Newsletter - Dog Trainers Workshop

Newsletter
Upcoming Shows
JANUARY 5-6
Clemson Kennel Club
Pendleton, SC
“Gentle Mary laid her child lowly in a manger;
There He lay, the undefiled, To the world a stranger.
Such a babe in such a place, Can He be the Savior?
Ask the saved of all the race who have found His favor!”
-Joseph Simpson Cook, 1919
May the Beauty of the season be with you all
through the New Year!
Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year from all of us
at the Dog Trainers Workshop.
JANUARY 12-13
Atlanta Obedience Club
Norcross, GA
JANUARY 19-20
Greater Columbia Obedience Club
Columbia, SC
JANUARY 19-20
Chattahoochee English Springer
Spaniel Club
Lawrenceville, GA
JANUARY 26-27
Charleston Dog Training Club
Ladson, SC
JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 3
Share the Warmth
It has become our tradition to ask that in lieu of the wonderful gifts and
goodies that so many of you share with us during the holidays, that you would
bring us coats, jackets, blankets or sweaters that you no longer use so that
others may be warm this winter. We, in turn, will be donating those objects to
help support emergency services for the homeless in the Upstate.
We do this in honor of Connie’s father because as a child, he and his brother
used their Christmas money to buy their own father a blanket so that he would
no longer have to use his overcoat to keep himself warm at night.
Your donations this year have been more than generous. We will keep our
donation box available throughout January. As you enjoy your new coats and
sweaters, please let us find a home for your used items.
Griffin Georgia Kennel Club
Sawnee Mountain Kennel Club
Conyers Kennel Club of Georgia
Lawrenceville Kennel Club
Atlanta, GA
FEBRUARY 2-3
Charlotte Dog Training Club
Charlotte, NC
FEBRUARY 15-17
Greenville Kennel Club
Spartanburg Kennel Club
Hendersonville Kennel Club
Greenville, SC
MARCH 2 & 3
Winston-Salem Dog Training Club
Winston-Salem, NC
864-862-8626 • 864-862-8688 Fax • info@dogtrainersworkshop.com • www.dogtrainersworkshop.com
Newsletter
Dreams and Goals
In the spirit of the New Year, and New Year’s resolutions, this
is an appropriate time to step back and set some goals. What
would you and your dog like to accomplish next year?
Step #1: Start with a Dream
Bored, and daydreaming in class, I wrote down the name of
my first dog - Cimaron’s Dusty Dawn. Then I wrote down all
the titles that I wanted her to have. I wrote Ch. Cimaron’s
Dusty Dawn UDTX***
I’m not sure when I learned to start dreaming, but I quickly
discovered the power of turning a dream into a goal.
Already, at that age, I had big dreams - I set my sights on
accomplishments that were seemingly unattainable. Earning
three asterisks after a golden retriever’s name indicates
that you have achieved a field trial accomplishment on
route to a field championship. At that time, only six female
golden retrievers had ever achieved both a conformation
championship and that particular field title. I had no
business expecting that I would have the seventh. Although I
had experience in the conformation and obedience ring, I had
never earned a Utility title or a tracking title. My field training
experience was ridiculously limited.
I think about that day - it never occurred to me that my
dreams were too large or unattainable. As an adult I realize
that I was blessed by a family that said “You CAN!” I don’t
remember anyone in my sphere of influence ever telling me
I would fail. What I did know was that Zig Ziglar said, “If you
aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.”
What keeps you from dreaming big? I hear all kinds of
reasons that competitors tell me for aiming low. The dog’s
breed, the amount of time involved, sometimes just a
statement like, “I’m not that competitive.” Perhaps one of
those statements is true for you. However, stop for one
moment of introspection. Ask yourself if you are afraid to fail.
The most common reason that people refuse to admit that
they were hoping to earn an Obedience Trial Championship
or other title difficult to achieve is that they do not want to
admit they were hoping for something they failed to achieve.
It is simply a fear of failure.
Step #2: Turn your Dream into a Measurable Goal
In our sport, one of the biggest dreams you can have is to
earn an Obedience Trial Championship. Stating that as a goal
can be pretty intimidating. In order to make that your goal,
you need to break it up into manageable pieces. It is great to
look at your new puppy and say you want an OTCH in front of
his name. But Utility B is a long way from puppy class. How
many steps do you need to take?
Perhaps you have heard the saying, “How do you eat an
elephant? One bite at a time.” It’s time to apply it.
Good goals are specific and measurable. For example,
perhaps you’ve said, “I want to live a healthier lifestyle.” This
statement is too general to be considered a goal. It will never
happen, because “healthier” is too vague. However, if you say,
“I’m going to exercise twice a week,” you have set a goal that
is specific and measurable.
Showing dogs offers very measurable goals. Your goal can
be to earn a specific title. However, avoid goals you cannot
control. If you set a goal to win a particular event, you are
setting yourself up for disappointment. This is a subjective
sport, and you cannot control who wins. You can control how
well you have prepared. If you have done your best to prepare
for a specific event, the chances that you will do well increase.
