Jumping Dog of the Year 2011 Elga Enriquez & Jasper Agility Dog of the Year 2011 Joanne Campbell & Tira. ... and two new Agility Champions

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1 AGILITY NEWS February 2012 Winners in Jumping Dog of the Year 2011 Elga Enriquez & Jasper Agility Dog of the Year 2011 Joanne Campbell & Tira... and two new Agility Champions Dagmar Neal & Lola Patricia Walsh & Venus * * More photos and results inside * * 1

2 AGILITY DOG CLUB OF NSW affiliated with Life Members Russell Clarke Gillian Elven Graham Elven Ron Forsyth (dec d) Alison Heap Rob Johnson Val Leslie Catherine Millard Warren Millard Jean Morris Ron Swager Ann Tomlinson Patricia Walsh Office Bearers President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Robyn Jones Patricia Walsh Carol Daniel Vanessa Dowson Committee Chief Instructor Assistant Secretary Trophy Steward Office Trial Manager Elga Enriquez Val Leslie Dianne Tipping Joanne Campbell Paul Enriquez Trial Secretary & Newsletter Editor Val Leslie ( , Office Assistants on training nights Michelle Oldfield, Joanne Campbell, Tania King Refreshments on training nights Dianne Tipping Our website: Extreme weather phone no: Please address all correspondence to: The Secretary, PO Box 8016, Baulkham Hills, 2153 Training Thursday nights at Castle Hill Showground Dog Rings. Please be at the grounds 30 minutes prior to your class starting to assist in setting up equipment so that training can commence on time. Introductory / Beginners: Green / Yellow: Blue and Red: 7:30pm to 8:30pm 7:30pm to 8:30pm 8:00pm to 9:30pm 2

3 WHAT S ON Notes for your diary General Meeting Our next General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 7 April at 7:30pm at the Clubhouse and all Club members are welcome to attend. Club Diary Club Competitions (Red/Blue + Yellow) February ADC Tuesday night trial (Agility)... 6 March Club Competitions (Red/Blue + Yellow) March Games Competition (Red/Blue) March General Meeting... 4 April Club Competitions (Red/Blue + Yellow) April ADC Tuesday Night Trial (Gamblers)... 1 May Club Competitions (Red/Blue + Yellow) May Games Competition (Red/Blue) May General Meeting... 6 June Club Competitions (Red/Blue + Yellow) June From the President ADC kicked off 2012 on 2 February with another wet night! However, this year we are not going to let the weather beat us! Those who did arrive enjoyed their first night back at training. We had three new members brave the condition and I welcome them to the club and wish them success in their training. Welcome also to all our returning members. During 2011, we had several nights that were so wet, I had to cancel training. The weather this year looks to be a repeat of that, so instead of cancelling, unless it is atrocious, we will endeavour to do some form of training under cover. There are many exercises that can be done without equipment. These are just as beneficial as practising on the equipment and are just as much fun. Any form of training helps improve your team work with your dog and agility is all about team work. Remember to check our wet weather number in case the weather is very bad: We have several new volunteer instructors joining our existing team of dedicated, experienced instructors this year. I know you will all enjoy their classes as much as they will enjoy teaching you. Agility trials are held all around New South Wales and average two a month. If you would like to watch one locally I have listed below the dates of the trials run by ADC and held at Castle Hill Showground. These are open to all Dogs NSW members. Tuesday 6 March, 7:30pm start Tuesday 1 May, 7:30pm Saturday 14 July, 8:30am Tuesday 4 September, 7:30pm Saturday 27 October, 8:30am Tuesday 6 November, 7:30pm Also, there is Agility at the Easter Show on April 16/17. This year New South Wales is hosting a very large Agility event - The National Agility Trial. The Nationals will be held from June at The Sydney International Equestrian Centre at Horsley Park. This is one event not to miss! Robyn Jones President 3

