Dog agility training began as a sport in the UK in the 1970s and involves successful completion of an obstacle course. It's a great way to develop a strong bond between pet and owner; it can also help build confidence in timid dogs (and owners). It's also a great form of exercise as it uses not just the dog's physicality, but the intelligence as well. The human partner may find that their fitness improves as they are required to do as much work as the dog. Whilst agility training can be done to allow participation in competition, there's no rule to say it's not just for a fun time with your dog.

Dogs are naturally sociable animals; their understanding of their world is based upon a social position within a hierarchical pack. Some dogs are dominant, others will be submissive and both will behave according to its position. Your family group is basically a pack scenario to Fido. Whilst you really don't want him to be top dog, nor do you want him to be so submissive that he spontaneous urinates to try and grovel for you. In this latter scenario Fido's confidence is definitely requiring a boost!

Is Fido still in his bed, lying uninterested in his toys, uninterested in the meaty bone stashed under his blanket? Even breakfast is going untouched and what is more worrying his drinking bowl is still full. Wave the leash at him and he stares at you with his rummy and dull eyes. Is Fido bored with life? Is he depressed? He may very well be making a statement about his home-life, but it much more likely that these listless behavioural symptoms are a sign of fever.

Is Fido suffering from bad breath? When he greets you, panting profusely, eagerly wagging his tail are you beginning to wish that you where really being greeted by his the end with the tail attached? Are his teeth a dark shade of brown rather than a sparkling white? What all this may indicate is that Fido may issues with his oral hygiene.

And you thought that keeping a dog would be a simple matter: just walkies, feedies, sleepies and chase the stick! Sadly our canine friends require medical attention, and if you need to leave poochie in a boarding kennel for a bit they will require an up-to-date vaccination record. There are insurance details, vet details, and believe or not, possible legal details. All of which require accessibility. It's time to get organised!

If you are the sort of person who actively likes being with dogs, but are unhappy with the sort of line of work that you are in maybe it's time to combine an activity that you love with a way of earning money! One of the simplest ways of doing this is to start a dog walking business. If you are unsure of what all this would entail then as with any business, it requires research: fortunately there are plenty of pet trade magazines and website that can help with this side of things.