Welcome to our new members who joined us on Saturday! We hope you will enjoy your training with us!
CLUB ACTIVITY
To our absolute delight during Level 3 we were still able to remain open for training. Social distancing was maintained, naturally, because an average distance between each handler and dog is about 2 meters. We had a record number of new members, with each member tired of lockdown and grateful to get outdoors! Welcome everyone!
The walk on the Magaliesburg mountain was fun! Very few of our members ventured out. Martin led the pack after being dropped in the deep end. But Martin is resilient, and quickly grabbed Herbert Binder to show him the correct route. Several of our members climbed like billy goats and summited in no time. Others took a leisurely walk and soon returned to a welcome fire and cold drink. Willem lost his cell phone and several years ago I lost my sunglasses. None of us was inclined to re-do the climb! Everyone enjoyed the braai and our newer members made contact with our President, Mr Walter Binder. A week later the entire mountain was set alight and burned for a few days. Photos on our Fb page.
At our AGM in March, Gloria and Chris came up with the idea that we needed to resurrect our old fireplace. Lots of construction has taken place thanks to Gloria and her staff, Martin and Lucky. We will be ready to launch Gloria’s Lapa in September! Please feel free to send ideas through. Thank you to Angie for donating the bonfire rim!
You can imagine my surprise when I was told by Giselle on the training field that she had gone into labour, but first wanted to finish her puppy class! Neil was running around like a headless chicken and Giselle and her mom were relaxed! Baby Marlow was born four days later, over 3kgs in weight. What a cutie pie he is! Giselle and Neil continue to participate in the Puppy Club each week with their Hungarian Vizla, Toshi, while Marlow gets pampered by Granny.
Shelby was one of my three Border collies. A fantastic shepherding dog, and a sweet and very loyal companion. We travelled throughout South Africa entering sheepdog competitions where she had endured a torn muscle in Caledon, a snake bite in Dullstroom and a bontpoot tick bite in Boschkop. But she was resilient! At 14 years of age she was still running around sorting out sheep! We had been nursing her kidneys for a couple of years, but due to complications we sadly had to put Shelby to sleep. Her loss has left an enormous void in our lives…
A PET’S 10 COMMANDMENTS
1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you will be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want from me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up for punishment. You have your work, your friends, family, entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words. I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you scold me, before you strike me, remember I could hurt you. Yet I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I am not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can’t bear to watch. Don’t make me face this alone.
11. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I LOVE YOU.
WE DON’T HAVE TO WAIT FOR HEAVEN TO BE SURROUNDED BY HOPE, LOVE AND JOYFULLNESS. IT IS HERE ON EARTH AND HAS FOUR LEGS!!!
QUESTION: WHAT IS THE NAUGHTIEST THING YOUR DOG HAS EVER DONE?
Buddy is onmoonlik as dit kom by was dag, kan nie wag om n kous of iets te steel nie, maar die ergste is, ‘n mens vergeet om eetkamer stoele onder tafel in te stoot, dan vat hy sy kans wag op die tafel, dan het goeie uitkyk op lewe.
ANNATJIE, PIETER EN BUDDY
Caught and killed a chicken and ate it on the run. He’s a runaway from his mum at every opportunity.
My boy.
GLORIA AND MAJOR
QUESTION: WHAT’S THE HARDEST THING YOUR DOG HAS EVERY DONE?
The hardest thing my pets have ever done is to go up and down the Magaliesberg mountain. They managed without their leads! They never ran away and found their way back to Mr Binder’s farm. I’m very proud of them!
LOUIZA, WILLEM, KOLLETJIES, SPOTTIE, VLOOI AND PATROON
An enormous shout out to our committee and trainers who give so willingly of their time and expertise. We can’t do it without you!!!!
RECIPE – not recommended for dogs with kidney problems, stock cubes have too much salt
TOMATO JUICE TREATS
Ingredients:
1/2 cup of warm water
8 chicken stock cubes
1 packet dry yeast
1 t sugar
1 1/2 cups tomato juice
2 cups flour
2 cups wheat germ
1 1/2 cups white wheat flour
Method:
Pre-heat oven to 150 degrees. Pour water into a mixing bowl, add stock cubes and crush with a fork. Stir in the yeast and let it stand for 5 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients until well blended. Roll out on a lightly floured surface to half inch thickness and cut into desired shapes. Place shapes on baking sheet and bake for 1 hour. Turn off the oven and allow biscuits to cool inside for at least 4 hours. Store at room temperature, in an airtight container. Irwin Animal Rescue Centre Recipe Book
Summer causes parasites like ticks, fleas and flies to predate. Please take the necessary precautions like dipping, collars and sprays. There are new products on the market, and you can keep up to date with the latest information brochures, which we keep in the club house.
We train with treats and comfortable waist treat bags are available from Ruben for sale on Saturdays. They are R110 each and the small treat bag is R90 – there is limited stock.