4 CHRISTMAS PARTY & PRESENTATION NIGHT 2011 AGILITY DOG OF THE YEAR RESULTS 2011 Agility Dog of the Year: Joanne Campbell & Tira Agility Runner-up: Vanessa Dowson & Coco Agility 3rd: Elga Enriquez & Jasper Agility Best 600 Paul Enriquez & Yoda Winner: Jo Campbell & Tira Runner-up: Vanessa Dowson & Coco 3rd: Elga Enriquez & Jasper Agility Best 300: Kirsten King & Forest Best 200: Best 300: Best 400: Best 500: Stacy Richards & Buddy Kirsten King & Forest Pat Walsh & Venus Pat Walsh & Tianah Pat Walsh dogs: Tianah - Agility Best 500, Angel, and Ag Ch Venus - Agility Best 400 Best 600: Paul Enriquez & Yoda Best Untitled: Joyce Clark & Danny 4

5 JUMPING DOG COMPETITION RESULTS 2011 Jumping Winner: Elga Enriquez & Jasper Jumping Runnerup: Robyn Jones & Jed Jumping Best 200: Cate Aspinall & Scout Jumping Best 300: Niki van der Smagt & Envy Jumping Best 400: Pat Walsh & Venus, Jo Campbell & Tira Jumping Best 500: Warren Millard s Tikka, handled by Andrew Sokolnikoff Jumping Best 600: Elga Enriquez & Heidi Jumping Winner: Runner-up: 3rd: Best 200: Best 300: Best 400: Best 500: Best 600: Best Untitled: Elga Enriquez & Jasper Robyn Jones & Jed Stacy Richards & Buddy Catherine Aspinall & Scout Niki van der Smagt & Envy Patricia Walsh & Venus Joanne Campbell & Tira Andrew Sokolnikoff & Tikka Elga Enriquez & Heidi Daniel Sokolnikoff & Mya Jumping Best Untitled: Daniel Sokolnikoff & Mya 5

6 AUSLINK 2011 ADC s Auslink winner for 2011, Elga Enriquez & Jasper Auslink is an Australia-wide competition for ANKC clubs. Four times a year, the clubs involved receive a course layout which they can set up and their club members run as a competition, then the results are sent in to the Auslink Co-ordinator who calculates overall winners and points. ADC runs monthly competitions on the fourth Thursday of the month, so in an Auslink quarter we run the Auslink course that other clubs near and far are tackling too. In 2011 a total of ten clubs took part,and ADC came out on top with the most points! Congratulations to us! Australia wide, of the top 20 individual competitors, Elga Enriquez came 4th overall, Debbie Kent 7th, Kirsten King 13th, Yvonne Young 14th, and Teresa Kernahan 18th. Very well done, all of you, you did us proud. Thanks also to Warren Millard, who for many years has recorded and processed the results for every competition the Club has run, and continues to do so. Anna Uther receives medallions that her dog Keshi, now sadly lost to illness,earned last year Our Club President and compere for the night, Robyn Jones Our dear Santa who comes every year to make the dogs happy and the night special - thanks, Russell Clarke Dianne Tipping s cousin Hans was over from Holland for a holiday. As a special guest, Robyn asked him to help draw the raffle prizes Our retired Treasurer, Rob Johnson, takes a bow after many years of serving the Club. 6

7 The Sing, Hum & Whistle group 7

8 Congratulations on your dog s ANKC Title Jumping Dog Excellent JDX Catherine Aspinall Scout 31 July 2011, Northern Suburbs Anna Biela Sharlee November 2011, Triple Fundraiser Erskine Park Gamblers Dog Master - GDM Elga Enriquez Jasper 24 March, Hawkesbury Dusk to Dawn DEMONSTRATION TEAM 2011 Lorraine Broadway Joanne Campbell Leanne Davis Vanessa Dowson Bex Eaton Elga Enriquez Paul Enriquez Helen Heaver Robyn Jones Jon Jonker Teresa Kernahan Kirsten King Tania King Kate Lloyd Cathy Millard Warren Millard Dagmar Neal Michelle Oldfield Dorian Smith Eddy Szmelter Dianne Tipping Ann Tomlinson Anna Uther Pat Walsh Jan Williams Tina Woollard Dale Young Liz Yuill Demonstrations at public events are fun to do and fun to watch, and raise awareness of the sport of agility and our Club. Our demo team members come from Blue and Red classes and wear a club shirt to compete. It s a great opportunity for Blue class members to practise competing in a relaxed and fun environment, ditto for inexperienced dogs in either class. They were going to call him Richard, but then decided they would shorten the name... 8

