Picture someone spending time and playing with their dog. In most cases, you might imagine the dog owner playing fetch out in the backyard with the dog, or something close to it. But sadly, not all climates offer outdoor time with your dog. In many places, there are long stretches of time where the dog simply may not be able to handle the weather, particularly colder climates. This means some adjustments may need to be made, including housing your dog indoors, training your dog to use a UGODOG indoor dog potty, and playing indoor dog games.

Indoor dog games are a great way for your dog to enjoy physical and mental stimulation. Read on for some examples of fun games that you and your dog can enjoy. Some of these games offer dog training tips for the owner, so pay attention!

One of the noisier, yet more fun games is doggy hide and seek. Have your dog sit in a different room for a second while you hide, and then call the dog. Your dog can then run into the room and run around until he or she finds you! Certain dogs can be fooled for a while, and the excitement causes the dog to run around and get good exercise while hunting you down!

If you and your dog enjoy playing fetch, then consider playing hide the toy with your dog! Show your dog the toy (usually a squeaky one), and then hide it – perhaps under a rug or something similar. Just like the hide and seek game, the dog gets excited running around looking for the toy. You can even tease the dog by squeaking it with your foot if he or she is having trouble tracking it down.

If you want to combine an indoor dog game with a little obedience training, have your dog sit, and then go across the room (or to a different room if you don’t have enough space). Then, call for your dog to come running. Once the dog approaches, immediately tell him or her to sit – the excitement may be too much for your dog, but if well-trained, your dog can hold it in long enough to obey.

Don’t let a colder climate keep you from getting the dog you want. By combining some indoor dog games for stimulation and a UGODOG dog toilet, your dog can live a full and exciting life – just as much as an outdoor dog would!

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Are you proud of your dog and want to share his or her qualities with the world? Here is your chance. While browsing CBS.com I found this new series which puts teams of dogs together in search for America’s Greatest Dog. We are obviously dog lovers so I thought it would be interesting to look into this new series that is beginning soon. It sounds like a hit to me, and I’m sure any other dog lover will agree. I am curious to see what type of exercises and games these dogs will participate in. I’m thinking the show will be similar to American Gladiators, but for dogs. There is no official starting date, but I have already submitted my application to participate, and I am looking forward to the show. Below is a overview of the show:

About the Show:

Calling all talented dogs! CBS is looking for the most extraordinary teams of dogs and owners across the nation to compete for the title of “America’s greatest dog.” From purebreds to mutts, show dogs to stunt dogs, Pugs to Great Danes and agility dogs to dogs who dance the Tango - we want all types of talented canines. The winning team will walk away with bragging rights and a significant cash prize!

Do you brag that you have the most talented dog in America? Well here’s your chance to prove it! CBS is looking for the most extraordinary teams of dogs and owners across the nation to compete for the title of “America’s Greatest Dog” (working title). Owners and their pets - from “pageant dogs” to those simply trained at home - will live together and compete against each other in games that put the dog’s rapport with their trainer to the test.

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Date: Saturday, June 28, 2008
Location: Imperial Beach, CA

Event Overview:
See Spot surf during the Loews Dog Surfing Competition – the nation’s original surfing competition for man’s best friend. There’s no “dog-paddling” for these surf dogs. Canine counterparts are invited to hang 10 (errr, 20) for a great cause. Last year, 47 brave surf dogs took to the waves and more than 1,000 spectators gathered to watch the dog surfing event unfold. The competition garnered national and international media attention, and more than $10,000 was raised for a great cause. This year’s event should be even better.

Ugodog is an official sponsor of the 3rd Annual Loews Coronado Surf Dog Competition

Schedule:
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Optional surfing lessons by the Coronado Surfing Academy for less experienced canines
11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Heat One: Small Surf Dogs (40 pounds and under)
11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Heat Two: Large Surf Dogs (41 pounds and over)
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Heat Three: Tandem Surfing for Surf Dogs & Owners
1:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Furry fashion show with doggie couture by Lucky Dog Boutique
1:45 p.m. to 2 p.m. Awards ceremony
Please RSVP by June 27, 2008 to avoid late fees.

2007 Loews Surf Dog Competition Event Video

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1. Walk your Dog

This is the easiest and most efficient way of exercising your dog is taking him for walk. It is recommended that you take your dog for long walks twice daily. The length of the walk depends on the size, and fitness level of the dog. Find a local trail or park and progressively increase the length and speed of the walks on a weekly basis. Make this part of your daily routine because you owe it to your best friend.

2. Play Fetch

A fun and highly effective form of exercise is playing fetch. Grab yourself a frisby, tennis ball, stick, or any other dog toy and have yourself a blast! This provides great exercise for your dog, while not wearing you out.

3. Take a Jog

Next time you go for a run take your dog along. Keep yourself in shape, as well as your fellow canine. Hopefully you can keep up with your dog!

4. Take a Dip

With summer coming along soon take your dog for swim in your local pool, pond, river, or lake. Swimming is a great source of exercise for any canine or human. Next time you take your dog for a mid-day swim, join him!

5. Put your dog on a treadmill

If your going to be a couch potato, don’t let your dog suffer. I would have never thought of this 20 years ago, but there has been a recent trend in Dog Treadmills. You can purchase a treadmill specifically for your dog, or just put him on yours!

6. Take a stroll to the local Dog Park

Dog Parks have grown in popularity throughout the past years.

7. Cycle

Next time you ride your bike, take your dog along side of you jogging. This is not for your average canine, but for the more active and fit dogs.

