MAD ABOUT DOGS?

THEN DON’T MISS CRUFTS ON MARCH 9TH-12TH

If ever you doubt that the British are a nation of dog lovers, then Crufts will set you straight. 20 000 top pedigree dogs will attend this year, along with around 150 000 spectators.

Named after its founder, Charles Cruft, the first dog show of that name was held in 1891 in Islington, London. It’s now officially recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest dog show in the world!

My ‘must-see’ events are agility and obedience. I admit to watching these with an envious eye as my own pup, Archie, was at the back of the queue when brains were handed out and I can only dream of a dog who sits, stays and jumps through hoops, rather than races around like a loon, chasing his own tail until he crashes into the fridge!

Crufts accepts only the cream of the canine obedience corps, and it takes dedication to produce a champion.

There are regional selection days around the country and different levels of ability can enter. Top obedience champions need to perform well in many different skills including:

• Three different paces of heel work, including a sit, stand and down command.

• Retrieval of an object

• Send-away

• Distance control in six positions

• Scent discrimination

• A three-minute sit-stay

As Archie can’t stay still for a nanosecond I don’t think we’ll be troubling Crufts for a while. Agility was actually introduced as a filler item in 1978 and proved so popular it became a permanent fixture. Agility requires as much discipline as obedience though the skills are different. The dogs have to negotiate a complex series of obstacles without error, in the fastest time possible. If you’ve never watched it you’re missing a real treat.

Most dog owners can never hope to aspire to Crufts glory, but we can all make sure our dogs are trained properly; it’s responsible and it’s fun. And local training clubs are great places to make twolegged, as well as four-legged, friends.

Five Top Dog Training Tips

• Dogs are pack animals and need to know their place. Dominance is probably the biggest cause of poor behaviour in a dog.

• Dogs are creatures of habit so be consistent with commands.

• Socialise a dog with children, other dogs, and other animals. You’re less likely to have a nervous dog if it has encountered a variety of situations.

• Encourage your dog to play according to breed type. Terriers like Archie adore pulling games and Retrievers like to play fetch.

• Enrol in a good training club which uses gentle reward based methods and positive reinforcement. Next month we are starting a new series Me and My Dog.

If you and your dog would like to be featured, please contact me, Kate Stewart, office@infocusmagazines.co.uk

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ARUN & CHICHESTER (AIR) ENTHUSIASTS SOCIETY

AirACES www.airaces.org.uk

Patrons – Sqn Ldr Richard (Dick) Kharegat RAF (Retd) – ex Vulcan, Victor, B52 Pilot Wg Cdr Robert (Bob) Prothero MRAeS, MIMgt, RAF (Retd) – ex Victor Pilot

Monday 27th March 2023 - 1900 for 1930 hrs

‘RAF Reaper Force –Remote Warfare in the 21stCentury – Part 2’ presented byProf Peter Lee

One of the world’s leading experts on Remote Air Warfare, Professor Peter Lee, is returning to Air Aces to present a follow up to his first talk on the RAF Reaper Force. In part one, Peter described several of the practical aspects of RAF Reaper operations, based on his research and the resultant book, Reaper Force. This second talk will address two implications for remote air warfare and those who operate the RAF Reaper, based on subsequent research. The first is the psychological impact, especially moral injury, on those who conduct remote air operations. Looking forward, Peter explores some of the implications of incorporating artificial intelligence elements within future remotely piloted aircraft systems.

AirACES is an aviation talk society, providing its members with regular talks, given by experts in many different fields related to the world of aviation. The talks are held at the Chichester Park Hotel, Westhampnett Road, Chichester 7pm for 7.30 start. Members £5, visitors £7 and under 16s FREE. Doors open at 6.45 no pre-booking, no reserved seating For further information about AirACES, please see www.airaces.org.uk, or call David Batcock on 01243 823007.

Dr Davina Mahoney Dr John Harker Dr Mauricio Carrillo Dr Sharad Patel

If you have moved to this area, or are looking for a new dentist, we would love for you to come and join our friendly Bognor Regis practice. We pride ourselves on a partnership built on trust and mutual respect to improve your dental health. We aim to work with you to provide optimum dental care with the latest and advanced dental treatments, transparent costs and a friendly experience every time you visit us.

• Free initial consultation

• Latest implant technology including on-site 3D CBCT scanner

• No more gaps or dentures

• Eat, chew and smile with complete confidence

• We accept referrals from other dental practices for complex single and multiple dental implants

At Felpham Dental we offer a full range of cost-effective treatments for both general and cosmetic dentistry. These include whitening, veneers, crowns, white fillings, dental implants, root canal treatments and facial aesthetics including intradermal wrinkle treatments.

We accept referrals for complex root canal treatments with Dr John Harker, and oral surgery referrals including facial pain and migraine, with Dr Mauricio Carrillo.

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You can directly access our full team of dental hygienists: Elizabeth Goodchild, Jane Gander and Helen Carter even if you are not a registered patient.

Emergency Dental Care

Please call 01243 864663 and speak with Chrissie or Tracey.

Contact us:

Felpham Dental

83 Felpham Road

Bognor Regis.PO22 7PF

(Opposite Milestones Garage)

Tel: 01243 864663 felphamdental@aol.com www.felphamdental.com