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Lee Gibson and the funniest thing my dog ever did

I mentioned Lee Gibson's new DVD last week, and it was while we were working with Lee that Buddy did one of the funniest things he's ever done. We were completely new to agility, and so we started where Julie Andrews recommended starting - at the very beginning. Lee believes in getting the basics right; of teaching your dog the commands for each piece of equipment, teaching a right and left command, teaching a pause on the contact points, and a priority is learning to trust your dog, and giving him the space to let him get it right.

It's an approach that pays dividends. You simply can't

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Gorgeous Greyhound table

We went to the Museum of Iron in Ironbridge, Shropshire, UK, last week. We've been before and I always admire this beautiful Greyhound table. Not only is it a fine example of craftsmanship, but the dogs look so proud; supporting and defending the table at the same time. Do you think they'd try and sneak the odd scrap as well though? They certainly would if they were Labradors!

It does pose a few questions - like what kind of tablecloth would you have to buy to allow for those dogs' heads? I also wonder about the people who

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The lost weekend

I haven't posted since Friday because Jenny and I spent the weekend stuck in bed with a horrible cough and really high temperatures. It was a real pain; we had to cancel a long anticipated family outing, as well as some quite important dog training. All the weekends when we had nothing planned when it wouldn't have mattered, and we had to be laid low this particular weekend. Ah well, worse things happen I know. I hope your weekend went well.
Anyway, Episode 81 of DogCast Radio is now available with two smashing interviews.

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Lee Gibson agility DVD now available

Lee Gibson of Lee Gibson Training has brought out a fantastic DVD to help you with agility training. Buddy and I went to him for lessons when we started agility, and I can thoroughly recommend his approach. Lee believes in

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The nicest dogs in the world, or not letting sleeping dogs lie

I suppose every dog owner thinks this, but I think that I live with the nicest dogs in the world. I'll give you an example of what leads me to think this. When our dogs are asleep, obviously we try to avoid disturbing them, but sometimes it can't be avoided, and sometimes it happens by accident.

The other night I was busy sorting out my clean dry laundry, and putting it away. I was walking into the bedroom with my arms full of "smalls".

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Win yourself a Valentine's treat

Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and if you fancy having a night at a dog friendly hotel, you could win yourself one for free in this competition, run by ThePet.net. You can hear an interview with the site's creator, TV vet Marc Abraham in Episode 62 of DogCast Radio.

Win a romantic Valentine’s night for two, with puppy love included, thanks to ThePet.net

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Could your dog give blood?

Did you know that dogs can be blood donors? There are many reasons why a dog might need a transfusion, and there are blood bank schemes in both the UK and the USA. Both the sites those links take you to have more information about whether your dog could be a suitable donor, and what the process involves.

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Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water

Are you tired of Health and Safety getting in the way of common sense? Well never mind Health and Safety gone mad, it's gone to the dogs now.

Here's a story about a life saving Newfoundland who is being hounded off a beach. Bilbo the Newfoundland is owned by an RNLI lifeguard, and has taken an active role in ensuring swimmers' well being in Cornwall as a beach rescue dog, this is as well as visiting schools to educate children about water safety, and attending charity events. Now Health and Safety officials want

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Sick as a parrot?

What other animals does your dog share his home with, and how well do they get along together? Ours cohabit with various other species, but have never had to put up with the situation I read about recently. One dog owner's parrot has learned to mimic her voice, to the point where he can give instructions to her dogs. The parrot in question lives with an Alsatian-Collie cross, and two Cairn Terriers. The poor dogs are fooled into responding when the bird calls them over to his cage. Although the bird praises them, he apparently hasn't so far managed to treat them for their obedience.

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Dog coats and controversy

The RSPCA has issued a warning about putting coats on dogs. You can see an article in the Telegraph newspaper about it here. The charity suggests that putting a coat on a dog could cause it to overheat, and amount to cruelty. This caught my eye as I had recently sat in a training class, next to an older Labrador. When it was time to go back out into the bitter cold, the owner produced a warm and waterproof coat, which the dog did not object to having put on at all.

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Sharing

281 - dog AITA and am I being unreasonable

In this podcast, host Julie considers a variety of Reddit AITA questions, and Am I Being Unreasonable from Mumsnet. We have stories of a puppy biting a child at a family get together, the pet sitting friend who took the dog to doggy daycare, the rescue dog defender feeling the pressure to meet up for dog walks, the sister who caused trouble when she said her sister's baby name sounded like a dog's name, the devoted owner who ducked out of his brother's wedding to care for his injured dog, an off lead dog causing issues and two alleged service dogs joining at the children's playground. Do you agree with Julie's take on all these canine conundrums?

189 - The Dog Healers and War Dogs Remembered

In this episode you can hear Mark Winik talk about his debut novel, The Dog Healers, and listen to Julia Robertson explain why she founded the charity War Dogs remembered. Plus there's the DogCast Radio News, and what Mischief the German Spitz puppy has been up to.

188 - Service Dogs UK and Roxie the Doxie Finds Her Forever Home

In this episode you can hear about Service Dogs UK, a fantastic charity which trains assistance dogs to support veterans of any service - military personnel, police, firefighters, paramedics and the coastguard - who develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder due to their job. Also, listen to Dr Jody A Dean, a clinical psychologist talk about how her book, Roxie the Doxie finds her Forever Home, is helping children understand and talk about adoption and other family issues. Plus the DogCast Radio News and some thoughts on the alpha dog myth.

187 - Muffins Halo and Chorley Fun Dog Show

In this episode you can hear about Muffin's Halo for Blind Dogs, and what motivates people to enter their dog in a fun dog show. In the DogCast Radio News, listen to stories about the latest dog related research. Plus there's a new member of the DogCast Radio team!

186 - Maxwell Muir on wolves

In this episode you can hear trainer, behaviourist, writer, broadcaster and wolf expert Maxwell Muir talk about what wolves mean to him personally, their plight in a modern world, and his hopes for their future. Plus we have the DogCast Radio News.