9 Welcome to New Members Members approved at the General Meeting held on 5 December 2011 Fiona Bullman Kiah Kelpie X Lauren & Paul Byrne Cassie Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Brent Claydon & Georgina Chalker Charlie American Staffordshire Bull Terrier X Sharon Groves Jemma Border Collie Sarah Hensby Chuck Staffordshire Bull Terrier X Peter Hewitt Binzi Staffordshire Bull Terrier X Glenn Horder & Michelle Bters Bruizer Kelpie Andy Miller Oszkar Hungarian Viszla Tiffany & Keith Rose Karma Staffordshire Bull Terriers George Mal Saltmarsh Benji German Shepherd Nigel & Brenda Seager Ruby Border Collie Karen, Ben & Katie Smith Indiana Samoyed Lily Border Collie Rachel Tulloch Lucy Cattle Dog x Wolfhound Penny Williams & Patrick Molloy Izzy Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Ollie Sue Womersley Chianti Boxer Members approved at the General Meeting held on 4 April 2012 Sarah Ackerly Tex Kelpie Ruth Andrew Ollie Koolie Jannah Axiaq Playboy Maltese Michelle Bradley Noki Whippet Nathan Cross & Chloe Kasbarian Rusty Border Collie Roberta Dean Kimberley Great Dane Jennifer Harrison & David Neal Heidi Border Collie x Cattle Dog Alison Harvey Stella Shetland Sheepdog Nichole Marchhart Samson Rhodesian Ridgeback X Samantha Oliver Splash Staffy x Border Collie Flyte Border Collie Michelle Stendara Eko German Shepherd Brooke Taylor Tyson Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Karen Taylor Ruby Working Kelpie Kate Walters Buddy Cavalier King Charles x Poodle Elizabeth Wood Sally Bones Golden Retriever 9

10 Congratulations on your Promotion Intro to Beginners Karen Taylor Lynette Fryer Anne Parfitt Anne Parfitt Ingrid Horner Alison Harvey Jennifer Harrison & David Neal Elizabeth Wood Nicole Marchhart Ruth Andrew Roberta Dean Kate Walters Michelle Broadley Nathan Crass & Chloe Kasbarian Jannah Axiaq Brooke Taylor Michelle Stendara Ruby Bea Biggles Bella Jasper Stella Heidi Sally Samson Ollie Kimberley Buddy Noki Rusty Playboy Tyson Eko Beginners to Green Joanne Channell Lauren & Paul Byrne Nigel & Brenda Seager Anne Parfitt Sarah Hensby Lynette Fryer Green to Yellow Rachel Tulloch Nicole Keller Jacqui & Andy Miller Blue Yellow to Advanced Red to Blue Michael Melville Denise Foley Michael Moss Michelle Donde Aurora Cassie Ruby Biggles Chuck Bea Lucy Fire Oskar Lucy Cindy Buddy Pre WHAT PHOTOS DO YOU HAVE FOR THIS SPACE? A light-as-air Beagle... not a club dog, but still an interesting photo How to exercise your dog if you have other interests 10

