Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? The dog arena this year will have demonstrations from various canine competitions. And you even have an opportunity to teach YOUR old dog some new tricks with (FREE!) dog agility lessons!

Dog Agility:

 Agility is often referred to as a timed obstacle course for dogs. But it is very much a human sport since owners and trainers teach their pets both obstacle performance and directional skills to successfully negotiate each course as a competitive team. They will never run the same course twice, and handlers must plan strategically to master the course of the day. With a variety of games and classes, dog trainers are constantly challenged to learn new skills and teach them to their canine companions. The combination of strategy, speed, and great fun with the family pet makes agility an addictive sport to the many that compete on a regular basis.

Want to see what Agility is all about, and see if your dog has what it takes to compete? Join The Academy of Dog Training, from Newark, DE, in the Dog Arena for Agility demonstrations and free mini lessons for beginners and more experienced agility dogs alike. Demonstrations and lessons will take place throughout the day Friday through Sunday.

Show ‘N Go:

Show ‘N Go are practice Agility Trials to help teams of handlers and their dogs prepare for real competition. No "Points" are awarded at a show n go. "Show ‘N Go" are just that – after you've done your time in the ring, you can leave. Since there are no prizes or trophies awarded there is no reason to stick around (although at some Show ‘N Goes you can take a second turn if there is time at the end).

Show ‘N Goes are held all over the country and are a great way to get your dog used to the trial environment and get an expert's opinion on whether your training is up to par.

The Academy of Dog Training is hosting a Show ‘N Go on Sunday October 16, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM.

Pre-Registration is required – please register at www.academyofdogtraining.com

There is NO REGISTRATION FEE – simply pay your admission fee for the Festival at the gate ($15 for adults, $10 for over 65, kids 12 and under are FREE), and bring your dog in to show, then stay to enjoy the Stadium Jumping.

Flyball:

 Flyball races match two teams of four dogs each, racing side-by-side over a 51 foot long course. Each dog must run in relay fashion down the jumps, trigger a flyball box, releasing the ball, retrieve the ball, and return over the jumps. The next dog is released to run the course but can’t cross the start/finish line until the previous dog has returned over all 4 jumps and reached the start/finish line. The first team to have all 4 dogs finish the course without error wins the heat. Jump height is determined by the smallest dog on the team – this dog, called the “height dog”, is measured at the withers, then that number is rounded down to the nearest inch and another 5” is subtracted to get the jump height (with the minimum jump height being 7”). So a 13 1/4” dog would round down to 13”, minus 5”, would jump 8”. Maximum jump height is 14”. See flyball demonstrations from the Hard Drive Flyball Team at 10:00 and 2:00 on Saturday.

Dryland Sled Dogs:

Dryland sled dog racing is sled dog races with no snow on the ground. This sport features various breeds of dogs bred to run while pulling wheeled carts made to mimic a sleigh on snow. 

The forms of dryland training are distinguished by the vehicles the dogs pull:
Bike-joring is when a dog or team pulls a bicycle.
Scooter, or scooter-joring, involves one or two dogs pulling a two-wheeled unmotorized vehicle, while the driver rides, pushes or runs alongside.
In canicross, a dog is harnessed directly to a runner; the dog's object is to help the person run faster without pulling her off her feet.
Carting uses three- or four-wheeled vehicles, known as carts, gigs or rigs, pulled by teams of up to six or eight dogs.

Xtreme Weather Kennels has a team of eight Siberians in Maryland, and they focus on sprint racing.  Their mission is to educate the humane and positive practices of sled dog racing.  Their demos show just how much the dogs love to run.  Watch their demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday at 12:30.

Tracking:

In the sport of AKC tracking, the dog must recognize and follow the scent of a tracklayer, a stranger that earlier walked a predetermined path, unknown to the dog's handler, leaving articles such as a leather glove for the dog to find. Tracking is a team sport in the truest sense. The dog must take the initiative to determine the correct path and lead the handler down the track. The handler learns to read his dog and communicate with him to support him while he works. It encourages confidence in the dog and develops a system of mutual trust between handler and dog. The relationship between man and dog that results strengthens the bond between them, as well as enhancing their teamwork in other endeavors and training venues.

To earn the beginning level TD or Tracking Dog title, the dog must follow a track approximately one-quarter mile long, walked anywhere from a half-hour to 2 hours earlier. There will be one article left at the end which the dog must find, and three to 5 abrupt changes of direction. In advanced tracking, the track is longer, about a half mile, and older, aged from 3 to 5 hours. It has multiple articles the dog must locate and more turns.

The Oriole Dog Training Club will be doing tracking demonstrations in the Driving Dressage arena