French Ring Long Jump Exercise

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French Ring is one of several European ring sports, with the others being Belgian Ring Sport and Mondio Ring Sport. There are small differences between each, but these differences are far outweighed by the many similarities. French Ring sport, in particular, was developed in France after the popularity of sporting dogs took off in the neighbouring country of Belgium during the early 1900's.

Like other dog sports, French Ring awards titles to dogs who perform well in exercises. These exercises are divided into three categories: obedience, agility and protection. Between dog sports, many of the basic obedience and agility tests remain the same, although each incorporates its own methods and rules for how each exercise should be performed.

Jumping exercises are one example of how the same basic concept can be performed quite differently from one sport to another. In French Ring, the agility exercises take on an element of classic track and field. For the long jump exercise, a metal "key" is placed on the ground, which the dog is expected to jump over. This key consists of hurdle-like bars that are knocked out of place should the dog fail to jump the entire distance (a minimum of 3 meters), thus allowing judges to measure the length of the jump. While it is commendable to test the distance-jumping ability of a dog, there is a big difference between jumping over a metal platform in sport, and jumping over a gap or ditch in the real world. On the other hand, KNPV makes more of an attempt to mimic real world scenarios through their hedge jump and ditch jump exercises.

Of course, you should always remember that any dog sport will never be nothing more than sport. Training German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois for real protection work requires real Protection Dogs training.

Labrador As Search And Rescue Dog

The Labrador Retriever is a loyal, intelligent breed with a reputation for bravery and initiative. Whether they are putting their friendly and social nature to work as therapy dogs, using their intelligence to help the visually impaired navigate busy streets as a guide dog or putting their nose to work for the police as a cadaver dog, the Labrador can be found helping people all over the world. Arguably one of the bravest and most noble jobs this breed has been known to perform is the work of a search and rescue dog.

The work of a search and rescue dog, also known as a disaster dog, is a long, exhausting and often very dangerous process. It requires intense concentration and a keen sense of smell. Earthquakes, avalanches, land-slides, terrorist attacks and any other number of disasters can leave people trapped and injured. It is the search and rescue dog's responsibility to navigate the dangers of a disaster site, locate survivors, and aid disaster-relief workers in bringing people to safety. Thick smoke, dust, burning debris, broken glass and ruptured gas lines make the work of a disaster dog extremely dangerous. These dogs put themselves in incredible danger in order to save the lives of others.

The calm and gentle nature of the Labrador Retriever makes it especially well suited to this kind of work. As a retriever, they naturally enjoy holding objects in their mouths. It is said that a Labrador can hold an egg in its mouth without breaking it. While a soft and tender bite may make the Labrador unsuitable for work as a police Protection Dogs, it is ideal for helping pull a person to safety from an icy river as a search and rescue dog. Alongside the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois are breeds that also make excellent search and rescue dogs. Large-scale rescue efforts often include a mix of these breeds. However, as a cultural icon, the Labrador Retriever remains a symbol of humanitarian effort on behalf of all canines.

Your New Belgian Malinois Puppy

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Canines are, by nature, very social animals. They often enjoy the company of other dogs, and are able to establish a social structure between themselves without human interference. However, your resident canine may not be used to having other dogs as house-mates. If this is the case, introducing a new puppy into the home may be problematic.

Preparation is the most important step in introducing a new puppy into the home. The first impressions between your new pup, and your resident dog can mean the difference between a smooth transition or the start of a long series of headaches. Resident dogs being over-protective of the home or their belongings can be one of the biggest problems in introducing any new dog into the home. In order to avoid this, it is a good idea to introduce the dog to your new puppy in a neutral environment, such as a park. Be careful not to use a park where you frequently take your dog for walks, as it may feel territorial over this area as well. Be sure to have a second handler with you, as holding both leashes yourself will make the dogs feel forced upon each other. Do not hold the puppy during the initial meeting, as this may make it feel trapped. Let the dogs approach each other at their own pace. It is also extremely important to purchase separate food bowls and arrange separate sleeping areas in advance. Forcing your dogs to share food bowls or beds is simply asking for disaster.