11 The Story of Morgan I started training at the Agility Dog Club of NSW late 2005 with my Aust cattle dog Matilda. I attended classes for two weeks when Matilda suddenly passed away from an aneurism at 16 months old. A few months later my partner David bought home my little princess Tira. He told me he could take her back as he knew I wasn t ready for another dog after losing Matilda so suddenly. When I saw Tira I couldn t let him take her back. As soon as I could, I took Tira to Obedience training. But I really wanted to do Agility. Tira started agility training late 2006 and trialling in October 2008 and now has her masters titles in Agility and jumping. In September 2010 we lost our older cattle dog, Bear, at the age of 14 and half. Tira had never been an only dog and was starting to fret. She was becoming aggressive towards other dogs who came near me and also near our campsite at trials. I went home after the 2010 Bathurst trial and told Dave that I was going to foster a dog until he decided what dog he was getting as Tira needed a friend. Dave told me to check the computer. I went inside and looked at the computer and there was Morgan from the Australian Cattle Dog Rescue site. I couldn t believe my eyes. I used to look at the website before we lost Bear and couldn t help feeling sorry for the poor cattle dogs that were waiting for a forever home and I remember looking at Morgan and thinking he was such a handsome boy. We contacted his foster carers Sarah and Dan. They had been Morgan s foster carers since he was 7 weeks old. Morgan had just turned two when we decided to adopt him. Sarah had received enquiries about Morgan but, wisely, she realised due to Morgan s special needs, not every home would be suitable. Sarah informed us they were actually thinking of keeping Morgan. Dave and I were a little upset when we were told this. Later that night Sarah called us and told us they had decided to let Morgan go. Because of our experience with Cattle Dogs and Dave s previous experience with a deaf dog and my involvement with agility, she thought it would be best for Morgan to give it a try. The following weekend Dave, Tira and I travelled to Armidale to meet Morgan and Sarah. It was important that Tira and Morgan got on together. Sarah was surprised at Morgan s reaction to Dave. Morgan got out of the van and casually walked straight over to Dave like they were old friends. When Tira and Morgan met they totally ignored each other. We spent an hour at the park for Morgan and Tira to get to know one another and ensure they got on. They did have a little bit of a play together. We got home and Morgan ran around the yard like he knew it was his home. I stayed home for three days to ensure there were no problems with them. They were starting to get on like a house on fire, just playing and playing. Tira had to learn to play because she had never had a dog she could really play with. I couldn t wait to get Morgan to agility training. I remember trying to get him to go into the tunnel. Morgan just stood there and looked at me. I knew I was going to have to train him a little differently to Tira. I got Tira and sent her into the tunnel. I treated her for going into the tunnel. Morgan just looked at me. I sent Tira in again and Morgan followed her. I treated Morgan and sent him into the tunnel again. He soon learnt to go into the tunnel. He is doing really well at agility. If I could only stop him from running away from me before he does the first obstacle! I decided I needed to learn more about training Morgan so I took him to Obedience. Morgan has excelled through beginners and is now in Grad 2 which is one class before advanced. He is such a quick learner and a gentle soul, we would be lost without him. Tira would especially be lost without him. I remember being told that I wouldn t be able to train a deaf dog. This comment surprised me and made me feel slightly angry. I went home and told Dave what had been said and Dave said people that think like that are the ones that usually talk to blind people very loudly. Unfortunately these people don t have an understanding of animals and people with disabilities. Morgan may be deaf but he is just as intelligent, agile and willing to learn as any other dog. The only difference is how I train him and communicate with him. Hand signals and body language replace the verbal commands. Hopefully by next year Morgan will be competing in Agility and Rally O. Joanne Campbell 11

