Pioneer Tails. PVKC MEMBERSHIP DUES Pay Them NOW! Please complete, sign and mail the form (pages 9 & 10) AKC Trick Dog Titling Tests

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1 Pioneer Tails Pioneer Valley Kennel Club, Inc P.O. Box 407, Greenfield, MA December 2017 Annual Holiday Get-Together PVKC Holiday Get Together, Pot Luck & General Meeting When: Monday, December 11 th, 6:30 pm Where: Brown Motors Inc ( 3 2 B e a c o n S t r e e t ) in Greenfield, MA Club provides beverages... You provide a pot-luck dish A to L PLEASE bring a Dessert M to Z PLEASE bring a Savory Dish dish PVKC MEMBERSHIP DUES Pay Them NOW! Please complete, sign and mail the form (pages 9 & 10) AKC Trick Dog Titling Tests Saturday, December 16 th, at Yankee Dog Details on page 5

2 President s Message Seasons Greetings. A time to think about many things like those less fortunate than us, those not able to be with family, those dealing with health issues. Please keep these people in your thoughts and actions during the Holidays. Our Holiday party will be a great time to get together and talk about all of the success our members have had this year and discuss plans for the New Year. Best of luck to those headed to Florida for the AKC National show. Lori President: Lori Carver (413) Vice President: Linda Gagnon (978) Recording Secretary: Sue Meachem (802) Correspondence Secretary: Sue Meachem (802) PVKC Contacts Membership Chair: Marcia Evans (413) Training Information: : Judith Suarez (802) Breeder Referral: Request information with a contact form via Treasurer: Darci Lee Brown (413) Board of Directors: Catherine Lee (413) Gail Kenny (413) Marcia Evans (413) Cyndi Bussey (978) Sheila Blanker (413) Jason Mazzone (413) AKC Delegate: Peg Vohr (413) Training Chair: Judith Suarez (802) Web Page: Newsletter Contacts: PioneerTails Deadlines Dec 27, 2017 For advertising contact Judith Peg Vohr (413) Judith Suarez (802) ; handart@sover.net

3 Show & Member NEWS PEG VOHR From Gail Kenny had a great Thanksgiving weekend in both the Breed and the Performance rings. Te a (Witch Hollow Blackthorn IS Te a for Two) earned her Rally Excellent and Novice Obedience (CD) titles at the Cluster. In addition she won Reserve Winners Bitch on both days of the Downeaster Belgian Sheepdog Specialty from the BBE Class, with considerable competition. Happiness for both of us! Love this girl! Peg Vohr and her Collie CJ (Fantasy Mariner All Flags Flying BN, RE) earned his second and third legs to complete his CD title at the Cluster, with two third places and a nice score of on Monday. Ryan Blanker sends wonderful news: The Siberian Husky Club of America National Specialty took place at Virginia Beach, VA, this year,october 23 rd - 28 th. In the Brood Bitch class, judged by Mr. Bill Shelton, there were 17 entries. It was our first time entering, and we only entered because we happened to have Ciara (the Dam) and Shimmer and Sparks (the two Get) at the show. We somehow managed to win 1 st PLACE out of such a tough group of the top producing bitches in the country! In the Brace competition (for those of you who don=t know it=s a non-regular confirmation class where you show two dogs coupled together, at the same time) I had Shimmer and Sparks entered. In an entry of 13 braces we won 1st PLACE under breeder judge Ms. Stephanie Barnhill. This was the SECOND YEAR IN A ROW we have won the Brace competition (with the same two dogs) at our National Specialty!!! In the Best of Breed Competition there was a total entry of 99 special dogs and 87 special bitches. Both Shimmer and Sparks were shown and BOTH girls made the cuts!!! We had an AMAZING national and are still on cloud nine! To add to our accolades, we went to Canada the weekend of November 4 th and 5 th, and showed Shimmer. In Canada, as this was her first show up there, she is still in the classes and not a champion yet. On Sunday she won the Bred By Bitch class, Winners Bitch, Best of Winners, and Best of Breed for her first major and against class competitors and Specials! To make the day even better, she placed Second in a highly competitive Working Group under the same judge, Mr. Robert Whitney! He had many compliments and we can=t thank him enough for a BOB and G2 placement from the classes against champions! This gave her 5 points (you need 10 in Canada to be a champion) so in one show she is half way to her Canadian CH. In Springfield, MA November 24 th - 27 th Shimmer was shown all four days. We had never been under any of the four judges before and didn=t know what to expect. Well, we were blown away by winning Best of Breed ALL FOUR DAYS! Winning 4 Majors and accruing 52 Breed points in one cluster! What an awesome past few weeks; we can=t thank the judges enough for the amazing wins, and our friends for all of the support! -3- Continued on page 4

