The smiling faces of Croydon members and their wonderful dogs who received passes at our Open Obedience trial held 7th December 2014.

Transcription

1 CROYDON CAPERS FEBRUARY 2015 EDITION The smiling faces of Croydon members and their wonderful dogs who received passes at our Open Obedience trial held 7th December See page 17 for results. NEWSLETTER OF CROYDON AND DISTRICT OBEDIENCE DOG CLUB

2 Committee of Management 2014/2015 Croydon & District Obedience Dog Club Inc. Registration Number A008190W ABN: Clubhouse Telephone Postal Address: PO Box 465 Croydon 3136 President Christian Krueger Vice President Wayne Tracey Vice President Marilyn Chaffey Secretary Gary McArthur Assistant Secretary Pam Scott Treasurer Ann Statham Assistant Treasurer Geoff Coleman Chief Instructor Brian Constable Instructors Representative Barbara Schubert Committee Jan Seach Greg Tulloch Frances Campbell Michelle Grummisch Anne Mann Susan Mahoney Web Administrator Marilyn Chaffey Obedience Trial Secretary Lorraine Holland Agility Trial Secretary Trial Grounds Managers Liz Sharp and Anne Woods Arnold Adams Helen Adams (Decd) Eric Archer (Decd) Michelle Balzereit Helen Bell Manfred Bentrup Marilyn Bentrup Bill Bradford Lesley Bradford Karen Bransgrove Marilyn Chaffey Anne Coleman Geoff Coleman Brian Constable Joan Crewther 2 CDODC CAPERS ~ February 2015 Pam Cripps Robert Dark Melissa Foote Anne Gilbert (Decd) Heather Gilbert Carmel Green Kerry Grills Nan Hawkins (Dore-Smith) Margaret Hopson Norma Jones-Roberts Sue Keable Geraldine Kisielnicki Chris Krueger Ingrid Krueger Keith Layton LIFE MEMBERS Demonstration Team Managers Jan Seach and Marjy Grosvenor Equipment Shop Supervisor Anne Coleman Tuck Shop Supervisor Margaret Hopson Editor of Capers Ann Statham TRAINING PANEL Chief Instructor Brian Constable Panel Barbara Schubert Marilyn Chaffey COORDINATORS Puppy Jan Seach Basic 1 Xanthe Whitney Basic 2 Ken Leeming Advanced Obedience Marjy Grosvenor OTHER TRAINING PERSONNEL Agility Coordinator Susan Mahoney Flyball Coordinator Florence Chiu Rally O Coordinator Gary McArthur Penny Lloyd Clive Makepeace Pam Makepeace Rebecca McGroarty Ruth Nicholls Eddie Nissner Mal Paton Neil Peterson Margaret Pilling Lyn Riley Elizabeth Saltzer Sandra Schafer Margaret Schaffert Sheila Schaub Ann Statham Rita Thomas Roger Thomas Frank Tipping Wendy Tosh (Tipping) Wayne Tracey Cathy Trudinger Betty Tulloch Greg Tulloch Eric van Zuyden Isobel van Zuyden Martin Vengust John Williams Anne Woods Articles appearing in this newsletter are considered to be of interest to the members, but do not necessarily express the opinions of the Committee of Management or of the Editor. LEGAL NOTE: The Editor and the Committee of Management of the CDODC accept no responsibility for the accuracy of claims made by advertisers in this newsletter. February 2015 Croydon & District Obedience Dog Club Inc.

3 President s Report Welcome back instructors, volunteers and members! It just seems like yesterday that we had our breakup day in November. But we are all refreshed and eager to get on with our training; I heard that some people have trained at home over the holidays, very commendable! The weather has been good lately, but we could still get some very hot days. Every year I try to remind people NOT to leave your dogs in a car on warm/hot days, and every year we read again that an unfortunate dog or even children have suffered severely because of this. I am sure no one from our Club would do this but maybe you can spread the word to friends and work colleagues. It might save someone s life. On our first day back at Club we faced a large queue of people wishing to enrol their dogs for training. Thanks to the many volunteers that we had, the day went quite smoothly. Since then we are still having quite a large number of people wanting to enrol for training. If you have been waiting for a long time in the queue, apologies, we are working as fast as we can to process your application. The Committee has decided to implement an online membership renewal system in the near future. We have been working on this for the past 8 month and testing of the system has begun. We are liaising closely with our bank and web-designer to achieve a user friendly online system that would eliminate a great deal of waiting in the office. We will let you know when the site is operational. I have been involved with the council about the modernisation/redevelopment of our building and the adjoining clubhouse for many years now. The building we have today was basically paid for by our volunteers with fundraising etc. The council and the other user groups (Dog, Cricket, Soccer) have finally come to a workable concept plan that would ensure our future on the ground for many years to come and with better designed facilities that would allow us to serve all of our members and volunteers more efficiently. It will be quite a few years before the first sod is turned, but as you know it takes a lot of time to get everyone agreeing on anything. However, the thing that we can all agree on is that we enjoy our dogs and I personally wouldn t go without one. Happy training Chris Krueger CDODC President 2015 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND ELECTIONS The following are the relevant dates for this year s AGM and elections: AGM: 29th May 2015 Nominations close: Friday 8th May 2015 A dog wags its tail with its heart Martin Buxbaum CDODC CAPERS ~ February