When it comes time to bring the new puppy into the home, make sure you've prepared the space where they will meet for the smoothest possible introduction. Clean up the area so that the dogs do not feel anxious by excess clutter in the home. The area where they meet inside the home should not contain any food bowls or toys that the resident dog may feel protective over. It is also best to avoid putting the two in small or confined areas where they may feel trapped. Providing that the initial meeting in the park has gone well, you may walk both dogs into the home as if it were a regular routine. Let your resident dog off its lead first, and let the puppy explore the area while still on lead.

If, at any time, you notice signs of aggression, you should separate your dog and the new puppy immediately. Do not, under any circumstances, let your dogs fight. Be aware that your resident dog may show behavior similar to that of dogs in a parental role, such as nipping at the puppy's neck. This is very different from aggressive behavior, and should be permitted.

Whether you have a new Belgian Malinois Puppy, Dutch Shepherd puppy, or German Shepherd puppy, taking the proper precautions and ensuring a smooth introduction will help your new puppy and your resident dog from a positive relationship that will last for years to come.

Is Your Dog Fat ?

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Today, one of the most dangerous health problems facing dogs is obesity. It is your job as a responsible protection dog owner to do something about it. Dogs that are overweight are known to live unhealthy and shorter lives. Extra weight creates a unneeded stress on bones and joints, which could lead to arthritis problems. Dogs that are overweight usually are less able to exercise and do daily activities comfortably, because it becomes much harder for them to breathe. They are less able to resist infections, and they may be at a larger risk for problems during surgery, compared to healthy Guard Dogs.

There are many health problems that may develop due to obesity. One is Joint or Locomotion difficulties, this is when extra pounds and stress causes the the joints, bones, ligaments and muscles to become aggravated. This could in time lead to larger problems such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, and spinal disc disease. Heart and Respiratory disease is another health problem triggered by obesity. It is when excess fat tissue in the chest cavity and around the heart muscles. This causes the heart and lungs to work harder to simply provide the correct amount oxygen and circulation. Overweight personal protection dogs are also more prone to diabetes, pancreas inflammation, and liver disease. Heat Intolerance is when excess fat makes it more difficult for the dog to tolerate heat, causing them to feel uncomfortable quite often. Also skin problems can occur when rolls of skin build of fat deposits, they can often hold dirt and bacteria.

Your Protection Dogs will most likely become overweight when they are not exercised well enough, and from eating more food than is required. Overeating can cause your dog to become greedy, bored, and overfeed often. If you feed your dog leftovers or give them treats a lot, cut back significantly because this behavior leads to obesity in dogs. You can tell if your guard dog is overweight by a simple procedure. Place a flat palm of your hand and feel their ribs, if you have a difficulty feeling the ribs, then they are most likely overweight.

If you discover that your dog is overweight, start by taking them to the vet to have them set a goal for your dog and recommend how much food he should eat each day. The food that you choose for your dog should satisfy their appetite but also contain the vitamins and minerals they need. Keep in mind that a gradual transition from their old diet to the new one may be needed. Do this by feeding them a mixture of the two and increasing amounts of the new diet, while slowly decreasing. Regular exercise is needed to increase the amount of calories they burn, do this by taking them for a daily walk or run. If your dog is old or in poor health, check with your vet first to make sure increased exercise is safe. Your Personal Protection dogs may not lose the weight as quickly as you might think, so just be patient and keep sticking with the new routine. Eventually your German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, or Dutch Shepherd will be happier and healthier, and you will have helped them increase their quality of life.

Senior Dogs

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As your Personal Protection Dogs gets older they begin to go through different physiological and physical changes. It is your job as a responsible protection dog owner, to make sure that they are provided with the proper nutritional needs to keep them healthy. Senior dogs will require a well balanced diet, which is lower in calories but still containing protein and fat. There are specially formulated senior dog diets that help to create a feeling of fullness. A diet that is higher in fiber, is the type of diet they will benefit from greatly. This is because older dogs are more prone to developing constipation, so they require a diet with 3% to 5% fiber. A tip to help increase fiber in their food is to add wheat bran. Along with their special nutrition needs, senior dogs can be given supplements which will help to supply them with some needed nutrition. A daily supplement like glucosamine and chondroitin, will help to support their joints. Any deficiencies that can develop can be prevented by a vitamin and mineral supplement. Extra antioxidants are also a good way to improve their diet.

