February/March 2016 - Wangaratta Kennel and Obedience Dog Club

Issue No 84
Feb 2016
Dog training and
health related
articles, member’s
doggie stories and
photos, and
suitable jokes are
welcome.
Please share your
successes in trials
and shows during the
year.
Email to
Patricia Looker at
pcl51@bigpond.com
(use newsletter item as
your subject line).
Newsletter
publications are:
February , April,
June, August,
October, December
WANGARATTA KENNEL &
OBEDIENCE DOG CLUB INC
www.wkodc.com
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
The following highlights the main points from the President’s Report given at the recent Annual General Meeting.
The full report can be found on the Club’s website at www.wkoc.com
Welcome to our 68th Annual General Meeting of the Wangaratta Kennel & Obedience Dog Club Inc. I
would like to start off with thanking all the members who have made this year another successful year.
Our club is about giving basic knowledge on quality breeding, encouraging responsible dog ownership,
educating the public on dog obedience training, conducting Championship dog shows and trials each year
and of course providing an opportunity for our members to interact through all our organised events.
Members have volunteered once again to assist at community events such as the Wangaratta Lions Club
Swap Meet. Thanks to all members who participated.
Email
Email correspondence has been very active with queries most weeks throughout the year regarding the
basic Beginners course.
It is rewarding to read the positive emails from members, visitors and community groups about our club
and its participation within the community of Wangaratta.
On the Financial front
Our Beginners course continues to attract strong interest. The club has raised additional funds with raffles
and educational workshops. I must also mention Judy Burns’ great effort in selling raffle ticket.
From an Educational perspective
Rally O workshops and some agility workshops were run for eligible members and members of our
region’s dog clubs – these were well attended.
Patricia Looker has been working once again during the year with trainee Obedience Judges, Sheridan
and Marg who are both club members. I’m pleased to report that Sheridan successfully completed her
Novice exams and Marg, having gained her CCD licence is in the process of doing Novice level. Thanks
to all Club members who helped them gain experience in putting handlers and dogs through the ring.
Achievements
Congratulations to all members on your achievements in 2015. (A list of achievements is included in this
Newsletter.)
Our goal is to teach
you and your dog
to work together
with respect
Sponsors
I along with the Committee would like to thank all our sponsors for their support. Our sponsors
in 2015 were Nature’s Choice, Your Everyday Gourmet Meats, JC Pet Products, Vine Hotel,
Inside Living Wangaratta, and Pets Domain.
Instructors
I must say thanks to the entire Instructor team who have worked tirelessly throughout the
year. It has been a little tough during the year: Graham, Brian and Di, I must thank you for
your support during the past weeks. Brian is making good progress as a trainee Instructor and
we are pleased to have him on board.
Shows and Trials
Once again we held very successful trials in May (obedience and rally obedience) and August
(obedience and agility). Our June show was another great success with Queensland Judges
on the panel. All our judges were very complimentary on our club and its hospitality.
Community workers
This past year we have had a worker doing community service who has undertaken
maintenance work around the Club and on the equipment.
continued on next page
WKODC Newsletter February 2016
page 2
Thanks
I would specifically like to thank our Secretaries, Treasurer, Trial Managers, Instructors, Trophy
Stewards, Canteen Manager and helpers. The backbone of any club is not just what we see, but
what we all don’t see - those tasks that are done on a day to day basis behind the scenes. They
are the operating tasks that continue to maintain the smooth running of our club.
Also a thank you to Julie Hourigan for her many years working for the Club and to Neilma
Eames who moved to Melbourne prior to Xmas. We will miss you both. Thanks also to Jean
and John Witte, who are stepping down from many years of service on committee: they are
about to enter an exciting time seeing the sights with their new caravan. We do wish you both
well on your journey.
Thanks to the outgoing Committee: we do appreciate everyone who has taken on the
commitment of running this club.
Kevin Felmingham
President
About Our Club
The Wangaratta Kennel & Obedience Dog Club Inc
(WKODC), established in 1947, provides basic training in
obedience for the region’s dogs.
