THE PACK LEADER
August 2000 Newsletter

In-house level 3
I ’ll explain our level 3 so that a finer appreciation may be understood of the work involved.
The level is broken into 3 parts, each harder than the other. At the successful conclusion of the 3 parts the owner is awarded level 3 title.
The first part (3a) is a standard Companion Dog routine with the sit and drop stays each of 5 minutes duration with the handlers out of sight.
The second part (3b) is the same format as 3(a)only distractions are introduced in the form of at least 2 types of food strewn around the work area. The people acting as posts for the figure 8 also hold food and push it to the dog ’s mouths as they undergo their routine. Any interest from the dogs in the food incurs a penalty.
The third part (3c) is the same format as the first two, however further distractions are also added, such as a starting pistol fired whilst the dogs are doing the heel routine and during the out of sight stays. People walk around the handler and dog during their routine making noises from whistles, crashing pots or pans, and other animals added such as dogs staying in the ring, cats or any animal obtainable on the day. Basically anything that will test the rel iability of the dogs training.
Corrections are compulsory and not penalized. This is called training in working dog ethics.
Interestingly, Monica and Eddie have been the only competitors to have passed three out of three trials.

Next in-house Comp.
Saturday, the 30th of September at the Beerwah Sports Ground. Security Patrol Dog assessments commencing 1pm.

Seminar
Former Royal Australian Air Force Warrant Officer Kev Saunders - who was one of the original members of the RAAF Police Dog Mustering - will be speaking to us this month on the history and training of the RAAF dogs. Kev Saunders is a living legend in the working dog field starting his career on the original dog course in the early fifties. The RAAF were the original founders of working dog training in this country, and the training was so successful that the Germans, British and Canadian Military came here to learn from the Australians. RAAF dog displays highlighted the Royal Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne shows in the fifties, sixties and seventies. Most of these displays were lead by Mr. Saunders and were referred to as “Saunders Circus ”. Mr. Saunders was the leader in formulating RAAF training techniques and steering it to the prestige it held until the mid seventies. The older trainers recognise with disgust that the training standard has declined since that time.
A previous seminar had the listeners so motivated that many of them went straight home to train their dogs - at 10.30pm. The seminar will be held on Sunday the 24th at 3pm to 6pm at a venue to be located. The cost is $10 per head.

Cooroy Classes
Evening classes have commenced at Cooroy on Monday nights commencing 7.30pm.at the Soccer Grounds. The Thursday morning classes still continue as normal.

Diet
Chocolate can be lethal to your beloved pet if consumed in sufficient doses. It has been discovered that dark chocolate has a greater toxicity to the family pet compared to milk chocolate. A dog weighing 25 kilograms may die or be seriously affected after the consumption of 1362 grams of milk chocolate. However, the same 25 kilogram dog may die after consuming only 141.5 grams of dark chocolate. When ingested in large enough quantities chocolate can cause various side effects including: trembling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive urination, fast breathing, hyperactivity, hypersensitivity to touch (the dog will jump when touched), restlessness, weakness, seizures and in severe cases -irregular heart activity and coma.
Chocolate poisoning can occur more frequently throughout holiday periods, in particular Easter and Christmas.
Chocolate should be kept out of reach from your dog. If it is suspected that a large dose of chocolate has been consumed, a veterinarian should be consulted immediately. “Excessive and inadvertent chocolate ingestion by dogs is among the twenty most common poisonings" reported by the National Animal Poison Control Center ”(Tilley & Smith,1997 p.440).Chocolate poisoning may occur in any dog of any particular age however, young dogs and puppies are more likely to consume large amounts of unusual food. Smaller dogs may also be at a slightly greater risk as less chocolate ingestion is required for side affects to occur. It is important that chocolate is not fed to your dog. The detrimental affects of chocolate poisoning can be avoided by an owner ’s common sense. A small amount of chocolate may not result in any of the side affects mentioned earlier, however, a small amount of chocolate will allow your dog to develop a liking and a taste for chocolate. The restraint of oneself from feeding your dog chocolate may save your dog ’s life sometime in the future.
Source: Mariska Herbert