12 COMPLEX SKILLS FOR A COMPLEX DOG When I bought my little Border Collie, I had plenty of plans for him. I d taken my old dog to Level B obedience in New Zealand and I was looking forward to learning Australian obedience with this dog. My other Border Collie loved agility before arthritis struck, I couldn t wait to teach our little newcomer to use the agility equipment we had in the garden. Unfortunately, our new addition, Hawkeye, was a great little dog who developed a huge problem. During the critical fear period, at 11 weeks old, Hawkeye was badly scared by an aggressive dog. Like many wellmeaning owners, I tried to increase his confidence by introducing him to other dogs. Instead, he became more and more sensitized. Before I knew it, I had a major problem. Lots of handlers have difficulties with their dogs. The Hills District Kennel Club and the Hills Agility Club were both extremely helpful and supportive. I did months of work with a behaviourist, I continued to train him in obedience, and I eventually took a dog behavior course myself to help him. In the end, though, after all the work, I had to admit the probability that Hawkeye would always be on edge with other dogs around, and a dog that is apprehensive is not a likely winner in the ring. I needed something that would build confidence in my dog, an activity that he would enjoy and which would occupy his busy Border Collie brain cells without fear and without fear aggression. Dog obedience is the basis for other skills and absolutely essential with a problem dog. I would encourage anyone with a difficult dog to persevere with obedience for at least a year to gain basic skills. But then what? What is next for an active dog who is uncomfortable with other dogs? I found an answer with complex skills and clicker training. A clicker is an acoustic device that emits an audible click when the dog does what is desired. It provides immediate feedback that the dog s action is correct. I discovered that I could click faster than I could say Yes and the clicker could not be misunderstood. In her book, Reaching the Animal Mind, dog behaviourist Karen Pryor, uncovered research that revealed why the clicker works so much quicker than the spoken word and why it is so effective. She interviewed scientists who discovered that a conditioned reinforcer like a click goes directly through the amygdala in the primitive part of the brain, rather than through the thinking areas of the brain. Therefore the clicker travels quicker. [This is a very basic summary of the research, reading the book is well worthwhile.] The clicker trainer shapes behavior from early attempts to a complete action and it is heaps of fun for trainer and dog. It also uses positive reinforcement rather than aversive or compulsive techniques. Training is done in stages, gradually moving towards the desired final product. This is how I taught Hawkeye to skateboard: 1. Hawkeye sniffed the skateboard (click, reward). 2. Hawkeye touched the skateboard with his nose (click, reward). 3. Hawkeye touched the skateboard with his paw (click, reward). 4. Hawkeye put one paw on the skateboard (click, reward). 5. Hawkeye put both front feet on the skateboard (click, reward). 6. Hawkeye put both front feet on the skateboard and accidentally moved it (click and jackpot reward). 7. Introduce command Skate, Hawkeye pushes skateboard increasing distances for clicks and rewards. 8. Fade click and reward intermittently. The whole process took 3 x 5 minute sessions for three days. As the dog progressed, each new achievement became the basis for the next stage of training. Once Hawkeye could skate, he did not receive reinforcement for just putting his paws on the board, he had to offer something more. Both our dogs love the creativity of 101 things to do with a box. It s a completely different clicker dog game. The dog is reinforced for every new behavior that they offer, but they are only clicked twice for each behavior. I have learned that my older Border Collie has a very creative little character, that was just waiting to come out. She loves playing the game and showing me what she can do with a washing basket, or a football. The great thing about clicking is that there is very little negative reinforcement. The dog quickly learns that click = reward, but that no click = no reward, so they offer the behavior that gives the reward while the undesired behavior becomes extinct. There is no compulsion and very little luring involved. One of the 12