4 Chiefly Chatter Welcome back to club. Hopefully the Christmas break has been enjoyable and now rested you are ready to face the challenges of Welcome also to our new members and their best friends. I know you will find your time at CDODC informative and enjoyable and trust we can help you forge a strong bond with your dog which you both will enjoy for many years. Our training philosophy is based on positive reinforcement. Since different breeds of dogs mature at different rates especially as puppies, one size does not fit all. We must remain flexible and adjust our training methods accordingly. For instance we must be prepared to go back and reinforce an earlier lesson, where necessary before moving on. The Club relies on a team of dedicated volunteers, hence we are always happy to welcome anyone prepared to give an hour of their time to help out. This could be in the kiosk, or on the barbecue (a free sausage is a bonus!) or perhaps in the specialised electrical or plumbing fields, etc. It s the volunteers that make this Club the great entity that it is. We have a membership base of ~ 1,100 members and an instructors pool of ~ 70. Over the first two weeks of February we enrolled 200 new members many of whom will have to wait more than 5 weeks to start their class. Even if we had more instructors to cater for the additional membership we are limited by the size of the grounds as to how many classes we can conduct in the two Sunday sessions. Our instructors are very dedicated, many of them double classing on Sunday mornings and we ride a fine line catering for the handlers needs while trying to ensure that we do not overwork the Instructor volunteers so that they burn out and leave, during last year as is normal we had experienced instructors requiring time away because of work commitments or to complete studies or start a family. The attrition rate is barely countered by the number of new instructors we train each year. Training of new instructors will commence in late march and takes place in the clubrooms on Sunday afternoons after a provided light lunch. Instructing is very rewarding and satisfying, as well as a great opportunity to meet new friends with a like interest. Our program is extensive and will provide you with the necessary skills and back up to become a successful instructor. Since we often find handlers who have challenging dogs make the best instructors, don t allow that to deter you, so at whatever level you are currently, if you are interested in getting more information please contact myself or the office. Our volunteers spend considerable time and effort running dog training programs and in order to help, share our addresses with handlers. We ask that you respect our privacy and not share this information with third parties. Take Care out there. Brian Constable 4 CDODC CAPERS ~ February 2015

5 Basic Obedience Passes CONGRATULATIONS to the following club members who have recently passed the Basic Obedience Test. If you have ordered your certificate and not received it please call into the office on any Sunday between am to collect it. B2 PASSES SINCE 16/11/14 Marcus Armstrong and Sonny Fiona Blake and Bruin Kate Burgin and Tux Janet Eyles and Zali Helen Hanner and Gypsy Jaimee Peterson and Stella Jonathon Reedyk and Niseko Robert Snell and Charlie Ingrid Sukkel and Moby Carl Tamos and Bundy Sue Timperley and Elsa Nicci Torres and Minnie Anthony Wilson and Gus YELLOW BANDANNA? A number of our dogs at CDODC wear yellow bandannas.. this is because they might be hyper, nervous, protective, or excitable. Please give these dogs SPACE and ask the handler for permission BEFORE you or your dog approach. Excessive Barking Please note: It is not acceptable for members to allow their dogs to continually bark whilst at Club. Complaints from neighbours to Council can make it very difficult for the Club to be seen as a group of responsible dog owners. If your dog barks while tethered at Club, it may be advisable to put the dog in a covered, well ventilated crate thus removing visual stimulation, often the cause of barking. CDODC CAPERS ~ February

6 AGM Notice NOTICE TO MEMBERS OF THE CROYDON & DISTRICT OBEDIENCE DOG CLUB INC. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of members of the Croydon & District Obedience Dog Club Inc. will be held in the Clubrooms, Richard Silcock Reserve, William Rd, Croydon on Friday 29th May, 2015 at 7.30pm. BUSINESS 1. Apologies 2. Minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting 3. Presentation of the Annual Reports 4. Appointment or reappointment of Auditor 5. Appointment of Returning Officer 6. Election of the Committee of Management 7. Presentation of Awards 8. General Business pertaining to the Annual General Meeting CROYDON & DISTRICT OBEDIENCE DOG CLUB ANNUAL ELECTION 2015 NOMINATION FORM We wish to nominate...for the position(s) of: q President q Secretary q Treasurer q Vice President q Assistant Secretary q Assistant Treasurer q General Committee (6) NOMINATOR PRINTED NAME SIGNATURE SECONDER I accept the above nomination(s) Nominations close with Secretary on Friday 8th May The Elections for the Committee of Management of CDODC will be conducted at the Annual General Meeting to be held on Friday 29th May, Executive members of Committee need to be members of the VCA. 6 CDODC CAPERS ~ February 2015

7 Pet Talk With Dr Patricia Stewart Reprinted from the Herald Sun Jan 31, 2015 The patient is resting quietly in his bed as the nurse checks his vital signs and fluid lines. He is looking much better. His temperature is within the normal range and his heart rate and pulse are all good. The doctor in charge calls the patient s family to reassure them the worst is over. In fact, the hospital is an emergency veterinary hospital and the patient is Snowy a male dog with a long black coat owned by the Jon family. Snowy had arrived earlier that evening, having collapsed after a long walk at the end of a blisteringly hot day. He suffered acute heat stroke as his body was unable to help itself cool down. Humans get heat stroke and we also have sweat glands all over our bodies, enabling us to cool down effectively. We also have very little hair compared to cats and dogs. But dogs and cats are particularly prone to this condition because they can t cool themselves down as easily on hot days. Long haired and black pets like Snowy are even more vulnerable to overheating because black absorbs heat and a long hairy coat traps heat next to the body. Dogs mainly cool down by panting to evaporate moisture off the lining of their nose, mouth, airways and lungs. This method of cooling is far less efficient than sweating. The only sweat glands dogs have are on their paws and these don t help cooling much at all. Snowy also has a little, squished up nose. Dogs and cats with short noses are also more prone to heat stress as they cannot breathe and evaporate to cool off as efficiently as those with longer noses. Snowy would have to be considered at high risk of heat stroke, especially as he is getting a little older and everything in his body is stiffening up and slowing down. The following day Mrs Jon and the kids come to pick Snowy up from the hospital. It is a joyful reunion and he is a lucky dog to have pulled through what was a potentially fatal crisis. The veterinarian on duty gives them some good tips to help Snowy stay cool on hot summer days. Don t walk him on hot days, and on warm day s walk only in the early morning or late evening when it is cooler. Don t leave him in a parked car with the windows shut on warm days because sealed cars can heat up very quickly. Make sure there is plenty of fresh cool water to drink and put his water in the shade. You could add ice blocks to the water too. Keep him inside in air conditioning (if you have it) on hot days or wet him with cool tap water from a garden hose or bath and keep him near a fan. Provide frozen treats during hot days, such as frozen meat stock, frozen bones, frozen meat or veggies. Watch for signs of heat stress including panting, lying still on cool surfaces, very red gums, lack of energy and seeking shade. If this progresses, seek veterinary help immediately. Hose him with tap water or put him in the pool to cool him down for the trip to the vet. Do not apply ice or freezing water because this can cause shock to the system. Do not apply wet towels, which can heat up and trap heat to the body. The Jon family is now aware of the importance of keeping Snowy cool on hot days. Hopefully this story will remind you to keep your pet safe from heat stress in summer as well. CDODC CAPERS ~ February

