The Allure of Dog Agility and Lickity-split Clicker Training

Boredom, lack of training, and insufficient exercise will drive an unhappy hound crazy. If you aren't so keen on obedience classes that's no excuse to stay on the couch. Get your dog (and your butt) into agility and clicker classes (www.dogclass.com). Dog agility instructor Wayne VanDeusen explains the ins, outs, ups, arounds, overs and outs of maneuvering through a course and how to become a clicker trainer in a snap. Listen to "Your Family Pet on Sunday, November 26, 2006 at 3pm (www.540theword.com). Wayne teaches weekly at Amiable Dog Training in Greenfield and Brookfield, Wisconsin.

Able the Dancing Dog on 96.5 WKLH, Thursday, Nov. 16

Dave and Carole-ing for Christmas is coming to the Riverside Theater in Milwaukee (www.riversidetheater.org) on Saturday December 9, 2006 and Able The Dancing Chihuahua will take the stage and dance his way into your heart!

Able will take a breather from his rehearsals to visit Dave and Carole on Wednesday, Novemeber 15, 2006. Tune in to 96.5 WKLH at about 8:00am to hear about all the jazz that goes into developing a dancing dog show.

Service Dogs Deserve More Respect

In 2000 while taking her boxer for a neighborhood stroll, Charlotte Gotz's guide dog Casey, was attacked. Not once, not twice, but three times! It left Casey traumatized and prematurely ended her career. On Sunday, November 19 at 3pm on "Your Family Pet" on WRRD am-540 The Word (www.540theword.com), Charlotte Gotz will share a little about her world and how the three decades of her life has been transformed thanks to her guide dogs. Charlotte will also talk about how the "Casey Law" (2005 Senate Bill 157) and the rights of service dog handlers (www.legis.state.wi.us/lrb/pubs/lb/06lb8.pdf).

Does Waukesha Wisconsin have a Pit Bull Problem?

Waukesha is revisiting some of its pet ordinances and a recent incident with a shockingly irresponsible pit bull owner will factor into policy maker's decision. Tune into "Your Family Pet" on WRRD am-540 The Word (www.540theword.com)on Sunday, November 12, 2006 at 3pm to hear about the incident and the laws that are being discussed, the most effective methods of protecting public safety, and an expert's opinion on how to control your dog's natural impulses.

Guests include attorney Marcella DePeters (mdepeters@sbcglobal.net) and Todd Thurber (www.comesitstayplay.com).

The Best New Dog Products

With so much selection it can be tough to decide what supplies to buy for your dog. That's why I'm covering "The Great, Possibly Great, and Ridiculous New Pet Supplies" on my radio show this Sunday.

My top picks are The Furminator (www.furminator.com) which is a grooming tool that strips dead undercoat and dramatically reduces grooming and vacuuming time, Paw Gard (www.paw-gard.com)which an easy-to-apply transparent material that will protect household surfaces such as woodwork from dog toenail scratches, and Sticky Sheets (www.stickysheets.com) which are terrific for removing dog hair from upholstry.

Unfortunately, all dog products don't rate as highly. I'll also rat-out the losers which include items your dog should never be caught wearing. (Hint: it isn't about fashion, it's a question of function.)

To hear all my comments, tune into Your Family Pet on WRRD am-540 The Word (www.540theword.com)in Milwaukee at 3:00pm on Sunday, November 5, 2006.