The Pack Leader



	THE PACK LEADER October 2001 Newsletter Trial 1-9-01 1st place: Monica Krueger & Standard Poodle, "Eddie." - 193pts Caboolture Obedience Trial 7-10-01 U.D. 3rd place: Monica Krueger & Standard Poodle, "Eddie". (Jurado Teddy Brown) - 188pts. C.D.X. 3rd place: Tony Collins & German Shepherd "Saber". (Labron Royal Salute) - 185pts. Logan All Breeds Obedience Trial 6-10-01 C.D.X 3rd place:Tony Collins & German Shepherd "Beau" -185pts Brisbane Obedience Trail 20-10-01 U.D. 1st place: Monica Krueger & Standard Poodle "Eddie" -194pts C.D.X 2nd place: Tony Collins & German Shepherd "Saber" -187pts. Pine Rivers Obedience Trial 3-11-01 U.D. 1st place: Monica Krueger & Standard Poodle "Eddie" - 186pts C.D.X. 2nd: place: Tony Collins & German Shepherd "Beau" - 184pts. Congratulations to Monica and Eddie on achieving the elite title of Obedience Champion, (O.C) having started in the first C.D. Sweepstake to O.C. in two years. Apart from a rough trot for a couple of trials until Animal Chiropractor, Rob Humphries remedied pinched nerves in Eddie's neck. Then back on track. From novice handler to the highest achievement in obedience in super quick time - what a team. Congratulations to Tony Collins and Beau for their Companion Dog Excellent title. The team now have 3 C.D titles; 2 C.D.X. 1 U.D. & 1 O.C title for the year. A supreme effort from a very small but highly motivated and dedicated team. XMAS PARTY Once again it is my pleasure to thank Kuno & Christine Becht for another incredible day for the end of year function. The sight of 20 dogs running free in the mountains of their farm was wonderful. I also mention that a number of these dogs had been dog aggressive before starting their training. Kuno & Christine put themselves to a lot of effort to make the day successful, and for this we applaud them. TRIVA Source: Pet Industry News. Vol.10 No.4. The Brazilian pet market is also huge: 36 million cats and dogs and worth U.S.$1.5 billion dollars annually. This equals a growth of 40% in the last eight years and means 59% of the Brazilian population has at least one pet. Brazil is the second highest consumer of pet food after the United States. DOG OBEDIENCE TRAINERS AND DOG TRAILERS My students who are preparing for dog obedience trials or who are competing, often hear me use the phrase - there are dog trainers who trial and there are dog trialers who trial. Is there a difference? You betcha sweet life on it. Dog trainers train their dogs to be obedient under stressful circumstances, and to be model canine citizens. The dogs stay for lengthy periods outside of busy shops patiently waiting for their owners. They don't show aggression towards other dogs or people in public and certainly not at dog obedience trials. Dog trainers don't make pathetic excuses when the dogs make a mistake in competition, they set about patiently and methodically rectifying the problem before the next trial. Dog trainers don't compete in the trials on the "Lottery System" in the fond hope they will fluke a title. They prepare their dogs and themselves as thoroughly as they can before competing. You never see a dog trainer leave his dogs lying in the back of a station wagon with the back up and dogs barred in for security. Dog trainers leave the back up without restrictions. Their dogs stay because they have been taught to do as they are told. Dog trainers never test the Judges with cheating tricks such as rubbing food on their hands before going into the ring in the fond hope of holding the dog's attention. Slow halts or turns. Extended hand signals, in particular the recall exercises. And in the U.D ring where perfection is the order of the day, we see extended signals for the glove retrieve, or the ridiculously wide left turns. Dog trainers are clean competitors who respect the Judges, and are in the obedience ring to get an honest assessment of the dog's training standard. Dog trialers train only for the obedience ring. Cheat if they can get away with it to cover up poor training. If an exercise is not part of a competition routine they don't want to know about it. They need to secure their dogs whenever they leave them unless it is part of a competition routine. Some prominent trialers go to such lengths as to only train their dogs in a mock up obedience ring, and the dogs are taught nothing more than the routine they need to qualify in. Dog trialers rarely take their dogs around busy shopping centres for socialising or training, because their behaviour would embarrass the owner. Not to mention the continual stream of ridiculous excuses for poor performances. "I haven't had time to train my dog; the Judge's big hat put my dog off; it's too hot; it's too cold; it's too wet; there was too much noise outside the ring; other dogs invade my dogs space: list is endless. And of course the usual put down of "dog Trainers'. "I don't believe in regimenting a dog -or- the dog is only a robot". These people