Butler Dog Training Association Trainer s Tales

Butler Dog Training Association Trainer s Tales BDTA Web Site: www.butlerdogtraining.com March/April 2019 Volume 39 No. 2 President Barb Walter Vice-President Regina Beilstein Secretary Linda Arnold Treasurer Kim Colella Director of Training Nancy Kieffer Board of Directors Sam Abbot Jen Heid Debbie Hulick Kathie Rivers Editor Ann Early (raearlys@windstream.net) President s Message Finally Spring!! At least it was here yesterday! And that means that our Obedience Trial is just around the corner in April! This is an opportunity to watch handler/dog teams at all levels of obedience and rally do their thing!! It s a fun weekend, and lots of work has to be done to make sure everything gets done. There are many ways to contribute! Try being a steward for the first time ever! It s a great way to become familiar with each level. Cheryl Youkers is looking for volunteers! Donate food items or cash for food items, Cheryl Sanson has a list of needs for the weekend, and will need help in the kitchen too! Kim Colella is looking for raffle items for the raffle tables, and there s always set up on Friday and tear down after everything is done on Sunday. I m sure I ve forgotten others, if you have questions, Nancy Kieffer is trial chairperson. The Spring Agility Trial is over, and even though our entries were smaller than usual, all the BDTA members who entered had a great time showing their dogs, with lots of success stories to be told!! Even those members who went just to work had a fun time watching!! Wendy McClaine is looking for people to be on the Fund Raising Committee. She has some good ideas, and any ideas from members are welcome. We need some brainstorming and some commitment to help this committee out! You ll find the Slate of Officers that the Nominating Committee submitted this month inside the newsletter. Nominations will be accepted from the floor at the April meeting, and voting will be in May. Enjoy the Spring (?) weather with your pups!! Barb and the Gang, Gus, Fiona, and Jonah (Willy thinks he s a dog, does that count? Next BDTA Meetings Tuesdays, April 16 & May 21, 2019. 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! 1

Sit Happens. Finally, I am not wearing my boots or scarf one more time! Snow shovels are back in the garage and I am tired of the ratty blue winter coat! The birds are singing everywhere and the peepers are getting louder. The donkey at the bottom of our road has fresh hay and looks like he s been groomed. The fields are getting just a tinge of green. Oh, please, let it really be Spring!! The crazy little Circus Dog is already watching new mole movement in the yard. Who knew it could keep her busy for time on end Talk about busy.sprite has been on the go lately..rally competition at Splash n Dash, Rodeo Dog antics at Excel and she tried Tea Cup Agility at Splash n Dash a couple weeks ago. The Tea Cup Agility run was the laugh out loud moment for the two of us! Sprite and I have taken agility classes at camp throughout the years and we ve done practices at the training building. She has no fear of things.the agility equipment never fazed her.the teeter, the dog walk, the A-frame she can leap tall buildings and climb anything. That s why the Circus Dog description fits so well. Anyway, we did our walk-through at the trial and our turn finally came in the ring for the first run. It was so exciting! Sprite and I looked like we were quite a team out there for the first seven obstacles. She was flying!!! Then came the tunnel.whoosh!!! Flew in and somewhere in that tunnel someone lit her tail on fire!! She came flying out at 80 mph and decided to pass me so she could do zoomies around the ring, around the judge and around the outside of the room!! My jaw was on the floor!!! I think she was laughing at all of us!! I did get her under some semblance of control and then had to beg her through the last obstacle (the tire jump)! She was done and had finally run out of gas.oh my, did she ever enjoy herself though!! It will make for the best of memories. Sprite is always so controlled in the ring.i just had to laugh out loud gotta love that firecracker! So, good luck to all of our members who might be challenging themselves and their dogs by entering any of the venues of competition offered in the dog world. Remember to breathe and have fun! The best part is that no matter how you perform in the ring that day, you still get to take the best dog in the world home with you!!! Enjoy this glorious season that s about to open before us!!! Nancy and Sprite NEW MEMBERS We welcome Current Provisional Member(s): Jessica Zakrie (Rousey), Howard Quinn (Louie), Anne Hillwig (Cru), Julie Rihn (Jack, Jillie, Josie), Dave Charley (Rafe), Scott Ross (Fozzie), and Stacey Wolbert (Zyphyr) Editor s note: I invite new & provisional members to send (just) names of their dog(s) we ll get to know. Please put BDTA new member in the subject line. to: raearlys@windstream.net. Dari Harding, the club s provisional members liaison, will keep in contact with provisional members to help ease their transition to Club membership. If you have any questions call: 724-285-8081. 2

