est 1967 Kennel Club Reg 1968 Summer 2018

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1 est 1967 Kennel Club Reg 1968 Summer 2018 WELCOME Club members have had a busy summer with many different activities. The Sponsored Walk raising funds for Surrey Search and Rescue was well attended and raised a fabulous 900. Haslemere acquitted itself well at the Hampshire Rally in Basingstoke, read Fizz Carter s delightful account. Kennel Club Good Citizen Scheme Tests at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels have taken place over the summer term with great success. If you fancy trying something different with your dog - how about Mantrailing? I have signed my mad cocker up for an introductory session in October perhaps I will write about it in the next newsletter! Read Moira s article and see if it appeals to you? Moira will be at our AGM so you will have an opportunity to find out more. Pets as Therapy perhaps something quieter appeals would you and your dog like to visit hospitals or care homes read more in Patricia Bland s article. Shelley Goude, one of our obedience and Rally Obedience trainers is thrilled to have been asked to work on the puppy training of potential assistance dogs read more! For those members who attend Grayshott village hall keep checking the noticeboard at the front of the hall where all the club news and events will be displayed, as well as the club s Facebook page and website. Information is also available at Priory for those attending training there. INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 Welcome 2 Sponsored Walk Hampshire Rally, 7 th May 4 Forthcoming Events 5 Good Citizen Scheme Test - Bronze 6 Silver 7 Gold 8 Mantrailing 9 Pets as Therapy 10 Canine Assisted Learning 11 Summer social SPONSORED WALK 2018 We were lucky with the weather this year, and there was an excellent turnout. The route was one of our favourites, starting and ending at the Duke of Cambridge in Tilford. This 7-mile walk goes through the Lion s Mouth, skirts the Atlantic Wall and goes over the Devil s Jumps. At Crosswater Lane we did a short stretch along a narrow cul-desac road but otherwise the route was entirely offroad, and the dogs had a great time. At one point we encountered the and Waverley Ranger, he was 1

2 clearly impressed at the good behaviour of the twenty-two dogs and assorted owners. We climbed up to the King s Ridge, skirted the Little Pond and arrived tired and happy back at the pub in time for lunch. We raised just over 900 for our charity (Surrey Search & Rescue) so well done everyone. Once again Edith was the star fund-raiser despite the on-going problems with her ankle she gamely completed the course. Thanks also to the organisers, to Alan for showing the way, to Monica for collecting the cash, and to all those who took part. Len Davis HAMPSHIRE RALLY BASINGSTOKE WAR MEMORIAL PARK 7 TH MAY TEAM HDDTC Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4 Dog Handler Dog Handler Dog Handler Dog Handler Dinky Edith Anouk Sue Alan Poppy Drift Shelley Millie Veronica Flash Janice Fell Rosemary Joseph John Pip Monica Lily Fizz Nellie Jackie Angel Manda Gypsy Manda Cally Veronica Anouk Sue In addition to the above there was Class 8 Allsorts Team: Joseph and John, Flash and Janice, Poppy and Alan, Billie and Terry, Esme and Sue, Cally and Veronica, Lily and Fizz. The team arrived early at the War Memorial Park to set up a ring and judges tent. Shelley kindly provided a fabulous restaurant facility again, in the form of her luxurious camper van and two tents. We had a lovely assortment of dogs on our team varying from Collies, Westie, Pomeranian, Britanny Spaniel, Terrier, Miniature Dachshund and Billie! Thank you to Beryl and Edith for arranging a fabulous lunch. Thank you to Alan for keeping us all informed of training days, schedule of the day, providing clear instructions to everyone attending the event and setting up the ring in military fashion. The activities included the following: heelwork (on or off lead), examination of dog, control through a gate, recall, retrieving, scent work and group stays. Unfortunately, whilst some of us were doing our down stay an ice cream van turned-up and decided to turn on the loud enticing music; except most dogs ran to their owners rather than towards the van for a 99! Well done to the few handlers, whose dogs continued to stay in the down position!! 2

