Clean Run Magazine - September 2006 - 10

When deciding whether to adopt an adult dog, you often can An important
test for trainability in puppies or adult dogs is the obtain additional
data by arranging for an orthopedic workup and retrieve. To test the
puppy's ability to retrieve, I just crumple up a testing for common
genetic conditions in the breed before deciding ball of paper and roll it
across the ground in front of him. I want to whether to adopt. If you are
getting a mixed breed, don't let that stop see him at least chase it and
preferably bring it back to me, at least you from getting your dog's hips
checked. Mixed breed dogs are just partway. That shows a desire to connect
with me and a curiosity about what this game is that has to do with me and
a crumpled ball as likely to have hip dysplasia as purebreds. Hybrid vigor
doesn't of paper. Guide Dogs for the Blind also has found an association
apply when considering a genetic condition like hip dysplasia that between
a puppy's willingness to retrieve and success in their guide is common in
many breeds of dogs. dog program. Courage Drive We ask our dogs to travel
with us to new cities, sleep in strange hotel rooms, then arrive at an
unfamiliar agility venue and perform at Although it is an elusive concept,
drive is so easy to recognize in a their best. Then next weekend, we ask
them to do the same thing in dog. It is the desire to play the game the
eagerness to go back to a different location. Dogs that can do that with
boldness have what the game, even when your leg muscles are quivering with
the effort I call courage. No dog likes frequent changes in environment,
but of a previous run. It is the desire to work, to play, to concentrate,
to these dogs have the courage to face it and make the best of it they put
out effort. The best drive is coupled with the ability to switch boldly go
where they have never gone before. I suspect that this off when
appropriate, like a farm dog that hangs out in a corner of trait is at its
base genetic, but it must be nurtured by experience, the barn, head on
paws, until he hears the screen door slam. Then so that the dog develops
the confidence that his courage does not he's out of the barn and at the
farmer's side, ready and eager for net him bad experiences. the next job.
I believe that drive is largely genetic, because dogs with drive that are
placed in unfortunate circumstances where they I evaluate courage just by
moving the young puppy or dog to cannot work, use their drive to dig
holes, bark incessantly, and chew several new locations and exposing him
to new sounds, sights, obsessively, even at their own legs. and smells.
Then I just observe him. A few moments of hesitation are fine, but in the
end I want a dog that will investigate the new Latent drive can be hard to
recognize in a puppy, and because I situation and hold his head high and
body upright, investigating believe it is largely inherited, I strongly
consider the drive of the rather than withdrawing. parents. I think it
also helps, whether evaluating a puppy or an adult, to look for bright
eyes, and an increase in concentration or Trainability intense interest
when an activity is happening. I chose trainability over intelligence
because an intelligent dog that These are the characteristics that I feel
are most important for agility is unwilling to do your bidding is a
frustrating agility partner. These dogs. You should consider these and
perhaps other characteristics are the dogs that, for example, do perfect
contacts while training that you think are also important. Then have fun
seeing how but in competition leap off the dogwalk with abandon, turning
to many of them you can find in one package your next agility look at you
with an aggravating smile before heading to the next companion! obstacle.
I know a dog like that, and only NADAC, where training Sallie is allowed,
got her out of Novice agility after over two years of competition. I
really don't want a dog that is smarter than I am, unless he also is
trainable. Sallie Sports Vet is a pseudonym of M. Christine Zink D.V.M.,
Ph.D. Dr. Zink is a consultant on canine sports medicine and author of
Peak Performance: Coaching the Canine Athlete and Dog Health and Nutrition
for Dummies and co-author of Jumping from A to Z. She currently runs a
Border Collie and a Norwich Terrier in agility. She can be reached at
www.caninesports.com. Books by Chris Zink Available from Clean Run For
more information or to order, go to www.cleanrun.com call 1-800-311-6503
or write 35 N. Chicopee Street Unit 4 Chicopee, MA 01020 Peak Performance:
Coaching The Canine Athlete
http://www.caninesports.com http://www.cleanrun.com
Clean Run Magazine - September 2006

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