If I’m setting goals for a young dog, I’m likely to list the tasks
I hope to teach him, the order in which I hope to teach them,
and a date by which I hope to have done so. As that puppy
gets older, I start looking at dates that I hope to obtain titles.
For example, if I set a goal to earn my Companion Dog title
in April, I then work backwards and set a goal for each week
from now until April evaluating if the time frame is really a
reasonable goal.
Meet Our Service Dogs
Fisher is a yellow Labrador Retriever that was rescued from Greenville Animal Care. Fisher
will assist a family with a severely autistic child. Using a tethering method, Fisher will give the
parents peace and comfort knowing the child will not bolt into dangerous situations, and allow
the family to go places with an “emergency brake”.
Fisher
Peyton is a black Labrador Retriever, rescued from the Cherokee Humane Society. Peyton will
become an autistic child’s best friend. He will give the child courage to meet new people, make
friends, and comfort him during outings and breakdowns and who knows…maybe become a
Junior Handler!
Peyton
If you fail to establish a time frame, you will let days and
weeks go by without training or preparing. There is no sense
of urgency, and you will fail to make measurable progress
toward your goal.
Likewise, sometimes “life interferes with life”. Injuries,
setbacks, family and work obligations occur. As Robert Burns
wrote, “the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry”. If
you do set a time frame, and then are not able to adequately
prepare, change your target date. Too often I hear people say
they are entered because, after all, it’s April and they set that
as a goal. Never show an unprepared dog simply because you
had a particular show in mind.
I have been training and showing dogs for most of my life.
I realize that I have had some incredible accomplishments
and achieved some amazing goals. All of them started with a
dream. You can start 2013 with a dream. You can decide what
part of that dream is attainable in this coming year. As you
embark on your journey, I leave you with two final thoughts;
1. There is no failure in missing a goal. The only failure
is in not setting it in the first place. 2. There will be great
celebration when you reach your goal, but there will also be
great joy in the journey. Enjoy every moment of it.
Have a great time in 2013 and know that all of us at the Dog
Trainers Workshop want to do everything we can to help you
reach your goals. Tell us what they are, and remind us often.
Together we will stay on track!
Kingsley may not have royalty in his pedigree but he will have a prestigious job. Kingsley, was
rescued from the Cherokee Humane Society and will go to a family with children that have an
assortment of disabilities. Kingsley will become the children’s favorite Teddy Bear. Snuggling
and playing dead are a top priority, as well as accompanying the family in public places to offer
confidence and comfort to his family.
Kingsley
Our Mission Statement
Join Us On
Increase people’s awareness of how
dogs learn In order to:
1. Improve the relationship between
people and their dogs.
2. Enrich their lives through the use
and enjoyment of trained dogs.
3. Save dogs lives.
DogTrainersWorkshop
@DTWorkshop
dogtrainersworkshop
Congratulations 2012 Title Winners!
Obedience Trial Champion
Pam Ambuhl & Maya (Golden Retriever)
Connie Cleveland & Caleb (Golden Retriever)
Anita Eisten & Aspen (Labrador Retriever)
Jean Irwin & Flame (Labrador Retriever)
Eva Mazza & Harry (Golden Retriever)
Cat Perry & Wyatt (Labrador Retriever)
Lisa Ussery & Bella (Australian Shepherd)
Utility Dog Excellent
Marcia Bresson & Ivy (Welsh Springer Spaniel)
Connie Cleveland & Caleb (Golden Retriever)
Barb Mina & Cinda (Golden Retriever)
Demi Osborn & Carbon (Golden Retriever)
Cat Perry & Wyatt (Labrador Retriever)
Versatility
Barbara DuCharme & Bamboo (Border Collie)
Donna Duffy & Jack (Golden Retriever)
Utility Dog
Michelle Andavall & Rio (Golden Retriever)
Donna Brocht & Kick (Labrador Retriever)
Tony Cherubini & Silvara (German Shepherd)
Steve Dickinson & Barley (Labrador Retriever)
Jim Durrance & Cruiser (Bernese Mtn. Dog)
Judy Goldman & Cruiser (Weimeraner)
Patrice Hoerster & Cali (Golden Retriever)
Autumn Murphy & Kia (German Shepherd)
Cat Perry & Wyatt (Labrador Retriever)
Denise Wedel & Blizzie (American Staffordshire Terrier)
Graduate Open
MJ Douglas & Digger (Cocker Spaniel)
Janet Lydie & Brock (All American)
Companion Dog Excellent
