PawsAbilities Weekend 2013

This weekend, the Farm Show Complex was full of laughter, barking, music, and splashing! That’s because it was PawsAbilities weekend! Did you bring your dog to join the fun?

Dog’s tested their mettle in the Dog Olympic Games. The Clean Plate Club seemed to be a favorite, especially since the object of the game was to eat everything on the plate! In one heat, we had three dogs who ate everything on their plate, including the celery and lemon slice. We had to do a tie-breaker with a piece of garlic. Watch this dog devour the garlic!

Dogs also competed on Dog Olympics like the Doggy Limbo, Musical Hoops, and Par for the Course.

Dogs and their owners went all out this year for costumes for the costume contest. Check out this peacock, Big Bird, and Raphael, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

For dogs and handlers who wanted to try the sport of Rally-Obedience, we had a practice Rally-O course. Dogs and handlers move through the course and perform the behaviors and movements at designated stations.

If you wanted to see fast dogs, you came to the right place! Flyball Dogs Anonymous gave several demonstrations throughout the weekend. These dogs sprint over a series of jumps, release a tennis ball and catch it midair, then race back over the jumps to the finish line. Check out how fast they are!

This year, WestWind Air Dogs, sponsored by Ultimate Air Dogs, joined us for PawsAbilities! They held a Splash competition, where dogs run and jump off a dock, trying to leap as far over the water as they can. Many of the competitors leaped over 15 feet!

People and dogs new to dock jumping could try it. In between Splashes, attendees introduced their dogs to the dock. Many of the dogs stopped when they got to the edge of the dock, but a number of them jumped in, after a little coaxing. The toy that handlers threw in the water certainly provided some incentive to make the leap!

Besides games and activities, attendees could visit over 60 vendors. Our vendors had everything from dog treats to collars and leashes to jewelry to hot sauce! Big thank you to all our vendors for joining us this year!

Some of our vendors and attendees tried their hands at baking dog treats and competed in the Great Biscuit Bite-Off! Check the blog tomorrow for a post about the Biscuit Bite-Off, including the recipes for these yummy treats.

We hope you’ll join us next year!

New Game at PawsAbilities

 

Have you ever played golf with your dog? Now you can at PawsAbilities! We added a new game, called Par for the Course, and it's our twist on playing golf with your dog.

Par for the Course tests the dogs' recalls. Dogs start in a down-stay at the tee. Handlers can try to get a hole in one by calling their dog directly to the hole. Or work their way toward the hole by doing shorter recalls.

To make the game even more exciting, we'll be adding distractions or obstacles to the course, which your dog will need to ignore.

Handler-dog teams receive one point for each recall, and one point for every time a dog visits a distraction, whether it's an obstacle on the course or one of the spectators. Just like in golf, the object is to have the lowest score at the end of all the rounds.

Will you be trying Par for the Course at PawsAbilities?

PawsAbilities Giveaway: Win Two Free Tickets!

 

Did you know that the Ultimate Air Dogs are coming to PawsAbilities? We couldn't be more excited! You and your dog can compete in the Splash competitions (long jump into a pool), or if you're new to dock jumping, you and your dog can practice in between Splash heats. More details are available on www.pawsabilities.net.

In addition to Ultimate Air Dogs, you and your dog can also participate in and watch the Dog Olympic Games, the Cutest Dog Contest, the costume contest, parade, agility, and more! You can purchase tickets online or for the first time ever, you can win a pair of tickets!

Ellen of the Ask Away Fashion and Advice Blog is giving away two PawsAbilities tickets on her blog. Visit her blog to learn how you can win them!

We hope to see you and your dog at PawsAbilities!

Event Details

When: March 9-10, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Where: Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA
Tickets: $8 general admission, $4 children ages 5-12 in advance; $10 at the door, $5 children at the door

You tickets are good for both days!

Join the Fun at PawsAbilities

Guest post by Ellen Ross. She's been coming to PawsAbilities for several years with her adorable Chihuahuas. Be sure to check out her blog at www.askawayblog.com. 

 

When I first heard about PawsAbilities, I was super excited to see it for myself.  After my first time there in 2008, I find myself going back every year and my experience is better each time.  I will not attend an event that is the same year after year, so that says a lot about how exciting PawsAbilities can be!  