3 The results were very pleasing for the team and THE RESULTS Class 1 Class 2 very well done to all competitors. Pip was placed 2nd in class 1 Gypsy was placed 4th in class 1 Cally was placed 6th in class 2 Huge congratulations to Pip, Gypsy, Cally and their handlers. Lily would encourage other dogs to join in next year, as it is a great day out for dogs and their handlers. So if you are reading this, please pencilin May Bank Holiday 2019!!! FORTHCOMING th 25 October 10th December 20th December EVENTS AGM Agility Christmas Party Companion/Obedience Christmas Party BRONZE GOOD CITIZEN TEST ASSESSOR- CAROLE WEST, KCAI, OB, GCDS*,CD* Congratulations to all 9 handlers and dogs. There were 7 passes, the other 2 dogs deemed not ready due to stay breaks. The general standard was very high, including the 2 stay breakers, which can happen to the most consistent dog on the night. Stays, once the dog has been taught the exercise, really need to be trained with various distractions/noises. All to often the room and the handlers hardly dare breathe, and that is not real life. Well done everyone! SILVER GOOD CITIZENS TEST ASSESSOR: PATRICIA BLAND Three dogs took the test on May 3rd and two passed with flying colours!. 3

4 GOLD GOOD CITIZENS TEST You may remember Margaux, Patricia Bland s recycled flat-coated retriever written about in the last newsletter. Patricia now gives us a proud update on her! I'm so delighted with Margaux that I must show off to everyone! On Thursday evening, 19 July, Margaux and I took the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme test at GOLD level and PASSED. Mantrailing Scent Dogs Moira Oakford runs Mantrailing Scent Dogs. She has been training dogs for over 30 years and has specialized over the last 12 in air scenting and trailing. She has been a volunteer in search and rescue teams as well as running structured workshops and courses in Mantrailing Trailing is what comes naturally to a dog. They will follow scent trails of various animals as part of their way of communicating. This stems from their innate prey drive, some will even find prey (rabbits, squirrels etc) and chase. Mantrailing is teaching a dog to follow a human scent making use of this natural skill. I was not confident because, being such a friendly girl, she tends to want to go and see all the other dogs and people so I was very concerned about the Down Stay as part of this is out of sight and the dog must stay in the down position. It was a hot muggy evening and I had walked her and given her some gundog training - all to tire her out. Well that was the theory but, unfortunately, Fleurie hurt her paw or leg and would not put any weight on her front left foot so I put her on the lead and walked really, really slowly back to the track, 'phoning Richard to bring the car as close as he could. He lifted her in and once home I lifted her out - at which point she trotted off quite happily! So a very short injury time but this curtailed my practice time with Margaux. However, she was one of the four out of six who passed so I am more than delighted. Some of you know how boisterous and basically manic she was when she first arrived - and for some time thereafter. She is a delightful dog - still definitely full of life but is now my Golden girl who is also a PAT Dog. Patricia M Bland - Pentonfin Flatcoats Congratulations to those other handlers and dogs who also passed their Gold. Well done! The Olfactory system of the dog is different from that of humans, they have 44 times more brain cells responsible for processing scents. For this reason, dogs that do not get the opportunity to use this part of their brain will quickly get bored and the urge to use their nose will take over causing problems for the owners with the recall and other unwanted behaviours. Mantrailing is a fun activity that you can do with your dog that stimulates the dog s brain. All dogs become more confident and fulfilled and therefore more relaxed at home. Owners/ handlers will also enjoy the challenge, not only are you both together in natural environments but you are learning together and you will gain a greater understanding of how your dog thinks and sees the world around. Within search and rescue teams a dog is a vital tool to get to the missing person quickly and effectively to potentially save a life. Moira and Andy, the trainers at Mantrailing Scent Dogs are past members of search and rescue teams and have been training Mantrailing since They are qualified Mantrailing instructors accredited by Mantrailing France. They are also 4

