You've caught a dog competition or two on the television; you've heard friends talk about their weekend competitions; you've been seriously thinking about starting to train your own Lab. Now's the time! Take the plunge and start getting involved! Labs, as you well know, love having a job to do, and you'll enjoy watching yours progress to success.

Brief descriptions of the types of competition are provided below. If you are interested in any of them, please visit the provided web address for more information and to find clubs nearest you. You can learn more by dialoguing with those who have experience. On the Just Labs Bulletin Board, there are a number of members who, with their Labs, are a part of various competition circuits.

That's why we started the thread "Which Competition?" For those who already compete, tell why you got involved and what it's like. For those who want to get started, tell us which one you're interested in and why. And don't just read and type, sign up for a related class to begin this new adventure!

* If you want to join the discussion and aren't already registered, then go to the Just Labs Bulletin Board and click on the "Register" tab to begin. You will need a valid email address and your customer number.

Agility Competitions are a popular place to find Labrador retrievers. And no wonder -- Labs are easy to train and are able to concentrate on the task as hand. Novice, Open, and Excellent are the three level sat which dogs can compete. These are based on the number (13-20) and difficulty of obstacles. www.akc.org

Flyball is an agility relay race where a team of four dogs are expected to jump over a series of hurdles, then catch a ball shot by a spring-loaded box before running back over the hurdles. The team that finishes the relay first and has the least amount of errors wins the heat. www.flyball.org

Hunt Tests are competitions in which the training and hunting ability of gun dogs is assessed. Dogs, depending on the level, are evaluated as to how they act and obey with retrieving and finding birds. www.akc.org

Obedience Competitions really offer a challenge. Dogs must perform various tasks given to them by their handlers. According to the AKC, "The basic objective of obedience trials, however, is to recognize dogs that have been trained to behave in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs, in a manner that will reflect credit on the sport of obedience at all times and under all conditions." www.akc.org

Rally is an obedience competition, which still challenges your Lab, but is more fun. Depending on the level, dogs and their handlers are required to go through a course of stations as designated by the judge. A sign at each station informs what should be done next. www.akc.org

Ultimate Air Dogs is as much fun for the competitors as it is for the spectators! This is a dock jumping competition with categories that measure distance, lift, and ability to catch a thrown object mid-air. To gain experience, first participate in a demo event. www.ultimateairdogs.netEnder

NEW!!!!
Dog Shopping Department

Click on this link!!!!!Great new shopping page......Shop for all your dog's supplies on one page. Find everything for your pooch, including dog gates, pet beds, leashes and pet carriers.