PawsAbilities is an event held yearly that benefits the Susquehanna Service Dogs and is put together by Keystone Human Services.   At this event you will find all sorts of activities that you can observe or participate in such as: 

• Doggy Olympics – For $1 a game, you and your pooch can participate in fun contests such as Musical Hoops, Fido Says, and the Clean Plate Contest! It’s adorable to watch and this year I think I will actually participate!

• Pet Parade – All sorts of categories can win a prize so whether your dog has floppy ears or just drools a lot, make sure you participate so you can have a chance at winning.

• Biscuit Bite-Off – If you enjoying baking a new recipe for a dog treat, you can enter it in the contest by registering here.             

One of my favorite parts of PawsAbilities is the variety of vendors that come each year.  I take advantage of this event to stock up on healthy, homemade dog treats and adorable clothing from dog boutiques.  It’s also a great time to find breed-specific goodies and decorations for your home.   In the past, I have purchased adorable clothing, delicious treats, quality collars and leashes, and picked up pamphlets on different dog-related services and organizations such as grooming and photography. 

This year, PawsAbilities will be on March 9 and 10 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. so be sure to mark your calendars and purchase your tickets!  Even if you don’t purchase anything or participate in any of the events, it’s a great family friendly excuse to get out of the house and bring your dog along.  There are food vendors and activities for children, and if your dog makes a mess, they even have people walking around cleaning up the mess! Plus, how can you say no to something that benefits the Susquehanna Service Dogs? I know several people whose lives have been touched and changed by having a service dog to get them through their everyday struggles. Oh, and of course, I’ll be there with my Chihuahuas!

About the Author:
Ellen Ross write on her blog Ask Away, an advice and fashion blog, where she posts about life, love, fashion, fitness, and a variety of other topics.  She lives in Carlisle, Pennsylvania with her 4 Chihuahuas and works for the Pennsylvania Department of Health.  You can read her blog at www.askawayblog.com.

The Canine Olympians

We didn't know there were so many canine Olympians out there! Did your dog compete in the Dog Olympic Games at PawsAbilities?

What's New at PawsAbilities 2011?

We want this to be the best PawsAbilities ever, and we've added some new, fun things for you and your dog to do!

What's New?

At the Dog Olympic Games, play the new game, Temptation Tower, at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. each day!

Test yourself and your dog in the Obstacle Gambler's Choice event. In this obstacle course run by Dog Scout Troop 161, each obstacle has a different point value, and you must choose which obstacles you and your dog want to complete. But choose wisely because you only have a certain amount of time to rack up as many points as possible!

Help your dog reach a state of zen with doga (yoga for dogs). After watching a demonstration on the PawsAbilities stage, you and your dog can try doga. This is a great way for you and your dog to relax!

You don't want to miss the demonstration of Newfoundland dog carting! You and your dog will also have a chance to see if cart pulling is for you!

The cake walk is an annual favorite in the Dog Olympic Games, but this year we've put a new twist on it. In the Kody Kup Walk, you and your dog could win the grand prize - a tower of toys and Kody Kups, those delicious frozen apple peanut butter treats.

Returning Favorites

Once again, the Ultimate Air Dogs will be leaping into PawsAbilities! Come watch these amazing dogs launch themselves off a dock into a pool of water.

Enter your dog in the Cutest Dog Contest. Hosted by Denny Logan of WINK 104 at noon on Saturday and by Jen Shade of 105.7 the X at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, this contest is always a crowd-pleaser. The contest is free, but there will be a limited number of entries. Be sure to come early to register your cute dog!

March in the Abrams & Weakley Parade! You and your dog will have the opportunity to win prizes for marching in the parade. We will be awarding prizes for the dog with the biggest ears, longest fur, shortest tail, most spots and more!

Vendors, vendors and more vendors! With over 70 vendors, you'll find everything you want and need for your dog, plus some things for yourself! Check out www.pawsabilities.net/vendors for a list of the 2011 vendors.

Check out www.pawsabilities.net for more fun things to do at PawsAbilities! And don't forget to buy your tickets so you don't miss this weekend for the dogs!

New Dog Olympic Game at PawsAbilities 2011!

We have exciting news for all of your canine Olympians! This year, we have a new Dog Olympic Game at PawsAbilities - Temptation Tower!

