Butler Dog Training Association Trainer s Tales BDTA Web Site:

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1 Butler Dog Training Association Trainer s Tales BDTA Web Site: March 2017 Volume 36 No 3 President Barb Walter Vice-President Sam Abbott Secretary Jeanette Nestor Treasurer Greg Rock Director of Training Nancy Kieffer Board of Directors Debbie Neigh Cheryl Youkers Sharon Vrable Wendy McClaine Editor Ann Early (raearlys@windstream.net) President s Message Well, the first BDTA Agility Trial of 2017 is on the books, and it made over $5,000 for the Club!! Thanks to Wendy and Linda and all who helped with this great weekend!! Our Obedience Trial is coming up next month, and Nancy says everything is moving forward nicely. However, Debbie Hulick, Trial Secretary told us that entries are still low at this point. Typically, people wait till the last minute to enter (guilty as charged!), so those of you who love to do Obedience and Rally with your dogs still have plenty of time to fill out your entries and get them sent in!! Wouldn't it be nice to receive a plaque at the Awards Dinner? Thanks to Norbert Slezak, we now have additional outlets in the training room that will make vacuuming much easier. He asks that the new black extension cords attached to the vacuums not be removed. Please remember, when you want some personal training time in the building, to contact Nancy Kieffer to be put on the virtual calendar. Please also remember to sign in on the sheet in the office so we know you were there! Jody Johnston announced that Christmas Photos will be taken Nov 4-5. She needs more volunteers this year. This is another big fund raiser for the club, please consider helping when the time comes. There are proposed changes to the Bylaws that will be voted on at the April meeting. You'll find them in the newsletter. If you're able, please come and vote. Barb and my Gang (Gus, Fiona, and Jonah)

2 BDTA Meeting Notice The next Membership Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 18, We encourage all Provisional Members to attend meeting nights. It s a good way to meet others in BDTA and we get to meet YOU! Sit Happens. Spring has sprung!!! Last night was one of those nights where I was still staring at the clock at 1:00 AM. However, sleep must ve finally prevailed because at 2:10 AM the scruffy Circus Dog had managed to catapult onto my head with a flying leap from the floor. As Sprite stared me down with her wild-eyed communication skills, I realized that I must ve just fallen into a deep sleep. Trying to focus my eyes and understand what it was that she needed, I leapt out of bed only to hear the sound of a stink bug trying to find a spot to land while he hits the wall with that distinctive buzzing sound. So he just happens to be Sprite s source of irritation and my goal is to find the little bugger. It s now ten minutes into the search and all of the upstairs lights are on and I can t find him anywhere. Sprite and I hunt for twenty more minutes until she snorts at my lack of progress and goes downstairs to sleep and I am now left wide awake again. The Toothless Wonder who is sleeping on the bed on her mat has never even twitched through all of this. God bless her lack of hearing and need for eight hours of shut-eye. Tessie s little snores never change pace. Another look at the clock tells me she ll be well-rested and hungry in about three more hours. So it s now about 3:30 AM and I am going over the Nose Work exercises that both dogs got to play this weekend. It was so much fun to watch all of the dogs develop their own styles as their noses dictated their efforts. Now my mind is leaping ahead to the next few weekends which are already planned with so many activities. Sprite has a Barn Hunt weekend quickly approaching and a Rally trial, too. As March is ending, April is already so busy.there are classes and CGC/TDI testings (at BDTA and at the Western Pa. Humane Society), the Spring Obedience and Rally Trial weekend, all of the therapy dog visits, Easter weekend, a grandchild turning eight (just how did that happen??!!), and all of the normal Spring things to do around the home and in the yard. Okay, so now I really am tired.and Sprite has been getting her beauty rest while my mind has been going in circles. I can t imagine my life without dogs, but right now I think I need a nap. Enrich your dog s life today spend those few extra minutes thank him for enriching yours Nancy, Sprite & Tess

