Pioneer Tails Pioneer Valley Kennel Club, Inc P.O. Box 407, Greenfield, MA 01302 September 2017 Knowing About Nose Work/Sniffing Out Scent Work With Dorianne Almann and Taika PVKC General Meeting Monday September 18, 2017 Meeting at 6:30 pm (including 2017-2018 Proposed Slate of Officers see page 3) Scent Work Presentation with Dori and Taika at approximately 7 pm Brown Motors, 32 Beacon Street, Greenfield, MA An introduction to nose work covering items you and your dog need to get started in the sport, where to find trials and a run down on organizations offering titling opportunities There will be two demo's. In one you'll learn how to start a green dog in odor recognition; in the second you'll see how Taika s skills build on this foundation, as she does a blind Advanced Interior search. There are many organizations who offer titling opportunities in scent work (nose work). The most recent addition to the list is the AKC. In fact, The American Kennel Club will be hosting the first ever AKC Scent Work trials at the Eukanuba Performance Games in Wilmington, Ohio on September 14, 15, 16, and 17, 2017. Suitable for any dog of any age, scent work gives you a whole world of possibilities for teaming up with your dog to have fun and earn a title. If you would like more information on AKC Scent Work, go to http://www.akc.org/events/scent-work/getting-started/
President s Message There is something about the winding down of summer and the beginning of fall that always fills me with a need to review the year. Did I come close to attaining the goals I set for myself, my breeding program or show goals? Do I need to let them go, revise them, or dedicate myself to achieving them before years end. Did I leave a legacy or just a trail of broken dreams and promises? Can you keep tradition and still maintain progress? We so often gauge our value on the opinions of others but shouldn't we be our own strictest critic and our greatest cheerleader? Lot's of tough questions and maybe some tough answers but if we never open the door we never get to see what's on the other side... Darci President: Darci Lee Brown (413) 498-5006 Vice President: Sheila Blanker (413) 498-5704 Recording Secretary: Sue Meachem (802) 257-7532 Correspondence Secretary: Linda Gagnon (978) 544-8933 PVKC Contacts Membership Chair: Marcia Evans (413) 221-7577 Training Information: : Judith Suarez (802) 722-9848 Breeder Referral: Request information with a contact form via www.pioneervalleykennelclub.com Treasurer: Open Position Web Page: www.pioneervalleykennelclub.com Board of Directors: Karen Duprat (413-569-2029) Lori Carver (413-634-5684 Marcia Evans (413) 221-7577 Cyndi Bussey (978) 277-9224 Catherine Lee (413) 534-6121 Gail Kenny (413) 253-2490 AKC Delegate: Peg Vohr (413) 498-2609 Training Chair: Judith Suarez (802) 722-9848 -2- Newsletter Contacts: PioneerTails Deadlines Sept 26, 2017 For advertising contact Judith Peg Vohr (413) 498-2609 Judith Suarez (802) 722-9848; handart@sover.net
