NEWSLETTER – SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2021
The first spring rains have been glorious and once again things are looking lush and full of life. We have had to dust the cobwebs off our summer shells to fill them with cooling water for all the dogs once again.
Some of the rains have also already caused a cancelled lesson due to waterlogged grounds! Let’s hope it rains on Sundays for the rest of summer!
WHAT’S NEW & COMING UP?
Jumping show and end year social and awards 27 November:
We are quite excited about Level 1 and have jumped at the opportunity to hold a jumping show to end our year off. After the show we will have a braai and hand out awards.
Your trainers, I’m sure are showing you the ropes along the obstacle course to ready you for the show. Jumping shows are a lot of fun, even to spectate, so please come support the competitors if you don’t feel confident enough yet to enter for this show.
Watch out for the detailed information that will follow soon regarding entry, rules etc. to the show.
Dog walk and bring & braai near Cullinan Saturday 04 December 2021:
We are excited to have an informal dog walk on a farm near Cullinan on 04 December 2021. Check a sneak peek out here https://g.co/kgs/st3eYQ There are little dams along the way for dogs to swim in and a wonderful braai area for us to chill out after the walk.
Rally:
Rally was devised by Charles L “Bud” Kramer and the exercises are derived from the “doodling” exercises which form part of obedience warm up and freestyle exercises. The doodles during obedience are often what teaches the necessary skill and improves performance and accuracy. https://youtu.be/11zRJYHlYvE and https://youtu.be/5RIC_X5M-ls show some of the concepts surrounding Rally.
Our trainers are slowly introducing some rally concepts and in the future we aim to offer rally courses in addition to obedience training and members can choose which option they would like to practice with their dog. We also welcome Ute to our training repertoire to help us with rally in particular.
We thank our trainers for taking on extra classes and volunteering so wholeheartedly week after week with all their knowledge
REACTIVITY IN DOGS
Reactivity is when a dog overreacts to things in their environment. These reactions may be displayed by barking, lunging, and growling. However, these reactions do not make a dog “aggressive.” Reactivity is not uncommon in dogs. It may stem from the dog’s genetic make-up or could be from a lack of social experience or a particularly scary experience. Fear is typically the driving force.
Sometimes reactivity is confused with aggression. If reactivity is not addressed, it could lead to aggression in the long term.
Some ways to calm reactivity:
- Set up a routine: dogs crave routines and naturally learn our routines. Have set routines at home and develop routines for places that you regularly attend with your dog
- Helpful equipment: “Gentle Leader” leash (this sits high on the back of the dog’s neck), “Easy Walk” harness (the clip is on the front chest and prevents pulling as it will cause the dog to steer sideways redirecting them to you)
- Counter-conditioning: the process of changing a dog’s behaviour or emotion toward a trigger. Well worth researching this method for many other dog related problems
- Understand your dog’s body language (read August newsletter on calming signals)
MISCELLANEOUS
“Shop” Times:
Since the expansion of the Club and having to split classes into more manageable sizes, most of our committee members and trainers are in continuous classes (between training with their own fur friend and giving actual classes themselves to members) and therefore there is no-one to man the stock purchases and taking in of monthly fee payments in cash inside the Clubhouse. This is why we have introduced the two set “shopping times” i.e. 13h40 to 14h00 and 16h00 to 16h30 wherein you can make cash payments (please note that we do prefer EFTs, especially for fees) and choosing and purchasing of the Club stock items such as treat bags, snuffle mats etc.
Treats for during class i.e. Annatjie’s biscuit treats can be purchased anytime on a honesty box system. You can find the treats on the table inside the clubhouse immediately to the left of the entrance door.
COLOURED TAGS:
All members’ 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 of the tags, as it is a clear indication and warning to you and your dog to either befriend the dog or stay a respectful distance away.
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 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 1.30 pm.
OUR MEDICAL AIDERS ARE SAM AND CHRIS
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! Your trainer is Charene and she will lovingly guide you towards training a happy puppy!
INTERESTING WEBSITES:
https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&catId=102899&id=4951475
http://www.nonlineardogs.com/100MostSillyPart1.html
https://www.treehugger.com/books-every-dog-owner-should-read-4863578
WEBSITE AND GOOGLE REVIEW:
Thank you to everyone who has sent testimonials – they’re on the website and Google Review! This is a powerful and easy way of advertising your club, so please make full use of it – www.pretoriashepherddogclub.co.za
Our Facebook page also has some interesting photos and information!
PRETORIA DOG RESCUE:
Ruben and Marissa have committed to offering their spare time 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 Facebook 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 the R320.00 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 Whattsapp 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 – www.savacvc.co.za
SATURDAY – gates open at 1:30 pm:
OBEDIENCE – new intake the first Saturday of every month at 14:00
NEW MEMBERS – please arrive at 13h30 and visit inside the clubhouse to sign your A5 indemnity and see what stock we have on sale – 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 BEFORE HAND. This is not a course, but ongoing training.
PUPPY CLUB – 15h15 pm – 16:30
Annual club membership – R320.00
R900.00 for the 6-week course – Puppies are welcome to join every week subject to pre-booking in case classes are too full.
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 clubhouse 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 Raw Beginner training. PLEASE BOOK WITH US BEFORE HAND.
CONTACT:
Secretary – Charene – 082 843 7446
Chairperson and Chief Trainer – Tania – 082 430 1456
Warm regards
Charene Verheijen
PSDC Secretary