8 Tips with your new puppy Never hit a young puppy. Praise every correct action. Socialise your pup with other people and other animals. Expose your pup to many and varied situations, noises, surfaces, sights etc. treating each in a very matter of fact way. Praise exuberantly. Do not over protect your puppy or commiserate with your puppy if he is timid. Rather tell him how wonderful he is. Praise happily when the pup begins to show more confidence. Don t allow biting at any time. Keep the hands or leg very still and yelp. Praise when the pup stops. Praise every correct action. Never correct a pup after the fact. Correction must be given as the pup is misbehaving. Train your pup every day to establish routines, stretch his mental capacities, and make him a joy to be with. Be consistent in your handling so the pup does not become confused. Keep your pup s training sessions short. Pups need success so that they can develop confidence. Do not call the pup to you to give a correction. Praise every correct action. Pups need a leader so that they feel secure. If you are not in charge, your pup usually is. Leadership is achieved through determination and consistency. Never harshness. DON T WORRY if Your puppy doesn t seem to get the idea of going to the back door when he needs out. Many pups don t develop this behaviour until 5 months. Your puppy is still urinating at night. Again some pups do not develop full bladder control until 5 months. (However it is a good idea to have a urine check earlier if the pup has many accidents to make sure the pup does not have a bladder infection). Your puppy has hiccups. This is quite normal and they will usually outgrow it. Your puppy does not understand when you are giving verbal praise. You must begin by using verbal praise together with stroking, petting etc. It may be some time before the puppy understands and appreciates verbal praise on its own. Your puppy makes movements and noises whilst sleeping. Your puppy appears to know something one day but has forgotten it the next. Be patient and go back one stage in training. Remember that puppies must have success to become confident. 8 CDODC CAPERS ~ February 2015

9 Seniors and Rescue Dogs Reprinted from Dogs Life Mag It s sad but true As a society, we re obsessed with new. We buy new cars when our existing set of wheels is still running. We upgrade our mobile phones every few months because the latest model has more bells and whistles. We clear our wardrobes of garments that still have their tags attached because they re just so last season. Old has very little appeal for some of us because we crave the thrill of seeing something new in its place. Sadly, the distaste we feel for old stuff seems to extend to living things, too. Elderly people often seen as archaic and irrelevant, unable to keep pace with modern life or contribute anything meaningful to our brave new world. And senior dogs are all too often sent to the pound or worse when we are no longer willing or able to meet their changing needs, or when a new baby, a new puppy or a new opportunity arrives. It s a tragedy because we ve forgotten how much we can learn from old. We forget that grey hairs, slower steps, aches and pains are all signs of a life lived to the full. We forget that a careworn face is every bit as beautiful as the first flush of youth. We forget that an ancient, half-chewed tennis ball can hold as much meaning as a diamond ring. We forget that curling up in a patch of sun on a sagging sofa can be as blissful as a week at a five star resort. We forget that a long life spent loving, protecting and simply being is every bit as valuable as a life spent earning, achieving and doing. We forget that achieving old age is a badge of honour, a reason for celebration. These are things that senior dogs know, and that owners of beloved elderly pooches know too. These are the things we all could and should learn if we d only pay attention, Let s embrace old. FOR DOGS SAKE, PICK UP Please clean up after your dog to ensure that dogs retain their rights to parks, beaches, dog-friendly accommodation facilities, walking trails and other public places. CDODC CAPERS ~ February

10 Membership Renewals when must they be paid? The Club s financial year finishes on 31st March, 2015, and all memberships are due for renewal on that date. If you are not wearing an ORANGE membership card, please ensure that you renew your membership by the end of April. If your membership renewal has not been received by 1st May you will be ineligible to vote at the Club s 2015 Annual General Meeting, and you will be ineligible to run for a place on the Committee. If you expect to be away from Club during April, please remember to pay your membership renewal BEFORE you go. We will not accept renewals past the 1st May; after that date we are bound by the Club s constitution to charge a new joining fee (that s an extra $30.00 in addition to the renewal fees). You will find a renewal form on our Web site (cdodc.com.au) and spare copies can be collected from the Office. Please note that we will not be sending renewal forms through the post. Although we will accept renewals via post, send your completed form and a photocopy of your dogs current vaccination certificate, evidence of address along with a cheque or money order made payable to CDODC Inc to P O Box 465, Croydon 3136 please include a stamped self addressed envelope. You may also renew your membership at Club any Sunday, between 9.15 am and 10.30am. You will need to bring with you: Your dog s current vaccination certificate, ie. With a next vacc s due date of?/5/15 to the end of 2015 or early Your evidence of current address (ie a bill no more than 6 months old) Your Green membership card (we ll swap it for a nice ORANGE one). Your renewal fee (we accept cash, cheque or card) If you re a member of the VCA, your current VCA membership ticket. The renewal fees are $20.00 per person (membership fee), $30.00 per dog (training fee) and Insurance levy $7.50 per person for all NON VCA members. Volunteers Wanted If you would like to join our band of happy helpers, please tick the appropriate box under the section headed Volunteers Wanted on your renewal form. We will use this information to compile a list of names of people we can call upon to help in particular, in the following areas. We need people to help in the Equipment Shop. We need people to help in the Kiosk. We need people to help set up the Agility Equipment. We always need help on Fun Days and Trial Days (in May, June, Sept & Dec) From time to time we need the help of various tradespeople, and we would like to know if there are any plumbers, electricians, carpenters, etc, among our members who would be willing to help out. Children at Club It is lovely to see families come down to Club with children and dogs in tow, but parents please remember that we have many dogs at Club at various stages of training and socialisation. We would hate to see a child knocked over or (heaven forbid) bitten by a dog, so please ensure you keep a close eye on your 10 CDODC CAPERS ~ February 2015

