Novice and Intermediate and has been expanded to include Advanced and Excellent until December 31, 2021 when AKC plans to end this program.
General Info on Titling and Application of the virtual qualification to the AKC Rally program:
The qualifying scores and titles earned virtually are the same as those earned at in-person events. You may earn a title by qualifying at either or both types of events. The RAE class is not offered in this virtual pilot program and therefore, virtual classes cannot be used to earn the RAE title where double Qs at the same event are required. Rally Championship (RACH) points will be recorded for dogs after they have earned the Rally Excellent (RE) title, for scores of 91 or better in the Rally Advanced and Rally Excellent classes in the virtual program. The scores earned virtually from December 1, 2020 and after, will not be eligible to be used to qualify for entry into the 2022 AKC Rally® National Championship event.
Obedience: Beginner Novice and Novice.
INFORMATION ON THE AKC VIRTUAL OBEDIENCE - BEGINNER NOVICE AND NOVICE PROGRAMS (click on link above to go to the AKC site for more specific rules and regulations on obtaining this title.
The Virtual Obedience Test program is a standalone program and there is no crossover to the regular AKC Obedience program titles. If you want the traditional AKC BN and CD titles and the ability to move up to Open, you must enter an AKC show to earn these titles.
Section 3. Virtual Beginner Novice Title and Requirements. The letters BN-V will be added after the name of each dog that has been certified to have received three qualifying scores in the Virtual Beginner Novice class. That dog will receive a Virtual Beginner Novice title certificate from the AKC. The letters BN-V will be followed by a numeric designation indicating the number of times a dog has met the requirements of the BN-V title as defined in the regulations. (BN-V2 for six qualifying scores, BN-V3 for nine qualifying scores, BN-V4 for twelve qualifying scores, etc
Section 3. Virtual Companion Dog Title and Requirements. The letters CD-V will be added after the name of each dog that has been certified to have received three qualifying scores in the Virtual Novice class. That dog will receive a Virtual Companion Dog title certificate from the AKC. The letters CD-V will be followed by a numeric designation indicating the number of times a dog has met the requirements of the CD-V title as defined in the regulations. (CD-V2 for six qualifying scores, CD-V3 for nine qualifying scores, CD-V4 for twelve qualifying scores, etc.)
AKC Virtual ACT Agility Program:
February 2021 – Announcing the Addition of Jumpers to the Virtual ACT Program
The AKC Agility Department is excited to announce the expansion of the virtual ACT program to include the new ACT Jumpers classes. ACT Jumpers will include 2 levels. ACT 1J which will be jumps and possibly a tunnel and ACT 2J which will include 6 weave poles.
As with the original Virtual ACT 1 & ACT 2 exhibitors will record their performance and submit it to AKC. In turn, AKC will assign a pre-selected AKC Agility Judge to virtually review and score the team’s ACT Jumpers performance.
ACT Jumpers is open to all dogs over 15 months of age and older that have not earned any AKC agility titles, except for ACT 1 or ACT 2. Dogs do not have to have an ACT 1J title to be entered in ACT 2J.
We have added new Virtual ACT Jumpers courses. We recommend you use both in the set for ease of course building. The exhibitor will follow the setup instructions provided on the course, video the performance then upload the video to YouTube and submit the link with their entry form and fee to AKC. Alternatively, the exhibitor may directly upload their video file when submitting their online entry.
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2 Cool Border Collies Blog: How one dog successfully rehabbed from an iliopsoas injury; puppy body awareness and fun on balance discs; follow a puppy for his training and fun during his first year, conditioning your dog; one dog's successful treatment of chronic allergies, using balance discs for conditioning and preventing injuries, and MORE.
Teaching the Dumbbell Retrieve (OPEN OBEDIENCE). Update July 2017. 5 Lessons are presented teaching how to have the dog take the dumbbell and hold until asked to release it; how to correctly hold by the bar; teaching FRONTS and FINISHES for dumbbell retrieve and adding distance to the dumbbell retrieve.
How to Teach the Utility Scent Article Discrimination
Bob Bailey: Don't Settle for Good Enough
So what distinguishes a great trainer from a good trainer or a so-so trainer? A great trainer knows how to get the behavior as quickly as possible and as accurately as possible with the least chances of extinction. The best trainers focus on building behaviors, building the desired habits, not suppressing the behaviors that we don't want. Read this excellent article with Bob Bailey who has mastered the science of animal training.
Using Balance Discs for Obedience & Rally Training, a video for FitPaws by Cynde
Dog Food Advisor: this web site has excellent information on dog food along with those that have been recalled. You can sign up to be notified of recalls. On August 14, 2013, The Proctor and Gamble Company announced it is recalling specific lots of Iams and Eukanuba dog and cat foods due to possible contamination with Salmonella bacteria.
Hip Dysplasia and Young Dog Exercise; Interesting article published by USDAA February 11, 2013 on recent research on hip dysplasia. Environmental Factors Can Affect the Incidence of Hip Dysplasia
A study by Norwegian researcher Randi Krontveit indicates that conditions in early puppyhood can affect the appearance or severity of hip dysplasia in genetically predisposed dogs. Article by Claudia Bensimoun
Reduce Inflammation, Improve Detoxification and Promote Repair: excellent article by Dr. Jean Dodds on diet as one of the most important factors in helping to improve our pets quality of life. This article focuses arthritis.
Super Puppies - Early Neurological Stimulation
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Agility Organizations
AKC - American Kennel Club
USDAA - United States Dog Agility Association
NADAC - North American Dog Agility Council
During COVID AKC started offering virtual programs that could be done at home without going to a show. Each program is very different and some like the virtual rally will end December 31, 2021. Others like the virtual obedience do not crossover to the regular AKC titling in obedience. Below is the most up-to-date information from AKC (June 2021)
AKC Virtual Rally Pilot Program: (click here to learn more)
This first virtual program included Novice and Intermediate and has been expanded to include Advanced and Excellent until December 31, 2021 when AKC plans to end this program.