In this game, you have one minute to build a tower of tasty dog treats while your dog watches. If you have the highest tower when time runs out and your dog hasn't eaten any treats, you win!

It sounds simple, but this Dog Olympic Game will test not only your dog's "leave it" skills, but also your skills at stacking dog treats!

Temptation Tower will be played on March 12 and 13 at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. You don't want to miss it!

And don't forget to buy your tickets to PawsAbilities so you can play Temptation Tower and our other fun Olympic Games.

PawsAbilities Trivia - Two Chances to Win!

PawsAbilities is just around the corner, but we don't want to wait until March for the fun and games to start. Starting today, every Thursday until PawsAbilities will be trivia day on our Facebook page. Each Thursday at noon and 8 p.m. EST we'll post a trivia question on our Facebook page about PawsAbilities and Susquehanna Service Dogs. If you're the first person to comment with the correct answer, you win a voucher for a free Dog Olympic Game at PawsAbilities!

This game is exclusively for our Facebook fans and we will only be accepting answers on our Facebook page. Not a fan? We would love for you to become one!

PawsAbilities is coming up in less than two months and one of many things you and your dog will be able to do are the Dog Olympics! We will have over 20 games for you and your dog to play. Any dog of any skill level can play. Last year we had Great Danes playing right beside Chihuahuas.

Here's just a sample of the Dog Olympic Games you can play with your dog:

Musical Hoops
Just like musical chairs, but with hula hoops! When the music plays, you and your dog walk around a circle of hula hoops, but when the music stops, your dog must sit with at least two paws in a hoop.

Red Light, Green Light
Another childhood game adapted for canines! On green, you and your dog walk, and on red, you stop.

Doggy Limbo
How low can your dog go? Groups of small dogs and large dogs try to crawl under the limbo stick.

Kiss Off
If your dog loves to give kisses, this is the game for him! The dog that will kiss his handler's face for the longest time wins.

Clean Plate Club
Just like it sounds, dogs must clean their plate to win this game. Dogs are given a series of foods, such as dog treats, cheese, hot dogs and lemon slices. The dog that eats it all wins!

Become a fan of SSD on Facebook and answer the trivia questions for a chance to win a voucher to play one of these and other Dog Olympic Games!

To learn more about the Dog Olympic Games and to buy tickets to PawsAbilities, visit www.pawsabilities.net.

Dog Olympics at PawsAbilities 2010

The 2010 Winter Olympics open in Vancouver today, and you're probably getting in the Olympic spirit.

Your dog can get in the spirit, too, for the Frozen Woofys Dog Olympic Games at PawsAbilities 2010!

These games will test your dog's speed, agility and obedience. Dogs of any skill level can play!

There are over 15 games to choose from:

Ball Lottery
Frozen Woofys Cake Walk
Clean Plate Club
D-O-G
Doggy Limbo
Going for Pairs Relay
Gossip
Kiss Off
Leave It
Marathon Down
Musical Hoops
Over/Under/Through
Puppy at Heart Relay
Red Light, Green Light
Ring Around the Rosie
Snoopy Says
Tail Wagging
You Can Dress 'Em Up Relay

It costs $1 per game ($3 for the Frozen Woofys Cake Walk). Or you can buy a bandana for $15 and play as many games as you want all weekend!


You and your four-legged Olympian are sure to have a blast! For more information about the Dog Olympics and PawsAbilities, visit www.pawsabilities.net.

A Snapshot of PawsAbilities, Day 1

At any one time during PawsAbilities' celebration of man's best friend, you can find a number of activities going on. With 17 rings of canine activities and over 50 vendor booths, not to mention the Paw Draw, Keystone DockDogs and Rally-O, you have plenty to choose from.

Here's a brief snapsnot of one hour of PawsAbilities.

In Demo Ring #16, the Summit Search and Rescue bloodhounds Apache and Merit demonstrate their unique abilities to follow any scent. These dogs are built for sniffing - every part of their body functions to enhance their ability to catch a scent and follow it. Their long ears, which dangle to their nose, help stir up the scent and fan it toward their nose as they're tracking. Inside their nose, bloodhounds have 200 million cells to detect smells - compare that to the 5 million cells in a human nose! Those wrinkles and flaps of skin that are so distinctive help them wiggle loose from brush and briars, and their thickly padded feet allow them to walk long distances in pursuit of a scent. During the presentation, Apache and Merit demonstrated their tracking skills, following the scent of a young volunteer around the ring. They followed the scent right to where she was hidden!

