The Shepherd s Whistle

Transcription

1 Northern California Working Sheepdog Association, Inc. The Shepherd s Whistle Volume 15, Issue 4 July NCWSA Officers and Board Members President Rusty Jeffers Vice-President Cris Flint Secretary Marcia Wilson Treasurer Marijke Tenge Newsletter Editor Dale Flint Board Members Yvette Cook Richard Mallouf Jennifer Stewart Marilyn Bates Mimi Wilson Inside this issue: President s Report (the squeak of the wheel) I hope everyone is managing to stay cool this summer. I find it hard to believe the year is half over already. Entries for the Pleasanton Scottish Games trial are out. This newsletter has an entry included. This is always a fun and interesting event being held at the largest Scottish Games in the west. Thanks to Russ Dotson and Yvette Cook for doing the heavy lifting on putting this event together. And thanks to John Grey and the Caledonian Club of San Francisco for inviting us for another year. Kathy Hoffer, Jan Davis and Polly Lowry are organizing and NCWSA is co-hosting the Western Regional Rusty s Nap (photo courtesy of Mary Asmus) Championship trial for this year. It will be held at Thompson Ranch in Auburn on Nov Stay cool everyone, and I hope to see you at Pleasanton. -Rusty Ron Curran/Ken Blake Memorial SDT Results Dominance Hierarchy Scottish Games Entry Form 2 3 Bio Form 5 Classified Ads 7 Pt. Pleasant Results 7 Upcoming Events 8 Saturday, May 13, 2006 Ione, California Judge: Sandi Andersen Open 1 Tom Spencer Maid 93 2 Suzy Applegate Bet 90 3 Suzy Applegate Hap 89 4 Barbara Spencer Lex 85 5 Shelley Parker Nell 84 6 Cris Flint Rose 78 7 Rusty Jeffers Nap 76 8 Guido Lombardi Jessee 76 9 Anne Mock Taff Tom Spencer Floss 67 Pro/Novice 1 Suzy Applegate Lynn 81 2 Shelley Parker Zeke 80 3 Fred Temple Cap 80 4 Cris Flint Darby Jane Harrison Annie 77 6 Shelley Parker Jace 74 7 Barbara Spencer Bell 72 8 Anne Mock Pip 71 9 Phyllis Karsten Boss Fred Temple Sugar 63 Novice/Novice 1 Stephanie Summers Kate 69 2 Gloria Atwater Jesse 64 3 Fred Temple Jack 55

2 PAGE 2 THE SHEPHERD S WHISTLE VOLUME 15, ISSUE 4 Dominance Hierarchy in Dogs (a.k.a. Sibling Rivalry) What is a dominance hierarchy and why is it important to dogs? Dogs are social animals whose evolutionary history makes them willing and able to live in groups. Group living enabled wolves to work together to obtain food, raise their young and defend their territory. It would be counterproductive for members of a group to fight with each other and risk injury. That would prevent them from working with the group. Therefore, dogs have a social structure in which each dog is either dominant (leader) or subordinate in its relationship with each other pack member. This is a "dominance hierarchy". The leader or "alpha" dog is the one that has first access to all the "critical" resources. These resources include food, resting places, mates, territory and favored possessions. Assertion of dominance by the alpha is generally communicated through facial expressions, body postures and actions. Fighting is rare, since as soon as the subordinate submits or defers to the alpha animal and the alpha gets its way, he or she gives up the challenge. My dogs have lived together for some time and now they are fighting. Why? Fights between dogs in the household are often about dominance or social status. Social status aggression most often occurs when dogs reach social maturity at months of age. Fights will be about those resources that are considered important to dogs. Therefore fights may occur over treats, owner attention, greeting the owner upon return, sleeping positions near the owner, entering or exiting the home, high arousal situations such as fence running, or movement through tight spaces. These fights occur most often between dogs of near equal status and often, but not always, dogs of the same sex, and seem to be most severe between female dogs. I try to treat my dogs equally, but they still fight. What am I doing wrong? Trying to treat two dogs as equals will only serve to counter the natural tendency toward a hierarchy. The dog that is the more dominant in a relationship needs to be supported in its position and the more subordinate must be taught to accept the relationship. When you support or encourage the subordinate dog as it tries to gain access to resources such as your attention, the dominant dog may begin to challenge and fight, in an effort to keep the lower ranking dog in its place". If you then discipline the dominant dog, or pull the dominant dog away, you have favored, supported and come to the aid of the subordinate dog. What should I do when one of my dogs challenges another? Aggression between household dogs can be difficult to treat. You will need to identify the subordinate dog, and ensure that you are not encouraging the subordinate dog to challenge the more dominant. It is critical that you never come to the aid of the subordinate against the more dominant. If left alone, the dogs will often use posturing and threats to end encounters without injury. If one dog backs down, the problem may be resolved. However, when neither dog is willing to give up the dominant position (as in a young dog challenging an older dog in the home), fighting will usually result. A common owner error is the desire to make life "fair". This often results in owners allowing subordinate dog s access to resources, such as attention, treats, toys, or entry into territory that they would not normally have. Usually the subordinate dog would not behave in a manner that would challenge the dominant when no one is around to "protect" it. If you encourage or protect the subordinate dog, it may be "tempted" to break the "rules", and the dominant dog may become aggressive to enforce the "rules". If you then punish the dominant dog for aggression, the subordinate dog learns it can engage in prohibited behavior while the owner is present. This is why, in many households, there is no fighting when the owners are gone. The subordinate is aware of the hierarchy, and does nothing to challenge the dominant dog, unless the owners are around to intervene. -excerpted in part from pethealthcare.net