General Info on Titling and Application of the virtual qualification to the AKC Rally program:
The qualifying scores and titles earned virtually are the same as those earned at in-person events. You may earn a title by qualifying at either or both types of events. The RAE class is not offered in this virtual pilot program and therefore, virtual classes cannot be used to earn the RAE title where double Qs at the same event are required. Rally Championship (RACH) points will be recorded for dogs after they have earned the Rally Excellent (RE) title, for scores of 91 or better in the Rally Advanced and Rally Excellent classes in the virtual program. The scores earned virtually from December 1, 2020 and after, will not be eligible to be used to qualify for entry into the 2022 AKC Rally® National Championship event.
Obedience: Beginner Novice and Novice.
INFORMATION ON THE AKC VIRTUAL OBEDIENCE - BEGINNER NOVICE AND NOVICE PROGRAMS (click on link above to go to the AKC site for more specific rules and regulations on obtaining this title.
The Virtual Obedience Test program is a standalone program and there is no crossover to the regular AKC Obedience program titles. If you want the traditional AKC BN and CD titles and the ability to move up to Open, you must enter an AKC show to earn these titles.
Section 3. Virtual Beginner Novice Title and Requirements. The letters BN-V will be added after the name of each dog that has been certified to have received three qualifying scores in the Virtual Beginner Novice class. That dog will receive a Virtual Beginner Novice title certificate from the AKC. The letters BN-V will be followed by a numeric designation indicating the number of times a dog has met the requirements of the BN-V title as defined in the regulations. (BN-V2 for six qualifying scores, BN-V3 for nine qualifying scores, BN-V4 for twelve qualifying scores, etc
Section 3. Virtual Companion Dog Title and Requirements. The letters CD-V will be added after the name of each dog that has been certified to have received three qualifying scores in the Virtual Novice class. That dog will receive a Virtual Companion Dog title certificate from the AKC. The letters CD-V will be followed by a numeric designation indicating the number of times a dog has met the requirements of the CD-V title as defined in the regulations. (CD-V2 for six qualifying scores, CD-V3 for nine qualifying scores, CD-V4 for twelve qualifying scores, etc.)
AKC Virtual ACT Agility Program:
February 2021 – Announcing the Addition of Jumpers to the Virtual ACT Program
The AKC Agility Department is excited to announce the expansion of the virtual ACT program to include the new ACT Jumpers classes. ACT Jumpers will include 2 levels. ACT 1J which will be jumps and possibly a tunnel and ACT 2J which will include 6 weave poles.
As with the original Virtual ACT 1 & ACT 2 exhibitors will record their performance and submit it to AKC. In turn, AKC will assign a pre-selected AKC Agility Judge to virtually review and score the team’s ACT Jumpers performance.
ACT Jumpers is open to all dogs over 15 months of age and older that have not earned any AKC agility titles, except for ACT 1 or ACT 2. Dogs do not have to have an ACT 1J title to be entered in ACT 2J.
We have added new Virtual ACT Jumpers courses. We recommend you use both in the set for ease of course building. The exhibitor will follow the setup instructions provided on the course, video the performance then upload the video to YouTube and submit the link with their entry form and fee to AKC. Alternatively, the exhibitor may directly upload their video file when submitting their online entry.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2 Cool Border Collies Blog: How one dog successfully rehabbed from an iliopsoas injury; puppy body awareness and fun on balance discs; follow a puppy for his training and fun during his first year, conditioning your dog; one dog's successful treatment of chronic allergies, using balance discs for conditioning and preventing injuries, and MORE.
Teaching the Dumbbell Retrieve (OPEN OBEDIENCE). Update July 2017. 5 Lessons are presented teaching how to have the dog take the dumbbell and hold until asked to release it; how to correctly hold by the bar; teaching FRONTS and FINISHES for dumbbell retrieve and adding distance to the dumbbell retrieve.
How to Teach the Utility Scent Article Discrimination
Bob Bailey: Don't Settle for Good Enough
So what distinguishes a great trainer from a good trainer or a so-so trainer? A great trainer knows how to get the behavior as quickly as possible and as accurately as possible with the least chances of extinction. The best trainers focus on building behaviors, building the desired habits, not suppressing the behaviors that we don't want. Read this excellent article with Bob Bailey who has mastered the science of animal training.
Using Balance Discs for Obedience & Rally Training, a video for FitPaws by Cynde
Dog Food Advisor: this web site has excellent information on dog food along with those that have been recalled. You can sign up to be notified of recalls. On August 14, 2013, The Proctor and Gamble Company announced it is recalling specific lots of Iams and Eukanuba dog and cat foods due to possible contamination with Salmonella bacteria.
Hip Dysplasia and Young Dog Exercise; Interesting article published by USDAA February 11, 2013 on recent research on hip dysplasia. Environmental Factors Can Affect the Incidence of Hip Dysplasia
A study by Norwegian researcher Randi Krontveit indicates that conditions in early puppyhood can affect the appearance or severity of hip dysplasia in genetically predisposed dogs. Article by Claudia Bensimoun
Reduce Inflammation, Improve Detoxification and Promote Repair: excellent article by Dr. Jean Dodds on diet as one of the most important factors in helping to improve our pets quality of life. This article focuses arthritis.
Super Puppies - Early Neurological Stimulation
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Agility Organizations
AKC - American Kennel Club
USDAA - United States Dog Agility Association
NADAC - North American Dog Agility Council