4 Sheila Blanker: It was an AMAZING weekend for our kennel. Northern Light's Moonlit Gryffon, (Gryff), completed his Rally Novice title. Saturday he earned his 3rd leg with a score of 96/100 and 4 th place and today he topped that by earning a bumper leg with a terrific score of 99/100 and 2 nd place (actually tied for 1 st but we had the slower time). Extremely happy with how our teamwork is developing! This also should have qualified him to compete at the 2018 AKC Rally National Championship! Linda Gagnon: GCH VC Wet Acres Watch the Birdy earned a leg on his Master Hunter title on Sunday at CCVC's (Central Conn Vizsla Club) hunt test on Sunday. Five down and one to go. Hope it doesn't take another two years! Breeder owner trained and handled by Ted. Dorianne Almann's Taika received her Utility Pack Dog 500 certificate from Dog Scouts of America. Taika is the first Rottweiler to earn a UP500 title, earned by hiking 500 miles carrying a pack. AndB Happy birthday to Jib! He was 10 years old on Nov 24 th. What fun we're having with him!! He joined the household on Jan 3, 2010; we adopted him from the Humane Society for Greater Nashua.Today was another milestonebjib completed the last mile for his 1000 mile Pack Dog title with Dog Scouts of America. Now to get the mileage log signed and submitted to recognize his accomplishment. Jason Mazzone: At the Queensboro Kennel Club show in Springfield, MA on October 27, my Shetland Sheepdog puppy, Gracemere Rain on the Way, was Best of Winners under Jan Paulk. Betty Nichols: Zoe placed second in her third leg of Obedience Novice A on Sunday & earned her CD Dorie Viguers: Fiddler got his last two legs for his Rally Novice Title at our and Holyoke's trials in September. He is now Callopie's Fiddler on Eden Trail RN. Shay Olmstead: A few bits of joy from Shay and Scout B We earned our Rally Excellent, Community Canine (CGCA), and Trick Dog Novice and Intermediate titles this month! Doris Meadowcroft and Darcroft Keeshond Kennels are proud to announce a new champion, Ch Darcroft Legend of Grinder's Switch (Minnie Pearl). Just in time for her puppies that are due Thanksgiving week. Thank you Michael Work for such any excellent job taking care of and presenting her. Cyndi Bussey: My boy Dougal, CH. Nipmuc Mystic's Dougal MacKenzie, recieved an Award of Merit at the Lenape Boston Terrier Club Specialties, in New Jersey! Ray Johnson, handler! Honey Loring's maltese/poodle mix Mojo, was the cutest, funniest, happiest dog at Breeze Thru's agility trial in November. He flew over some obstacles and then made sure he gave a hearty-tail-wagging hello to the judge and then to the ring ladies. You can't train that kind of outgoing-ness! Couldn't care less about his low score. He had a great time and so did I (watching ring-side; Elise showed him.) -4- Continued on page 5

5 Lynn Baker: We have 7 beautiful babies. Rowan is a wonderful mom. PVKC will be holding a Trick Dog Test (and Training Party) on the afternoon of Sat, December 18. So take out those training treats and brush up your skills. Dogs, Food, and Fun!! Who could ask for more? This is the Novice Trick Dog Score sheet. To earn a Novice Title your dog needs to perform 10 tricks (5 tricks if your dog has a CGC on record with AKC). You may lure your dog into position with food or toys Talk, Beg, Cajole. Whatever works. Have a reasonably well behaved dog??? This should be a snap to accomplish (I mean even Oryn, the stubbornest dog alive, will willing do 5 to 10 tricks for food!!! ) We will be happy to coach you through the exercises. So come up to Yankee Dog any time between noon and 2pm on Saturday, December 16 th Watch others be foolish, eat some food, schmooze with other folks and giving this a try. Testing for $15. Feeling ambitious check out the tricks for the Intermediate Trick Dog Title. Maybe you can score two titles on one day. Second test, same dog, $10. For more information on the Trick Title go to For Trick Dog Contact: Judith at ; handart@sover.net -5-

