Are you doing anything doggy this weekend? Training? Trialing? Hiking? Playing? What's going on for you? I've been evaluating runs for being in my new Semi-Private Lessons class over on Clean Run and I'm designing courses for that, but my own dogs only got a good ball playing session today. I'm not sure what tomorrow brings for us. I've been working with these flat rubber targets I just got from Clean Run, plus I very much need to finish one of my Whippet's Intermediate Trick Title. :) Hope you all are well and reasonably warm!

How do you manage training multiple dogs? Do you train one and crate the others? Have you trained dogs to do stays or something while the others are training? Or something else? Currently, some of mine are fit-pitchers and I train less because of it.

Some of you said that you'd like to try the parkour challenge, but your dog didn't have the skills. Well, one particular skill -- go around an object -- makes up, in one way or another, half the behaviors in this entry-level challenge. Over the weekend, I plan to record video teaching you how to train this foundation skill, which is useful not only for Parkour but agility, conditioning, and more. Are there other basic/foundation skills for dog sports that you'd like to learn? Post them here!

I've been a bit absent since I've been overwhelmed with holiday stuff and various unexpected problems. Today I'm wearing a vest that's tracking the camera that I swallowed for a GI test! I'm spending the day trying to keep the dogs from bumping it while I try to function. Good times! How are you all doing with the Parkour Challenge? I have seen that a few people have been participating. Has anyone fully completed their entry and sent it in? Don't forget that this is an awesome opportunity to title in a new organization and sport without paying a registration fee! Plus, you'll get all the guidance you need to make your entry a winner! Here is the link to the info: https://www.skool.com/backyard-dog-training-matters-2491/december-canine-parkour-anywhere-challenge?p=7e3e99b5 It's a pinned thread, too, so you can check it anytime. In other news, I finished a second coloring book before Christmas! Unfortunately, it didn't make it out in time for Christmas gift-giving, but if you could still use a gift for your veterinarian, vet tech, or dragon-loving friend (or yourself!), please check out "When a Dragon is Your Veterinarian!" (Here's the link: https://a.co/d/0KlXlNV) If you'd share it with your friends and on social media, I would appreciate it! Let's get ready for a great 2026! What are your dog training plans and goals?

We plan to have info ready for you by the beginning of next week! Reminder to be on the lookout for the following items to use in the upcoming challenge: *Something for your dog to get one with two front feet *An item that is dog-elbow-height or lower for your dog to get completely on *Something your dog can jump over *Something your dog can go under *Various items your dog can interact with (like going around, etc.) ***Agility equipment is allowed but may not be used as intended for agility (you can go under a jump but not over it, for example). Looking forward to it!