3 CALENDAR OF EVENTS April 8 th Saturday, 10:30 AM Paws to Read a Tale Butler County Public Library 19 th Wednesday Canine Ambassador visit to Shepherd of My Heart Pre-School, W. North St., Butler 21 st Friday, 6:00 PM CGC/TDI testing at BDTA 29 th & 30 th weekend BDTA Spring Obedience/Rally Trials in Saxonburg May 7 th Sunday afternoon Blessing of the Animals Vagabond Hall 13 th Saturday Paws to Read a Tale Butler Public Library 30 th Tuesday, 6:30 PM Dr. Mike Hutchison from Animal General will speak at BDTA June 15 th Thursday, 10:00 AM 2:30 PM Annual Therapy Dog visit to Camp Lutherlyn, Prospect 30 th Friday, 6:00 PM CGC/TDI testing at BDTA August 14 th Monday, 6:30 PM Karen Sable-Pet First Aid/CPR Demo BDTA October 21 st & 22 nd weekend Kelly Armstrong Obedience Workshop at BDTA November 4 th & 5 th weekend BDTA s Christmas Photo Shoot December 5 Tuesday evening BDTA s Annual Christmas Dinner and Awards Vagabond Center We welcome NEW MEMBERS Current Provisional Member(s): Barbara Schurman (Beabea), Sue Gliebe (Willow), Leslie Mortimer (Dino), Jen Heid (Jordi, Steevee Ann, Ralph, Calvin), Mary Waggoner (Libby), Beverly Enders (Watson), Glenna Holt, Eric Nilsson (Riley), Junelle Wisniewski (Cosmo). New Provisional Member(s): Cheryl Quinn (Louie) Editor s note: I invite new (& provisional) members to send me names of their dog(s) we ll be getting to know. Thanks. Nikki Rock, the club s provisional members liaison, will be keeping in contact with provisional members to help them make an easier transition to Club membership. If you have any questions call:

4 REMINDERS ACCESSING THE WEBSITE For useful member information on our website ( click on Members Only in the left column. The log-in is the same for all members. Username: bdtamember (All lower case.) Password: BDTA2010 (Uppercase followed by all numerals, think year. ) Once there, you can click on what you would like to do or just scroll down the page to find clickable links to current Bylaws and Member listings; Current & past Newsletters (PDF or Word) & Minutes; and the Building Calendar. Use of Training Building The Training Building is available to all members. Please use the vacuum cleaners and the other cleaning supplies provided to leave the building ready for classes, turn all inside lights off, leave the furnace setting on low (see posted instructions) or off during the warmer months and be sure all doors are locked! Everyone is responsible for keeping our facility clean and this will help spread the duties among us. (Please reserve training time by ing either Georgia Slater at or Nancy Kieffer at with your times/dates.) Memorial Plaque There are many places available on our Memorial Plaque at the Training Building. Please remember, this is a wonderful way to remember our dogs that have left us for the Rainbow Bridge. If you would like to purchase a spot on the plaque, pick up applications at the club or contact Cherry Sauers at ANNOUNCEMENTS Nominations A slate of nominees for the June 2017 through May 2018 Association year, prepared by the Nominating Committee, was presented to members by and at the March meeting. Additional nominations from the floor may be made at the April 18 meeting by any member present. The proposed candidate must agree either at the meeting or via her/his written statement of willingness given to the Secretary by the proposer to become a candidate for that office. This is the only time candidates may be nominated. The election will be held at the May 16 meeting. Officers (1 year terms) President -- Barb Walter Vice-President Regina Beilstein Secretary Jeanette Nestor Treasurer Greg Rock Director of Training Nancy Kieffer New Board Members (2-year terms) Georgia Slater & Kathie Rivers Proposed Changes to Bylaws -- Please see the end of this newsletter. Help Needed, Men We need a couple men to haul out the tall ladder and put the yellow barrel and the white laundry basket in the loft.