6 Starting Your Dog in AKC Scent Work Dorianne Almann PVKC sponsored a workshop, Starting Your Dog in AKC Scent Work, with instructor Nancy Almann, AKC Scent Work Judge. The morning's two hour session repeated in the afternoon. To ensure handlers and dogs received one-on-one attention during the workshops' hands-on component, "Stick to Source," limits were placed on the number of working teams. The instructor discussed how odor behaves, what to expect in trials and touched on AKC scent work regulations. Stick to Source lays the groundwork for solid odor indication, the foundation on which the sport of scent work is built. In Stick to Source, a handler neutrally, calmly and silently presents both his or hands to the dog. One hand makes a fist, holding yummy treats the dog can't access; the other, the source hand, loosely holds a container with a cotton swab scented with the essential oil Sweet Birch. The dog is rewarded with the treats for showing interest in the source hand. In both morning and afternoon workshops, handlers had several opportunities to practice Stick to Source, working either with Nancy or me. Lexi being rewarded by PVKC member Marcia Evans for indicating Marcia's source hand. By bringing her treat hand to her source hand--and not the other way 'round--marcia is teaching Lexi to value source PVKC member Laurie LaValley waiting quietly while Laeris eyes her food hand in his first "Stick to Source" session Brand new to Stick to Source, Drew is tempted by Carol's food hand -6-

7 Lennon being rewarded by Kate for indicating Kate's source hand Abby is making a move to Paul's source hand After several reps of Stick to Source using a hand-held metal tin, Nancy introduced the dogs to large plastic tubes, one of which was "hot" (it held a cotton swab impregnated with Sweet Birch), the other two being "cold" (odor-free). The point of the tubes was to strengthen the dog's understanding of sticking to source, regardless of whether the source was a small hand-held metal tin or a large plastic tube nailed to a board that sat on the floor. As many times as I've seen dogs being introduced to the game of Stick to Source, it's still fun to see how quickly dogs understand that sticking to source is the way to bring them lots of yummy treats--and quickly, at that! Nancy is set to reward Drew for indicating the "hot" tube Now that the workshops are over, handlers can still work with Nancy--via videos. They can send her three short videos of them and their dog practicing Stick to Source. Nancy will the sender feedback and comments to help him or her refine mechanics and technique. The workshops were held November 19 in Hinsdale, NH's Millstream Community Center. A Special Thanks to Phillip Leduc for providing most of these photos. They are amazing shots, given the poor lighting conditions at the facility. -7-

8 AKC Obedience News and Updates November 29, 2017 New Obedience Exercises Approved Effective May 1, 2018 Dues, Dues, Dues Are Due Now!!! Membership Renewal 2018 The AKC Board of Directors reviewed a proposal by the Companion Events department regarding the Obedience Group Exercises at their October and November meetings. They had in-depth discussions on the recommendation to replace the Group Exercises in the Obedience Novice and Open Classes, as well as in the Preferred Novice, Preferred Open, Graduate Novice, and Team classes, with new exercises that will demonstrate a dog s ability to stay. This was not a new subject, but rather has been a discussion among the Fancy and AKC for numerous years. The AKC wishes to thank the many participants for their suggestions over the last several months and years surrounding this topic..... With the approved regulation changes, effective May 1, 2018, videos will be produced and distributed on the AKC Obedience/Rally YouTube Channel to demonstrate correctly performed exercises in an easy to view widespread platform in the coming month. In addition, if you are in attendance for the AKC Obedience Classic in Orlando in December, a demonstration of the new exercises will be performed. AKC Staff will monitor the changes to the classes and consider adjustments if they are needed. AKC thanks all the committee members who have served on Advisory Committees for the future of the sport, and the many participants, for their suggestions leading up to this decision. The approved obedience regulation changes may be viewed at by going to the web site address below. About half way down the page is a paragraph entitled New Obedience Regulations Effective May 1, 2018 At the end of that paragraph is a link that will take you to a pdf file listing all the changes. To view this full with correspondence from AKC, including a history of discussions related to the changes, and find the link for the actual changes go to There is a 2018 Membership Renewal form on the home page of the website. With all the other potentially urgent things you will need to do this month, renewing your PVKC membership now would be highly beneficial to both you and PVKC. You have some choices in how to renew: * You can open the form, print it, complete it, and mail it to Marcia (whose address is on the form) * You can open the form and complete it on the screen (which is lovely since then we can easi ly read it and not make errors of interpreta tion). Once you have done that you can either: (1) print it and mail it to Marcia OR (2) save it as a file and it to Marcia Evans lexisgracewss@comcast.net If you are mailing your form to Marcia, remember to include a check made payable to PVKC. If you are sending your form electronically (or you would just prefer to do so) you can request a PayPal option for your payment (see below) Dues billed via PayPal We do have a PayPal option for paying your 2018 PVKC Membership Dues. Just contact Judith (handart@sover.net ) You will be invoiced via PayPal for the $15 (then when you get the invoice you can pay via credit or debit card)

