Pet Connection:Fun games for dogs and their people

Playing with a dog used to mean a game of tug-of-war or fetch. These days, canine sports are organized and televised, and top competitors have fans like any top athlete.

Agility, dock diving, flyball, freestyle, obedience, tracking, hunt tests and more ? there?s an activity for every dog. I?ve tried almost all of them, and not been good at any one of them. (I?m not very athletic.)

But my dogs and I have always had a great time. Here?s a look at four of the dog sports that are most welcoming to newbies:

? Agility: A canine obstacle course with jumps, A-frames, teeter-totters, open and closed tunnels, weave poles and dog walks (like the balance beam in a gymnastics competition). Agility trials test physical skill, control, patience and teamwork, and demonstrate canine athleticism, versatility and speed.

Racing against the clock, dogs directed by their handlers must navigate a challenging course. In each of five height divisions, the winner is the dog with the fastest time and a run free of faults, such as knocking over the bar of a jump or missing the contact zone when coming off an obstacle. Any breed or mix can compete in agility, but medium-size dogs that are quick and nimble usually do best.

? Dock diving: Splash! For some dogs, there?s nothing more fun than running and jumping into????? continues on Sacramento Bee

CARY ? Because of recent dog bites in town and at the urging of residents, the village tonight will hold a community meeting on pet safety.

The forum will include Dr. Lisa Lembke, a veterinarian and McHenry County Animal Control administrator, and Police Chief Steve Casstevens. They will discuss pet safety and pet regulations in Cary.

The meeting came at the urging of residents Kathy Brandwein and Peter Spizzirri, who spoke at a Village Board meeting last month about the problem of dog bites and negligent dog owners.

Kathy Brandwein and her husband, Bruce, were walking their dog in May when an unleashed, female beagle/pit bull mix rushed toward them. Bruce Brandwein was injured trying to save the couple?s pet dog. Police officers then intervened.

The beagle/pit bull mix that attacked the Brandweins was euthanized.

When resident Kathy Brandwein spoke to the Village Board last month, she noted that there were 19 dog bites reported in the village in the past year.

Village Attorney Michael Coppedge has said the village is limited by the state?s animal control statute in what it can do. Animal control departments decide whether a dog is dangerous or vicious, and whether a dog can be euthanized.

However, the village can fine violators of dog????? continues on Northwest Herald

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