Once basic training is completed, members continue
training, preparing their dogs and themselves for obedience
and rally obedience competition (trials). From time to time,
the Club also offers basic training in agility and flyball. Some
Club members are also involved in other dog sports such as
tracking, retrieving for gundogs, and dancing with dogs
which they will be happy to talk about with other interested
members.
The Club is a not-for-profit organisation relying entirely on
volunteers to instruct classes, manage Club affairs, maintain
Club equipment and to run activities. Offers of help are
always appreciated.
The Club is grateful for the assistance of the Rural City of
Wangaratta Council which keeps the grounds mown and
trees maintained on a regular basis and provides bins,
access to public amenities etc during our major events.
2016 COMMITTEE
President:
Kevin Felmingham
Vice Presidents: Janet Palmer
Di Costello
Treasurer:
Grahame Gossow
Secretary:
Karen Richardson
Club members are also actively involved in other community
events such as the Lions Club Swap Meet, the Wangaratta
Marathon and Fun Run, and the Jazz Festival. From time to
time, Club members run fund raising activities such as raffles
and barbeques and occasionally give public demonstrations of
obedience training.
WKODC runs three official competition weekends each year:
May – double obedience and double rally obedience trials
June – double conformation show
August – double obedience trials and double agility trials
Volunteers to help at these events are crucial to their success.
Help is needed to set up the grounds and put out equipment, to
assist in the smooth running of the rings by stewarding, to serve
in the canteen, and to provide slices and cakes to sell in the
canteen. Watch the ‘Notices’ section for details on how you
can help.
The Committee looks forward to seeing you at our next major
event.
Members:
Ev Baker
Judy Burns
Brian Maiden
Rhonda Monshouwer
Cloe Barake
Patricia Looker
Carole Moloney
You Can’t Teach an Old Dog to Fly
A woman called our airline customer-service desk asking if she
could take her dog on board.
“Sure,” I said, “as long as you provide your own kennel.”
I further explained that the kennel needed to be large enough
for the dog to stand up, sit down, turn around, and roll over.
The customer was flummoxed: “I’ll never be able to teach him
all of that by tomorrow!”
from Readers’ Digest
The Calculating Sheepdog
After a talking sheepdog gets all the sheep in the pen,
he reports back to the farmer: “All 40 accounted for.”
“But I only have 36 sheep,” says the farmer.
“I know,” says the sheepdog. “But I rounded them up.”
from Readers’ Digest
Submitted by Norie Bloom, Honolulu, Hawaii
WKODC Newsletter February 2016
page 3
CLUB NOTICES
Your Membership Renewal for 2016 is overdue
A Renewal form is on the last page
GENERAL MEETING
The next General Meeting will be held in the Club
rooms on Thursday, 10 March at 7.00pm. All
Club Members are welcome.
To Maree McCabe
for her years of producing the Club’s Newsletter. Hope you enjoy just catching up with the news from
now on, Maree.
For helping out the Club’s efforts at the Lions Swap Meet:
Sheridan Hicks
Judy Burns
Ben Osmotherley
Kevin Felmingham
For helping with the Wangaratta Marathon and Fun Run
Ben Osmotherley Glenn Schmidt
Brad Garner Jess Brooksby
Ben Pigram
Ev Baker
Marion Gray
Judy Burns
Cloe Barake
Janet Palmer
Patricia Looker
Kevin Felmingham
For helping with the sausage sizzle fund raiser at Pets Domain
Glenn Schmidt
Ev Baker
Judy Burns
Di Costello
Kevin Felmingham
Ready to Sizzle
Kevin wields the tongs while Glenn
gets ready to snag the customers.
WKODC Newsletter February 2016
page 4
Basic Obedience Commands
http://dogtime.com/lifestyle/dog-activities/82-basic-commands-obedience
We all know that some basic obedience training makes dogs more fun to be around. What many of us don’t know is that it has other,
less obvious, benefits. Obedience training helps your dog see you as her leader, and it also gives her a mental workout – something
that many canines need just as much as physical exercise to stave off boredom and make them feel useful. And some commands,
like a good recall, may even save your dog’s life one day.