SHOW NEWS PEG VOHR Jason Mazzone s Shelties had a very good run at the 2017 Adirondack Circuit in Ballston Spa. On August 12, Gracemere All of Me (Milo) was Winners Dog and Best Opposite Sex to finish his championship under Sonny Ambrosio. Milo's littermate, Gracemere Just Me (Jasper), was Best of Winners and Best of Breed on August 9; Winners Dog and Best Opposite Sex on August 10; and Winners Dog and Best Opposite Sex again on August 11. Jasper now has 8 points (including one major) from very limited showing. Milo gets to be a puppy again at home for a while before he goes back out as a special. Milo's son, Gracemere Rain on the Way (Fergus), made his debut at the Newtown Kennel Club Show in Springfield, MA on August 24 and he was Winners Dog for his first point under Judge Sharol Candace Way. Fergus is just seven months old. The night before the show we went up to PVKC's handling class in Brattleboro to see if we could learn enough in one hour not to be embarrassed in the ring. Ryan Blanker was substituting that night for instructor Leslie Woodward and he gave us some great B and winning! B tips. Helix (GCh Seneca s Ivy Incident at Prism RN, HSAds, CGC), A Swissy owned by Kelly Nevin, had a great weekend the 4-6th of August, starting it off with a triple Q in Herding (on ducks, sheep and cattle) on the 4th. She ended the weekend with her Herding Started titles on ducks (HSAd) and sheep (HSAs) and 2 of the 3 needed legs on cattle. Peg Vohr s collie CJ (Fantasy Mariner All Flags Flying BN RA) earned his Rally Advanced title at the Yankee Classic Shows, in July, with nice scores of 95, 99, and 100. Zoe (Hancock's Tempest), a Boston Terrier owned and shown by Betty Nichols, took blues in Rally Excellent A (95) and Beginner Novice Obedience A (196.5) in July at the Holyoke Kennel Club shows in West Springfield and earned titles in both classes. More recently, she got her first leg of Novice A Obedience (192.5) at the Wachusett Kennel Club show and also won the class. She is a fun little dog & we are very proud of her accomplishments. Zoe and her loot PVKC Proposed Slate of Officers 2017/2018 President: Lori Carver Vice President: Linda Gagnon Recording Secretary: Sue Meachem Corresponding Secretary: Sue Meachem Treasurer: Darci Brown AKC Delegate: Margaret Vohr Board 3 years: Sheila Blanker Jason Mazzone Board 2 years: Marcia Evans Cyndi Bussey Board 1 year: Catherine Carr Lee Gail Kenny -3-
Dorianne Almann writes, Taika and I find summer's heat and humidity too much for us so we take it easy. However, Taika did earn her AKC Trick Dog Novice title on July 14 and on August 2, All Dogs Parkour awarded my girl her ADP Level 1 title. The video of her ADP exercises is here: youtu.be/ymfkdttfuii. Doris Meadowcroft and Darcroft Keeshond Kennels are proud to announce a new champion, Ch Darcroft Sittin' on a Pier (Luke). Thank you Michael Work for such any excellent job taking care of and presenting him. From Sheila and Ryan Blanker: GCHB Northern Light's Shimmering Moonglade, BN, RN (Shimmer) won Best of Breed at PVKC's August show to complete her Grand Champion Silver title! She went on to win a Group 2 nd placing. It was terrific completing this title at our own club. She needed two single points to finish her Silver Grand Championship and she won a 5 point major out of 19 Siberians and a very nice and large line up of specials. This was her 12 th BOB in a row. Also at the PVKC Summer Show, new member Celeste O Malley and her Bernese Mountain Dog, Raphael (Maine s Healing Light Raphael v Sprucepeak) took Best of Winners. First win for Raphael and first PVKC show for Celeste as a PVKC member. -4- The Springfield July Cluster was good for PVKC members who train with us in Rally. Peg Vohr (far left) finished CJ's Rally Advanced title. Sheila Blanker (middle) finished Shiya's Rally Advanced title, and Jackie Smith (far right) finished Awen's Rally Excellent title (Awen also finished her Rally Advanced during the cluster). All on July 9 th and here is a photo to prove it.
