THE PACK LEADER
September 2000 Newsletter

Seminar
I would like to express my deepest appreciation to Warrant Officer Kev Saunders for speaking to us last Sunday the 24th.He related the colourful history of the RAAF mustering, and imparted a number of useful training tips to the small but enthusiastic crowd. An afternoon I thoroughly enjoyed.

Movie Review "Instinct" starring Anthony Hopkins
This movie provides a riveting story of an anthropologist who regularly studies Gorillas in Africa. He later lives among them until circumstances are such that he is incarcerated in an American Jail for the criminally insane.
The story is deep and sensitive, not only in relation to issues with the Gorillas but also people. There are numerous moral issues approached in a fascinating story that results in something of an experience in ones life rather than just another movie.
There was one point that was particularly driven home to me that applies in relation to dog ownership and training. My book, 'Dog Obedience Training' pushes this issue strongly but unfortunately it is not picked up by many dog owners and in particular, many dog obedience competitors. I believe the dog should be trained from the 'inside out'. A philosophy I appreciate, that cannot be understood by some people. Or possibly, that some people have not reached a stage in their lives where they can appreciate it.
Some of my students have embraced it and that is exhibited in particular by my two most prominent students, Tony Collins and Monica Krueger. Unfortunately a philosophy that is not understood, and therefore not practiced, by most obedience trialing competitors that I have observed. I come under constant criticism from dog trialers for many reasons, many of them too childish to mention. One criticism of me however, is that I rarely mix with other trialers and prefer to be alone and focus on my own students who are competing. It is not that I'm arrogant, it's just that I have very little in common with most other dog people and I prefer to be left alone.
The focus of so many trialers with their dogs is egotistical and vain. The emphasis is placed largely on learning how to train the dog exercises more simply and effectively. How to have the dog looking bright and cheerful in the ring rather than emphasis on reliable training. Impress Judges at all costs in the fond hope of securing higher scores rather than letting the dog exhibit its natural demeanour. The dog training fraternity largely consists of two philosophies - dog trainers who trial and dog trialers who train. And the gap between the two concepts is miles apart.  
What about the dog as companion and friend? What about appreciating the unique qualities of the dog as the descendant of the wolf rather than as a trophy? So many people have breeds that are totally unsuitable for their environments - kelpies, border collies, cattle dogs confined in built up areas and not provided with sufficient exercise and training. The dogs who become trendy thanks to television show or movies and look what we have owners of Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Pit Bull Terriers and so on who have not provided an environment of affection, discipline, training and sufficient exercise essential for the particular breed.
Owners often own breeds that are often totally unsuitable for them and when their dogs are driving them crazy, or the law finally make them face responsibility for the bad behaviour of their dogs, offer the common reply???But I love them and I always wanted them. I've always wanted a Mercedes Benz too, but I can't have one.
Did you know that between 1979 and 1996 there were 11 deaths in Australia caused by dog attacks. And in the USA there were 199 reported deaths caused by dog attacks. The domestic dog is making the Shark look good. (Statistics from 'The Veterinarian' August 2000 edition)
What about loving the dog for its character, its personality, for the loyalty and love it willingly gives us when it is happy, well trained and respects us. Why is it a big issue at dog obedience trials for the dog to be trained on food so that it develops a glutinous expression towards the handlers, and then called looking happy in its work?What happened to bonding, affection, voice and hand praise? What happened to promoting the inherent desire to please man and the dog receiving kind responses and discipline from the pack leader? We are surrounded by people who blindly trial their dogs almost every weekend in some cases, without consideration to the fact that the dog is not a robot, and therefore not patiently and firmly secured in its weaker exercises. The dog is relegated to the status of a trophy rather than a loved companion. We commonly see titled dogs at trials that have to be walked on halties because they haven ?t been trained to heel properly outside the obedience ring. And owners who are pulled along the streets struggling to restrain their dogs from annoying or attacking other people or dogs. People too often obtain dogs and treat them as four legged humans, cuddly or fluffy toys or child substitutes. People often obtain them as emotional crutches and to make it worse, many of these people are, or become, parents. No wonder we live in a world where people can't or won't accept responsibilities for their actions, or their children's actions, and of course -their dogs actions.
Dogs are intelligent, emotional creatures with an independent mind born to follow the instincts of the wolf, and the instincts bred into the dog from man to perform various functions such as herding or hunting. They are a wonderfully unique species with amazing abilities, and should be revered for themselves rather than humans forcing their arrogance and ignorance on them.
For these reasons I believe dogs should be trained with the first consideration placed on loving the dog as a special creature of God, bringing into play the rules of the pack and discipline. The training of obedience exercises and a long last obedience competitions. Train the dog from the inside out. For those people who can empathize with my philosophies will understand and appreciate the movie, 'Instinct'. To me it was an experience in life - not a couple of hour's entertainment.