3 NCWSA SCOTTISH GAMES SDT Pleasanton Fair Grounds September 2-3, Advanced Trials - Sat $30 Sun $30 Both Days $55 2 Intermediate Trials - Sat $25 Sun $25 Both Days $45 Non NCWSA Members add $5/dog/day Sponsored by The Northern California Working Sheepdog Association Hosted by The Caledonian Club of San Francisco Two-Day High Combined and Reserve High Combined Silver Belt Buckles Medallions 1st 3rd Saturday Plaques 1st 3rd Sunday Purses: Adv. - $850 each Day (w/20 dogs) Int. - $425 each Day (w/20 dogs) THIS IS A TIMED ARENA TRIAL with OBSTACLES MANDATORY Advanced Class - Most Obstacles Driven - 2 Runs each Day Intermediate Class - Most Obstacles Assisted - 2 Runs each Day 40 Total Dogs Each Day Classes may be limited May Limit 2 Dogs per Class per Handler Free Arena Side Parking for Handlers - MUST ARRIVE BY 8:00 am Trial Information call: Rusty Jeffers or president@norcalsheepdog.org NO REFUNDS after AUGUST 18, 2006! Fees must accompany entry. US FUNDS! CHECKS CASHED AUGUST 22. No fax, phone or entries! Entries received after 8/18 must include additional $5 per run. BIO INFORMATION FORM MUST ACCOMPANY ENTRY FORM & FEE Mail Entries & Bio Info to: Rusty Jeffers, 125 Eagle Lane, Brentwood, CA Dog s Name Class sat sun both 1. Adv Int NON NCWSA MEMBERS ADD $5/DOG/DAY $ 2. Adv Int 3. Adv Int 4. Adv Int TOTAL CHECK ENCLOSED $ Payable to: NCWSA Name Address City/State/Zip Phone (PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY) READ AND SIGN: I certify that I am the owner of the above dogs(s) or the duly authorized agent of the actual owner. I hereby assume the sole responsibility for and agree to indemnify and save the Judge(s), trial committee, helpers, other participants, NCWSA, it s members officers and directors, The Caledonian Club, the Alameda County Fairgrounds, Russell Dotson, Michele Krone and Oak Hill Ranch harmless from any and all loss and expense (including legal fees) by reason of the liability imposed by law upon any of the aforementioned parties arising out of or in consequence of my participation in this herding event. Member or not, I agree to make myself accountable to the rules and guidelines of misconduct as written by the host club NCWSA. The rules and guidelines may be reviewed at the club website or by contacting the secretary or president. In case of any injury to any stock by the dog(s), I will assume financially responsibility for any damage. I will pay shepherd s cost of $200 for any animal killed or seriously injured, or the veterinarian bill if so required. I certify that the dog(s) are not a hazard to persons, livestock or other dogs. Signature Date ENTRY FORMS AVAILABLE ON THE NCWSA CLUB'S WEB SITE:

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5 NCWSA SCOTTISH GAMES SDT BIO INFORMATION ABOUT HANDLER AND DOGS MUST ACCOMPANY ENTRY FORM & FEE HANDLER: YEARS TRAINING YEARS TRIALING # DOGS TRAINED # OF DOGS TRIALED BREEDS OF DOGS WORKED TRIALING ACCOMPLISHMENTS DOG'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS: NAME: NAME: NAME:

