NEWSLETTER NO: 19 – JULY 2007

Hello members

The weather has certainly played havoc with our training sessions this month. Although the rain is very welcome, our canine buddies are certainly missing their outdoor exercise. If training is cancelled an email message is sent to those who receive their Newsletter on-line, and an announcement is made over radio 2ST early on the Sunday morning – usually around 7am. Thank you to member Glen, who has suggested a message could be included on the Club’s website, and this will definitely be investigated. Paying Training Fees There is often a “bottleneck” of handlers and their dogs waiting to pay the $2 training fee, this especially occurs from about 8.45am onwards. A suggestion has been made that it may be better to leave your dog in the car, come and pay your training fee, and then go and collect your dog. This will still give time to socialise with other dogs in the front assembly area, but without the close and confined situation around the ramp and Clubhouse verandah, which has, on occasions, resulted in minor altercations between dogs.

Club Championships Saturday 18 August has now been confirmed as the day for our Club Championship and the closing date for entries has been extended to Sunday 29 July. Entry forms are available at the Clubhouse. Please remember that no late entries will be accepted. The events start at 9am with morning tea at 10.30am.

The aim of the awards is to select the Club’s champion “Companion Dogs” for the year. A companion dog is, for this purpose, one that can undertake a wide range of skills at a very competent level. The dog should be able to operate under a variety of conditions, both individually and as a member of a team; remain calm and focussed and show no irritability towards its handler, other handlers, a judge or other dogs. In most circumstances entrants for this award should be at least in Class 2 or above but applications are not restricted by this preference. What does the 2007 Club Championship consist of? In 2007 the Club Championship will consist of one compulsory section and then a choice of at least four (4) optional disciplines. Note: You can enter all 5 of the optional disciplines but one of the scores has to be deleted and will not count at the completion of the championship • Compulsory Section – Heel on lead 50%. Heel free

off lead 50%. Novice standard heeling pattern – maximum points 50

• Chose at least four (4) of the following five (5) disciplines. • Agility. Novice Class & Excellent Class – maximum

points 50 • Tracking Novice Class – maximum points 50 • Gundog Novice Class. – maximum points 25 • Zip Ball Club Standard – maximum points 25 • Flags Club Standard – maximum points 25

Entrants will receive a set of notes detailing the requirements for each event. To receive a copy of the notes and entry form electronically please send an email to miltondogclub@bigpond.com

To provide members with the opportunity to gain experience in taking part in the Championship, you can enter a single event if you wish. You can also enter the compulsory section and only complete the on-lead part.

Spectators are very welcome and we hope many of you put this date in your diary and come along to support fellow members. Stewards and helpers are also needed so please talk to your Instructor, Chief Instructor Diane, or any committee member if you would like more information.

Pulling on the Lead Most lead pulling begins as soon as the dog sees the lead and knows she/he is about to go for a walk. If the walk begins out of control, the precedent is set for the entire walk. Before expecting your dog to calmly walk beside you on lead, train her/him to be calm when you are putting on the collar and lead. Ask your dog to sit -stay while you are putting on the lead. If your dog does not stay, the walk is delayed until she/he does. Don’t give in or she/he will learn that it’s ok to be out of control. Practice training the sit stay without the distraction of the prospect of a walk so the sit stay becomes reliable.

Every time your dog pulls on lead and you continue the walk, you are rewarding her/him for pulling and lunging. Every time your dog gets out of control it is essential that you instantly stop the walk, stand still and wait for her/him to calm down before continuing. It is a tremendous effort in patience at first but it will pay off if you persevere. You may only get to the end of the block or even your driveway on your first outing, but if you give in to your dog’s demands, then she/he will continue to pull. ( Perfect Paws Dog and Puppy Training) Newsletter enquiries to:

Janet ☺ 4455 3137 If you would like to receive your Newsletter electronically please send an email to: miltondogclub@bigpond.com

STOP PRESS: Closing Date Club Championship 29/7

MILTON ULLADULLA

DOG TRAINING CLUB

MEMBERS CORNER Welcome to the following new members:

Margaret & "Angus", Rebecca and "Ninja", John and Diana and "Phoebe", Terry & Sarah and "Meg", Jenny & Noel and "Presley", Billy-Jo and "Toby", Kylie and "Shelly" Danny and "Sasha", Greg and "Toby", Dylan and "Tiger" Duncan and “Tilly”, Nicole and “Bella”, Sarah and “Shadow”, Susan and “Brandy” and Wayne and “Aussie”

Well done to the following graduations:

Graduations, From Puppies to Beginners, Caroline & "Beau", Margaret and "Angus" Grace and her gorgeous whippet.

From Beginners to Class 1 Susan and "Ajax", Renee and "Bindi” and Rebecca and “Jess".

Competition Results Congratulations to Rosie and Kim with their wonderful dogs, who have again excelled in competition:

Rosie’s Results

Rosie’s "Pac" won the Singles Div. 1 at the National Flyball Championships in Brisbane on June 9 and 10, 2007 Pairs Divisions 1. Handicap Pairs, Handicap Singles Final lost by 1/100 second. At Canberra Obedience qualified for CCD with 94 out of 100.

Kim's results 27.05.07 Wollongong Dog Sports Club Bella 4th place Excellent Gamblers Pass 1st place Excellent Jumping Pass this gives Bella her JDX title (Jumping Dog Excellent) 03.06.07 Goulburn Dog training and Kennel Club Bella 1st place Excellent Agility Pass AM This gives Bella her ADX title (Agility Dog Excellent) 1st place Excellent Agility Pass PM 1st place Excellent Jumping Pass Brock 4th place Novice Agility Pass 1st place Novice Jumping Pass Deli 3rd place Novice Jumping Pass this gives Deli her JD title (Jumping Dog)

New Book on Order Our Club has ordered a supply of an excellent book by Caroline Hille called “Dog-Gone Games” which will soon be available to borrow from our library, or to purchase. Please enquire at the Clubhouse.

Holiday Accommodation We received advice from Alison Linkhorn that she has recently opened a Bed & Breakfast establishment at Sanctuary Point. The B&B is pet friendly and a 10% discount is available till 30/9/07. Secretary Roy has a copy of her brochure if anyone would like more information.

Photos Thanks to Peter for submitting this fun photo.

Did you Know?

Ever consider what dogs must think of us? I mean, here we come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul -- chicken, pork,

half a cow. They must think we're the greatest hunters on earth – Anne Tyler

Dogs can see colour but it is not as vivid as the colour humans see. Dog colour is similar to what we see at twilight.

A dog's heart beats 70 to 120 times a minute... a human heart beats 70 to 80 times a minute.

Dogs are not born knowing the words "Sit", "Down", "Stand".