Whistle While You Work CALLING FOR VOLUNTEER WORKERS As you know (hopefully you know!), our Pioneer Valley Kennel Club Agility weekend will be September 16 and 17, 2017, at the Westfield Fairgrounds, Russellville Road, Westfield. In addition to the Agility trials, at the same site on Sunday, September 17, PVKC will be holding a morning Rally trial to be followed by a second Rally trial hosted by Holyoke Kennel Club in the afternoon. Lots of activities to get involved with and fun to be had for all! If you need to bring your dog along while you are working, Westfield Fairgrounds has lovely shaded areas to park your vehicle. Volunteer workers are needed several times during the event at the fairgrounds starting late Friday morning, September 15, to help set up two 100 x 100 agility rings and one Rally ring!! Our Ring Master is our own, Jim Vohr!!! Also tables and chairs need to be set up under the Club Tent. Workers are also needed Friday afternoon to unload ring obstacles from MAX 200 s trailer and place them near the rings. MAX 200 is expected to arrive approximately 3:00 p.m. On Sunday afternoon, September 17, we will need lots of help to break down the Agility and Rally rings and re-load the Vohr s trailer with our club items. Please contact Joyce Lak at 413-584-0330 or jlak@facil.umass.edu -5-
Training, Training, Training! Tricks Titles and CGC Titles Every time we help novice dog owners learn the ease and fun of teaching their dog is an opportunity for owners to form closer bonds with their dogs. Empowering owners keeps dogs out of shelters and owners and dogs leading happy, cooperative lives. Plus, of course, we would like to see them give Rally and Obedience a try, by easing them from high-fives to spinning for a Master Rally Title. Dorianne Almann s Taika with her Trick Dog Title AKC Trick Titles In March of 2017, The American Kennel Club announced the launch of the AKC Trick Dog program. The program includes four levels allowing dogs with any amount of experience the ability to participate. Teaching their dog tricks is enjoyable for owners, mentally stimulating for their dogs and can take place at any time or place that fits their lifestyle. So, with all the training options available, why do tricks? First of all, trick training is FUN. Owners enjoy teaching tricks to their dogs. Dogs enjoy learning tricks and earning reinforcers during training. Tricks are simply behaviors, and learning these behaviors puts the dog in a learning-to-learn mode. Tricks are behaviors that can be done for entertainment such as Asay your prayers,@ physical activity (such as weave poles or spin), or as useful practical skills (e.g., Apaws up@ so the dog stands with front paws on a stool to raise his head for petting by a patient in a hospital bed). Trick training will make a trainer out of a beginning trainer. Correctly using the behavioral principles of shaping, chaining and reinforcement will be required of the successful trick dog trainer. Trick dog training requires the handler and dog to work together as a team. Pushing, shoving and pulling the dog into position will not work in trick dog training. Trick dog training also involves the dog getting physical and mental exercise. After a trip outside for physical exercise and a tricks training session, dogs who once looked for way to get in trouble when left alone may be happy to climb on the couch and take a nap. Why a Title? Dog owners like to show off their dog =s tricks. Many owners are delighted to have their dog give you a AHigh Five@ or demonstrate a Aspin.@ Offering a title gives them an opportunity to show off and to start the longer journey of training obedience skills and of titling their dogs. Many folks leave a basic obedience class uncommitted to going further with training. Learning solid heeling, automatic sits, and reliable long stays all look like hard work to a new dog owner. But tricksb tricks look like fun. Never mind that exactly the same training skills involved in teaching a trick are the same as those to teach a go-out or a drop-on-recall. In the beginning, one looks like fun and one looks daunting. PVKC Training, in conjunction with Yankee Dog, want to help people bridge the gap between completing a basic obedience class and starting competition obedience. We also want to bridge the gap between owners feeling too unskilled to stop unwanted home behaviors (like counter surfing) to owners feeling empowered enough to help their dog learn more respectful and reliable behavior. -6-