11 little ones. Sunday mornings at Club provides you with a good opportunity to remind your children NEVER to pat a dog which is unknown to them, without checking with the dog s owner first. On the other side of the coin, all members must make sure that their dogs are not tied up near doorways so that other handlers can go past without having to squeeze past a dog. Ask someone to mind your dog if you have to pop into the Clubhouse for a minute. If you are going to take longer, tether you dog under some shade with its fixed collar. Members are responsible for the behaviour of their children at all times. Children must NOT approach a dog without the owner s permission. Animals are such agreeable friends they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms George Eliot? The Committee of Management hereby announce the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the CROYDON & DISTRICT OBEDIENCE DOG CLUB INC 7.30PM FRIDAY 29th May 2015 SILCOCK RESERVE CLUB HOUSE AGENDA PRESIDENT S ANNUAL REPORT SECRETARY S ANNUAL REPORT ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR GENERAL BUSINESS ELECTION OF ALL OFFICE BEARERS PRESENTATION OF TROPHIES TO AVOID DELAYS PLEASE BRING YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD WITH YOU TO THE AGM ALL MEMBERS AND OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS WELCOME Each Family: Please bring a plate Would you like to become involved in the management of your Club? The Club is run by a Committee, and all positions will be declared vacant at the AGM (Friday 29th May, 2015). Don t wait to be asked if you feel that you would like to know more about the Committee, please call into the office on a Sunday morning, or alternatively call any committee member. Any person who is a financial member of CDODC at the AGM, and who have been a member since at least 31st December 2014, is eligible to be nominated for the Committee. NOMINATIONS must be lodged with the Club Secretary by 8th May, LIFE MEMBERSHIP nominations need to be lodged with the Club Secretary for consideration by the review committee by Sunday 12th April CDODC CAPERS ~ February

12 Office Use Only CDODC Membership Nº Dogs Victoria M ship Nº CROYDON & DISTRICT OBEDIENCE DOG CLUB INC. MEMBERSHIP/RENEWAL APPLICATION 1st APRIL to 31st MARCH NEW MEMBERSHIP MEMEMBERSHIP RENEWAL EXISTING MEMBERSHIP Nº Please print clearly: SURNAME GIvEN NAME STREET ADDRESS SUBURB POSTCODE TELEPHONE? MOBILE AGE OF HANDLER (if under 18 years): (Please complete and attach the Parental Agreement Form) 1st DOG: Name Breed D.O.B. / / VACC s Due PPs Pups B1 B2 Other Instructor / / Has your dog displayed aggressive behaviour towards other people and/or dogs? YEs NO 2nd DOG: Name Breed D.O.B. / / VACC s Due PPs Pups B1 B2 Other Instructor / / Has your dog displayed aggressive behaviour towards other people and/or dogs? YEs NO 3rd DOG: Name Breed D.O.B. / / 12 CDODC CAPERS ~ February 2015

13 3rd DOG: Name Breed D.O.B. / / VACC s Due PPs Pups B1 B2 Other Instructor / / Has your dog displayed aggressive behaviour towards other people and/or dogs? YEs NO Please read carefully before signing: I agree to be bound by the Rules and Conditions of Membership of the Croydon & District Obedience Dog Club Inc. signature: Date: / / RENEWALS ONLY: The Club will accept renewals via post. Please post your completed renewal form to: CDODC Inc., P O Box 465, Croydon, Please enclose copies of:? Dog(s) current vaccination certificate Cheque or money order (NO CAsH) Dogs Victoria membership (if applicable) Valid photo ID of person applying for membership secondary proof of address i.e. Utility bill stamped self addressed envelope All photocopies will be returned to you with your new membership card. VACCINATION CERT. PHOTO I.D. q q q Office Use Only FEEs: EVIDENCE OF ADDREss q CHEQUE / MONEY ORDER q DOGs VICTORIA MEMBERsHIP q stamped self ADDREssED ENVELOPE Joining fee ($30.00 New members only) $ Membership ($20.00 per year) $ Training Fee ($30.00 per dog, per year) $ Insurance Levy ($7.50 Non Dogs Victoria member) $ Credit Card/Eftpos Transaction Fee ($2.00) $ TOTAL $ CDODC CAPERS ~ February