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7 VOLUME 15, ISSUE 4 THE SHEPHERD S WHISTLE PAGE 7 Open Trial June 17, 2006 Open Trial June 18, 2006 Judge: Bill Berhow Judge: Bill Berhow 1. Nicky Riehl Lizzie Kathy Hoffer Jill Sandi Andersen Brock Judy Loflin Jess Amelia Smith Price Barbara Spencer Lex Anne Mock Taff Bob Dias Faye Ed Spencer Ben Gloria Supernaw Gyp Jim Oxford Lass Sandi Andersen Brock Sandi Andersen Harley Nicky Riehl Lizzie Gloria Supernaw Gyp Tom Spencer Maid Judy Loflin Lass Mike Meredith Gwen Judy Loflin Jess Guido Lombardi-Jessie George Grist Del Sandi Andersen-Harley Anne Mock Ash Anne Mock Taff Angela Akers Riley Shelley Parker Nell Bob Dias McCloud Judy Loflin Lass Guido Lombardi Jessie Bob Dias McCloud Tom Spencer Maid Gloria Supernaw-Moss Barbara Spencer Lex Paul Hackett-Moss Bob Dias Faye Ed Spencer Ben Mike Meredith - Gwen Bob Dias Cub Gloria Supernaw Moss Ken Wahl Jake Polly Lowry Jenna Polly Lowry Jenna Ed Spencer Del Jim Oxford Lass Yvette Cook Moss Polly Lowry Flash Nicky Riehl Roy Angela Akers Riley Judy Loflin Jen Tom Spencer Floss Bob Dias Cub Ed Spencer Del Kathy Hoffer Jill Jana Duncan Jed Jim Oxford Pepper Anne Mock Pip RT 29. George Grist Toss Amelia Smith Price RT 30. Ken Wahl Jake Judy Loflin Jen RT 31. Tom Spencer Floss RT 31. Jim Oxford Pepper RT 32. Polly Lowry Flash RT 32. Nicky Riehl Roy RT 33. Shelley Parker Nell RT Nursery Results June 17, 2006 Nursery Results June 18, 06 Judge: Bill Berhow Judge: Bill Berhow 1. Sara Lisiecki Bill Dave Murray Kate Amelia Smith Sage Shelley Parker Jase Shelley Parker Zeke Sara Lisiecki Bill Dave Murray Annie RT 4. Amelia Smith Sage Shelley Parker Jase RT 5. Paul Hacket Blue Shelley Parker Gemi RT 6. Dave Murray Annie RT 7. Dave Murray Kate RT 7. Shelley Parker Gemi RT 8. Shelley Parker - Zeke RT Pro Novice Results June 17, 2006 Pro Novice Results Judge: Sandi Andersen Judge: Sandi Andersen 1. Jim Oxford Lynn LisAnn Spencer Coy LisAnn Spencer - Coy Guido Lombardi Bella Polly Lowry Meg Barbara Spencer Bell Bonnie Richardson-Grace Jim Oxford Trim Barbara Spencer Bell Polly Lowry Meg Leslie Pfardresher-Bill B. Richardson-Grace Tom Spencer Shorty Tom Spencer Shorty Jim Oxford Trim Tom Spencer Floss Marilyn Bates Rob Marilyn Bates Rob Charlotte Jones Jiggs Shelley Parker Jase Phyllis Karsten-Boss Yvette Cook Rex Mimi Wilson Ben Shelley Parker Zeke Guido Lombardi Bella Phyllis Karsten-Boss Yvette Cook Ace Jim Oxford Lynn RT 15. David Harris-Took Mimi Wilson Ben RT 16. Yvette Cook Rex Yvette Cook Ace RT 17. Mike Meredith Jynx C. Eardman-Chance Mimi Wilson Midge RT Point Pleasant Summer SDT Results: June 17-18, 2006 Classified Ads Pups whelped 5/22/06 Dam: Bess ABC # Dam's Dam: Fan ABC #73613 Champion at Monterey County Cattlemen Association Cattledog Trial and Santa Clara County Sheepdog Trial. Dam's Sire: Ben ABC # USBCHA Finals Champion (1996) under Alasdair MacRae. Sire: Rudy ABC # (Owned by Butch Wilson of PG Dogs; bred, raised, trained & trialed by Jimmy Walker). USBCHA Reserve National Champion & 3rd Place in Nursery; Texas State Cattledog Champion & Texas State Nursery Champion. Sire's Sire: Stetson ABC # Females / 1 Male $500/each. Dogs are in Salinas, CA. Kathy Nielsen Home Cell cowgirlkaty@comcast.net For Sale: 12 spring lambs 2 North Country Cheviot Ram lambs $150 each 2 North Country cheviot wethers $90 2 NCxRamboulet wethers $90 6 NCxDorper wethers $90 Contact Sandi at Herdingbc@sbcglobal.net

8 VOLUME 15, ISSUE 4 THE SHEPHERD S WHISTLE PAGE 8 Upcoming Events... Jul 29: Lambtown USA SDT, Dixon, CA Open- USBCHA Sanctioned Information mailto:retssdets285@aol.com Aug: CA State Fair SDT, Sacramento, CA final date TBD Open/Pro-Novice/Novice-Novice - USBCHA Sanctioned Information mailto:retssdets285@aol.com Sep 2-3, Pleasanton Scottish Games Obstacle & Time SDT, Pleasanton, CA Information mailto:president@norcalsheepdog.org Member Classified Ads... are free to NCWSA members! Send any ads to editor@norcalsheepdog.org Original content (i.e., stories, jokes, commentary) is also always appreciated. This is your newsletter. Make it work for you! Sep 26-Oct 1: USBCHA National Sheepdog Finals, Klamath Falls, OR Information: Oct 27-29: Fourth Annual Pt. Pleasant SDT, Elk Grove, CA Judge: Alun Jones, N. Wales Oct: Alun Jones Clinic, Elk Grove, CA Final Date TBD Nov 10-12: Western States Regional Championship SDT, Thompson Ranch, Auburn, CA Information: The Shepherd s Whistle Marcia Wilson, Publisher 1013 Rudgear Road Walnut Creek CA 94596