Demo Ring #14: The Appalachian Air Canines showed their frisbee skills. Many of the border collies of this group were rescued from shelters. Now their seemingly boundless energy is directed into the highly active sport of frisbee. In fact, their energetic natures makes them extremely good at frisbee. The Air Canine demonstrated some of the frisbee games they play every day. One of them is called the Dartboard Game. The handler tosses a frisbee and the dogs try to catch it. What makes it a "dartboard" game? The mat has different colored rings, like a dartboard, and the dogs must land in the "bulls-eye" after catching the frisbee. The closer to the bulls-eye they land, the more points they score.

At the end of the Main Hall, the Keystone DockDogs defy gravity as they catapult themselves off a dock into a pool, leap as far as possible. Some of the dogs seemed to hover in the air before splashing into the water. To get the dogs excited and to encourage them to leap into the water, handlers throw the dog's favorite toy into the pool. As one dog made the big leap, he snagged his toy right out of the air - mid-leap - and splashed into the pool with the toy firmly clamped in his mouth. It was quite a sight to see!

On the stage, SSD Gideon demonstrated the skills of a service dog. He retrieved a box of mac 'n' cheese, delicately picked up a pair of sunglasses, and picked up a pen, ladle and coffee mug. He even slipped under a chair to retrieve a mitten - without upsetting the chair. Many of the service dogs' skills bring a sense of safety and security to the individuals they serve. SSD Gideon can locate a cordless phone, a skill that makes individuals feel much more secure in their independence. They know that their service dog can always retrieve the phone if they need to call for assistance. SSD Gideon also demonstrated how he can shop, giving the payment to the store clerk, accepting the purchases and taking any change.

In Ring #9, pooches shimmied under the limbo stick in the Dog Olympics Doggy Limbo. With the bar down to mere inches above the ground, only the smallest dogs were squeezing underneath.

In an open space near the rings, a tired dog stretches out on the cool cement floor and gets a belly rub. Just a little piece of doggy bliss after a long morning of games and fun.

This was just a brief snapshot of some of the activities going on at any one time during the day. To truly experience the canine activity, come to PawsAbilities on Sunday. We have another impressive line-up of activities: more Keystone DockDogs, Olympic games, and demonstrations. New for Sunday will be Flyball Dogs Anonymous and the Great Biscuit Bite-Off, judged by our very own service dogs!

There's an Olympian in Every Dog

They've trained their whole lives for this moment - stealing your socks and sprinting away, kissing your face as if they'd never stop, squeezing themselves under the rungs of your chair just waiting to snarf up the crumbs you drop. Now these canine athletes will have a chance to go for the gold in PawsAbilities' Dog Olympic Games!

Whether your dog is a world class athlete able to fly through an obstacle course in record time or just a loving companion whose tail-wagging shakes his whole body when he hears your voice, the Dog Olympics include something for dogs of every skill level. Throughout Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15, you and your dog will be able to try your paws and hands at a variety of games that will test your dog's speed, agility and obedience. Here are just a few examples of the Dog Olympc Games:

Tail Wagging - Can you get your dog to wag his tail in excitement just from hearing the names of fruits and vegetables? Two teams line up on opposite sides of the ring with handlers facing their dogs and dogs' tails facing inward. The team with the best tail-waggers advances to the wag-off to determine the tail-wagging champion!

Kiss-Off - This competition will determine the champion canine kisser! All your dog needs to do is kiss your face without stopping.

Doggie Limbo - It's the limbo with a canine twist. Dogs are split into two groups - one for large dogs (over 18 inches) and one for small dogs. Each group shimmies under a bar to find out exactly how low they can go!

Over/Under/Through - This obstacle course will test your dog's agility and speed. Try to make it through all the obstacles with the fastest time.

Going for Pairs Relay - Teams send dogs one at a time to a pile of socks in the middle of the ring. Each dog retrieves one sock and races back. The team with the most PAIRS of socks at the end wins.

For a complete list of the games, check out the Dog Olympics on the PawsAbilities website. Registration for the Dog Olympic takes place on the day of the event, so bring your four-legged Olympian to PawsAbilities and let the games begin!