Contest tips for your pooch

Sisters Doggie Dash/Stroll & Fest will be held this weekend on Saturday, August 15, at Village Green Park in Sisters.

This year there will be four new contests for you and your furry friend to enjoy.

Do people tell you that you and your dog are starting to look alike? One phenomenon we all enjoy is seeing dogs that look like their pet parents. And if you spend a lot of time together, you may start to take on the other's traits! Remember Winston Churchill's dog?

Here are some tips to maximize the resemblance: What about matching hair, or hats? Try a black-and-white outfit to go along with your black-and-white dog. Have fun, get creative and grab your doggie doppelganger and head over to the Look-Alike Contest and you might win a fabulous prize for your effort.

All dogs love to please their owners, and teaching your dog tricks is a great way to let him win your praise and affection. To keep your dog safe and mentally stimulated, it is essential to teach him basic commands such as sit, stay and leave-it. And remember tricks build relationships. When you sit on the floor and teach your furry friend to chase a toy and bring it back, you are training a fun and useful trick. And more importantly, you are also being a part of one of the key human dog bonding behaviors: PLAY!

Dogs love learning new tricks and with the right motivators, a positive attitude and a little creativity, you will never run out of new things to teach Fido.

Besides, the Best Pet Trick Contest gives you a chance to showcase your best friend's talents!

Here is an example of an easy trick:

Army crawling is a fun trick to teach to your dog that helps him improve his physical fitness to boot. Start by commanding your dog to lie down. Hold a treat firmly between your fingers so that your pooch can smell and lick the treat but cannot take it from your hand.

Hold the treat in front of Fido's nose, and slowly drag it along the floor. As soon as your dog crawls just a couple of feet, praise him, and give him the treat. If your dog stands up to take the treat, quickly take it away, and start again from the beginning.

Try to get your furry friend to crawl for a slightly longer distance each time. Once he has mastered the trick, have your dog lie down when you are 10 to 15 feet away, and then get him to crawl toward you.

Does your dog howl when he hears a fire engine going by? Barking or howling on command is one of the easiest tricks to teach. Dogs have a natural pack instinct to howl and many dogs, such as huskies, howl on a normal basis.

Teaching your dog to howl for the Best Howl Contest could be a piece of cake!

Some dogs may be tempted to bark instead of howl. Just ignore the barks and reward your furry friend for even the tiniest howl. Use any cue you would like, such as "Sing!"

It may sound silly, but one way to teach Fido is for you to start howling. That's right - throw your head back and howl, and more than likely, your dog will join in.

You may want to teach him a cue for "quiet" to get him to stop howling.

Does your poodle need a new look?

It's time to break out the old pink sponge hair curlers, a few bows and a tiara for the Best Hair Contest. Have fun and be creative. Remember that wig you wore last Halloween? Try it on Fido!

Does your furry friend eat too fast?

Every evening you serve up dinner and in a blink of an eye it's gone, and you sometimes wish Fido would slow down.

Well here is one contest that you'll be happy that he can wolf it down at his normal ravenous rate.

It's the K-9 Pie-Eating Contest - no training involved. Bring your hungry pooch so he can enjoy a homemade doggie pie. Bibs provided!

Whether you think your dog belongs on the stage of a high-profile show or navigating an obstacle course in the field, there are plenty of contests for your furry friend to enjoy. Amateurs and professionals alike enjoy participating in a variety of canine competitions.