Pawliday Party at the Driskill

Lofty Dog (403 W. 2nd Street) is hosting the Annual Pawliday Party this Sunday, December 13, 2009 from 1pm-3pm at the Driskill (604 Brazos).  The Driskill hotel is the winner of Animal Fair magazine's most "pet friendly hotel," and they don't forget about your special family member during the holidays. This fund raising event for Austin Dog Rescue is presented in conjunction with Lofty Dog.

Activities include a Green Carpet Dog Walk fashion show, photos with Santa, and special goodies for all. Austin Dog Rescue has two dogs on site, ready for adoption and a perfect Christmas gift for someone in your family. For the masters, a cash bar on their famous Sixth Street balcony features Salty Dogs, Pink Poodles, Poinsetters, Greyhounds and other appropriately named cocktails.

Want to be in the fashion show where the winner of Best In Show wins a stay at the Driskill?  Other catagories will include Best Couple, Most Festive, Most Keeping Austin Weird.  The rules of entry are here.

Pre-Holiday Weight Pull Dec. 5th and 6th. (Location change)

 The IWPA Pre-Holiday Weight pull will be end on Dec. 5th and 6th at SouthPaws Playschool,  2324 South Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX.  We have moved the weight pull to an indoor location.

If you are interested in the IWPA sanctioned weight pull competition (Sunday), weigh in will be at 8:00am. Pulling starts at 8:30.  Weigh in NOT required for novice rounds. You may enter any of the novice rounds up to the time it begins.  Please see www.iwpa.net for specific rules in the competitive rounds.  Novice teams should be treated like training rounds. .

Weight pull general info:

Any dog can participate and earn a title through IWPA for weight pulling.

What's the fee? Free for spectators. $10 for novice rounds - enter when you get there. Consider novice rounds a training session and a chance to see if your dog enjoys it. I will have harnesses for you to use. Most dogs take to a harness quickly. $25 for competition rounds.

What can my dog get out of weight pulling? Physical activity, confidence building, socializing, and improving their relationship with you.

What do I need to train my dog to do before then for weight pull? The come or recall command. Your dog should have basic control.

What's the most weight a dog has ever pulled? The most I've seen is 50000 lbs.  Most dogs in healthy condition can pull 10x their body weight without any additional physical training.

When do I enter? On the day of the event. Novice can enter any time before the round begins. Professional/competition rounds must be entered and weighed in before the start of the pull.

Who can participate? Anyone and any breed. No registry or club membership required.

What should I bring? Your dog on leash and yourself. Camping chair and crate if desired. I will have harnesses available for dogs 20 lbs to 160 lbs.

My dog is small. Is there anything for us to do? Yes! Even the "little" ones can weight pull. There have been Jack Russells and Italian Greyhounds that pull with success!