Shirts & Caps
Our black and gold shirts and caps are available for sale through Austek, Noosa.Anyone wishing to purchase these items can do so by contacting Austek on Ph.54424433 or ordering through Jeffrey and I. Shirts retail at $28 and caps $10.
Everyone is invited to obtain and wear these items. In order to protect our image however, permission must be obtained to wear them in dog obedience trials.

Who ’s The Boss
I ’m disappointed at the lack of interest in the Book “Who ’s the Boss ”by Val Bonney. There are only two books I encourage people to buy in order for them to get full value from their early dog training and that is mine and also the above book. I firmly believe that every dog owner should read this book. I have no doubt that the behavioural problems we have in the community would be greatly reduced if people were familiar with the contents. A very well written book that an 8 year old could understand, gives the average dog owner a wonderful understanding of their pooch. Everyone who has a copy of both books are a long way ahead of other students in their training and understanding of dog psychology.
Vals books can be obtained through me, the Mountain View Vet Surgery, Buderim or direct from Val on Ph.07 3300 2959.

Book review.
“Collins Gem -Dogs Photoguide ”This pocket sized book is packed with information on dog breeds, psychology, first aid, anatomy, diet, and a host of interesting bits and pieces. A book that is well worth the expense. (As all good dog books are) You will find such gems as -a guide to your dogs age as compared to humans:-
6 months old dog -10 year old person.
12 month old dog -15 year old person
2 year old dog -24 year old person.
Notice anything interesting with your dog ’s behaviour compared to the kids? All and more in this great little book.

Dog Breed Labrador Retriever:
Developed in the 19th century from Newfoundland dogs, these Retrievers first arrived in Britain on fishing boats travelling to Poole harbour, Dorset. Locals were impressed by the dog ’s ability to help fisherman haul ashore the heavy nets and began keeping it as a working animal. Sportsman also began to appreciate it as a valuable gundog suitable for wild-fowling. Now one of the most popular breeds, the Labrador Retriever works not only as a gundog, but also as an impressive “sniffer ”dog with police forces worldwide, and a highly prized guide dog for the blind.
Size:Height 54-57cm (21.5 -22.5ins)Weight 25-34kgs (55-75lb)
Lifespan:12-14yrs.
Identifying Features: Short coat, hard to touch, usually in shades of yellow, black or chocolate.
Character: Good tempered and keen to please.
Pet Suitability: Very popular pet, dependable, adaptable and easy to train. Good with children and other pets. Loves water. Needs lots of exercise.
Information from "Collins Gem -Dogs Photoguide ".

Big Top Display
Noel Milner of the Maroochy Shire Council along with dog control officers John &Loraine McGee, organised two days last month of dog displays. The aim of the exercise was to promote responsible dog ownership. (Big job) Involved in the display were other dog clubs and a number of displays were given by all organizations promoting dog obedience. This innovation was introduced two years ago by Noel, and has proved extremely successful judging by the number of spectators and inquiries after displays.

Buderim School Fete.
We also thank the Buderim P&C for inviting us to perform a display at the end of last month. We have conducted displays there for the last 4 years and they are always particularly well received. I also thank the participants; Tony Collins & Beau, Monica Krueger & Eddie and Mariska Herbert & Tajah.
It is particularly gratifying for me to see such enthusiastic handlers and young dogs working so well. People come and go in our training school but the loyalty shown to me and our training philosophy from our young stars, combined with the dedication to training is the greatest compliment that can be paid to Jeffrey and I as trainers.

Canine Control Council Obedience Titles
Monica has acquired the schools first Companion Dog Excellent obedience title. The list is now 3 Companion Dog titles and one Companion Dog Excellent for the year.

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