Pooch Scoop - Summer 2015

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

COMMITTEE President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Chief Instructor Obedience Chief Instructor Agility Agility Trial Manager Newsletter/Website Table Manager Obedience Procurement Officer Sporting Representative General Committee

Lynn Olson Maryjka Kelly Leanne Brown Paul Kelly Ron Amann

Lynn Olson Wally Campbell Maryjka Kelly Cathy Moran, Chris Lambert, Trevor Mawer

Remember you are always welcome to attend our Club’s General Meetings at the Red Cross Hall in Macquarie Road, Springwood on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7.30 p.m.. (There is no meeting in December).

Life Members – Dot Luker, Ann Moy, Sue Fell, Ron Amann, Wally Campbell, Pam Waters, Lesley Piggott, Lynn Olson Annual General Meeting – will be held on the last Thursday in August, 2015 at Lomatia Park. (There will be no training on that night).

Web Site: Training Days: Obedience:

www.sddtc.org

Email:

info@sddtc.org

Agility Spring/Summer Monday evening 7.00 – 7.45 p.m.

Winter Friday morning 10.00 a.m.

Tuesday morning 10.00a.m. – Thursday evening 7.30 p.m.

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. Also check our Facebook Page for training updates.

Happy Birthday Pat

Louie

6th December

Liz

Tristan

8th December

D.Hill

Murphy

10th December

R.James

Honey

11th December

N.Bros

Max

11th December

Leanne

Eisha

13th December

M. Tremain

Matilda

13th December

M.Gold

Jessie

19th December

Sharon

Oscar

22nd December

Vicki

Kaos

27th December

M. Jennings

Rosie

27th December

E. Sokoya

Tekoa

December

As we do not have a newsletter in January, I have included the January Birthdays.

Jessica

Max

lst January

Chris

Annie

2nd January

Noeleen

Suzie

2nd January

L. Campbell

Ella

2nd January

F. Kiernan

Ruby

3rd January

A. Wylde

Emma

4th January

R. Sargent

Teddy

8th January

D. Tebay

Molly

15th January

P. Green

Bonnie

26th January

Sally

Charlie

26th January

Lyn

Ozzie

26th January

Megan

Duke

3 yrs

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Happy Holidays for you and YOUR DOG With the festive season approaching, we may find our busy schedule does not include our best friend, so here are a few examples of ‘Environmental Enrichment” when your dog is left home alone.

AN ICE BLOCK Place some suitable scraps of food into an ice-cream container, fill with water and freeze. You could even freeze a knotted rope into it so it could be hung somewhere or maybe bury it – as the ice melts the interest is renewed as treats come to the surface. A cool idea for the hot weather.

A DIGGING PIT Some dogs love to dig so provide an area where they can dig and reinforce their behaviour in that area. A sandpit where you bury bones is one good idea.

A WADING POOL Some dogs adore water so why not encourage it.

You can purchase shallow moulded plastic children’s pools quite cheaply or alternatively make your own pond. Ensure that the dog can easily get out of the pond and that it is just paddling depth, then drop some toys or treats even vegetables such as carrot pieces which will float and encourage the dog to play. An alternative would be to drop the same floating goodies or toys in the dogs’water bucket.

THE KONG Many of you would be very familiar with the KONG, a marvellous piece of equipment available from good pet product suppliers which can be stuffed with food and left for the dog to work

on during the day. Be aware though with multiple dogs that using food games may cause some problems.

THE BUSTER CUBE The buster cube is another great invention available from good pet product suppliers, you can place dry food into the opening and the dog has to roll it around to get them out again. Some dogs take all day and some take just five minutes. Suitable for most breeds, but there are a very few that have the jaw strength and capacity to destroy these. Some dogs need to learn how to use a buster cube so a smear of peanut butter or cheese near the opening, often gets them going.

A TREASURE HUNT Can be lots of fun, leave the dog in the house (somewhere he cannot cheat by peeking) and hide food and treats around the yard, digging some in, placing some under other articles, then let him out so he can discover things all during the day.

Information printed with permission from author Karen Damiani of Australian Canine Current Events

SPRINGWOOD FOUNDATION DAY Foundation Day Springwood is on Saturday, 2nd April, 2016 and our club has a doggy stall where we showcase our canine friends and maybe sell some of our dog items and also run a very sizeable raffle.

We need your dogs on the day to ‘MEET AND GREET’the public and also answer questions about our training methods, etc. The dogs will be virtually an ambassador for the club, so there is a criteria which we have. l. Able to be petted by adults and children 2. Able to withstand noise (bursting balloons, children screaming, fire engine sirens, etc., 3. Able to get along with other dogs.

If you can spare an hour or two, three, or four, please fill in the sheet at the sign-on table with the time you are available.

Club Members Shop – For all your shop requirements, please see Maryjka Kelly at the Sign-on table Halti’s all sizes Halti’s extensions Treat Bags (Large) Treat Bags (Small) Pigs Ears Bacon Treats Liver Treats One Meter Lead Small Water Bowls

$22.00 $8.00 $24.00 $12.00 $1.50 $ 2.50 $ 2.50 $14.00 $4.00

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