DSPN - The Dog Sports & Performance Network - Pets & Animals on Pet Life Radio (PetLifeRadio.com)

Join DSPN host Laurie Williams and her guests, Mychelle Blake, CEO and Ann Allums, Special Programs Coordinator of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) as they discuss C.L.A.S.S. (Canine Life and Social Skills), its new and innovative educational dog training program. Developed by the APDT to help strengthen the bond between humans and their canine companions, C.L.A.S.S. promotes the use of positive reinforcement as a means to enhance a dog's basic manners and real life skills. It encourages humans and trainers to take training out of the classroom and apply it to everyday life situations. Find out how your dog can have C.L.A.S.S. too!

Traveling is one of the most fun activities you can do with your dog! Laurie Williams talks to Carol Bryant, PR and Social Media Director for FIDO Friendly Magazine, about all the fun places you can travel to with your dog for this holiday and winter season.

Agility Right from the Start is the first training resource you should have and the last one you'll need. Authors Eva Bertilsson and Emelie Johnson Vegh now bring to the US and Canada the powerful modern training system that made them leading agility teachers throughout Norway and Sweden.

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. But more importantly for those of us who love our pets, a prized photo of a pet having fun, or us participating in an activity we share together can capture the moment for a lifetime. In this episode, listen in as we chat with Jim Poor, of Jim Poor Photography. Jim is a highly sought after dog sports photographer based in Northern Virginia but travels throughout the U.S. shooting a myriad of dog events from agility to herding, lure coursing and herding trials. Jim shares some insight from the other side of the camera and offers tips to pet owners wishing to capture their own special "Kodak moments" of their wonderful companions.

Well, the finale was a year ago, and by now most fans have probably

figured out what I knew the moment I drove away from that televised Canine Academy: there’s not going to be a second season of Greatest American Dog. Even though nearly 10 million viewers tuned in to the premiere, the show’s ratings experienced a steady decline throughout the season and ended with an average of 5-6 million weekly viewers. Comparing that to other popular dog-themed television shows like the The Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic Channel (which barely averages 1 million viewers weekly), GAD was one of the most watched TV series about dogs ever! Join us as we catch up with some members of the cast and get the 4-1-1- on what they've been doing for the past year.

Well, the finale was a year ago, and by now most fans have probably

figured out what I knew the moment I drove away from that televised Canine Academy: there’s not going to be a second season of Greatest American Dog. Even though nearly 10 million viewers tuned in to the premiere, the show’s ratings experienced a steady decline throughout the season and ended with an average of 5-6 million weekly viewers. Comparing that to other popular dog-themed television shows like the The Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic Channel (which barely averages 1 million viewers weekly), GAD was one of the most watched TV series about dogs ever! Join us as we catch up with some members of the cast and get the 4-1-1- on what they've been doing for the past year.

What do you get when you add all the most positive, dog and human friendly sports and activities together with the most enthusiastic dogs and their people? You get the Midwest Rally and Obedience Tournament to be held on September 26 and 27, 2009 at the Dupage Fairgrounds in Wheaton, Illinois. Learn all about this first time, premier event from judge and rally and obedience instructor and enthusiast, Kay Weber of K9 Petiquette in Elburn, Illinois. Everything fun and positive you can do with your dog under one roof - this is something you don't want to miss!

If you could take everything dogs love to do like run, jump, and play, all while getting praised and rewarded, and put it all together, you'd get C-Wags. C-Wags, or Canine Work and Games is one of the newer dog sports and activities that is catching on across the United States. Combining traditional obedience, rally, games and play, C-Wags focuses on team work between the dog and handler, and is open to all breeds of dogs, purebred, mixed breeds, and even dogs with disabilities. Join us as C-Wags judge and exhibitor Laurie Buchele shares insight about this wonderful new venue.

The AKC National Agility Championships includes 750 of the country's top agility dogs that have met a highly competitive and criteria regarding titles, scores, speed and performance. Meet Cindy Briggs, CPDT, owner of All Dog Adventures dog training facility in Richmond, VA and her Golden Retriever, Jody as she tells us all about their trip to this year's competition. Cindy shares some training secrets and foundation building skills that can help you achieve a winning relationship with your dog, whether on the agility course or at home!

Limited to dogs no more than 17" tall at the withers, the Teacup Dogs Agility Association was created to encourage and provide an alternate competitive agility venue for small dogs that offers the same challenges on size appropriate equipment and courses that ensures greater safety and a much more level playing field. Join Laurie and her guest, Donni Breaden, TDAA judge and avid exhibitor to learn more about this exciting sport that is sweeping the country!