Here are the basics every dog should know: sit, down, stay, come and walking on a leash
How to teach commands
These guidelines will make training easier for you and your dog.
1. Be consistent.
Use the same cue for the same command each time. If you use “come” one week, “come here” the next, and “come here, girl” the
following, you’ll confuse your dog.
2. Start simple and gradually make it harder.
You want to go step-by-step and give your dog lots of practice getting it right. Start with an easy command in a familiar place with no
distractions. Once your dog is responding consistently, add what trainers call the three D’s: distance, duration, and distractions.
Stand one step away from your dog, then two steps away; ask for a one-second stay, then a two-second stay; add a bouncing ball,
some treats scattered on the ground, or another dog or person to the mix.
Wait until your dog has mastered the current challenge before you add a new one. If she flubs it, just take away one of the
challenges and try again, going more slowly this time.
3. Don’t repeat the command.
It’s easy to do, but it teaches your dog that she doesn’t need to respond promptly to the first command.
4. Use food treats as lures and rewards.
There are many methods for training, but one of the best is to use food treats, both as a lure to get your dog where you want her to
go and as a reward for obeying the command. If your dog isn’t that interested in food, try offering verbal praise without the treat, a
favorite toy, or a physical reward such as a good behind-the-ears scratch or tummy rub.
5. Time it right.
The praise and reward needs to come immediately after the dog does what you want if she’s going to make the connection – “Hey, if
I sit when she says ‘sit,’ I get a treat!”
6. Make rewards sporadic, then phase them out.
Dogs are more motivated by unpredictable rewards. Once your dog gets the idea of what you’re asking her to do, dish out treats only
for the best responses – the quickest sit, the best down. Then vary the type, amount, and frequency of the reward; sometimes your
pup gets a yummy treat, sometimes she gets a tummy rub, other times she just gets an enthusiastic, “Goooood girl.” Eventually, you
can phase out the food rewards altogether.
7. Keep it short and sweet.
Training will be most effective if it’s fun and you stop before either of you gets bored or frustrated. Keep the mood upbeat, not drillsergeant serious, and make the sessions short. Five or ten minutes is plenty to start with, or you can do many mini-training sessions
throughout the day, especially if you have a puppy – like kids, they have shorter attention spans.
8. Mix up people and places.
If you want your dog to obey your child, your spouse, your dog walker, and so on, and to be as biddable in the kitchen as she is in
the yard, practice having different people give commands in different settings.
9. Keep your cool.
Yelling, hitting, or jerking your dog around by a leash won’t teach her how to sit or come on request. It will teach her that you’re scary
and unpredictable, and that training’s no fun. If you feel your fuse burning short, just end the session and try again later. Fair, calm,
consistent training is the best way to get your dog to obey and respect you.
10. Once your dog knows a few commands, practice “Nothing in life is free.”
Always ask your dog to obey a command before you give her a treat, a toy, a meal, a game or walk, a tummy rub, or anything she
wants. If she ignores the command, put down the food bowl, the leash, or whatever she’s hoping for, and try again a minute or two
later. This helps reinforce your role as the leader of the pack.
11. Keep practicing.
Don’t expect that once your dog has learned something, she’s learned it for life. She can lose her new skills without regular practice.
Bottom line: Basic commands not only teach helpful skills, they reinforce your role as your dog’s leader. Using treats to lure your
dog into the correct position or place, and then to reward her for obeying, is one of the easiest and most dog-friendly methods of
training.
WKODC Newsletter February 2016
page 5
SHOW & TRIAL RESULTS
Bega Valley Kennel & Obedience Club (February)
Marg Moloney’s Border Terrier
Dual Ch.(T) Neut. Ch. TS Grand Ch. Tuckmill Tawny Frogmouth CCD RE (Tawny)
Best Neuter of Breed
Sat 6th, Sun 7th, Mon 8th
Marg and Tawny
strutting their stuff
in the conformation
ring.