14 Shake off Dandruff By Dr Karen Budd Reprinted from the Herald Sun Sept 11, 2012 Is there something about your dog that your friends and family don t like to mention? Many owners accept dandruff and doggy odour as part of their pet, but it may be a sign that your dog has a skin condition. What is dandruff in dogs? There are two main kinds of dandruff in dogs: seborrhoea sicca (dry dandruff) and seborrhoea oleosa (oily dandruff). They differ in the amount of oil produced by the skin. A dog with seborrhoea sicca has a dry coat, while a dog with seborrhoea oleosa has a greasy or oily coat. What causes seborrhoea? Some breeds of dog are genetically more prone to develop this condition. Cocker spaniels, west highland white terriers, german shepherds dogs and retrievers seem to develop seborrhoea more frequently. However, in most cases, seborrhoea develops as a reaction to an underlying skin problem, such as allergies, or less commonly, a hormonal problem. What are the signs of seborrhoea? Dogs with this condition have scaly, flaky skin. Depending on the type of seborrhoea, the scales may be small, numerous and dry, or clumped and oily. Itchy skin is very common. An underlying allergy can cause itchiness. The excess skin flakes and skin oil also provide an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and yeast. Infection with these bugs causes skin inflammation and produces a distinctive odour. This is often regarded as unavoidable doggy odour but it is more often the sign of an unhealthy skin. Scratching by the dog also worsens skin irritation and increases the chance of infection. How can I treat seborrhoea? Dogs with seborrhoea typically need ongoing management to keep the signs under control. Medicated shampoo treatment is vital in seborrhoea management. A range of medicated shampoos is available to target specific types of seborrhoea. Shampoos can be used to remove excess oil from the coat or, alternatively, to moisturise dry, sensitive skin. Shampoos may also help to break down skin flakes, soothe the skin and control yeast and bacterial skin infections. Avoid anti-dandruff shampoos formulated for human use, and avoid harsh oil-stripping agents. These can actually worsen the problem causing further irritation to the skin. Providing a good quality diet may help to reduce skin inflammation. Omega 3 fatty acids used as a dietary supplement are useful in seborrhoea. These have anti-inflammatory properties and can improve the skin s resilience. Like vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids are given long term and it may take 8 12 weeks of supplementation to see results. Treatment products are available over the counter from your veterinarian, where you can seek advice about the correct management for your pet. When should I see my vet? Sometimes treatment for either an underlying allergy or the subsequent skin infection is necessary to get seborrhoea under control. Medications to control itch, bacterial infection may be initially prescribed. If your dog is very itchy, has red, scabby or raw areas of skin or the odour is not controlled with shampoo and dietary treatment, visit your veterinarian for tailored treatment for the condition. 14 CDODC CAPERS ~ February 2015

15 ?? Did you know that this shop is run for you the handlers and your dogs? Prices are usually lower than pet shops, vets and supermarkets. Some examples... Sentinel Spectrum large dogs $95.00 Heartgard medium dogs $35.00 Frontline large dogs $58.00 Pigs Ears (each) $1.40 Biscuits $2.00 Prices subject to change Ask us about buying in bulk. We sell many other items including treats, toys, dog coats. Anything you might need for your dog. Come and have a look. Coffee and Snacks Coffee and Snacks are available for sale in the Clubhouse every Sunday during training hours. Coffee/Tea/Ovaltine/ Soft Drinks, Chips, Chocolate Bars/ Sausages etc. ALL AVAILABLE CDODC CAPERS ~ February

16 CDODC Tracking Passes Kennel & call name Owner Event TS. Grand Ch, Dual Ch (T) Sanmar Denver Bobbee Terrill Tracking Club of Victoria winner of the Diva (Greta) UD, RAE (2), ADX, JDM, SPD, GD, SD, HT annual Gold Cup for the highest scoring veteran tracking dog for 2014 Rally Obedience Report Well done to the following Croydon Rally O handlers and their dogs who succeeded at the following trials since the last edition of Capers:- SOUTHERN OBEDIENCE DOG CLUB RALLY TRIAL 15/11/14 Di Bell and Mickey achieved their first pass with a score of 74. CROYDON & DODC RALLY TRIAL 7/12/14 Emily Skoda + Coal, RALLY NOVICE, score 95, FIRST in ring in first trial. Anne Woods + Elzscot Reach for the Stars, RALLY NOVICE, score 94, second in ring. Julia Bennett + Elspan Nightfyre, RALLY NOVICE, score 91, 4th in ring in first Rally Trial. Anne Woods + Bordarita Dreamtimechaser, RALLY NOVICE, score 85, 6th in ring. Nicky Brogno + Ananda Sherbet Bomb, RALLY ADVANCED A, score 77, 7th in ring. Dodo Kelly + Fernfall Gallant Trooper, RALLY ADVANCED A, Score 94, second in ring. Dodo Kelly + Killara First Seeker, RALLY ADVANCED A, Score 73, eighth in ring. Pam Scott + Mercedes Meg, RALLY EXCELLENT A, score 83, FIRST in ring. DO YOU WISH TO TRY RALLY O? Once you have your Basic 2 Certificate you are able to take part in this sport from 11am until 12 on Sundays it is a lot of fun for you and your dog. You do not have to enter competition like the people whose successes have been reported on this page. You can just enjoy yourself practising the skills you already have in a fun layout of interesting signs. Check out the information on the CDODC website under the Rally O tab or pick up an Expression of Interest form from the table near the office. If you decide you d like to take part fill in the form and drop it in the Rally O Box. Any questions just contact the Coordinator Gary McArthur: croydonrallyo@gmail.com 16 CDODC CAPERS ~ February 2015

