Welcome to the
Dog Olympics
Dog Olympics
In this sport, dogs navigate jumps, tunnels, weave poles, and other obstacles against the clock.
What is Agility?
This is the number of skills a dog must pass to earn its CGC.
What is 10?
A click or short word like "yes" that identifies the precise moment a dog performs a desired behavior is called this.
What is a marker?
Often mistaken for a single breed, this popular umbrella term is used to describe several muscular, block-headed breeds, including American Staffordshire Terriers and American Bulldogs.
What are pitbulls or bully breeds?
This fan-favorite NWDT dog trainer has helped many canines be introduced to his purring kind in a calm and confident manner. Doesn't hurt that he's a cuddly cutie too!
Who is Peso?
In this sport, dogs and handlers follow numbered signs instructing them to perform specific obedience exercises.
What is AKC Rally?
During the CGC, two handlers approach one another, sit their dog, exchange greetings, and return to their spots. Despite popular belief that a friendly dog should greet every dog it meets, this exercise actually evaluates a dog's ability to demonstrate this behavior around other dogs.
What is neutrality?
Often used when introducing new behaviors, this training technique involves guiding a dog into a desired position or movement by having them follow a treat, toy, or other motivator rather than physically manipulating them.
What is luring?
After an impressive 31-year reign by the Labrador Retriever, this compact, bat-eared breed took the top spot in 2022 and has remained America's most popular AKC-registered breed for four consecutive years.
What is the French Bulldog?
This location favorite is the go-to spot for Saturday Pack Walks, regularly presenting dogs with a mix of urban distraction, transit noise exposure, and outdoor strolls. Also, home to many hot shopping spots including an AMC Theater and a new Candor Coffee!
What is Kent Station?
This AKC sport challenges dogs to complete a timed, 100-yard sprint while chasing a lure.
What is Fast CAT?
While many owners think their dog must walk in a perfect heel to pass the CGC, the test actually allows some flexibility in positioning. What matters is that the dog remains attentive and walks without doing this to the leash.
What is pulling or creating a tight leash?
Borrowing principles commonly used in horse training, this foundational NWDT communication technique teaches dogs to respond to gentle directional tension rather than resist it. The handler releases the tension when the dog yields in the desired direction, eventually creating clear communication through the leash.
What is leash pressure?
Changes in agricultural practices and two World Wars nearly caused this ancient Italian guardian breed to disappear entirely by the mid-20th century. Fortunately, dedicated breeders revived it during the 1970s.
What is the Cane Corso?
Originally created for clients navigating severe reactivity and aggression, this monthly, dogs-free gathering now welcomes all NWDT clients, members or not, to share the emotional ups and downs of dog training in a supportive community.
What is the No Bad Owners Club?
This sport has dogs searching for hidden essential-oil odors and communicating their findings to their handlers.
What is AKC Scent Work?
In a September 2024 update, the AKC clarified its CGC testing equipment guidelines, allowing dogs to demonstrate their skills using these two types of collars in addition to traditional flat buckle collars.
What are slip collars (including slip leads) and martingale collars?
Shock collars, or as we prefer to call them, e-collars have a pretty bad rep!
What is pairing or association?
Originally from Central Africa, this hunting breed is famous for its inability to produce a traditional bark. However, it's far from silent, communicating instead with a unique vocalization resembling a yodel.
What is a Basenji?
After training her own dog at NWDT and pursuing her Animal Behaviorist certification, our newest team member, Natalie, brings a fresh, committed lead in this Tuesday/Thursday program.
What is DayCamp?
Originally inspired by the working instincts of dogs bred to control vermin on farms, this sport challenges dogs to use their noses to locate live rats safely enclosed in ventilated tubes hidden among hay bales. Don't worry, no rats are harmed!
What is Barn Hunt?
The Canine Good Citizen title can open doors to advanced achievements like Urban CGC and Community Canine. It also builds foundational skills for dogs pursuing this AKC title, recognizing dogs that provide comfort to hospital patients, children learning to read, and others in need.
What is an AKC Therapy Dog title?
While barking, lunging, and growling can look identical to an observer, reactive behaviors can stem from very different emotions. Two common motivations include a dog attempting to create distance from something it perceives as threatening and a dog struggling because it cannot reach something it wants.
What are fear-based and frustration-based reactivity?
This ancient Mexican breed comes in both hairless and coated varieties.
What is a Xoloitzcuintli (Xolo)?
From managing administration to welcoming new clients, Melisa is the backbone of NWDT! When she's not taking care of our community, she's busy managing her own pack, consisting of these three lovable felons.
Who are Loki, MJ, and Santos?