How to navigate on line pet classifieds and protect yourself

Whether you’re looking to purchase a new pet or advertise pets for sale, the Internet is perfect for seeking out information, reputable breeders and potential pet-buyers. However, with the convenience and vast selection that on-line pet classifieds provide, there also comes the need to check references and ask lots of questions. Keep reading for great tips on how to get the most out of advertising pets for sale or purchasing a pet online. 1. Ask for references Always ask for references. As a pet buyer, you want to make sure that the breeder from whom you’re purchasing is reputable and known for placing their animals in good homes. Actually call up the references and ask about the breeders follow-up, their health screening and the conditions of their breeding business. If you’re a breeder and posting a "pets for sale" online classified, then you also want to make sure that your prospective buyer is the kind of person that will love and properly care for the animal. Feel free to ask them for character references or a veterinary reference if they own other animals. 2. Access the online pet/breed community The Internet offers animal researchers a wealth of animal information, including access to pet communities with forums, image galleries and lots of breed information. If you’re looking to purchase a new animal (dog, cat, horse, bird, etc) through an online classified ad, try locating an Internet based pet community and joining. Once you’re a member, ask questions, request referrals for quality breeders and solicit advice on your particular breed or species. It’s like a neighborhood meeting, but specifically tailored to your pet questions. A good pet classifieds site will also include information about different breeds and animals, as well as access to these valuable communities. 3. Ask for a picture If you’re trying to buy a dog online (or cat, horse, or bird), always ask for pictures or video. Many quality breeders will be happy to provide remote buyers with short video footage of the prospective puppy playing and interacting with his brood. If the animal is being sold as a purebred or as having been born from registered parents, ask for scans of the parental registration along with all the paperwork. Feel free to phone up the appropriate club or registration association to confirm the information. 4. Ask questions If you’re trying to sell an animal online through pet classifieds, don’t be afraid to ask the prospective buyer questions. You want to make sure your prized horse, puppy, bird or kitten is going to a good home, so don’t hesitate to ask about yard size or living conditions. Buyers, the person selling you the animal should also be willing and ready to answer questions about everything from specific breed requirements to feed suggestions to how they house and care for their animals. Remember, the Internet is a great opportunity to get in touch with qualified breeders and buyers all over the world, but with that potential comes a certain amount of responsibility. So, get documentation, ask questions, get references and access your online pet community.

Teaching directional commands for the dog agility beginner

Playing, training or working your dog is incredibly rewarding. Dogs are generally friendly, responsive, and quick-to-learn. Agility training is a healthy sport for both canine and owner, as it gets you outside and active building your bond in the fresh air. We see dogs of all shapes, sizes, and breeds (including mixed breeds) come into their own when presented with a bit of agility training. This really is a great way to keep you and your dog fit, physically and mentally. The experience of being out of doors, working with "Prince," "Rover," or "Rex" is stimulating, and lets you experience the immense capacity that dogs have for fun and challenge. Agility is a fun team sport that you and your dog can enjoy together. Agility is a combination of Advanced off-leash obedience, Directional commands, and Obstacle familiarization. In order for your dog to have off-leash control to run around a 100’ x 100’ ring, you first want to develop that control on leash. Control behaviors that are beneficial for your dog to have are “Come”, “Sit”, “Down”, and “Stay”. Your dog does not have to be perfect at these commands, but the better he is the more you can accomplish with the actual running and playing of agility. The formal obedience “Heel” on the left side is not necessary for agility because you will be working with your dog on both your left and right sides. You can develop these behaviors from your own training or taking classes. There are a multitude of books on the market on obedience training. The main Directional Commands we teach are “Come”, “Go” and “Back”e means approaching and moving to you. Go means you and the dog are facing and moving in the same direction and the dog moves out ahead of you and keeps going until other wise directed. Back means the dog turns away from you. This can occur when he is facing you and turns away or when he is at either your left or right side, and turns away from you. We teach Directional Commands using a table. For training we use 12” high agility tables for all dog sizes. First the dog must be comfortable jumping up on the table. Once he is comfortable on the table, use his Sit-stay or Down-stays on the table. Develop your distance away from him slowly. Release your dog to you with Come. Place your dog in a Sit-Stay about 3’ from the table, facing it. Leave your dog in a sit, walk to the other side of the table, call your dog, “Come Table”. When he gets on the table step toward him and praise him. This will help prevent him from jumping off the table to come to you. Build your dog’s distance from the table, move him away from the table in increments, 4’, 6’, 8’, and so on. As your dog is comfortable coming to you and sitting on the table, the next step is for you to build your distance from the table as you call him to the table. Build your distance also in increments. Have your dog sitting 10’ from the table, you walk to the other side of the table about 6’ away from the table, call your dog, “Come Table”. Build your distance slowly so that your dog can succeed at staying on the table. Starting from about 3’ from the table, with your dog on leash, you are both facing the table, send your dog to the table by saying, “Go Table”. You may need to extend your arm, point or step to toward the table. Practice this until your dog is able to go to the table without you having to place him on the table. Practice with the dog on both your left and right side. When the dog is on your left side use your left arm to point to the table, and when the dog is on your right side point with your right arm. Develop your distance so that you can send your dog easily from 30’. Now, its time to teach the next Directional Command, “Back”. Have your dog on leash again, and start from 3’ away from the table, but this time your dog is sitting on the ground facing you with the table behind him. From your dog sitting tell him, “Back Table”. Extend your arm pointing to the table and guide him with the leash if necessary until he understands the new word. Practice sending your dog to the table several times using your Left arm, “Back Table”, extending your left arm. Then practice with your Right arm pointing to the table, “Back Table”. When your dog is turning to go to the table then start building your distance from the table. These are three very versatile commands that you can use and develop on all obstacles and throughout an agility run.