Local Dog Ready To Take International Stage At Dog Olympics In France
MONACA (KDKA) -- A dog trainer from Monaca and his dog will leave next week on a trip to France.
It's the site of an international competition which begins Oct. 1.
A Belgian Malinois named Fin is training for the Dog Olympics, known as mondioring. Owner Paul Anthony calls it a "canine decathlon."
"Mondioring is 17 exercises - from obedience exercises, to jumping exercises, to protection exercises that the dog has to perform," he explains.
Friends and clients at his A & B Canine Training school raised funds for the trip. His talented dog is one of six American dogs to compete at the highest level.
Anthony praises his dog as he clears a bar four feet above the ground. It's one of many feats he performs.
"You can see how social he is," the owner adds. "He's a big goofball. He loves people."
The international competition runs the gamut from displays of agility to basic commands. Though Fin is well behaved, Anthony says such dogs are suited only for very active owners.
"Weight pulling, to jumping, to doing bike work, to going hiking, I have to do something with him every day," he said.
Five-year-old Fin began training as a puppy. He should be ready to retire in about four years or so, but no problem. His little son already appears eager to take his place.
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