13 hardest aspects is resisting the temptation to give the dog a hint, but hints are often counter-productive. My dog seems to enjoy working out the problem for himself and his excitement, when he gets it right, is infectious. We usually train for 10 minutes two or three times a day and the dogs are always eager to work. Of course, the trainer who uses luring is familiar with the criticism you re just bribing your dog. It is a criticism usually leveled by those who use compulsion to train. With clicker training, the dog is working for his pay. The reward, whether a treat or a toy, must be earned: no click = no reward cannot be bribery. The rewards are gradually faded just as they are with the luring technique until they are given only for the best examples of behaviour. Recently, Hawkeye has learnt to play the piano, jump through hand-held hoops, reverse around me, retrieve the dumb bell over the agility equipment and push the lawnmower. He can crawl, he can jump vertically on the trampoline and he plays with the large gym ball. He can also pick up keys and fetch the TV remote. Hawkeye is happy, he is fulfilled and he s about to start learning useful skills. I have just bought a DVD set on clicker-training dogs for assistance roles because we have a family member with a progressive disability. Hawkeye will be helping in the house and having fun at the same time. If you have a dog with a problem, the first step to helping them is always obedience training. Obedience will help your dog to see you as leader and to look to you when he or she is uncomfortable. It will also give you control in tricky situations. In addition, if the problem persists, then experiment with different ways to bond with your dog and help him or her fulfill their doggie potential. Clicker training is just one of many solutions. Of course, your dog doesn t need to have a problem for this to be a fun activity for both of you. There is plenty of information on the internet to start you off. I particularly recommend Karen Pryor s site Give clicker training a go and have fun! Alison Irving Christmas Dinner 2011 at Blake s Restaurant Our Christmas Dinner is the Club s way of saying thanks to our Instructors, Committee and counter staff who work throughout the year to keep the Club going. Members are welcome too of course (but you pay). 13

14 It can be a dog s life for postmen when hounded by unruly pooches. But Brooklyn postman Dave Broome has found the answer to the question many of his counterparts have grappled with for decades. When the self confessed dog lover started delivering the mail eight years ago he was bailed up by an aggressive dog. There were dogs that didn t like the posties and one day I was bailed up by a large dog and found the only way out of the situation was to offer a treat, he said. We have been good buddies ever since. He then made it a ritual to give each dog he met a treat. All of a sudden there were dogs lined up at the mail boxes waiting for a biscuit, he said. You don t get to talk to a lot of people when you re delivering the mail, but it s pleasing to find a labrador ready to say g day at the mailbox. You can have a 30 second chat with him, give him a biscuit and then keep going. From the Hornsby Advocate newspaper, February 2012 I could relate to this as a fair while ago I did the village mail run by bicycle or horse in a rural area of Sydney for a couple of years, and had my share of doggy encounters. Everyone had dogs. Most of them were playful and delighted.. the bane of my life were the cattle dogs. There were three on my run, and it seemed they had nothing better to do than guard their letterboxes. All must have had sadistic owners because all three mailboxes were on a post INSIDE the fence so my arm had to stretch across doggy airspace to put the mail in. I got my share of teeth scraped arms before my timing got better and I learned to pretend so that the dog would leap, and I could then pop the mail in quick while gravity was in my favour. It was a bit better if I used my horse instead of a pushbike to do the run, simply because I was higher, and also my horse would pin her ears and flash her teeth at them. The worst of the three was Blue, who could sometimes get out of his yard if his folks hadn t closed the gate properly. Blue had bitten three people that I knew of and I wasn t at all keen to be another notch on his coollar, and we had some interesting moments if he got out and there was only my bike between us. After one particularly tiresome day I rang the local council when I got home and finished up speaking to a very sympathetic gentleman who offered the following advice: Well, lady, I would be taking a rolled up newspaper with me and if that dog comes out at you again, hit him with it. When I asked him what on earth good that would do, he cheerfully replied, Not a lot in the normal way, but it works really well if there is some water pipe rolled up inside. And if anyone witnesses it, all they can say is they saw you hit the dog with a rolled up paper! What a hoot! This gave me and fellow contractors a lot to laugh at and I sure did threaten Blue that I d bring a newspaper out for him, but he seemed to mellow in time and we got on better that is to say, he would only leap for my arm once (on principle) and then sit and grin at me! Anonymous (for obvious reasons) Chasing Postmen according to The Dog Owner s Survival Guide by Martin Baxendale Chasing postmen is, as everyone knows, one of the average dog s favourite pastimes, second only to lying around licking your own genitalia. If your dog is an habitual postie-chaser, and if you ever want to have a letter delivered to youur house again, then we strongly recommend the following cure: (a) Dress your dog up as a postman, complete with bag full of letters. (b) Shove your postie-dog into the garden of the biggest, nastiest, most vicious wolfhound in the neighbourhood, and see how he likes being chased, nipped, bitten, dismembered and buried in various flower beds like a collection of old bones. 14

