Welcome, welcome, welcome, to our new members who have joined and as usual, our “golden oldies”.
CLUB ACTIVITY
The club was wowed with an extremely interesting presentation by Heidi Pfeifer on snake identification, their beauty and dangers. The presentation was contained to snakes in the Tshwane area. Heidi brought a few snakes with, which kept us entertained!
We said a sad farewell to Rottweiler, Alexa, due to bone cancer. Our condolences to Christo and Mariska at this very sad time. On a lighter note, our little Yorkie, Mignon, underwent ligament surgery and our rescue, Frankie, will soon undergo surgery for her patella. Our trainers are always affected by any sad news of “their” dogs.
Our year-end function will soon be upon us. Your trainers will soon be training you on a serious basis on the jumps and flyball. Every year we close off with a dog jumping competition, trophy hand-out and a delicious club sponsored braai.
The trainers have started several members with trick training. This informative website will start you off with some easy exercises. https://www.thesprucepets.com/fun-and-easy-dog-tricks-1117309
The Faerie Glen Nature Reserve walk will take place soon. Please arrange for your permits if you would like to participate.
HAVE YOU EVER CELEBRATED YOUR DOG’S BIRTHDAY OR CHRISTMAS, HOW, AND WHAT DID YOU BUY YOUR DOG?
Stark had his first birthday party at the club. We sponsored our club class with bandanas and treats and brought a cake to the club. Our children joined us as well. We gave Aurora a lovely birthday party with party plates, hats, food and lots of presents! We invited Aurora’s doggy friends (neighbours) and they spent the afternoon playing and eating peanut butter and oats cake. Our fur kids are very special to us.
Sam and Stoney
Every year we celebrate the Boys birthday (3 January, was actually their when their mom gave birth). It’s a tradition that we have cake, candles and take a photo. We even have a party with other dog and human friends or go on a great outing. This January they will be turning 10 so we have a big celebration planned! We also celebrate Christmas. We all have personalized baubles on the tree and stockings. Presents are also In Abundance- the pets usually have more presents than us! Linc has a Xmas Eve tradition, where he steals the present with the treats in and eats them! Gifts include lots of treats, stuffed toys, beds, blankets, anything we stumble across that we think is cool!
Bryony and Rivas with Linc and Timmy
Yes always… We usually celebrate birthdays traditionally with a big bone or new toy, and for Christmas we buy them a new collar.
Lianri and Astrid
Definitely! Our four-legged family members join in all celebrations, birthdays, during the festive season, we even spoil them during public holidays, having more time at home. And they get spoilt rotten.
For her birthday this year, as per every birthday, my little terror received a very nice dinner meal, and a toy (an alien chew toy this year). Also, this year she received school membership, which she seems to enjoy thoroughly. I also put in leave from work on her birthdays, she gets all my attention.
At Christmas all our dogs receive a brand, new collar, they get a share of what we put on the grill, and playtime. If weather permits, on Christmas day we climb into the pool, and my little one joins (she does not let a swimming opportunity pass her by). In a nutshell 🙂
John and Ziva
Natuurlik! Dis ons kinders! Hulle kry ‘n nuwe toy wat ons in koerant papier toedraai sodat hulle dit kan oopskeur. Ook ‘n honde koekie met ‘n kersie! Jip, honde mense is bietjie anders!
Melanie en Anton met Levi en Haskia
I never celebrate birthdays, but I did with Roxy when she turned 15. We celebrated at a sheepherding day with champagne and later at home she got a big bone!
Tania and Roxy
“I volunteer every year for Santa Cause for Paws. I have attached a flyer. Basically, you put 5 items in a box and it gets donated to a rescue shelter (2 things yum, something useful, something warm, something fun and an optional item for staff members). I am a drop off so of members would like to donate (even single items), they can bring it to class and I can collect it every Saturday.” This information is also on our Face Book page.
BRYONY
Teresa, one of our newest members, trains her Rottie, Bruce with delicious treats, so I asked her for the recipe, which is as follows:
TREATS
500g hoender lewer
1 K meel
1 EL bakpoeier
1 EL olie
1 eier
Meng die lewer in ‘n blender tot dik sous, voeg by die droë bestandele. Meng olie en eier by. Gooi uit in ‘n pan en bak vir omtrent 20 minute op 180c of tot mes skoon uitkom. Vries en haal uit vir opleiding, of drooi uit soos beskuit.
EVENTS
October – walk on the Faerie Glen mountain
3rd November – new intake of dogs, puppies welcome every week
8th December – year-end function
OUTSIDE EVENTS
Smuts House have doggy functions every week-end.
INTERESTING WEBSITES
https://www.morrisanimalinn.com/news/dog-intuition-5-things-your-dog-knows-before-you/
https://www.holisticdogtraining.org/blog/how-to-boost-your-intuition-with-your-dogs-help
INTERESTING BOOKS
Rescue Me: Dog Adoption Portraits and Stories from New York City – Richard Phibbs
Police and Military Dogs – John J Ensminger
Dog Language – Roger Abrantes
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
Winter has resulted in our club grounds looking very dull. We are just waiting for the first rains to enjoy the greenery again. We need assistance with maintenance and improvements. We wish to put together a 1-day work party, followed by a bring ‘n braai. The club hasn’t had a work party get-together for a long time, and we look forward to spending time with you!
CHARITY DOGS
Dogs bought from a non-profit dog organisation qualify for one month’s free training (excluding R280.00 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 sterilisations 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
2:00pm – 3:00pm/3:15pm – 4:15pm/4:00pm – 5:00pm/ – Beginners – please arrive at 1.30pm and visit our Treasurer, Ruben in the Club house – please bring a 1.2m cotton leash, metal 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 – R280.00
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 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, metal 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
We train with treats and comfortable waist treat bags, which are available from Ruben for sale on Saturdays. They are R100 each and the small treat bag is R60 – there is limited stock. We also dumbbells and leashes. Please ask Ruben or one of the trainers to assist you.
Kind regards
TANIA QUARMBY
CHAIRPERSON
PRETORIA SHEPHERD DOG CLUB