17 Obedience Triallers Report Our Obedience Trial held on 7/12/14 was again a great success, with the weather looking very threatening early on but changed just in time for competition with perfect trial conditions. A great day was had by all. A huge thank you to everyone involved in making our trial happen! CONGRATULATIONS to the following Croydon members who received qualifying scores at recent Obedience Trials: DOGS VICTORIA FRIENDS OF OBEDIENCE 25/11/14 COMMUNITY COMPANION DOG RING (CCD) Merrae Balaam and Keisha Score 86, Title OPEN RINGS (CDX) Sue Hatfield and Ellagant Positive Twist, CDX (Twist) 1st Place, Score 197, Title. Bobbee Terrill and Dual Ch (T) Rosarott Basko s Pride CDX, RA, HSA(s) 2nd Place, Score 181 Anne Mann and Kombinalong Super Sapphira, CD, RN (True Blue) 3rd Place, Score 182 UTILITY DOG RING (UD) Marjy Grosvenor and Stobar Quinella CDX, ET, RAE, (Quinn) 1st Place, Score 187 CROYDON & DISTRICT OBEDIENCE DOG CLUB 7/12/14 COMMUNITY COMPANION DOG (CCD) Gaye Penny and Abtei Great Expectations (Holly) CCD, HTMN FSI 1st Place, Score 98, Highest Scoring CCD in Trial, Title. COMPANION DOG (CD) Ron Sciberras and Spritzee Stealingmoments CCD, RN 2nd Place, Score 184 points OPEN RINGS (CDX) Rebecca McGroarty and Adderslot Midnight Charmer, CD, 1st Place Score 188. Karen Soo and Ausfx Hunting High N Low, CD (Hunter) 3rd Place, Score 177 Bobbee Terrill and Dual Ch (T) Rosarott Basko s Pride CDX, RA, HSA(s)(Basko) 1st Place, Score 189 Bobbee Terrill and Triple Ch (NTO), T&S Grand Ch Cabulla River Aorborn UD, RE, JD, SD, SPD, GD, HSA(s),ET (Morgan) 2nd Place Score 186. SAPPHIRE COAST KENNEL & OBEDIENCE CLUB 13/2/15 COMPANION DOG (CD) Grace Rumantir and Neut. Ch. Meadowspark Affrica Kira CD TDX RAE DWDF.N HTM.N, 3rd place, Score 173 Title. Anne Mann s Kombinalong Super Sapphira, CD, RN (True Blue) Marjy Grosvenor s Stobar Quinella CDX, ET, RAE, (Quinn) Merrae Balaam and Keisha, CCD CDODC CAPERS ~ February

18 Flyball Update Croydon Rockets Allsorts Flyball team were well represented at the Bass Coast Show 2015 in Wonthaggi on 10th January It was the first competition of the year and a great start, with a fantastic team and support crew of Stephen (and Buddy), and Andy. It has been so long since I have raced a dog of my own for a whole day. I started doing flyball in 2008 with Crawford. I raced with him for about 18 months, and in that time, we only managed to complete 2 full competitions, and the rest of the time, he was carded (much like soccer, being carded for bad behaviour) and had to sit out for the rest of the day. It was about the time my daughter Rachael got Candy, and I trained Candy because at the time, the club didn t allow junior members under 16. Candy sailed through B1 and B2 and then we started flyball training. It took us 2 years of training because Candy was scared of the box. Then I started to race Candy, and in 2010 the club rules changed and allowed juniors to handle dogs. Before long, Rachael was running Candy in the teams and have done so since It was great timing because I had just completed flyball training with Mr Magoo and was looking forward to racing with him. But in the first 12 months, he didn t manage to complete a competition. Being a Whippet X, he was especially distracted and excited that there were so many other dogs running with him. Red cards were flashed and Mr Magoo had to sit out rest of competitions. We went back to the drawing board with him after failing miserably to get his focus at competitions. 12 months later we were again ready, but the competition was cancelled due to rain. It was sadly, his last competition. In December 2013, I got Tigger from the SAFE (Western Australia), and in just over 12 months, he has breezed through B1, B2 and flyball training. Much of his flyball training started at home, since I had gained many years of experience training Crawford, Candy and Mr Magoo. Tigger did 3 demos and then one Flyball class. Then he competed in his first competition, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief. We got through the day without being carded!!! I believe my experience with difficult dogs has given me the tools and knowledge to provide the best training for Tigger. I have loved every second of my time with Crawford and Mr Magoo however frustrating, and I am loving every second with Tigger. I have persevered and thank goodness, I can now look forward to a very long Flyball career with Tigger. Frances Campbell DO YOU WANT A TROPHY? All handlers whose dogs have gained a title since 1st April 2014 are entitled to a trophy which will be presented at our AGM. Simply give Ingrid Krueger a copy of your Title Certificate. If you wish to be considered for one of our Perpetual Trophies, please make sure that you give a list of all the passes you have received since last April and any qualifying scores you have earned to Ingrid Krueger and complete the details in the Trial Results book. Please remember the Committee does not have E.S.P. 18 CDODC CAPERS ~ February 2015

19 Brush those teeth! Reprinted from Dogs Life Mag Sept/Oct 14 Lifetime Investment It s more important than ever to take care of dogs teeth because our pups are living longer. Just 20 years ago a dog was considered old at age eight; now it s not uncommon to see dogs in their late teens and even 20. Why a healthy mouth is so important for your dog. Phew! You sure smell funky! When your dog gives you a slobbery kiss and you push him away because his breath is so bad, he may be suffering from more than just an unpleasant odour; he could have serious dental disease. Really, the only time that dogs get bad breath is when they have serious periodontal disease, says Dr Brook Niemiec, DVM (Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, California). If you don t want him to kiss you, it is more serious than gingivitis. Your dog needs a trip to the vet. For years people didn t pay much attention to their dog s teeth until there was a problem. And even now a lot of major vet schools don t teach dentistry. But scientists have discovered links between gum disease and more serious health issues, especially with heart, liver and kidney function. By the time a problem manifests itself, though, disease is probably in an advanced state. Dogs don t know how to tell us that their mouths hurt, or that they don t feel good, Dr Niemiec says. So unless you are on top of it, it may be too late. He recommends that you start taking care of your dog s teeth early and frequently to prevent trouble later on. Once a year, your dog s teeth should be examined by a professional, starting on his first birthday. Believe me, in some small breeds, as many as 90% will have some level of early gum disease by one year old, Dr Niemiec says. He advises owners to have their dogs teeth examined by a vet at least once a year, but he also says that, with a little know-how, you can check your pup s mouth yourself much more often. For instance, lift his lips and look for redness on the gums a sign of gingivitis. Check your dog s mouth weekly, and if you see signs of redness or a broken tooth or swelling, it is time to take him to a vet, he says. What we do so often is wait for signs that disease is there rather than preventing it from happening in the first place. That means that not only is your dog going to suffer more, but the treatment will likely be more complex and, of course, more expensive. How do you prevent disease? Just like humans, it comes down to good daily care and stopping plaque from building up, Dr Niemiec says. The ideal way is with daily brushing. But if you really are not going to do that, there are a lot of chew treats out there like Greenies that actually prevent gum disease. Check if the treats have the Australian Veterinary Dental Society seal of approval. He adds, It only takes two minutes a day to brush a dog s teeth, and because plaque builds up in 24 hours, it is important that teeth are cleaned daily. He recommends starting the habit while they are still puppies, not just to prevent disease from occurring but to get them used to the feel of having their teeth brushed. Even before their adult teeth come in, at six months, he suggests familiarizing them with sensation of having your in their mouth. PLEASE NOTE: Do not use human toothpaste as it is toxic to dogs. There are special toothpastes for dogs available at some pet shops or pet supplies places on the web. Also there are a few recipes which use bi carb and stock cubes. CDODC CAPERS ~ February