9 2018 PVKC Membership Renewal Form Our new membership year starts January 1, 2018 and in order to appear on The membership list and to vote at meetings your dues must be paid by December 31, After that date a $7.50 late charge must be added. Please complete the form below and send with your check made payable to PVKC to: Marcia Evans P.O. Box 208 Deerfield, MA Please Print Clearly!! And please complete both sides of this renewal form. Name Street City State Zip Telephone Breed(s) Check one: If you have been an Associate member for one year or more, you may choose to become a PVKC Regular Member. Regular Members are expected to attend two general club meetings a year. c Regular Member (voting) - $15.00 c Associate Member (non-voting) - $ c Junior Member - $5.00 Check one: All newsletters will be delivered electronically in If you have special circumstances please check here: I must receive my PVKC Newsletter (Pioneer Tails) c via USPS Please check the dog activities you are involved in or would like to learn: Conformation Obedience Rally Agility Tracking Therapy Dog Flyball Herding Earthdog Service Dog Couch Potato Search&Rescue Field Trials Hunt Test Carting Lure Coursing Nosework Other Check one: Currently a Breeder Not Currently a Breeder PVKC is an active Club with many annual events. To support our continued level of events and activities, PVKC members are expected to help each year. In which of the following would you like to volunteer for 2017 (check a minimum of two items from the list of events and volunteer opportunities): Continues on other side 11/2012

10 Events: April AKC/AB Point Show (Springfield MA, run through MB-F): Breed Ring Stewarding Obedience/Rally Stewarding Set up & Clean-up (2 hour commitment) Help in Club Tent Spring Health Clinic (Greenfield MA): Assist with dog handling Shepherding participants on the day of the event Assist with paperwork August AKC/AB Point Show (Greenfield MA, run completely with PVKC members): Breed Ring Stewarding Obedience/Rally Stewarding Gate (collecting parking fees) Set up (Friday before show) Clean-up (late afternoon day of show) Help in Club Tent Parking Drivers (for judges from and return to airport) Hospitality: providing goodies for show working day of show September Agility Trial (Westfield MA) Two and a half day event: Set-up (Friday before show) Help in Club Tent (days of show) Take-down/Clean-up (Sunday late afternoon) Hospitality: providing goodies for show working day(s) of show September Tracking Test (Greenfield MA) Two day event: Lay Track Drivers (for judges day before test and/or day of test) Hospitality: providing goodies for test working day(s) of test Volunteer Opportunities: Training Committee: c Assist at scheduled training classes (being present as the PVKC representative: opening, collecting money for drop-in classes, supervising participants, closing Brattleboro VT on Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings commitment of one evening or morning 3 or 4 times a year) c Act as a class assistant for a beginner or advanced beginner class (Brattleboro VT on Wednesday nights or Saturday mornings commitment of one evening/morning for a 6 week session) c Assist at a special event like a CGC Test or a rally/obedience show n go c Plan or co-ordinate a special event like a CGC Test or a rally/obedience show n go Administration: c Serve on the Board of Directors c Serve on a committees such as Programs or Membership or event committees c Act as legislative liaison, tracking and reporting on various bills in VT, NH and MA c Assist in planning and administrative details necessary for AKC All Breed Point Shows Other (please specify): I agree to abide by the American Kennel Club Care and Condition Policy. Signature -6- Date 11/2012

11 Calendar of Events PVKC 2017 Newsletter Deadline Dec 27, 2017 December Board of Directors, Dec 4 (clinic) PVKC Holiday Party, Dec 11 Training Party & Trick Dog Test Dec 16 The PVKC 2018 Calendar of Events will be published, as soon as it is finalized, on our website ( Sorry for the delay. Pioneer Tails our PVKC Newsletter New Schedule for Publication Pioneer Tails will now be published 7 times per year January, March, May, July, September, October & December Important notices in off months will be forwarded by and available on website. If you are unable to receive or access our website, please contact Judith ( ) for an alternate contact plan. -11-

12 PVKC Training Schedule PUPPY Kindergarten Classes: New Classes Begin - Saturday, Jan 20, 2018 Brattleboro, VT For information, please contact Judith (802) or handart@sover.net Please check our website for exact scheduling of 2018 classes. Update should be available in late December. Vermont PVKC Classes: Obedience, Rally, & Breed Handling Wednesday nights Brattleboro, VT New Classes for Jan 17 Wed Drop-in Classes running weekly Jan thru December 2017 Dec 6 & starting Jan 17 Saturday Drop-in Novice Obedience Jan thru December 2017 Dec 2 & starting Jan 20 For information, please contact: Judith Suarez at (802) handart@sover.net PVKC Tracking: 2018 Season starting in April Check our website for dates Or Contact: Come! Dorie Viguers; dviguers@nmhschool.org ; Winter Remember to check the PVKC Facebook Page for cancellations before coming to a Drop-in Class It s a Public Page anyone can access it!!