5 New Canine Ambassador Visit Shepherd of My Heart Pre-School has requested a visit from our therapy dogs. Three and four year olds will giggle as our pups tail wag their way into the room on Wednesday, April 19 th at 10:30 AM. If you have a dog who loves small children and is CGC/TDI certified, this could be an exciting morning for you. We will meet in front of North Street Christian Church at 226 W. North St. (downtown Butler) about 10:15 AM. Watch for details as the date approaches. Paw Print Problem To all Members who use the Club Facility: We have had an issue with multiple sections of the flooring displaying paw prints which at first look like just mud and dirt, but when we try to clean the floors, the rubber surface seems to have absorbed the mud/dirt and can't be removed. Several of the members have actually scrubbed with brushes to no avail. The stains seem to have a waxy quality when scraped. The only idea we came up with is the possibility of Paw Wax or Musher's Secret might have been introduced to the surface. The manufacturer of the flooring suggests that certain cleaners should not be used as it will compromise the integrity and safety of the floor, especially when attempting certain exercises, such as run-outs or jumping so nothing with a de-greasing agent or bleach is acceptable. These stains will just have to wear off at this time but we ask that no member coming to the building uses any of the Paw Wax, Musher's Secret or similar products on their dogs feet. With the rainy, muddy, Spring season approaching, we ask that you take the time to bring your own towel and wipe your dog's paws and your own "paws" clean before continuing on to the rubber surface. Thanks! Linda Arnold Dog Leads Due to the doubled cost of the leather used for me to make the leather leads, I have moved the production of the leads to an Amish Leather Shoppe in New Wilmington. This has been done with Board approval. The prices will remain the same. I have some odd length lead material and will attempt to make 4 foot and shorter leads until all of that material is exhausted. Contact me at: after 6 pm. Please leave a detailed message and your phone number if I cannot answer at the time you call. Norbert Slezak Christmas 2017 Oh my, not yet! Please?? Well, I will make this short. Set aside December 5, 2017, first Tuesday in the month of December. Time to come later along with cost. (probably similar to 2016). Same format. Different place! Vagabond Center near Lyndora Post Office. Yes, Parking. No garage. Just level pavement. Remember the rolls and desserts? Yep, Simply Catered again! This is your reminder. Save your pennies if necessary. No money accepted after the send to me by date. TBA later. Nancy Slezak

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7 THERAPY DOG VISITS FACILITY CITY DAY OF THE WEEK TIME Sunnyview Butler 1 st Thursday of the Month 6:30 pm VA Hospital Butler 2 nd Thursday of the Month 1:00 pm Valencia Woods Valencia 2 nd Thursday of the Month 6:30 pm Shelbourne Assisted Living Butler 3 rd Wednesday of the Month 6:30 pm Butler Memorial Hospital TCF Butler 3 rd Thursday of the Month 6:00 pm Passavant Retirement Center Zelienople 3 rd Thursday of the Month 6:30 pm Concordia Adult Day Care Cabot Last Tuesday of the Month 10:30 am Saxony House Saxonburg First Wednesday of the Month 10:30 am St. John s Specialty Care Center Mars Last Thursday of the month 6:30 pm Butler Hospital Psychiatric Butler Second Wednesday of the Month 2:00 pm New Haven Court Butler First Wednesday of the Month 3:00 pm LTSR Psychiatric Unit VA Campus 2 nd Thursday of the Month 2:00 pm If you would like to learn more about Therapy Dogs or how to become a Therapy Dog, please contact Nancy Kieffer ( ). CANINE AMBASSADOR PROGRAM Please contact Bernie Abbott, Public Education Coordinator at , for more information concerning the Canine Ambassador Program. There are local Boy Scout, Girl Scout, YMCA and Elementary Schools that need to learn more about dog safety, pet management and dog training. Bernie can help arrange the dates/times necessary to meet with these groups. WE NEED TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC AND PROMOTE OUR CLUB. IN SYMPATHY Our thoughts and sympathy go out to Bernie and Sam Abbott on the loss of their Boxer Holly. She will be deeply missed by family and friends. A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself. ~Josh Billings Our thoughts and prayers also go out to Kathy Davis on the loss of her Cocker Spaniel Peanut Butter. Peanut was a special therapy dog and will be missed by many. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion. ~Unknown