20 Top 10 Training Troubles By Kate Potter Reprinted from Dogs Life Mag If Fido just won t behave himself, it might be time to take a closer looker at your training techniques. Training your dog to be a well mannered family member can be a time consuming and challenging pursuit. Keep in mind some key points when tackling your dog s training needs and your effort and commitment will not go unrewarded. It s all too easy to slip up when training. Inappropriate punishment In any good relationship, trust is a must. Getting angry and smacking your dog in rage only makes him fearful of you and damages your bond, so remember to keep your cool. Kim Rance, from West Coast Pet Care Centre in Mariginiup WA says punishment shouldn t be cruel, just something the dog doesn t like. Unrealistic goals Just like people, dogs learn at different rates. Your dog may learn some things very quickly but find others more challenging. Start with small, easily achievable goals and make sure they match your dog s abilities, both physical and mental. Puppies, for example, struggle to focus for long periods of time, so keep training sessions short and fun. Lassie and Inspector Rex are great examples of what well trained dogs can do but don t forget the amount of time (and money) that goes into training animals for the big screen. Giving up too soon Patience may be a virtue, but so is persistence. If your dog is struggling with a training concept, break it down into smaller steps for him to master. If the dog still can t grasp what you re asking him to do, an experienced trainer can help assess the situation and give some tips that consider both your teaching skills and your dog s learning style. 20 CDODC CAPERS ~ February 2015 Inconsistency Consistency is crucial. Your dog needs to learn what s expected of him and what the outcomes of his actions are. If there is something you don t want him to do as an adult, then don t let him do it as a puppy, says Ms Rance. If you respond to your dog s behaviour in the same each time he ll soon learn what s right and wrong. Remember that your dog doesn t understand the human concept or context, so if you don t want him to jump on you when you re dressed for work, don t let him jump on you when you re wearing you favourite daggy tracksuit. He ll get confused by you changing your mind about what he s allowed to do, so it s easier to teach him to keep all four paws on the ground from day one. Being consistent has been difficult at the Lee house. When we catch Cody misbehaving, we tell him off on the spot. Sometimes he will bark or cry at us in response, which melts our hearts, so he tends to get a hug and get away with it, she says. Rewarding the wrong behaviour Any time you speak to, touch or pay attention to your dog you re rewarding him, Kim says. Inadvertently rewarding your canine companion for misbehaviour can be a recipe for disaster. It can be a tough situation for owners as you might not be aware you re doing the wrong thing. If a dog is scared, for example, loving owners will likely try to soothe away the dog s fears, like they would with a child. Comforting a scared dog only increases its anxiety and rewards it for being afraid. If there is nothing to be afraid of, ignore the dog until it relaxes and reward it for being calm, she says. The more you reward behaviour, good or bad, the stronger it will become.

21 Top 10 Training Troubles cont. Failing to reward the right behaviour We re quick to tell off our dogs for doing something wrong, but it s just as important to reward them when they ve done something right. If the only time you pay attention to your dog is to tell him off, he ll learn that misbehaving gets attention and that something is better than nothing, says Kim. How often do you praise your dog for being peaceful and relaxed? A quiet good boy and a pat on the head as you pass will let him know that you re happy. Keep your reward calm so he doesn t get excited for lots of attention. Poor timing Dog s live in the moment, so any rewards and punishment must be immediate, say Kim. If your dog has destroyed your joggers while you ve been away at work, yelling at him when you get home won t solve the problem as he won t be able to connect his past crime with your current punishment. Instead he ll start to become anxious about you coming home as he ll associate it with bad things happening for him. Given you only have seconds to get your message across, pay close attention to your dog and make sure you re nearby to correct any inappropriate behaviour. Ruining your recall Recall is one of the most important commands you can teach your dog. It can even save many dogs lives, but is often totally ruined by many owners through incorrect use, Ms Rance says. Recall should always be fun for the dog, never use it tell him off for something he s done wrong. After all, who wants to come running to get into trouble? Don t become the fun police at the dog park and use come only when it s time to go home. Call your dog to you many times during play and reward him heavily, then release him to play again. If your dog figures he s got a 95% chance of reward and only a 5% chance of going home, he ll happily play the odds. Taking it to seriously While training is a very important topic, if your dog knew the saying all work and not play makes Jack a dull boy he d agree paws down. Training needs to be fun and motivational to stimulate your dog s mind. For optimal learning we need to be relaxed and happy; any signs of stress or fatigue will slow learning and greatly affect your end results, says Kim Learn for life It s not true that you can t teach old dogs new tricks. Dogs are clever and will continue to learn as time passes, so never give up training. When he was five, we taught Cody to sit and wait for the magic word before he was allowed eat food put in front of him, says Lee. Improve on basics, such as making him sit for a fixed period when there s more tempting things like food or playtime friends on offer. For something different, try agility, tracking, dancing or any number of fun dog sports. Croydon Demo Team Have your gained your Basic (B2)? Would you like join our demo team? If you are interested come into the office on a Sunday morning and fill in an application form. CDODC CAPERS ~ February

