Dogs Archives - Beyond The Q Dog Sports

AKC Virtual Home Manners Titles

Posted on October 17, 2020December 25, 2020 by beyondtheq

AKC Virtual Home Manners Titles

Have you heard the word? AKC has a new virtual titling program called Virtual Home Manners (VHM.) This new program allows you to work on practical skills at home with your dog and provides a great transition to in-person AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy and Canine Good Citizen (CGC) classes,

There are two levels in the program: Virtual Home Manners Puppy (VHMP) for puppies 3 months to 1 year of age and Virtual Home Manners Adult (VHMA) for dogs age 4 months or older. Each title focuses on 10 skills that help your dog become a well-mannered pet. The skills focus on having basic control of your dog and working on developing your relationship.

How Does It Work?

You will want to get a video of your dog performing the skills required on the VHM checklist.
Upload your video and send it to an Approved CGC Evaluator (I am approved through the AKC and would be happy to witness your video click here for more details.) Some CGC Evaluators may also offer live options, such as Zoom, to witness your submission.
Once your video is watched, the CGC Evaluator will send you a Checklist/Video Review combined verification form if your dog passes the test. The evaluator will also send this form to the AKC.
You will want to send this form, along with the Virtual Home Manners Title Application and $25 AKC fee, to the AKC for the title to be recorded.

Virtual Home Manners Puppy (VHMP) Skills

The following are the required skills for the VHMP test. You can see the detailed information about what each skill involves by viewing AKC’s Virtual Home Manners Evaluator and Participant Guide.

Allows Owner to pet the puppy
Grooming
Sit on command – can use lure
Down on command – can use lure.
Come when called
Go to Place
House-trained
Demonstrates relationship – no food rewards in this exercise
Out for a walk
Exercise outside – no food rewards in this exercise

Here are a few pictures from my puppy Bindi’s VHMP test

Virtual Home Manners Adult (VHMA) Skills

The following are the required skills for the VHMA title. You can see the detailed information about what each skill involves by viewing AKC’s Virtual Home Manners Evaluator and Participant Guide.

Allows owner to pet and groom the dog
Sit on command – no lure
Down on command – no lure
Comes when called
Manners related to food
Doorbell or knock on door – Dog behaves appropriately
Go to place/crate – Stay 1 minute
Demonstrates relationship = no food rewards in this exercise
Out for a walk
Exercise outside

Do you have your video ready to go? Click here for more information if you would like me to review it for you. Happy training everyone!

Free General Care Info Sheet

Posted on March 21, 2020December 25, 2020 by beyondtheq

🐾🐾SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT🐾🐾

One topic I have written several blog posts about is about being prepared in case of an emergency. With the current outbreak of COVID-19 going on, it's important to prepare in case you are one of those that gets sick and is not able to care for your pets(s) for awhile. While I am hoping to get a more detailed blog post put together in the future, I wanted to share something right away with all the dog lovers out there.

I put together a quick General Care Info sheet you can use to keep track of your pet's food, supplements and medications. Below is a link to a pdf where you can download and print this for FREE. I encourage everyone to take a minute to fill one out for each of your pets. My hope is you will never need to use them but, if you do get sick, at least you know those caring for your pets will have detailed instructions. I also have a dog medical & health tracker set of 19 forms available in my Etsy store that has a lot more detailed tracking available for those who need/want it.

Click here for the FREE General Care PDF

Feel free to share this with friends and family. I just ask that you do not reproduce it for resale.

Click here to visit my Etsy store with the detailed dog medical & health tracker forms for those that want to be able to log and track things in greater detail.

Stay Home. Stay Healthy. Talk to you guys again soon.

Dawn

KONG Box Review

Posted on October 12, 2019December 25, 2020 by beyondtheq

Pet subscription boxes are trending in the market right now but what boxes truly live up to the hype? I have purchased pet subscription boxes in the past and while they were fun, I ended up with a bunch of toys and treats that I could not use. When I heard about the Kong Box though it got my attention.

See like many dog owners out there I use KONG products often with my dogs and recommend them to students, puppy buyers etc. My dogs love the KONG treats/chews and their toys have been fun and good quality. KONG was offering a "cancel at any time" guarantee so I figured what the heck, let's see what this newest box is all about.

The KONG Box Basics

So what exactly is a KONG Box? A KONG Box consists of hand-picked toys, chews and treats that Kong sends out either monthly or bi-monthly (a feature which I love) to your dog. Each Box consists of two toys (one training toy and one personality toy) and three treats/chews along with recipes and tips. Your first box also includes a KONG Classic (which I keep a couple on hand for each dog so I can always have one filled and ready to go!)

KONG tries to match up the best items for your dog based off of a quick questionnaire you complete when registering. When I signed up my sheltie Reba they first wanted to know if she was a Puppy, Adult or Senior dog. Then they asked me if she was a Small, Medium, Large or X-Large size dog. Next they wanted to find out about her chewing habits (Teething, Average, Power or Aging chewer.) Lastly they asked if there was a special area that I could use help with for her. My options were the following: Chewing, Digging & Barking, Teething, Separation Anxiety, Crate Training, Weight Management, Boredom and None of the Above.

