The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday November 1, 2008 - 11 Carting can be fun for dogs T eaching your dog some new tricks can be a lot of fun. For the more adventurous, giving your dog draft work provides great exercise and a different way to engage your pet in activity. Draft work involves harnessing an animal to a cart or sled or person and having the animal pull the load. In the case of dogs, Huskies are well known for their sled-pulling expertise, but any dog can learn how to do draft work, more commonly referred to as carting. "Many breeds have been used to do draft work to haul milk carts and other things for their owners," said Heather White, community outreach and education manager at the Oakville and District Humane Society. "Now carting has become a fun recreational and rewarding way to exercise your pet." In carting, dog size does not matter, but cart size and loads do. Any dog can be fitted for a harness, but it is up to its owner to ensure the cart is light and maneuverable and that the load being carried is appropriate for the dog's size. "Making sure you have the right equipment is critical," added White, who has been carting with her dogs for years. "Make sure you get the proper harness, preferably a Siwash carting harness, because that ensures the weight is properly balanced for the dog." With the proper equipment the training process can begin by teaching your dog to accept the harness. Put the harness on the dog without it being attached to anything. Let the dog become accustomed to it. When the dog is comfortable, attach an empty plastic bottle to the harness so the dog can see what is being dragged behind. "Gradually you want to add weight to the harness so the dog gets used to pulling. The key to success is to ensure you are patient and reward your dog's positive response to the harness and light load with treats. It is also important to teach your dog to move laterally so the dog can move in shafts. If your dog is worried, stop your training and seek professional advice." Shafts, White explained, are the horizontal bars that join the harness to the cart. They run alongside the dog's body and restrict the dog's movement. At first this can seem quite scary and confining to an animal. Help the dog to become accustomed to the shafts by letting the dog drag sticks or a light wood or PVC pipe travois. "It is also important to teach them to stop and stay while in harness," said White. "If you can master these skills then feel confident that when you purchase or make a cart, your dog will adjust to the cart." "Even with these preliminary training steps, pulling an empty cart takes adjustment on the dog's behalf. The dog's body becomes wider and longer. Initially turning will require larger space, but eventually the dog will learn to pivot." Continue your cart training by working on different substrates start- How You Can Take Advantage of Mr. Market & g Reduce Risk Before & After You Retire? Please join your hosts: Raymond Jackson, CSA & Senior Life Insurance Advisor ­ Manulife Securities Insurance Inc. & Simon Jackson, CSA, Life Insurance Advisor - Manulife Securities Insurance Inc. & Mike Warus, Vice President of Sales and Marketing - CI Investments Inc. This invitation is for those investors who would like to benefit from Raymond and Simon's combined 36 years of experience in creating and preserving wealth for their clients. Enjoy complimentary wine and cheese while we discuss e how CI SunWise Elite Plus addresses the unique challenges you face: RAYMOND E. JACKSON CSA Senior Financial Advisor Life Insurance Advisor PET OF THE WEEK: Murray is a sweet pocket pooch. For more information on him and others at the shelter, visit www.oakvillehumane.ca. Add weight to the cart slowly and allow time for the dog to adjust. Be aware of what is reasonable for your dog to carry. Consult local breed clubs and The Canadian Kennel Club. Both are great resources for carting information and hold seminars and training classes. Individual trainers are also available. "I've been carting with The Good Guys," said White, "a group that uses our dogs's carting skills to give rides at events and donates the money to charity. My dogs really enjoy the exercise, the social side of carting is fun and we're supporting our community. I'd recommend it to anyone." · Longevity risk ­ outliving your money. · Market risk ­ the possibility that a market downturn could affect your investments and reduce your retirement income just before or after you retire. · Inflation risk ­ erosion of your purchasing power. SIMON J. JACKSON CSA Financial Advisor Life Insurance Advisor "Remember that outliving your income is not an option." · C A R P E T · O R I E N TA L R U G S · V I N Y L · H A R D W O O D · C E R A M I C S · C A R P E T · O R I E N TA L R U G S · ing with the easiest -- flat and paved. Fewer distractions ensure the dog can focus on the cart and on you and your instructions. Other dogs should not be permitted to greet your dog while it is carting. A dog in harness cannot greet appropriately when in harness, leaving it at the disadvantage. Please call or e-mail Simon @ (905) 849-4700 or Simon.Jackson@manulifesecurities.ca before Wednesday, November 12th to confirm that you will be attending. y, Insurance products and services are offered through Manulife Securities Insurance Inc. (A licensed life insurance agency and subsidiary of Manulife Securities) by Manulife Securities Advisors licensed as life agents. This event is brought to you in part By CI Investments Inc. · CARPET · ORIENTAL RUGS · VINYL · HARDWOOD · CERAMICS · CARPET · · C A R P E T · O R I E N TA L R U G S · V I N Y L · H A R D W O O D · C E R A M I C S · C A R P E T · O R I E N TA L R U G S · Don't Pay until 2009 AREAaRUG l e a r n ce DIS CONTIN UED S `ONE-O F-A-KIN D ' UP TO C % Emmitt & Pat Smith 70 OFFUP TO The ability to deal with life on your own is a very big deal 5x 8 RUGS G FROM S TARTIN $ 9900 1 2 LF HA WOOL, SILK & TIBETIAN E DERSUIGNER C GS RI PERSIAN RUGS P HAND WOV EN FROM IRAN FROM IRAN ONLY $ 5X8 WOOL/SILK NIANS 799 CARPET In-Stock Colours Only THICK BERBER only $1.99/sq. ft.* LUXURIOUS NYLON TWIST only $2.99/sq. ft.* 3/4" Select Oak only $4.99/sq. ft.* 8mm Lifetime W arr only $1.99/sq. ft.* Discontinued Pattern HARDWOOD LAMINATE CERAMICS 20% OFF Sale Prices! The ErinoakKids Independent Living Program teaches kids with challenges to deal with life on their own. Whatever the challenge, ErinoakKids helps them be all they can be. You can help us help them! Go to www.erinoakkids.ca Then click Donate · or call 905-491-4452 Installation With Underpad Offer good at following locations only. 1/2 Price! VINYL *Sale applies to in-stock colours only. Outlet Store - Trafalgar Village Across from Home Depot · (905) 849-4472 Huge Super Store - 228 King St. E. Downtown Hamilton · (905) 546-1921 Reg. Charity# 118901446RR0001 · CARPET · ORIENTAL RUGS · VINYL · HARDWOOD · CERAMICS · CARPET ·