22 Our Volunteers Without them we wouldn t be here. This edition we meet Wayne and Marilyn. Although we see both these people out on the ground on a regular basis and many handlers know Wayne as B1 and Social class Instructor, many members may not be aware just how much these two do behind the scenes. As well as his on the ground jobs Wayne is our handyman extraordinaire, if it s broken or needs to be replaced he s always only too willing to oblige. If we need a new piece of equipment, Wayne will build it. Wayne is usually last to leave club, putting finishing touches on something and also the one who puts out and brings in and relines the poo bins each week. Wayne is one of the most positive people you will ever meet. Marilyn wears many hats at Club, she is instrumental on the Committee, maintains the website, and makes sure documents are up to date and available to Instructors. She is also a driving force of the Training Panel making sure that our methods are current. She keeps a check on class numbers ensuring that classes are a manageable number as well as making sure classes flow from one level to the next without interuption. Marilyn also has an uncanny knack of knowing each and every one of our instructors, and their circumstances as it pertains to the Club. Marilyn and Wayne are both currently Vice Presidents of the Club and ensure smooth running of the Committee when our President is away. Both these people do so much over and above. Thank you both of you. Name: Wayne Tracey How many years have you been a member at CDODC? 18 years or 19 who s counting How many dogs have you trained at Club? Two, Scud and Phoenix Current dog/s and breed. Are you currently training a dog at Club? What discipline? Phoenix. Yellow Labrador. Currently attending Social class when we get the chance. How many years have you been volunteering at Club and in what capacity? 15 years on the Committee as Vice President, Basic 1 Instructor and making new equipment and maintenance around the club. What do you like most about your job at Club? What do you like least? Any highlights you d like to share? Certainly the dogs and the friendships I ve made over the years. Getting up at 6am on Sunday. Seeing the faces of the handlers when they actually pass after 12 weeks of training. What one word would you use to describe yourself? Happy What is your philosophy on life? Life is too short to be grumpy. 22 CDODC CAPERS ~ February 2015

23 Our Volunteers cont. Do you have a pet peeve, what is it? Not really. Nothing really worries me. Anything else you would like share? Come on don t be shy. Who would have thought when I first joined the Club with black hair and now not much hair and whiter. Name: Marilyn Chaffey How many years have you been a member at CDODC? I first joined in 1986 and trained 3 dogs over the next 4 years and then had a break. Rejoined in 1998 and have been here ever since. How many dogs have you trained at Club? Seven Current dog/s and breed. Are you currently training a dog at Club? What discipline? Archer/Rhodesian Ridgeback. Cougar/Rhodesian Ridgeback. Cougar is now nearly 12 and we trained to Advanced level. Archer, who is 5 completed Basic 2. How many years have you been volunteering at Club and in what capacity? I have been an instructor since 2002, and became a class assessor 9 years ago. I was the Instructors Representative in 2006/2007 after which I stepped up to the role of Chief Instructor for 4 years, and as a result have served on committee since I am a member of the Training Panel which is responsible for the structure and documentation for classes since 2007 until current. I m also an Authorised Handler a position that involves helping out handlers that may have a training or behavioural issue. Currently I am serving my second term as Vice President, as well as administering the club website. What do you like most about your job at Club? What do you like least? Any highlights you d like to share? I enjoy the camaraderie that instructors at Club have. I have made some wonderful friends over the years. There isn t much that I don t enjoy, but if I had to pick one thing, it would be having to tell handlers that they haven t passed their assessment. A highlight was receiving life membership in 2012, but in 2013 I was presented with an Oscar for my contribution to the 55th Anniversary DVD. What one word would you use to describe yourself? Perfectionist: friends say I m anal. What is your philosophy on life? Work to live, not live to work. My husband had a serious health scare a few years ago, after which we decided to do the things we want to do now, rather than putting them off till later. We enjoy travelling, sometimes to parts of the world that are a little off the beaten track. Among other places, I have travelled extensively through Southern Africa to Mozambique, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, and most recently to Japan. As a result of our African travels, we sponsor 3 children in Zimbabwe after experiencing CDODC CAPERS ~ February

24 CDODC OFFICE HOURS PLEASE NOTE: The office hours are from 9.15am 10.30am Certificates ONLY will be available from 10.30am 11.00am The office will CLOSE at 10.30am sharp, so that the volunteers who work on the desk can collect their dogs and go to their training classes. Volunteers Cont... firsthand the living conditions imposed upon the population by a corrupt government. One day, we hope to visit our sponsored children. The best part of travelling is to embrace new cultures and learning as much as you can as you go. Do you have a pet peeve, what is it? I m totally against pet shops selling puppies and can t believe what people are willing to pay for designer breeds. If everyone stopped buying from pet shops, puppy farms would be put out of business. visit 24 CDODC CAPERS ~ February 2015 March Sun 8 NO TRAINING Labour Day Tues pm Committee Meeting April Sun 5 NO TRAINING Easter Sunday Tues pm Committee Meeting Sun 26 NO TRAINING Obedience Trial May Fri 8 Nominations for Committee Close Tues pm Committee Meeting Fri pm ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Unless otherwise stated the following activities are conducted each week: Wednesday 6:30pm & 7:30pm Puppy Pre-School Wednesday 6:00pm 9.00pm Trial Training Sunday 9.00am 12:00pm Obedience Training Puppies, Basic, Advanced Trial Classes Flyball Training Agility Training