Marg Moloney’s Vizsla
Tanashka Vadosz Amber TDX (Amber)
Sat 6th - Best of Breed
Wed 10th - Novice Rally Obedience
1st place 93/100
Janet Palmer’s Manchester Terrier
Ch Dixiedaly Savvy Gal RN (Rue)
Best of Breed
Sat 6th, Mon 8th
Runner-up Best of Breed
Sun 7th
Rue being
nonchalant about
her successes.
Sat 6th – CCD Obedience
2nd place 92/100
Sapphire Coast Kennel & Obedience Club (February)
Amber
showing off
her Rally
Obedience
‘qualies’.
Marg Moloney’s Border Terrier
Dual Ch.(T) Neut. Ch. TS Grand Ch. Tuckmill Tawny
Frogmouth CCD RE (Tawny)
Best Neuter of Breed
Fri 12th, Sat 13th, Sun 14th
A clean sweep – clever girl Tawny!
Marg Moloney’s Vizsla
Tanashka Vadosz Amber TDX (Amber)
Wed 10th - Novice Rally Obedience Q 81/100
Fri 12th - CCD Q 88/100
Sun, 14th - CCD 2nd place 95/100
Something in all three disciplines over the ten days – way
to go Amber!
What’s in a Name?
©Patricia Looker 2011
Many of us use our dog’s name to mean all sorts of things – well, all sorts of things to us but our dog is left guessing. For example,
you’re out with your dog in an off lead area and your dog runs towards an interesting sight he has spotted and off he goes as fast as
he can run. What most people do in this situation is to call their dog’s name. When their dog doesn’t respond, they call his name
again, . . . and again, . . .and again with greater volume each time. As likely as not, when they catch up with their dog or their dog
returns to them they will be angry and put him back on the leash. But really, what was the dog supposed to do?
What do you mean when you say your dog’s name? If someone calls my name, my likely response is to turn my head to look
towards the sound to indicate that my attention is now on the caller. I now wait to see what they want. If the person repeats my name
again, I’m still none the wiser. If, however, I’m asked ‘Could you bring those cones over here, please,’ I know just what to do.
So next time you use your dog’s name, make sure your next words give your dog the information he needs to carry out your wishes.
WKODC Newsletter February 2016
page 6
MEMBERS’ ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2015
MOST IMPROVED JUNIOR HANDLER
MOST IMPROVED HANDLER
Edward Maclean & Mikita
Brian Maiden & Hunter
BREED CHAMPIONSHIPS
Liz and Gary Lovell German Wirehaired Pointer
German Wirehaired Pointer
Evans and Lovell
English Pointer
Janet Palmer
Manchester Terrier
Janet Palmer
Dobermann
Carole Moloney
Bull Mastiff
Ch Lovewyre Family Affair ()
Ch Korskote Foreign Exchange (Imp UK) ()
Ch Krikka Sentamental Reasons (Jimms)
Ch Dixiedaly Savvy Gal RN (Rue)
Ch Coppertop Its Raining Men (Rain)
Ch Guardville Reckon Im Ready (Reba)
TRACKING TITLES
Tracking Dog (TD)
Marg Moloney
Maree McCabe
Patricia Looker
Hungarian Vizsla
Tanashka Vadosz Amber (Amber) TDX
Wirehaired Hungarian Vizsla Ch Habanero Emotional Rescue CDX RE TD ET (Indi)
Cocker Spaniel
Ch Robmond Pantheon Blue CDX TD RAE (Raglan)
Tracking Dog Excellent (TDX)
Marg Moloney
Hungarian Vizsla
Tanashka Vadosz Amber (Amber) TDX
AGILITY TITLES
Novice Jumping Dog (JD)
Colleen Davis
Jack Russell Terrier
Novice Agility Dog (AD)
Helen Vernon
Colleen Davis
Border Collie
Jack Russell Terrier
Jackie O RA CCD AD JD
Kildare Jip CDX RAE JD (Jip)
Jackie O RA CCD AD JD
AGILITY DOG OF THE YEAR
Colleen Davis
Jack Russell Terrier
Jackie O RA CCD AD JD
Colleen & Jackie O