Some senior Protection Dogs may suffer from lack of weight gain and disinterest in food. If you notice your German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, or Dutch Shepherd guard dog not eating well and becoming too thin then you should take them to the vet to be examined. If no signs of any type of diseased come up then you must try to get the dog to eat. Many older dogs have a hard time chewing large hard kibble, so try giving them smaller pieces that is moistened with water. You could also try adding broth to the food, to give it more flavor and become more appetizing to them. Some dogs prefer cat food and will eat it eagerly. However, cat food is high in protein and should be avoided, if possible. Formulating a homemade recipe with milk eggs, boiled, rice, vegetables, chicken, etc could be very beneficial to you dog's nutrition. Do not try and create one yourself however, because the correct amounts of vitamins and minerals is crucial. Instead have ask your vet which type of homemade diet would be best for your dog. As your  Executive Protection Dogs grows older, their needs change and it is your responsibility to take care of them properly.

How to Deal With A Blowing Coat With Your Dog

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As a Personal Protection Dogs owner, it is important to know how to properly groom your animal. If you are the loving owner of a German Shepherd, it is a good idea to understand their grooming needs. German Shepherds are one of the few breeds that will "blow their coat", this process is often referred to as a blowing coat. The dogs who undergo this process, typically do not shed throughout the year. Instead, their undercoats will shed drastically about twice a year and is often thought as a fur explosion. The period of their blowing coat will last about two weeks. The vast amount of dog hair that is shed within these few weeks can sometimes be alarming. It could easily fill several garbage bags depending on you dog, and note that this process is typically much more severe in females. This intense shedding period will require you to brush your guard dog quite often. If you do not follow through with this, you will find large clumps of hair everywhere. At this time grooming can be very challenging so it is important to understand how to handle it in the best manner.

It is important to know when your German Shepherd's coat will begin to "blow", a good sign is when small clumps of hair begin to fall out all at once. To begin the grooming process, start by buying a brush called an undercoat rake. The tines in this brush will make it much easier to remove large clumps of hair. Make sure that the rake you buy had teeth long enough to reach down to the skin, a longer rake is required for dogs with longer hair. However be careful not to use one that is too long for dogs with short hair because you could risk hurting them. Bathe your German Shepherd dog every few days, a special blower can be used to help remove some of the fur as well. It is a good idea to keep your dog off of the couch, because the large amounts of fur they are losing will likely end up stuck to it. Also vacuuming every day to every other day will keep the large clumps of hair from ending up all over your house. A good piece of advice is to brush your German Shepherd outside, this will help to keep your house cleaner and make brushing a lot easier. Overall, during your Protection Dogs time of blowing their coat, brushing them as much as you can is the key to minimizing the extreme amounts of fur they will lose.

Will a Corso Make a Good Guard Dog ?

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The Cane Corso is a large molosser type breed of dog with a muscular build. It has a square muzzle that is typically about as wide as it is long, and naturally drooping ears. The Cane Corso is commonly seen with cropped ears and a docked tail, although the controversial practise of docking tails and cropping ears is discouraged in many dog shows, and has been made illegal in several countries. The coat is short and smooth with black and fawn being the most common of several colour variations.

The Cane Corso was originally bred in Italy as a working dog where it was used both for hunting, as well as guarding livestock. It's name comes from the Latin "Cohors", meaning "guardian". Like many European breeds of dog, the Cane Corso nearly vanished after the Second World War, but has been making a steady comeback due to th constant efforts of dedicated enthusiasts who have been working to revitalise the breed since the 1980s.

Relative to many other breeds, the Cane Corso is exceptionally intelligent and easy to train. However, while they have a long history of guarding livestock against wild predators, this does not always translate to the ability to guard against criminals as a  Executive Protection Dogs or a Personal Protection Dogs. For work as a guard dog today, it is best to stick with proven working breeds, such as the German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois, who have demonstrated clearly that they posses the nerves required of a true Guard Dogs.