Summer’s here and if it weren’t for our beautiful trees and red shell pools, we’d be melting during our training. It has hit us hard and fast and bullied spring into next year!
Welcome to all our new members and happy training to all club members. You have taken the first step from becoming a dog owner to training your lifelong canine companion.
CLUB ACTIVITY
We had a very informative afternoon with chiropractor, Dr Michiel Opperman, who worked on about 30 of our dogs! He was very helpful and informative. Here are his details in case you want to contact him again: 082 687 5495 opperman.michiel@gmail.com.
Tania gave a sheepdog demonstration with her girls, Shelby, Gypsy Girl and Georgi Girl. Judging by the responses, everyone who attended the demonstration were wowed by the natural working ability of the border collie!
The Puppy Club is the cutest class to watch, especially with trainer Juan’Ri fussing about like a mother hen. Our puppies are all very cute and will soon move to the more adult class where their serious training will start.
Training has been as enjoyable as ever. Our classes are brimming to near overflow. From a trainer’s point of view, it is very satisfying to see the members try so hard to improve and advance. It is a pity that several club members don’t train long enough to see and feel the satisfaction of their hard work. Training a dog isn’t for sissies, but the rewards once the first couple of months have passed, are priceless!
Our annual dog jumping competition, trophy hand-out and braai takes place on Saturday, 30th November 2019, starting at 10:00am. Please wear festive colours, red, green or gold! Our club will close for the festive season giving the committee and trainers a well-deserved rest. Members and family are invited to join us for our club-sponsored Christmas braai. Can we ask you please bring a salad/bread/pudding, whichever suits you. The club re-opens on Saturday, 11th January 2020.
TAGS – All members are issued with the first tag free of charge. Should you lose your tag it will cost you R30 to purchase. We will issue you a new tag should the old one break. All dogs are required to wear their tags. PUPPY = BLUE, GREEN = FRIENDLY, YELLOW = NERVOUS, ORANGE = NO DOGS, RED = CAUTION.
Many of you are preparing for the December holidays. Have you got a pet sitter??? Here are a few names you can try, but make sure they are qualified for the work required!
Royal Vet Pet Sitters – 084 678 9948 – 072 908 9712
Vet Student Pet Sitting – Caitlin Holyoake – 063 994 0497
Kathleen – only Pretoria East – 083 470 1343
Happy Chappies – Herman du Preez – 079 437 4200
WHAT IS YOUR DOG’S CUTEST FEATURE:
The cutest feature on my boy has to be his eyes, such a soft look.
GLORIA WEGENER
Peanut’s cutest feature is his face. You can get angry at him, he looks adorable with something in his mouth and when he sleeps he looks so peaceful. He’s also got the cutest sleeping habit. Once he is comfortable, he will sleep on his back.
NICCI GRAY
On Chloe it has to be her duck tails, she’s got a few hairs on her bum that always stands up.
With Bailey, it’s his moans – he gets so happy that he can’t help but make a lot of noise. Such a vocal pup!
ROLANDA YOUNG
Gypsy Girl’s face when she is desperate for food, Georgi Girl’s tongue that sticks out when she sleeps, Shelby’s face when she is about to go to sheep, Dingo’s face when he doesn’t want to go outside.
TANIA
If I greeted everyone happily
Instead of eyeing with distrust
If I didn’t pass judgement
But accepted all
If I listened intently
With understanding in my eyes
If I brought comfort
All the time, no matter what
If I loved unconditionally
Without reservation
If I lived life more simply
Instead of worrying so much
If I played tirelessly
And didn’t work so hard
If I made people smile
Just by my presence in the room
If I experienced true joy
At the little things in life
Then I’d be the perfect friend
Just like my dog
- JOANNE HIRASE-STACY
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.
Summer causes parasites like ticks, fleas and flies to predate. Please take the necessary precautions like dipping, collars and sprays. We have hardly experienced a winter, which means not enough cold to send the parasites scuttling and contracting biliary is a real concern. There are many new products on the market, and you can keep up to date with the latest information brochures, which we keep in the club house.
Pretoria Shepherd Dog Club sell treat bags, dumbbells and leashes. Please ask Ruben or one of the trainers to assist you.
INTERESTING WEBSITES
https://www.dogingtonpost.com/remembering-the-hero-dogs-of-911/
https://www.911memorial.org/connect/blog/remembering-four-legged-heroes-911-rescue-and-recoveryhttps://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/8-fun-scent-games-your-dog-will-love/80052
https://www.wired.com/story/the-science-of-the-sniff-why-dogs-are-great-disease-detectors/
INTERESTING BOOKS
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salty_and_Roselle
Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Gog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero by Michael Hingson
Dog Heros of September 11th: A Tribute to America’s Search and Rescue Dogs by Nona Kilgore Bauer
EVENTS
2nd November – new intake of dogs
30th November – year-end prizegiving, trophy hand-out and dog jumping competition
12th January 2020 – club opens
TESTIMONIALS
Thank you to everyone who have 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
The grounds look rather dull in winter and are quite forgiving once it rains. Thanks to Stefan and co. who will soon be putting together jumping equipment donated by John Cox.
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 R300.00 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 Wattsapp 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 sterilisation at a reduced fee.
SATURDAY – gates open at 1:30pm
OBEDIENCE – new intake the first Saturday of every month at 2pm
Please arrive at 1.30pm and visit our Treasurer, Ruben in the Club house – please bring a 1.2m cotton leash, half check chain and throw toy or dumbbell.
Obedience training – R200.00 per month, payable 3-monthly in advance. PLEASE BOOK WITH US BEFOREHAND. This is not a course, but ongoing training.
PUPPY CLUB – 3.pm – 4.30pm – Annual club membership – R300.00
R800.00 for the 6-week course – puppies can join any time.
This class is for puppies between the ages of 3 months and 5 1/2 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 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, half check chain 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