Pooch Scoop April-June 2019

POOCH SCOOP April-June 2019

Hi my name is Luke & my mum’s name is Lyn. My mum Lyn & my friend Ozzie who is a bearded collie were the first two to successfully complete & pass the new Trick Skills Level 1 Assessment being offered by the Dog Club.

News, views and opinions in this newsletter are those of the correspondents, and not necessarily those of the club, editor and committee. The Springwood District Dog Training Club Inc. reserves the right of rejection of material.

COMMITTEE o o o o o o o o o o o

President Lynn Olson Vice President Maryjka Kelly Secretary Moina Wye Treasurer Paul Kelly Chief Instructor Obedience Leanne Brown Newsletter Noeleen Horswell Website Lynn Olson Table Manager Obedience Paul Kelly Shop Manager Francoise Matter Sporting Representative Paul Kelly General Committee: Ron Amann, Vicki Cooper, Chris Lambert, & Trevor Mawer.

Life Members: Dot Luker,Ann Moy,Sue Fell,Ron Amann, Wally Campbell, Pam Waters, Lesley Piggott, Lynn Olson, Leanne Brown.

As a member of the club you are always welcome to attend our Club’s General Meetings at the Red Cross Hall in Macquarie Road Springwood. Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7.30 p.m. Meetings resume each January.

NB There is no meeting in December.

Web Site: www.sddtc.org Email: info@sddtc.org FACEBOOK: Springwood District Dog Training Club

Training Sessions Agility Beginners • Monday evening 7.00 – 8.00 p.m.

Obedience Tuesday l0.00 – 11am (9.30-10.30am if temp above 30) & Thursday evening 7.30 – 8.45 p.m.

• New Beginners 8 week Course-commences first Thursday evening of each month @ 7.30pm.(Dogs not needed that night) Wet Weather: If it has been raining for a few days check the Blue Mountains Oval Closure Hotline 47805617 after 3.00 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, or check the BM City Council Website.

Check our Facebook Page for any training & weather updates.

Paul & Maryjka with the club banner Springwood Anzac Day March 2019

“It’s OK! My dog is friendly………”

I cringe every time I hear someone say it…..There are so many possibilities to the outcome of this…..

Have a read of this scenario.

You are walking your dog happily down the street, on lead, (of course), when…..

Another handler is being pulled by their dog frantically towards your dog, calling out “It’s OK! They’re friendly!”

Your response is to hold onto your lead tight and try to look after your dog, well aware of the snorting, snuffling jumpy dog that is approaching, but not sure what to expect.

-A tight leash makes your dog react to the change of energy and the new space restriction you have applied. Flight for your dog is no longer an option.

Your dog is now alert and anticipating something….your dog may feel, startled, frightened…definitely unsure, after all, they are a stranger.

The Scenario unfolds (By no means are all the options available are written here) Depending on previous experience your dog may: -Stand stiffly. Accept the dog approaching; allow some sniffing, all the time hesitant of what might happen -Growl, show their teeth, stand upright. Dogs have a personal space and clearly the space is being infringed and this is the only way they have to communicate this fact.

-Try to run away from the other dog, pulling handler over. Get away at all costs. How frightful for the dog.

-Engage with the other dog in a negative wayo

Loud barking noises, pushing the other dog- go away this is serious.

The dog feels it has to take action.

o

Both dogs tussling each other, argy bargy. This could end up anywhere. A bad experience all round.

o

Handler loses hold of leash-One dog runs away, Handler frantic to get hold of the leash. Think of all the potential dangers here.

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One dog runs away the other dog chases- even worse potential for dogs to get hurt and both handlers frantic.

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- Both dogs start to fight – minor injury, major injury, vet bills, implications????? –

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Both dogs accept each other. More by chance and good luck than careful planning of both handlers

Both dogs have had a negative experience. Neither dog has learned how to greet a dog respectfully and the fearful negative experience may have ongoing issues for the dogs. With both dogs their relationship with their handlers have been effected and trust must be regained.

All around, at any level this hasn’t been a great experience for the dogs.

So....What is the alternative…..?

When out walking, if you must greet another dog (It’s OK to just be out walking your dog, enjoying their company).Be sure you have taught your dog to have manners when on lead.

-Don’t allow your dog to pull you over to another dog. Stand your ground.

Ask the Handler for permission to greet their dog and then give your dog permission to greet the other dog. This allows the other handler the option to do what is right for their dog too.

-Never walk your dog straight up to the nose of another dog. In dog world this is rude and unnatural. Dogs’ find this behaviour threatening and aggressive. Allow the dogs’ to greet each other side by side on a loose leash with the handlers relaxed.

- If it is the dogs first meeting let them sniff each other and move on. They don’t need to stay a long time in each other’s space. Move on before any dog gets defensive or starts playing by jumping up. You want to create a short positive experience, leaving the dog feeling positive about greeting other dogs. Staying to long and either dog’s behaviours change and a negative experience occurs; neither dog will enjoy greeting other dogs. If you want the dogs to have more time together, go somewhere safe where they can do so off lead.

Be Mindful of other handlers and their dogs. Many handlers are working with their dog, enjoying their walk together and may not want to be disturbed.

Don’t assume all dogs are friendly and never assume your dog will always be friendly with everything they meet.

Dogs are all different. Just like humans. They have likes and dislikes, insecurities and prior experiences. We don’t need to force them into meetings with other dogs that they don’t know……..

“It’s OK! My dog is friendly.”

No! It’s not OK! EVER…….

Information submitted by Leanne Brown- Chief Instructor SDDTC Inc.

The Dogs That Made Australia: The story of the Dogs that bought about Australia’s Transformation from Starving Colony to Pastoral Powerhouse.

This book pays tribute to the dogs that gave their all for our prosperity. The book is described as a meticulously researched history of Australia told from the perspectives of the dingo & the dogs that were imported & developed here, as well as the humans who loved, feared & worked these dogs. The fearless hounds that saved fledgling colonies from famine, the courageous heelers & tireless collies that powered the rise of beef & wool, the tough little home-grown terriers that protected the homestead & garden & the extraordinary police dogs, who were loved by the nation. The selfless exploits’ of our heroic dogs are writ indelibly in our nation’s heritage & identity.

Francoise & Molly Francoise stocks a number of items for sale at wholesale prices. Black Dog is one of our suppliers. Francoise can order an item from Black Dog www.blackdog.net.auwe don’t usually stock in the shop. E.g. Black Dog leads-various lengths, plain or smart leads & Martingale collars-various sizes. The shop is usually set up most Thursday evenings & on most Tuesday mornings the shop is open but not on display. Please see Francoise for special orders, & further information.

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Black Dog Halties-all sizes $22.00 & Haltie extensions $8.00.

Black Dog 1 metre lead $14.00

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Black Dog treat Tote-various colures NEW $20.00, Blue treat bag tote $10.00 & Black vinyl treat bag tote (1 left) $5.00.

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Pigs ears-dog treat-$1.50, Liver treats 150gm bag-$2.50. Moina’s liver or heart treats 100gm bag Aust. made $2.00.Environmental doggy poo bags pack of 3 (45) bags $6.50.

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Club shirts, vests and jackets are available for purchase from the club.