CALENDAR OF EVENTS April 10th (Wednesday) Shepherd of My Heart Pre-School visit, Butler, Dog Safety and Therapy visit at 10:00 AM 19th (Friday) CGC/TDI testing at BDTA (pre-registration only) 27th & 28th (weekend) BDTA s Spring Obedience & Rally Trials, Saxonburg May 5th (Sunday) Blessing of the Animals at the Vagabonds, Butler (Lyndora) Sponsored by Thompson-Miller (Noon-3:00 PM) BDTA will do a Meet n Greet 16th (Thursday) Music & Mutts, Zelienople (evening) BDTA will be providing an obedience/agility demo plus manning a table at the street event. 19th (Sunday) Dr. Doug-Acupressure Workshop 1:00 PM-4:30 PM BDTA June 8th (Saturday) Paws to Read a Tale, Butler Public Library 10:30 AM 28th (Friday) CGC/TDI testing at BDTA (pre-registration only) July 12th (Friday) Camp Apple (Dog Safety & Therapy Visit) 10:00 AM Mt. Chestnut August 30th (Friday) CGC/TDI testing at BDTA (pre-registration only) October 25th (Friday) CGC/TDI testing at BDTA (pre-registration only) 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 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 2:30 pm New Haven Court Butler First Wednesday of the Month 3:00 pm The Lowrie Place Butler Last Tuesday of Month 6:30 pm 3

If you would like to learn more about Therapy Dogs or how to become a Therapy Dog, please contact Nancy Kieffer (724-285-9910). OBEDIENCE and AGILITY CLASSES Obedience/Agility Classes Day/Time Length Cost Puppy Class Basic Manners & Obedience I Basic Manners & Obedience II Agility Foundation Beginners Agility Handling Agility Handling Thursdays 6:30 PM 7:30 PM Monday PM, Tuesday AM & Wednesday PM & Saturdays Mondays 7:30 8:30 PM Tuesdays (except 3 rd of the month) 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM 6:30 PM - 7:00 PM 7:15 PM 8:15 PM 6 Weeks $75.00 8 Weeks $95.00 8 Weeks $95.00 6 Weeks Cost $95.00 Members Class Fridays 6:45 PM 7:30PM Casual mix of obedience/rally 7:45 PM 8:15 PM Targeting specific obedience exercises and beyond On-going Members Only Agility Members Class/Run-Throughs 2nd Friday of each month 6:00 6:45 PM - Beginners Agility - Members Only 7:00 PM 9:00 PM Run-through format (timed per run) Members no charge Minimal fees apply to non-members All BDTA Members: You must register for all BDTA classes by sending the applications (download at http://www.butlerdogtraining.com/classes.htm) and deposits to: Obedience - Sande Winters, 430 Mushrush Road, Butler, PA 16002. For questions, call Sande at 724-287-3933 or Nancy at 724-285-9910. Agility - Wendy McClaine, 187 Marwood Road, Cabot, PA 16023. For questions, call Wendy at 724-822-3448. Classes fill up very quickly and applications are taken as they are received. Deposits required for class registration will be half of the total class fee (this applies to members also). 4

THANKS AND REMEMBRANCES Thanks to all for the support I received from so many of our BDTA membership. I was so uplifted by all the cards and prayers. I feel very blessed to have such a wonderful group of folks in my corner. Dari Thoughts and wishes. IN SYMPATHY Sympathy and prayers go out Cathy Runninger who recently lost her mom. We wish you a healing heart and peace in the coming days. Get well wishes to Dari Harding as she continues to heal from her surgery. Each day has wishes for strength and sunshine. ANNOUNCEMENTS REMINDER. It was discussed at the Board meeting this month that our fiscal year will be winding down soon. A year ago it was voted on to put Membership Requirements into place because we need our membership to be involved in order to keep our organization running smoothly. The requirements that were chosen were areas where we desperately need our members to help. We are sending out this reminder, since there are still some events in the near future where you might be able to participate to fulfill the membership requirements. Below is the notice that was sent out to the membership over a year ago. With full membership in BDTA comes individual responsibility for each member. The following are the expectations that must be met by each member during the year beginning June 2018 with paid dues. Members must choose at least two of these requirements to complete during the year (which will end on May 31, 2019). If these requirements are not met, the cost of dues for the following year will be increased by $20 for that member. 1) Teach or assist a full session of classes 2) Work at the Spring Obedience/Rally Trial (helping with set-up, take-down, stewarding, helping with hospitality and the raffle table, etc...) 3) Work at one of the two BDTA Agility Trials 4) Work on a Fundraiser 5) Work on a Seminar / Training event / Butler Farm Show 6) Volunteer your time on a cleaning day at the training building 7) Actively serve on a committee 8) Help with CGC / TDI testings during the year 9) Serve on the Board of Directors 5