8. Dog Classes

If your dog is getting bored with the exercises mentioned above, enroll your dog in a fitness class. This provides a competitive environment and can challenge your dog not only physically, but mentally.

9. Stair Climbing

This is one of the easiest exercises for your dog, and it can conveniently be done indoors or outdoors. Stair Climbing burns a high amount calories, and increases your dogs fitness level.

10. If you can’t do it, OUTSOURCE!

If you can’t dedicate enough time to your dog, hire someone to substitute for this missed exercising. Dog Walking Services have become popular in recent years and are easily accessible and convenient. Prices range for $10 to $30 dollars for a 20 minute walk.

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Hilarious clips of dogs talking, or attemping to!

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NEW YORK - Barking and baying, a precocious beagle called Uno took his first winning steps at Westminster. Uno easily took the best of breed Monday at America’s No. 1 dog show, bounding around the ring and trying to grab the lead out of handler Aaron Wilkerson’s hand.
 
“Snoopy would be proud,” Wilkerson said.

A perfectly trimmed toy poodle, a top Sealyham terrier and prize-winning Akita were among the 2,627 entries. The dogs came in 169 breeds and varieties, and there were four newly sanctioned types — the Tibetan mastiff, Beauceron, Swedish vallhund and Plott.

Tri-colored and nearly 3, Uno moved into Monday night’s judging in the hound group. While best in show will be presented Tuesday night, the playful 15-inch beagle certainly earned one title at Madison Square Garden: noisiest in show.

Uno sounded off every chance he got and clearly became the early crowd favorite, wagging his white-tipped tail and taking a flying leap at one of Wilkerson’s cooked pork loin treats.

“He was being his merry little hound self,” Wilkerson said.

While the movie “Underdog” was a big winner last year, a beagle is always a long shot on the Garden’s green carpet.

The best in show award has been presented 100 times by the Westminster Kennel Club and a beagle has never won. Part of the problem is the breed’s engaging, friendly nature.

“Great show dogs often have an air about them. It’s like this is their world and we’re just living in it,” Westminster TV host David Frei said. “But beagles want to be in our world.”

They also have another disadvantage: They’re far from the fancy-cut, froufrou dogs that often win.

“To some, a beagle may not look as spectacular as the Afghan hound, flying around the ring with all that hair,” Frei said.

With pleading, golden-brown eyes and plenty of tail-wagging personality, Uno could break out of the Westminster doghouse. No beagle has even won the hound group since 1939.

“To have the general public see an average dog going and competing and actually winning would send a signal that everyone can do it,” said Eddie Dziuk, one of Uno’s co-owners.

Uno came with his favorite stuffed frog toy and the fluffy pillow he sleeps on, the one with a Hollywood star. His official name is K-Run’s Park Me in First, and he bested 12 other entries in the 15-inch category.

Beagles also come in the 13-inch variety, though both types can come from the same litter. In show parlance, Uno is a “big beagle.”

Judge J. Donald Jones, former a dean at Emory University, will point to his choice as the champion right before 11 p.m. Tuesday.

Uno already has earned 32 best in show titles, and finished 2007 as the sixth-ranked show dog in the country. He took the hound group at the AKC/Eukanuba show in December.

A Sealyham terrier with a gray splotch over his left eye won that big competition in Long Beach, Calif. Called Charmin, he wound up as the No. 4 dog last year.

Also in contention will be a neatly primped white toy poodle born in Japan. Vikki has won 83 best in show ribbons and enters as the nation’s top dog.

An Akita that reached the best in show ring last year in New York will return. Missing will be James, an English springer spaniel who retired after winning last February.

USA Network and CNBC will split the coverage the first night, with USA doing the second night alone. Frei was hesitant to pick a favorite, though he did offer a prediction.

“What better choice could there be to win America’s dog show than an all-American dog?” he said. “A beagle winning would bring down the house.”

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The next urban fad, dog on treadmills! Are you too lazy to walk your dog, then get yourself a JOG a DOG treadmill. This is hilarious.

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Watch this hilarious video of a dog attacking the toilet. Enjoy!

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Have you ever wished you could talk to your dog or know what they’re thinking? Well, some dog trainers believe you can through various uses of body language and other “non-aggressive” techniques. “Dog Whispering”, as the training technique is called, has been gaining notoriety among many professional dog trainers, as well as with the general public through the growing popularity of National Geographic’s The Dog Whisperer.

The technique of dog whispering is derived from the concept of horse whispering, developed in the early 19th century by Daniel Sullivan. The prevailing idea of dog whispering is that body language, tone of voice, and other “non-aggressive” techniques are much more effective than “command” techniques. Learning what types of tone and body language to use, as well as what your dog is trying to communicate to you are the first steps to becoming an effective dog whisperer.

Here are some tips and techniques that you can use to help communicate with and train your dog.

• Dogs may understand a few command words, but little more than that. If you want to communicate with your dog, you must do it through the tone of your voice.
• Understanding dog body language and what your body language communicates is a major factor in successfully communicating with your dog.
• When approaching a dog, try coming from the side. Lower yourself to around the dog’s eye level. These actions will show the dog that you aren’t being intimidating or threatening.
• Establish yourself as the “pack leader”. Don’t allow your dog to run things, so to speak. As “pack leader”, your dog will look to you for stability and will be submissive rather than aggressive.
• While communicating with you dog can bring you closer, it is always important to establish rules and boundaries with your dog. Remember that you are the owner, and must take responsibility for your dog’s actions.

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