Next they asked how often I would like to receive the box: monthly or bi-monthly. I love that they have a bi-monthly option. When I had three dogs I went through toys and treats much quicker than I do now with just Miss Reba. Plus, when we add another puppy to our pack, I can sign up for the "puppy" version of the box and alternate months! There is the economic factor too.

Our Review

For Reba's preferences I put that she was an adult, average chewer, medium size (she fits into the small dog weight but KONG has some guidance about sizing on the website and I know the medium size KONG's fit her better) and that she could use some help with boredom as she has been a bit lonely since Nina's passing.

As soon as I brought the KONG Box in the house Reba started bouncing up and down with excitement. Perhaps it was the keen sense of smell picking up on something or the excitement she was feeding off me but she knew that box and contents belonged to her! When I put it on the ground she started standing on and pawing at it. Then I opened the box and the fun started.

Box Opening

KONG Box Intro

Fun Packaging!

Reba checking out (and loving) the contents

So what was in the box? We received the following awesome items:

KONG Classic Medium - KONG Classic's rubber material helps satisfy a dogs' natural chewing instinct. They are also great for things like separation anxiety, teething, crate training and just fun entertainment. The unpredictable bounce to them make them an exciting and interactive toy. They are perfect for "stuffing" treats and food into!

KONG Goodie Bone Medium - Similar to the KONG Classic, this toy is bone shaped and has "goodie gripper holes" on the end for stuffing treats into. It makes a great food dispensing toy.

KONG Ballistic Gliderz - This durable toy is part of KONG's ballitic family. The lightweight yet durable design creates an erratic flight pattern that entices dogs. It also contains a squeaker and can even float.

KONG Stuff'N Sweet Potato Spread 5 oz - Made with human-grade ingredients this easy to squeeze tube is perfect for filling KONG toys or for training.

KONG Ziggies Chicken Large - These delicious chews were designed to be highly digestible and are perfect for stuffing into KONG toys. As an added bonus, they also help to freshen your dog's breath.

KONG Digestibles Smoky Beef 4 oz - KONG Digestible are a safer rawhide with patented holes that make them more than 90% digestible. This proprietary design speeds up hide softening and fluid absorption. The multiple holes aid in faster, more complete digestion. All with a smoky taste dogs love. As with all rawhides please monitor your dog when using these chews. Whenever I use chews of any kind with my dogs I "trade" them for something else when the chews are getting smaller for safety purposes.

Receipe & Tip Cards

KONG Box Contents

Classic KONG & Goodie Bone

KONG Ballistic Gliderz

KONG Treats

KONG Recipe Cards

Not captured on film is when Reba tried to pull a fast one on me and sneak the bag of Digestibles out of the box and hid them in her bed. Nice try girlie. I have a feeling she is already planning her sneak attack for the next box!

Conclusion

Needless to say Reba was VERY happy with the box. The Ballistic flyer has been her toy of choice for the last two days. Not only are these products my girl loves but they are things we will actually use. Reba just had a KONG with the new spread in it today. The best part, this box was also a great value. I priced these items individually on Amazon and the total at the time I wrote this review was just over $65. The KONG Box was $28! Now you do get the bonus Classic KONG in your first box, which for my size was a $10 value, but even without that it's still a good value. All delivered right to my door where I can watch my girl get excited box after box.

If you are looking for a dog subscription box, or if you are someone who frequently uses KONG products, this is one box you will want to look at. As a dog trainer and dog sports competitor I have seen the value of KONG products. As a dog lover, I appreciate having good quality products to provide my dogs with.

As always, please monitor your dog when they are playing with their toys to make sure the "fit" and toy type are appropriate for them.

4 Paw Trainer Rating

4 Paw Dog Rating

If you are interested in learning more about KONG Box or would like to subscribe you can click here to go to their website.

If you are interested in finding out more about the individual items included in the box you can click on the corresponding pictures below.

Stay tuned for the next box!

Check Your Dog Gear

Posted on April 4, 2019December 25, 2020 by beyondtheq

Check Your Gear!

Spring has sprung and with that more people will be hitting the roads and trails with their dogs. These fun time activities can quickly turn tragic though when a leash, collar or harness fails and the dog gets loose. A quick check of your dog's gear could help prevent issues and possibly save your dog's life.

Collars

Does your dog's collar fit properly? Just like us, dogs necks can change with time. Also some materials can stretch a bit. In general, you should be able to fit 1 or 2 fingers under your dogs collar for them to be comfortable. Any more then that and you are risking your dog slipping out of their collar and getting loose. If you have a breed where your dog's head is smaller then their neck (greyhound, whippet, shelties, etc) you may want to look at a martingale collar for walks which allows your dogs collar to fit normally but will tighten (not choke) your dog when they pull on it.