OBEDIENCE TITLES
Community Companion Dog (CCD)
Colleen Davis
Companion Dog (CD)
Kevin Felmingham
Jack Russell Terrier
Jackie O RA CCD AD JD
Golden Retriever
Ausauver Criminal Intent CD (Skye)
OBEDIENCE DOG OF THE YEAR
Kevin Felmingham
Kevin & Skye
Golden Retriever
Ausauver Criminal Intent CD (Skye)
WKODC Newsletter February 2016
page 7
RALLY OBEDIENCE TITLES
Rally Novice (RN)
Janet Palmer
Di Costello
Sheridan Hicks
Sheridan Hicks
Sheridan Hicks
Manchester Terrier
Manchester Terrier
Dobermann
Dobermann
Dobermann
Rally Advanced (RA)
Di Costello
Rally Excellent (RE)
Maree McCabe
Ch Dixiedaley Savvy Girl RN (Rue)
Ch Dixiedale Jack Black (Wigg) JD RA ET
Ebondobes High Order (Imp NZ ) CD RN (Orson)
Sunniva Beautiful Vision CDX RN (Holi)
Becagem Hot Asset CDX RN (Sorrow)
Manchester Terrier
Ch Dixiedale Jack Black (Wigg) JD RA ET
Wirehaired Hungarian Vizsla
Ch Habanero Emotional Rescue CDX RE TD ET (Indi)
Rally Advanced Excellent (RAE) and RALLY OBEDIENCE DOGS OF THE YEAR
Di Costello
Julie Rafferty
Julie Rafferty
Aust Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog
German Shepherd Dog
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Ch/NCh Hideherder Strike A Light CDX RAE ADX JDX GD ET (Tim)
Topledge Ricardo CD RAE (Ricky)
Chalsmae Black Night CD RE AD JD (Jasper)
ENDURANCE TEST (ET)
Di Costello
Rally Obedience
Dogs of the Year
competing
LEFT TO RIGHT
Di with Tim
Julie & Jasper
Julie & Ricky
Manchester Terrier
Ch Dixiedale Jack Black (Wigg) JD RA ET
WKODC Newsletter February 2016
page 8
This year three Wangaratta Club members made the trip to Bermagui
(on the NSW south coast) for the annual dog shows and obedience
and rally obedience trials. In early February each year this small
coastal town is taken over by people with dogs partaking in the six
conformation shows, six obedience trials and two rally obedience
trials. Many of the same exhibitors go to Bermi year after year from as
far south as Melbourne, as far north as Brisbane and all points in
between.
Marg Moloney’s two dogs covered themselves with glory. Tawny (her Border Terrier)
took out Best Neuter in Breed at each of the six shows. Tawny also did some nice
work in the obedience ring, narrowly missing a Novice pass. Amber (Marg’s young
Hungarian Vizsla) managed certificates in all three disciplines – a Best of Breed in the
conformation ring; two Rally Novice passes and two Community Companion Dog
(CCD) passes in obedience. Marg’s luggage is weighed down with certificates and
ribbons. One more pass to go for titles in both CCD and Rally Novice, Amber! No
pressure, Marg.
Marg shows Amber’s paces in the conformation ring.
Watching, Rue?
Down!
Janet Palmer’s Manchester Terrier, Rue, started the fortnight with a
second place qualifier in CCD in obedience which finished off Rue’s
CCD title. One day of competition and we were already breaking
out the champagne! Congratulations, Rue.
That first weekend Rue also gained two Best of Breed certificates in
the conformation ring. Janet then upgraded Rue in obedience to the
Novice class – quite a step from on-lead work in CCD to off-lead
work in Novice and greater distances for recalls and stays. Rue did
well, coming close to qualifying a couple of times with some lovely
work. Young Rue certainly attracted attention with her stylish
heelwork and interesting ‘frog leg’ position in the down from a
distance.