15 YELLOW CLASS COMPETITIONS Last year the Club introduced competitions for our very enthusiastic Yellow Class, to add fun for this group (and give them a taste of things to come!). Yellow class has an Advanced section so the competition is divided accordingly. Special certificates are awarded in recognition of all achievements. October 2011 Yellow 1st Adriana Parris & Spencer 2nd Bronwyn Gordon & Marley 3rd Michael Melville & Lucy November 2011 Yellow 1st Niki van der Smagt & Flow 2nd Pat Walsh & Angel 3rd Michael Moss & Buddy February 2012 Yellow 1st Michelle Donde & Pre 2nd Michael Moss & Buddy 3rd Bronwyn Gordon & Marley Advanced Yellow 1st Rebecca Pandelis & Shadow 2nd Dennise Foley & Cindy Advanced Yellow 1st Jo Campbell & Morgan Advanced Yellow 1st Michael Melville & Lucy 2nd Alex Mineef & Tax 3rd Dennise Foley & Cindy March Pairs 1st Nicole Keller & Fire / Bronwyn Gordon & Marley 2nd Michael Moss & Buddy / Sarah Ackerly & Tex 3rd Michelle Donde & Pre / Adriana Parris & Spencer 4th Carol Daniel & Trapa / Denise Foley & Cindy Congratulations to all!

16 CLUB COMPETITION RESULTS 2012 AGILITY HANDLER DOG SIZE FEB Mar Total D Young Milo S Richards Bella V Dowson Coco P Walsh Venus Y Young Dash Nvd Smagt Envy S Richards Buddy T Woollard Taffy E Enriquez Heidi K King Forest V Dowson Skooter C Aspinall Moss G Whybrow Brandy H Heaver Rascal M Oldfield Floss E Enriquez Jasper E Yuill Scott G Elven Sharp AUSLINK RESULTS 2012 AUSLINK 2012 HANDLER DOG 1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr E(3) D Young Milo 10 Y Young Dash 9 Nvd Smagt Envy 8 E Enriquez Heidi 7 C Aspinall Moss 6 Own a Camera? It would be great to have photos of both normal Club comps and Yellow class comps winners or otherwise. If you re there and have a camera, photos will always be welcome. Please them to the editor (see page 2) with details of when, who, and what. 16

17 CLUB COMPETITION RESULTS JUMPING HANDLER DOG SIZE Feb Mar Total S Richards Buddy Nvd Smagt Pepe Y Young Dash J Campbell Tira S Oliver Splash M Oldfied Floss A Harvey Kelly S Richards Bella A Harvey Stella E Enriquez Jasper Nvd Smagt Envy V Dowson Coco R Jones Jed A Sokolnikoff Tikka D Kent Oona C Aspinall Moss C Aspinall Scout K King Forest H Heaver Brandy H Heaver Timmy J Johnson Kelsey D Young Milo E Yuill Scott E Enriquez Zoe D Sokolnikoff Mya P Enriquez Yoda V Dowson Skooter P Walsh Venus G Elven Sharp

18 GAMES COMPETITION RESULTS - GAMBLERS HANDLER DOG March (G) May August November TOTAL 1 P Walsh Venus P Enriquez Yoda E Enriquez Jasper A Sokolnikoff Tikka H Heaver Timmy C Aspinall Moss V Dowson Skooter S Oliver Fly L Broadway Harley D Sokolnikoff Mya V Dowson Coco E Enriquez Heidi H Heaver Brandy A Harvey Stella C Aspinall Scout T Kernahan Max K King Zoe B Eaton Sash D Tipping Remy K King Forest H Heaver Rascal 1 1 Score allocations: 1 point meeting Opening stage (25 for excellent) 1 point achieving Gamble 5 points First place 4 points second place 3 points third place 2 points fourth place 1 point fifth place New trophy!! Normal agility and jumping competitions are held on the fourth Thursday of the month, from February to November. Games competitions are held on the last Thursday of any five-week month, and will be Gambers and Snooker alternately (ie. March and August are Gamblers, May and November are Snooker). The good news is that the planning of these Games Competitions has resulted in the Committee deciding that a special perpetual Games Dog of the Year trophy will be introduced and awarded to the dog with the highest score over all four competitions. Games competitions, like our normal comps, are open to dogs in Blue and Red classes. If anyone would like to see the ANKC Rules for Gamblers and Snooker, please get in touch with the editor and a copy will be ed to you. 18