Nominations A slate of nominees for the June 2019 through May 2020 Association year, prepared by the Nominating Committee, was presented to members by email and at the March meeting. Additional nominations from the floor may be made at the April 16 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 21 meeting. Officers (1 year terms) President -- Barb Walter Vice-President Regina Beilstein Secretary Linda Arnold Treasurer -- Kim Colella Director of Training Nancy Kieffer New Board Members (2-year terms) Ann Ferguson, Kim Crater (Board members with terms expiring: Kathie Rivers, Debbie Hulick.) Member Request Hi. I am collecting plastic shopping bags for making into sleep mats for the homeless. This a program at the retirement community that my mother resides at. Please leave them at the training building in a box I will have there. Thank you! Sue Gliebe REMINDERS 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, be sure the toilets aren t running and all doors are locked! Everyone is responsible for keeping our facility clean and secure and our utility bills low, and this will help spread the duties among us. Just a note: We have been changing the lock box numbers as needed, so if you are in doubt about the number please call Nancy at 724-285-9910 or e-mail her for the number when you request time on the calendar. ACCESSING THE WEBSITE For useful member information on our website (www.butlerdogtraining.com), 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. Memorial Plaque 6

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. Tto purchase a spot on the plaque, pick up applications at the club or contact Cherry Sauers at 724-625-3554. Cousins PART SHELTIE Zorro and his newly discovered cousin relax after a recent Teacup agility trial! (Both are the same height.) On first meeting the younger Jax invited Zorro to play, but it wasn t the time. Jax s dad couldn t get over the resemblance in looks and thoughtful temperament and enjoyed holding Zorro s leash while both moms walked the courses. We found we re using the same diet. Jax s mom: Did you notice a change when you started him on salmon oil? Zorro s: Yes! a shinier coat. Jax s: His, too! Sheltie owners talk about two Sheltie types: crazy & (over-?) thinking. Our two tri-blacks are of the latter variety, quiet, concentrating and deliberate when working, while the former tend to much barking, extraneous spins, and zoomies. Does the same breeding that makes them predominantly black as opposed to sable predispose them to be ruminators rather than zoominators? Within the mix that led to today s Shelties, besides collies, are King Charles Spaniels and Pomerians. Zorro s breeder associated the former with the quieter personality; the latter, with the wilder. Introvert vs. extrovert? In general, I d rather work on building confidence than taming over-excitement; others like the speed and work to increase caution. An example of dog-human personality matches? A quiet discovery That said, Zorro does have his over-the-top running and barking. We ve always had our come sit with me times when we just watch and listen, leg against leg at the end of outside free time. Just lately, I tried it as an intervention, to switch his focus from squirrels and the multiple activities within doggy earshot. To my surprise, he immediately stopped and came with a smile. We had a lovely time of sitting, followed by practicing and playing. Quiet little voice At the sidelines during Tuesday s agility handling class, I had the sense that I should hold Zorro back from the other dogs particular type of monkeying around. A friend once told me trouble can come when 7

you don t listen to that quiet, little voice inside. As we put away equipment after Tuesday s agility handling class, I still had the feeling that it wasn t right to let him free, despite other dogs seeking some play. But then, when most things were stowed, it seemed it might be OK to take off his halter. Roughhousing, though he engages to match his partner, often gets too much for him. Since Lyme disease affected a leg joint, I m more wary. But this time it was as much an intuition as a rational decision a communication from Zorro? to take off the halter and let my running boy go. And run he did, two friends in hot pursuit. He ran and ran, zipping out one opening and back in another to give them the slip, smiling like crazy! When Zorro wants another dog to settle, he stands, either against my leg or holding steady & neutral to let himself be sniffed. This time he did something he s never done before. All my Shelties have taught themselves to slip their heads into their training collars or halters presented in front of their snouts. That night, however, looking into my eyes from about 20 feet away, he told me he wanted his halter because he was done. For the life of me I don t know how the thought got from his brain to mine, but I do know it did. I went over to our blue-halter, red-and-white-rope combination, picked it up, and, eyes on the opening, he walked those 20 feet right into it! Whatever it is, something new is happening between us. Ann & Zorro The newsletter now is published every ODD month. Submission deadline is NOON, the Saturday after the members meeting. The deadline to submit items for the next newsletter is noon, Saturday, May 25, 2019 Submissions should be emailed to raearlys@windstream.net or sent to: Ann Early 701 Ferne Drive Kittanning, PA 16201 724-548-8467 Please put BDTA news in the subject line. 8