PVKC will be holding a Trick Dog Test (and Training Party) on the afternoon of Saturday, December 18. So take out those training treats and brush up your skills. Dogs, Food, and Fun!! Who could ask for more? There are 101 tricks to choose from, so you should be able to easily find tricks that suit your dog s size and style. Your toy-size dog probably won t be climbing a ladder any time soon, but he may be great at wiping his paws on his mat and walking backward. In addition, tricks can be adapted for senior dogs, disabled dogs, and service dogs, so every dog should be able to participate. For more information on the Trick Title go to http://www.akc.org/trick-dog/trick-dog-applications/ CGC If I can do it, You Can too!! Classes: Oct 21 & 28 and Nov 4 & 11 9:20 am; $50 (includes testing fee) Canine Good Citizen 2017 Class & Test -7- Test: November 18 Reservations Required Test only $25 Contact: Judith at 802-722-9848; handart@sover.net
In Case You Missed it (live or on Facebook) Images from the Summer Show -8-
Calendar of Events PVKC 2017 Newsletter Deadline Sept 26, 2017 September No Board of Directors Meeting General Meeting, Sept 18 PVKC Agility Trials, Sept 16-17 PVKC Rally Trial, Sept 17 PVKC Tracking Test, TBD October Board of Directors, Oct 2 (Brown) Annual Election & General Meeting Dinner Monday, October 16 November Canine Good Citizen Test Nov 18 December Board of Directors, Dec 4 (clinic) PVKC Holiday Party, Dec 11 Training Party & Trick Dog Test Dec 16 AKC Rally Changes The American Kennel Club is excited to announce the release of the AKC Rally Sign Videos including the new rally signs effective November 1, 2017. These videos are available on the AKC Obedience & Rally You Tube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/ucomnrkkim2kca owvl3sxevq?mkt_tok=eyjpijoitw1galpqqxlnr1v 3WkRWbSIsInQiOiJcL2FRWVFjK1VXb1VGMUwrc 2dEeFFtZmo0XC9DNSszMmdzczZDdVF1SEc0UnVu Q3J4VXpFVXVZVnRLMlN4QTk5VFloaGNhQkdiU Dd6RWNCczVKQXFRNTBvdGtYN0pQdXpKSVlYb nrlamxfmxhgwmlosffoxc85rgdaykdqzmyw VExMdyJ9 Please refer to the AKC Rally Regulations. (NEW!) Effective 11/01/2017 http://www.akc.org/rules/ AKC Puppy of Achievement The American Kennel Club is pleased to announce the start of its new conformation Puppy of Achievement (POA) certificate program. The program is designed to create incremental steps of success for those participating in conformation with their puppies. POA points will be earned by winning regular puppy classes or going Best of Breed or Best of Opposite Sex in the 4-6 Month Beginner Puppy (BPUP) competition. Dogs that earn 10 POA points will receive a certificate for their accomplishment. All dogs exhibited in the regular puppy classes or in BPUP competition will be eligible to earn POA points. There is no special entry requirement and no fee associated with the program. Dogs can start earning POA points at shows beginning September 1, 2017. To learn more about the Puppy of Achievement program, please visit www.akc.org/events/puppy-of-achievement/. 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 email and available on website. If you are unable to receive email or access our website, please contact Judith (802-722-9848) for an alternate contact plan. -9- Questions can be sent to eventnews@akc.org.
PVKC Training Schedule PUPPY Kindergarten Classes: New Classes Begin - Saturday, Sept 23 & Nov 4, 2017 Brattleboro, VT For information, please contact Judith (802) 722-9848 or handart@sover.net Please check our website for exact scheduling of 2017 classes. Update should be available in late December. www.pioneervalleykennelclub.com Vermont PVKC Classes: Obedience, Rally, & Breed Handling Wednesday nights Brattleboro, VT New Classes for 2017 - Sept 20 Wed Drop-in Classes running weekly Jan thru December except NO CLASSES - Sept 13 or Nov 22 Saturday Drop-in Novice Obedience Jan thru December except NO CLASSES - Sept 2 & Sept 16 For information, please contact: Judith Suarez at (802) 722-9848 handart@sover.net PVKC Tracking: Tracking Dates in Sept Wednesdays: Sept 27 Thursdays: Sept 14 Saturdays: Sept 9, Sept 30 Sundays: Sept 3 PVKC Tracking Test Sept 23/24, judging TD/TDX Come! Or Contact: Dorie Viguers; dviguers@nmhschool.org ; 413-648-9437 Not Winter (yet) but weird things & emergencies happen 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!! https://www.facebook.com/pages/pioneer-valley-kennel-club/198067530208377