19 Club Notes This Club is run for your enjoyment. By its very nature it is labour-intensive and, as such, all members are expected to assist with both setting up and packing away equipment. If for some reason you are unable to assist with the equipment there are other ways you can help the Club instead: Becoming an Instructor Stewarding at our trials Assisting behind the counter on training nights Attendance records The class books which are placed on the counter each week are both your and our record of your attendance and must be signed each week before you start class. Please carefully note that this is your receipt for our insurance coverage of members. Instructors must also sign in, for the same reasons. Also, for trialling members, signing the book is the only way we can account for your attendance if you wish to claim medallions for your dog s titles at the end of the year (please see back page for full details). Agility-Australia This is a Yahoo website for agility folk in Australia, but the main users are NSW people. All sorts of messages and queries go up here so you can learn quite a lot, especially when you start trialling. To get started, go to Weather On page 2 of the newsletter is our Extreme Weather phone number. If the weather looks doubtful and you are not sure whether to come to training, this number will give you an update on the weather at Castle Hill at that moment to help you make a decision on whether to come. Club Competitions It is considered that dogs under the age of 15months have not reached a level of maturity adequate for the stress of formal competition. Therefore, dogs need to be 15months of age to participate in Agility Dog Club competitions Taking turns in class Handlers with two or more dogs in a class should note that turns in class are people turns, not dog turns. They will have to select which dog needs to be trained on a particular skill rotation and leave the other dog/dogs for a subsequent rotation. If during the time spent on a particular exercise or skill set there is enough time for people to have a second run on the course, then the handler of multiple dogs may elect to change to another dog for that run. It is felt by the Committee that this is fairer for all concerned as all members pay just one fee for training (see below) and are therefore each entitled to the same amount of time using the equipment. How our training fees are structured 1 person, 1 dog = $5 1 person, 2 dogs = $5 2 people, 1 dog = $5 1 dog per person = $5 each dog Note: * Only Club members (who are covered by insurance) are able to train dogs in class * Club Instructors do not pay training fees 19

20 NOTICE OF TITLE Club members whose dog earns an ANKC Agility, Jumping or GamesTitle may be entitled to receive a Club Medallion at our presentations at the end of the year. * Eligible titles for medallions are Novice, Excellent and Master in Agility, Jumping, Gamblers, Snooker and Strategic Pairs, plus Open Agility and Open Jumping. Multiples of any title (eg. ADM2) are not eligible for medallions. * A total of 3 Medallions per dog will be presented free to members who request them and who have attended at least 50 per cent of training nights within the calendar year and are financial members during that period. You may request medallions for extra titles earned at a cost of $10 each. * Financial members who have not attended 50 percent of training nights within the calendar year may request medallions at a cost of $10 each. * All titles (including any and all multiples that form part of your dog s registered name) will be recorded in our newsletter as part of our and your history. * Please submit your titles as you earn them!! There will be a box on the counter each week. * Deadlines for titles: 31 October each year. HANDLER: DOG S PET NAME: TITLE GAINED: DATE: TRIAL WHERE FINAL QUALIFICATION EARNED: Will you request a medallion for this title (please circle) Yes / No Trialling photos, training photos... send me some please! Make sure you let me know your name, dog s name, and what class you are or were in when the photo was taken. val_leslie@optusnet.com.au 2020