Dog Breed Belgian Shepherd Dog:
Four varieties of Belgian Shepherd Dog exist, differing only in coat and colour. For centuries, these dogs herded and guarded sheep in Belgium and they belong to a similar group of European herding dogs which include the German Shepherd. Belgian Shepherd dogs have a more slender build and are shorter in the back and higher in the leg. The Groenendael is the best known of the Belgian Sheepdogs. It was established from old working stock in 1880 by Nicholas Rose of Groenendael and was recognized properly in Belgium in 1891.
These dogs first arrived in Britain from France in 1931 and their popularity rose steadily after the Second World War. Like other Belgian Shepherd Dog's, they are used in Europe as Police Dogs and also droving sheep and cattle. The Tervueren might be accurately described as a fawn coloured Groenendael and in many countries they are classed together. The Tervueren has only recently come to Britain, but is increasingly used in Europe as a scent detector, highly competent at sniffing out drugs.
The rarest of the four breeds, the Laekenois was first recognized in 1897.It is named after a royal residence of Queen Henrietta of Belgium. The relatively rare Malinois is a short coated version of the Tervueren usually with a reddish, mahogany colouring although it may also be a grey or fawn. Of the four Belgian Shepherd Dogs, it closest in appearance to the German Shepherd. The four breeds are regarded as very trainable with strong guarding instincts. Good with children.
Information source from 'Collins Gem Dogs Photoguide.'

Appreciation
At the end of the year Xmas function we present trophies to those who have gained titles throughout the year in both in-house comps and obedience trials. These trophies are impressive and meant to give the winners a reward that they will be proud of for years to come. The trophies are expensive and I deeply thank Denis Marriner of Mitre 10 Caloundra, for providing wonderful raffle prizes, which assist in covering the costs of these little treasures.

Amazon book shop
Those of you who are on the Internet will be familiar with Amazon book site, the biggest bookshop in the world. If you ’re looking for anything in the dog book field chances are they have it. There are over 550 dog training books alone.
Amazon informed me that they have 2 to 3 hundred thousand hits on their site every day. I'm very pleased to note that my book is listed as one of the 3 best selling dog books on the site.
If you're interested in a look try.

Xmas barby
Reminder that we have arranged a BYO. food & drinks BBQ for the dogs on the 18th of November. Dogs are permitted to invite their owners and friends. All welcome.

Diet: Aloe Vera
This is a plant of the cactus family that grows naturally in all parts of Australia. Those lucky enough to have the actual plant often use the leaves direct, otherwise it is obtainable in liquid, ointment of gel form. Care should always be take to buy the genuine product as there have been adulterated supplies on the market. Aloe Vera has recently received a great deal of publicity in recent years and there are many testimonials to its usefulness. It can be fed internally or used externally. The latter mode of treatment has produced quite spectacular results in the case of badly ulcerated wounds. I saw Aloe Vera used on a long -standing and very obstinate bone ulcer; amazingly, it affected healing in three days.
Sourced form 'Natural Pet Care' by Pat Coleby..

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