Donna Brocht & Kick (Labrador Retriever)
Lee Bryson & Duster (Golden Retriever)
Kay Canaan & Luna (English Cocker Spaniel)
Sharon Crossman & Mikko (German Shepherd)
Dorothy Dillon & Rev (Belgian Tervuren)
MJ Douglas & Digger (Cocker Spaniel)
Jim Durrance & Cruiser (Bernese Mtn Dog) U-CDX
Janine Fiorito & Robin (Golden Retriever)
Dollye Franks & Spartacus (Irish Setter)
Lori Hayes & Gabe (Shih-Tzu)
Rhonda Hulsey & Comet (Border Collie)
Corrine Johnson & Razz (English Springer Spaniel)
Lynda Matthews & Beretta (Golden Retriever)
Masako Mori & Kilo (Portuguese Water Dog)
Graduate Novice
MJ Douglas & Digger (Cocker Spaniel)
Jenny Durrance & Shadow (Bernese Mtn Dog)
Emmy Gillespie & Tara (Brittany)
Kris Harner & Sasha (Doberman Pincher)
Rhonda Hulsey & Comet (Border Collie)
Elliott Saddoris & Trouble (Labrador Retreiver)
Sarah Saddoris & Sam (Dachshund)
Companion Dog
Pam Ambuhl & Emmy (Golden Retriever)
Ritu Bala & Turbo (Nova Scotia Duck Toller)
Suzanne Bird & Sammi (Labrador Retriever)
Donna Brocht & Kick (Labrador Retriever)
Kay Canaan & Luna (English Cocker Spaniel)
Palmer Cross & Jesse (Beagle)
Mary Dowden & Peaslee (Golden Retriever)
Jenny Durrance & Shadow (Bernese Mtn. Dog) U-CD
Emmy Gillespie & Tara (Brittany)
Kris Harner & Sasha (Doberman Pinscher)
Sally Harrison & Blaze (All American)
Corrine Johnson & Razz (English Springer Spaniel)
Kathy Keller & Hank (Labrador Retriever)
Kathy Kelty & Marlo (All American)
Betty Ann Lewandowski & Ozzy (Papillion)
Autumn Murphy & Trina (German Shepherd)
Elliott Saddoris & Trouble (Labrador Retriever)
Annette Sizemore & Stella (Labrador Retriever)
Anne Vandiver & Sarah (German Shepherd)
Bob Vandiver & Amy (Doberman Pinscher)
Beginner Novice
Suzanne Bird & Sammi (Labrador Retriever)
Morgan Gardner & Avery (Labrador Retriever)
Nancy Godbey & Martin (Irish Setter)
Sally Harrison & Blaze (All American)
Kate Hartsfield & Guinness (Golden Retriever)
Corrine Johnson & Razz (Springer Spaniel)
Kathy Keller & Hank (Labrador Retriever)
Kathy Kelty & Marlo (All American)
Betty Ann Lewandowski & Ozzy (Papillion)
Grace Lichtenwald & Harry (German Shepherd)
Autumn Murphy & Trina (German Shepherd)
Sally Nicholson & Jasper (Australian Shepherd)
Susan Rogers & Eli (German Shepherd)
Elliott Saddoris & Stella (Labrador Retriever)
Bonnie Twitchell & Dallas (Golden Retriever)
Dawn Worley & Chloe (Rottweiler)
Upcoming Classes
New Term (8 Weeks) Starts January 8, 2013
Please call by January 4th to register for your class.
Fees: Class fee is $100 for the first dog and $80 for additional
dogs belonging to the same family.
* We will not have class the week of Christmas.
Heel/Jump/Retrieve
January 9: Wednesday at 8:00 pm
For dogs learning the fundamentals of heeling,
jumping and retrieving. These dogs should have
completed the Beginner and Advanced Beginner
classes.
Novice/Open
January 8: Tuesday at 6:00 pm
January 9: Wednesday at 6:00 pm
For dogs preparing to show in Novice and learning the
open exercises.
Open/Utility
January 8: Tuesday at 7:00 pm
For dogs that are ready to show in Open and learning
the Utility exercises.
Advanced Open/Utility
January 8: Tuesday at 1:00 pm
January 8: Tuesday at 8:00 pm
For dogs currently showing in the Open and Utility
classes.
Novice/Open + Utility
January 8: Tuesday at 12:00 pm
January 9: Wednesday at 7:00 pm
For dogs that are preparing to show in Novice or Open
but are anxious to get started teaching the Utility
exercises.
Rally Novice
Melissa Croft & Tanner (Norwich Terrier)
Barbara DuCharme & Dazzle (Rottweiler)
Nancy Godbey & Martin (Irish Setter)
Grace Lichtenwald & Harry (German Shepherd)
Rally Excellent
Kay Canaan & Luna (Engish Cocker Spaniel-RE)
Dawn Worley & Chloe (Rottweiler)
Please let us know if we mistakenly left your name off the list!
Newsletter
Happy Holidays and
a Blessed New Year!
What’s New?
IT’S HERE!
Dog Trainers Workshop has a fresh new
look. Now, you can find our news, events
and information with ease.
Check us out at
dogtrainersworkshop.com
• Connie’s articles
• About our facility
• Online Courses
• DTW Store
• Calendar of Events
• Class Schedules
• Photographs
LOOKING FOR A MATCH?
ADOG newly AIR CONDITIONED training
facility has several opportunities.
2013 SHOW & GO SCHEDULE
(AKC & UKC offered)
January 26
February 23
May 4
June 16
July 13
August 17
September 15
October 5
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY
ADOG EVENT CONTACT:
Ann Shaw (770) 986-8317
864-862-8626 • 864-862-8688 Fax • info@dogtrainersworkshop.com • www.dogtrainersworkshop.com