My cocker spaniel, Raglan, competed the first weekend in the UD class, the second highest class in obedience requiring quite a bit
of concentration. Although he didn’t pass, I was pleased with his work. He then was on his best behaviour sitting quietly in his trolley
between walks provided by Marg and Janet while I judged rally and obedience. Thank you ladies for keeping an eye on him and
thanks, my boy, for being so patient.
In between all the ‘serious’ stuff the dogs enjoyed getting as wet and sandy as
possible on the beach and escorting us to morning coffee at one of the local cafes.
We all ate more than our share of fresh fish and chips – yum – and supported the
local economy shopping and checking out the local craft shops. We also enjoyed
catching up with the people we only see at Bermi each year and meeting some new
people and dogs.
5 seconds to destruction! Rue likes to play tug: Raglan just wants his toy back!
The Bermi extravaganza is fun, but exhausting, with conformation shows starting at 8am and running to mid-afternoon followed by
evening trials starting at 6pm and going on until around 11pm on six of the ten days, plus a rally O evening in between. We all need
a holiday now!
We’re all proud of our dog’s efforts and their general behaviour both in our group house and out in public and we’re looking forward
to next year’s trip.
Patricia Looker
WKODC Newsletter February 2016
page 9
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
march
2
10
14
19 & 20
24 – 28
Beginners’ Lecture – 7pm
General Meeting – 7pm
Countrylink agility competition and training
Albury Club obedience and agility trials
Easter
april
3
6
14
30
Daylight saving ends
Beginners’ Lecture – 7pm
General Meeting – 7pm
Albury Club obedience and rally O trials
may
1
4
12
14
15
Albury Club obedience and rally O trials
Beginners’ Lecture – 7pm
General Meeting – 7pm
WKODC double Rally O trials
WKODC double Obedience trials
Beginners’ Lecture – 7pm
General Meeting – 7pm
Queen’s Birthday weekend
WKODC conformation shows
june
1
9
13
25 & 26
july
6 Beginners’ Lecture – 7pm
14 General Meeting – 7pm
16 & 17 Albury Club obedience trials
Why do dogs
always race to
the door when the
doorbell rings?
It’s hardly ever
for them!
Harry Hill
Anybody who doesn’t know
what soap tastes like
never washed a dog.
Franklin P. Jones
It was raining cats and dogs,
and I fell in a poodle.
Charles ‘Chic Murray
(1919-1985)
Scottish comedian and actor
Money will buy a pretty good dog,
but it won’t buy the wag of his tail
Josh Billings
(1818 – 1885) humorist
WKODC Newsletter February 2016
page 10
PO Box 171 Wangaratta Victoria 3677
Membership Renewal
Due Date: 30th December 2015
If not paid by this date, a joining fee will need to be paid
PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY
Name:
..............................................................................................
Address:
..............................................................................................
...........................................................
‘Phone: home:
.......................................
Postcode:
........................
mobile: ............................................
Name of Dog .......................................................................................
Email ...............................................
Sex: Dog / Bitch
Breed of Dog . ......................................................................................
VCA Member YES / NO.
Membership Number: ..................................
All persons training on the grounds are required to become members of the Club for Insurance Purposes.
DECLARATION
I / We hereby agree to be bound by the Rules, Regulations and Policies of the Wangaratta Kennel & Obedience Dog
Club Inc.
I / We agree that I / we enter the grounds and train at my / our own risk and that the committee and members accept no
responsibility whatsoever for any accident / loss or damage to any person, dog or property belonging to me / us.
Signature: ..........................................................................
Date: .........................................
MEMBERSHIP
Dual
$50.00 (2 Persons over 16 years of age living at same address)
Single $30.00 (1 Person Over 16 Years of Age)
Family $60.00
Senior $10.00
Junior $ 10.00 (1 Person 14 - 16 years of age Ineligible to Vote)
Office use only
Rec’d Amount $ ........................... Receipt No ........................
Signature .........................................