Preparing for dog club: We know how busy everyone is, but the last thing you want to do is RUSH to the dog club. Your dog will be rattled, and you will probably waste an entire lesson being jittery and shouting at your poor, innocent dog. So, get yourself a bag or basket, fill it with your training equipment like, collar/working check chain, leash, dumbbell/throw toy, treats and treat bag (sold at the club). Just lift and leave! Don’t forget your dog, hehe! Gates open at 1.30pm.
COLOURED TAGS
All member’s dogs are issued with different coloured tags. Your dog must please wear the tag at each training session. If you lose your tag, please get a new one from the trainers at R30 each. BLUE = PUPPY, GREEN = FRIENDLY dog, YELLOW = NERVOUS dog, ORANGE = NO DOGS (not dog friendly), RED = CAUTION (do not touch the dog). Please be aware of the colour tags, as it is a very clear indication and warning to you and your dog to either befriend the dog or stay a respectful distance away.
Our medical aiders are Sam and Chris, in case of any emergency.
PUPPY CLASSES
We have Puppy Club for pups between the ages of 3 months to 6 months on a Saturday afternoon. Socializing your puppies from a young age can be the best show of love, which you, their human parent, can give!
CLUB EVENTS
1st August – new intake of dogs
5th September – new intake of dogs
19th September – launch Gloria’s lapa, potjie and braai
3rd October – new intake of dogs
11th October – sheepdog demonstration
7th November – new intake of dogs
28th November – Dog jumping competition, trophy hand-out and year-end braai
December – club closed
INTERESTING WEBSITES
https://www.picassopetproducts.co.za/home
www.animaltalk.co.za
INTERESTING BOOKS
The Genius of Dogs. How Dogs are Smarter than you think by Brain Hare and Vanessa Woods
Bones Would Rain from the Sky by Suzanne Clothier
WEBSITE
Thank you to everyone who has sent testimonials – they’re on the website! This is a powerful and easy way of advertising your club, so please make full use of it – www.pretoriashepherddogclub.co.za. Our Face Book page also has some interesting photos and information!
MAINTENANCE
We have a serious plumbing problem, which is going to cost the club a few thousand rand. Our pipes are rusted and need to be replaced. In the meantime, the water must be switched off at all times, except when we are training.
We have had an enormous problem with paper thorns, but had an effective maintenance day in March where several members took the weeds out by their roots. If you see a paper thorn weed, please take it out by the root without dropping any seeds.
PRETORIA DOG RESCUE
Samantha and her team do a lot of wonderful work with Pretoria Dog Rescue. It is a worthy cause to support. Please put the word out that they have many, many dogs up for adoption. Check out their Face Book page for more information. Dogs bought from Pretoria Dog Rescue qualify for one month’s free training.
SPCA AND WETNOSE
Dogs bought from SPCA or Wetnose qualify for one month’s free training (excluding R330.00 club membership fee). Just bring along your receipt of purchase. The SPCA Newsletter has put out a request for more volunteers, so if you have any spare time, please consider donating it to a worthy cause. Please contact Celestie Mathews who is a volunteer at the SPCA. She has some wonderful fundraising ideas. Celestie also has a volunteer Whatsapp group that you can belong to, where she advertises the SPCA’s wish lists – 082 825 8442.
ANIMAL CHARITY
Our adopted animal charity is the South African Veterinary Association’s community project called Community Veterinary Clinics (CVC). They look after the primary healthcare of dogs and cats in disadvantaged communities, and offer vaccinations, de-worming, dipping and sterilization at a reduced fee. Please get involved in their MySchool card project – http://www.communityvet.co.za/
SATURDAY – gates open at 1.30pm
OBEDIENCE – new intake the first Saturday of every month at 2pm
Beginners – please arrive at 1.30pm and visit our Treasurer, Ruben in the club house – please bring a 1.2m cotton leash, slip collar and throw toy or dumbbell.
Obedience training – R220.00 per month, payable 3-monthly in advance. PLEASE BOOK WITH US BEFOREHAND. This is not a course, but ongoing training.
PUPPY CLUB – 3pm – 4.30pm- Annual club membership – R320.00
R900.00 for the 6-week course – Puppies are welcome to join every week!
This class is for puppies between the ages of 3 months and 6 months. The puppies must have had their 2nd vaccination and been de-wormed. Appropriate tick and flea control must be administered before participating. Please bring your vaccination books. The members will have a lecture in the club house and thereafter learn the basics in puppy obedience, e.g. retrieve, heelwork, sit, down and stand. And of course, lots of socializing. Bring along a 1.2m cotton leash, slip collar or collar and throw toy. If the dogs advance well before the age of 6 months, they can join Beginner training. PLEASE BOOK WITH US BEFOREHAND.
CONTACT
Secretary – Beverly – 083 272 1014
Chairperson and Chief Trainer – Tania – 082 430 1456
Treasurer – Ruben Muller – rubenmuller1959@gmail.com
Kind regards
TANIA QUARMBY
CHAIRPERSON
PRETORIA SHEPHERD DOG CLUB
www.pretoriashepherddogclub.co.za
Check us out on Face Book
WE’RE NOT IN IT FOR THE INCOME, WE’RE IN IT FOR THE OUTCOME