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9 PART SHELTIE Just sittin around In rural, traditional Africa, there would be a tree just outside the village under which an arriving stranger would sit, discreetly observing and being respectfully ignored by the villagers until he was comfortable enough to come the rest of the way. Likely some would be ready pretty quickly; others, more shy, take their good, old sweet time. It s thought that this is how some gray wolves, the less timid ones, approached our villages and eventually became dogs. This month it came to me to begin a project of taking my shy Zorro to say hello to people at members and agility classes. To him, this works by being beside someone, as he and I enjoy when I invite him to come beside and we sit together on the ground and observe the trees and sky and noises of evening, him leaning on my leg, my arm resting on his back, stroking him. I don t know how far he will adapt, if he ll ever go wagging up to a stranger. With his strong dose of shy genes (evolutionarily advantageous to a wolf) though, this is enough. Why I didn t try this sooner (Zorro turns 3 ½ today), I don t know, but I kind of think he and I both knew it was the right time. Who told who, I don t know. But he s a learnin dog. (And aren t we all, human and canine?) Speaking of just sitting, the club was complimented by Gretchen Meyer, instructor at the nose work classes held at the club this Saturday. She advocates, and the National Association of Canine Scent Work requires, that dogs be crated when not participating, usually out of the area to avoid distracting the working team. She says that the first BDTA workshop she taught, she reluctantly agreed to try letting dogs stay. Now, ours are the only workshops where she allows this. Now, unless the owner chooses to crate, and even that is right next to the work area, they just sit beside their owners! so comfortable around other dogs and people. I always love to work with all the dogs and handlers their personalities shining through, gentle, kind, considerate. I can tell they put in the time and the effort. It s not just the on-task time when our dogs practice at classes or competitions, is it? Nosing around At the workshop, little Maggie celebrated her 14 th birthday by searching slowly but well, gaining energy from the enjoyment of the task. Other dogs in turn zoomed around, were methodical, or, occasionally stumped, especially when it got harder. But they were all fun to watch. Some wanted to keep looking after they succeeded could be more, after all bringing forth lots of calls from moms (no dads in my session) cookies! One too many calls broke my decision to delay gratification and immediately go sniff for some chocolate chippers from the human refreshment table. To sit-staying and observing, Ann The deadline to submit items for the next newsletter is noon, Saturday, April 22, 2017 Submissions should be ed to raearlys@windstream.net or sent to: Ann Early 701 Ferne Drive Kittanning, PA

10 PROPOSED CHANGES TO BYLAWS Per BDTA Secretary Jeanette Nestor, the following changes to the BDTA Bylaws will be voted on by the membership at the April meeting. These are the proposed changes to BDTA Bylaws: BYLAWS ARTICLE I MEMBERSHIP SECTION 1 Eligibility: There shall be three types of membership as follows: a. Regular membership shall be open to all persons who are eighteen years of age and older, are in good standing with the American Kennel Club, and who subscribe to the purpose of this Association. b. Junior membership shall be open to all persons who are ten to seventeen years of age, are in good standing with the American Kennel Club, and subscribe to the purpose of this Association. Junior members shall enjoy all privileges of the Association except voting and holding office. c. Affiliate membership shall be open to all persons 18 years of age and older, are in good standing with the American Kennel Club and subscribe to the purpose of this Association, who are employed in an allied profession or have interest in or supports the dog training profession or other related professions. An affiliate member is not eligible to vote on Association issues or be elected to any office. ARTICLE X ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS SECTION 1 (continued) Butler Dog Training Association does not permit the possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages or possession or use of controlled substances on Club leased/owned or operated properties. In addition, the Club does not permit the possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages or possession or use of controlled substances at events held under the Club s jurisdiction or sponsorship.