5 qualified assessors and jointly founded Mantrailing England. Mantrailing Scent Dogs will be coming to our AGM For more information about workshops and courses go to their facebook page or visit their website : mantrailingscentdogs.co.uk SO WHAT IS PETS AS THERAPY? It s a national charity founded in 1983 to enhance health and well-being in the community through the visits of trusted volunteers and their behaviourally assessed animals - usually dogs but we have a few cats too. We provide a visiting service in hospitals, hospices, nursing and care homes, special needs schools and a variety of other venues all across the UK. We also have a fantastic scheme called Read2Dogs helping children improve confidence in literacy skills by encouraging them to read and communicate in a relaxed and non-judgemental environment. How can YOU join? With about 6,000 volunteers nationwide, we still need more people to help give this service and it doesn t take much time out of your busy lives to do this voluntary work. You can visit an establishment of your choice, with help from the local area co-ordinator, as frequently or infrequently as you can manage - an hour a month? Fortnightly? Weekly? With care homes and hospices, there is more flexibility but if you take on a Read2Dogs placement this is more of a regular commitment as you become part of the school s educational programme so need to set aside an hour or so each week on the same day - but of course you get the long school holidays off! Can anyone join? Within reason - yes. The dog needs to be assessed - not so scary as the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme assessments as we concentrate on temperament with some obedience so if your dog has passed the Bronze GCDS then you should fly through the PAT test, as much is similar. Pets As Therapy is not breed, colour or gender specific - it s the dog s temperament that is most important. The dog must not jump up at people and not paw - so don t teach your dog to give a paw on command as they then tend to do it to get attention and those claws could catch an elderly person s delicate skin, even if by accident. I am in my twentieth year of being a volunteer for Pets As Therapy and took on being a Temperament Assessor and Area Co-ordinator ten years ago. I think I can safely say that I m getting the hang of it now. If you would like further information, do look at our website and there will be some leaflets around the notice board in the lobby at Grayshott. Patricia Bland A CHARITABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR SHELLEY GOUDE! The Charity is called Canine Assisted Learning. They have a number of areas in which they work. Supporting in schools with literacy, lifeskills, speech and language as well occupational and other therapies. They train dogs to signal medical issues such as epilepsy and diabetes. They also also train dogs to support young people with life challenges such as autism. The charity works with bespoke dogs trained for a particular individual s complex needs. However they also help to train dogs that are already family dogs or puppies brought into the family (with guidance) to be trained to support the needs of a member of the family. Specially selected trainers work with the family, the client and the dog to guide them through the process. The charity has a multiskilled team with a vast amount of knowledge of the needs of the client and families but also in how to develop the skills the dogs will need to support the families they live with. The chairwoman called me out of the blue, she was looking for a trainer in my area who is an IMDT (Institute of Modern Dog Training) trainer. (I have been one for close to 5 years.) She asked if 5

6 I would be interested in helping to train puppies which are with families for their initial socialization and basic puppy training before going on to the specialist training. She herself is a trainer and is very much a follower of the choices/concept style of training that I embrace. What could I say? This is all so exciting for me and I hope to learn from their expertise, which can only broaden and develop my own knowledge and understanding of the seemingly limitless ability of our canine companions. Shelley (A little thing that further boosted me, she told the client that s starting with me next week, that she had 3 trainers to call but after chatting to me didn t call the others.) My gosh I better do a good job and show her she made the right choice... SUMMER SOCIAL When members asked for a summer get together the committee planned a social gathering with doggy fun and games. Marguerite, one of our Life Members agreed to allow us to use her land. She has a stable yard and well fenced paddock area. When planning we were concerned about wet weather, little did we know our chosen date would be in the middle of a heat wave! I decided to mail members to come along without dogs as it would be far too hot for games. However as Marguerite had gone to a lot of trouble having areas mown and tables and seats brought in I was loathe to cancel altogether. So on the day Beryl, Stuart, Judy, Richard and I turned up and waited a while and then had a congenial late afternoon/early evening together with some delicious food to share... Where were you all? You missed a lovely venue and excellent company! Sue TERM DATES AUTUMN 2018 September October November December Agility 3, 10, 17, 24 1, 8, 15, 29 5, 12, 19, 26 3, 10 Rally Obedience 4, 11, 18, 25 2, 9, 16, 30 6, 13, 20, 27 4, 11 Obedience 13, 20, 27 4, 11, 18 1, 8, 22, 29 6, 13, 20 Heelwork to Music 13, 20, 27 4, 11, 18 1, 8, 22, 29 6, 13, 20 Thank you to all of you who have contributed to this issue of the newsletter! I hope to continue to issue a newsletter termly so all of you thwarted/budding journalists, reporters and photographers please let me have your copy by 30 th November so I can get it all put together for the end of term. I am also happy to accept articles you have found on the internet, in newspapers etc which you think will be of interest to fellow members. Jenny Smith jennyilett@hotmail.co.uk POLITE NOTICE! Please note that to secure your place on our Thursday evening courses the payment of course fees should be paid two weeks prior to the commencement of the course by cash, cheque or direct bank transfer. If paid by direct bank transfer sort code account number please quote surname as the reference. Your trainer will remind you when the next payment will be due. Membership fees will also be due in September. We have a large number of handlers waiting to join courses. If you are unable to take your place on a course could you please advise us so we may offer the place to someone on the waiting list. In the event that you do not take up a course place within two weeks (or have advised as to the absence) we will offer your place to someone else. 6