obviously haven't noticed the likes of Tony and Monica's dogs exhibiting absolute pleasure in their trialing work. Book Review "How To Be Your Dog's Best Friend", by the Monks of New Skete. Located through our web site. The Monks built a Monastery at New Skete situated outside New York, US. As part of their fund raising towards the Monastery they went into the breeding of German Shepherds and training of peoples problem dogs. Over the years the Monks have built a reputation as an elitist group in this area. They published their book on adult dog training with a chapter on puppies. They wrote a second book on the puppy side separately. The above book was published in 1978 and can be regarded as a "golden oldie". I have no doubt the Monks have made changes to the way they do things over the years, but overall it is an excellent book covering dog behavioural problems as well as training. Certainly far better than many so called modern methods of dog training and behavioural modification. Another one of the few books that take pride of place in my library. Book Review "The Complete Herbal Book for the Dog" by Juliette de Bairacli Levy, published by Arco Publishing Co. Sqn.Ldr. Bill Perrett and his very competent offsider, Warrant Officer Kev Saunders, the original founders of the RAAF Police Dog Mustering, were strong advocates of natural food diets for dogs. The basic course had strong emphasis on this aspect with weekly exams having the inevitable questions on the benefits of honey, seaweed powder, raw meat, bones etc. in the dog's diet. The information came from books written by Juiette de Bairacli Levy. Over the years I kept a lookout for her books but for some reason or another never obtained a copy. One reason possibly, was that I never realized the importance of natural diet as a necessary aid to correcting dog behavioural problems, until the last five years of my work. Ironically, one of my very competent Instructors Barbara Thomson was packing house to relocate premises, and I was fortunate to have some of her library thrown my way. I put the above book in my briefcase for future reference, not looking at the front cover. A few weeks later I settled back to check out the new book and I couldn't believe my luck. Having read the book from cover to cover I could easily say that this author whose book was printed in 1971 - was ahead of her time. However, the truth is we have turned the clock back so far, in relation to the health aspects and treatment of common diseases with dogs. Wonderful book packed with vital information. So old yet so advanced on modern day diets for dogs. Worth it's weight in gold to me. Thank you so much Barbara. WEB SITE We have made it easier for people to buy recommended dog books direct from Amazon.com. For those who aren't aware Amazon is the biggest bookshop in the world selling all types including dog related books. There is something like 550 different books on this subject. If you want to go exploring just log onto www.rossallan.com. Click on "products" and you will see recommended books displayed. Click on most books and you're on amazon.com. From there you can go mad with your visa card. Another website worth visiting is Bryan Cummins/Tricia Lore. These good people were the authors of the fabulous book "Working Airedales". Bryan and Tricia are the proprietors of a book shop that specializes in out of date dog books. Their website can be logged onto by going through our website to the products page and click on the cover of "Working Airedales". Then you're in. THE QUEST FOR EXCELLENCE "Strive for perfection in everything . Take the best that exists and make it better. If it doesn't exist, create it. Accept nothing nearly right or good enough." Sir Henry Royce Co-Founder Rolls-Royce Sourced from web site www.dogquip.com NETTLES - Poisonous Plants to dogs. Nettles, which include the stinging nettle, and bull nettle. These have hairs which, when rubbed off the plant , release acetylcholine, a compound which stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. The most common type of poisoning is observed in hunting dogs which encounter the nettles in marshy areas. Clinical signs include excessive salivation and irritation of the mouth - leading to frequent pawing, muscular weakness and tremors. These are one of a few plants which have been involved in reported poisonings. There are a number of others which are potentially toxic including caladium, foxglove, lily of the valley, snowdrop and iris. Many of the plants involved in poisoning of pet animals induce vomiting after ingestion, and this reduces absorption of toxic principals. Veterinarian treatment should always be sought. Sourced from "C.C.C, Dog World". .............. ... ................. ................ ................ ................ ................. .................. ................. ............ ............ ...... ..... .................. ............. .............. ...........