You also want to check the collar to make sure all the materials are still holding strong. Look at the stitching around all the connection points to make sure it is not letting loose. Check the material in general for any rips or tears. Try out the hardware. Are the buckles working the way they should or are they getting hung up somewhere? For collars with holes for adjusting length, are they getting too stretched out? A stretched out hole can lead to the buckle failing.

Harnesses

As your dog loses or gains weight you will want to adjust your harness for the proper fit. Just like with collars, a dog may be able to slip out of a harness that is adjusted to loosely. If it is too tight it will be uncomfortable and may restrict movement. Different style harnesses will fit differently so be familiar with the guidelines for your specific harness.

Again you will want to check the material of the harness to ensure there are no rips or tears that could cause issues. Check all the connection points around the chest and girth straps to make sure all the stitching is holding up. Pay special attention to the area where the ring you attach the leash to is connected. Is all the hardware holding up and functioning correctly? If not, it's time to get a new harness.

Leashes

You will want to check the material of your leash carefully. Leashes get tossed around quite a bit so they can easily be damaged without us knowing. Some dogs may occasionally try to chew on one from time to time so look for any rips or tears. Leather leashes are strong but I have seen several snap in class with even small rips present.

Pay extra attention to the snap. Does it open and shut without getting hung up? When shut do the two edges close completely? Even small gaps in the clip leaves room for the ring that attaches to your dog's collar or harness to slip out.

Final Thoughts

These gear checks take little time to do but could potentially keep your dog from getting lost or worse yet killed. I personally do a monthly check of my dog gear and I would encourage you to do the same.

My Princess is Gone

Posted on January 7, 2019December 25, 2020 by beyondtheq

My Princess is gone.
“Nina” MACH C-ATCH UKC Ch. Leigh-Hi’s Keepsake RN MXS MJC MXP MJP2 MJPB OF T2B SCN CGC TKI CL4-F, CL4-H, CL4-R, CL4-S, chST, ITD
5/3/07 – 12/30/18

Words cannot even explain how difficult it is to type this. In November Nina was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. She fought her cancer diagnosis right up to the end. Sadly she started to have difficulties breathing the last couple days and on 12/30/18 she let us know that she could not fight any longer. The cancer had finally won. We had to make the difficult decision to let her go and my heart went with her.

Nina was such an incredible girl. She brought me places I never dreamed and changed my life forever. She was the first dog I finished an agility championship on. The first dog I ever competed at a national event with. The first dog I finished a UKC Conformation Championship on. The first dog I ever trained in scent work and the just the third sheltie in MN to earn an AKC Scent Work title. I could not have asked for a better partner the last 11 years.

Nina loved everyone and everything. Her heart was a big as they come. Never a more loyal and loving dog. She loved agility, especially her dog walk. Nina loved clearing the yard of evil rabbits and squirrels. She helped me through some the most difficult times. She would do anything for me and I for her. She was my world and just one of those “special” dogs and I thanked God everyday for her.

I feel blessed to have been able to spend some extra time with her but saddened as we had so many exciting things planned. I loved her so much. I would have given anything, paid any price to save her but cancer is cruel. I know she is with Ollie again and is no longer suffering. I am trying to find comfort in that. I know time heals but right now it hurts to even breathe. Somehow, someway, I will find a way to get through. I promised Nina I would take care of little Reba for her.

You can run free again Nina. I hope they have dog walks where you are. Say hi to Ollie for me. I loved you so much Princess, I just pray you knew that.

A Dog of Many Firsts

Posted on November 26, 2017December 25, 2020 by beyondtheq

It is through many tears that I have to tell you that my sweet boy Ollie passed away on June 10th, 2017. He was 15.5 years old. Ollie woke up from a nap that Friday night in distress and went downhill quickly. We believe he had a tumor that burst internally as well as a possible stroke. He lost most if not all of the vision he had left and was panting rapidly. Soon he was crying out. A trip to the emergency vet confirmed what I already knew. Ollie fought through so much in his life but this time, he wasn’t coming home. I helped him to pass; I owed that to him. He cuddled his head up in the cup of my hand and went to sleep peacefully. He took a piece of my heart with him.

Ollie was my first competition dog. The first dog I ever titled. The first dog I ever did Rally and Trick Dog work with. The first dog the U of M tried an experimental procedure on that stopped him from bleeding to death after a popular painkiller causes ulcers on his stomach and intestine. He was completely devoted to me. A love and trust like no other. He made me a better dog trainer but above that he made me a better person.

It has been several months since his passing but every time I tried to write this I just couldn’t do it. My Nina had a hard time adjusting to life without him but has now find a new “normal.” We are all healing and there are good days and bad days. I can look at his pictures and smile most of the times now. Videos are still hard. The memories he left me with will live on forever in my heart. I love you my sweet boy and miss you more than words. I hope you are running free with your brother Laddie now and I will see you two boys at the bridge someday.