January/February Issue 2010

Happy New Year to all our Readers

THE MAGAZINE

OF THE CANINE

OBEDIENCE CLUB

OF TOWNSVILLE

COMPANION DOG MAGAZINE

Contents

Page 1 Cover – Wyglo Might N Power CCD CD aka

Bruce, with his recent haul of trophies – full

details inside

Page 2 Companion Dog Contents

Page 3 COCT Committee

Page 4 Editorial

Page 5 Presidents Report

Page 6 – 7 Presentation Night 2009

Page 8 – 12 Perpetual Trophy Winners

Page 13-15 List of Title Winners 2009

Page 16 - 18 Sorely’s Story

Page 19 – 20 Summer Safety and Keeping Cool

Page 21 Home made gourmet dog treats

OFFICE BEARERS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS Postal Address. Post Office Box 991Aitkenvale Q 4814

Patrons: Peter Lindsay MP Herbert , Cllr Jenny Hill, Cllr Dale Last

President Judy Forbes-Faulkner 47725982 judyforf@bigpond.net.au

Vice-President Vacant

Acting Secretary Eileen Fletcher 47887385 brindlebrock@bigpond.com

Treasurer Renate Linder 47211444(w) rlinder@wacokwikform.com.au

Asst. Treasurer Louise Ashworth 47887005 lash@dodo.com.au

Trial Secretary Louise Ashworth 47887005 northbrave@bigpond.com

Training Coordinator Judy Forbes Faulkner 47725982 judyforf@bigpond.net.au

Training Coordinator Asst Noel McPherson 47212639 noelmcp@bigpond.com

Magazine Editor Eileen Fletcher 47887385 brindlebrock@bigpond.com

Catering Officer Vacant Trophy Officer Diane MacIntyre 47733887 dandr11@aapt.net.aU

Records Officer Judy Forbes-Faulkner 47725982 judyforf@bigpond.net.au

Tracking Coordinator Mal Holland 47251949 demal;4@bigpond.net.au

Asst Tracking Coordinator Eileen Fletcher 47887385 brindlebrock@bigpond.com

Demo Officer Diane MacIntyre 47733887 dandr11@aapt.net.au

Flyball Coordinator Rick Slack smith 0422808761 rickss@australis.net

Property Officer Anna Doostkhah 47255027 Anna_Doostkhah@snp.com.au

Asst Property Officer Sue Simmons 47780621 tuatara65@bigpond.com

Committee Members Lucy Joynson 47788890 lucyjoynson@harboursat.com.au

Eileen Fletcher 47887385 brindlebrock@bigpond.com

Janette Cussons 0417614261 jcussons2@bigpond.com

Noel McPherson 47212639 noelmcp@bigpond.com

Rick Slack Smith rickss@australis.net

COCT inc. LIFE MEMBERS Mrs. D. Dobson,

Miss A. Dobson

Mrs. A. Tunstal

Dr. R. Taylor

Mr. E. Morris

Mrs. V. Litster

Mrs. C. Woodward (active)

Mr. B. Woodward (active) Mr. P. Litster

Mrs. E.K. Greenwood

Mr. D.R. Greenwood (active) Mrs. H. Taylor

Mrs. A. Annesley (active Mrs. S.M. Fielder (active)

Mrs C O`Shea (active)

Ms D MacIntyre (active)

Mr Mal Holland (active)

The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the editor or committee members of the COCT Inc.

All Office bearers, committee members and instructors of the Canine Obedience Club of Townsville Inc, are unpaid volunteers, who give freely of their time in an effort to help you to train and trial your dogs.

Monthly meetings held 1st Monday of February to December at 7.30pm Management Committee meetings held as called by secretary Club Web Site: www.coct.com.au

Presidents Report February 2010

Well here we all are again at the start of another exciting year of dog training and trailing. So far the weather has been kind to us unlike February 2009 and we have managed 2 nights of training all be it a little bit hot and mozzie infested. Your instructors will attempt to conduct classes every Tuesday (weather permitting) but if you are unsure if we are training you can always contact me on 47725982 after 5:30 pm if the conditions look unfavourable and I will let you know if training is on.

The year promises to be an exciting one with the start of fly ball training commencing in March (Thursday nights 7:30 – 8:30 pm) and suggested changes to the basic obedience training to make it more informative and interesting to our new handlers. Currently a small subcommittee is discussing new training ideas which will be discussed with our instructors prior to possible implementation, so look for our new fun things to do in class. We will also be introducing some Rally O exercises to challenge you and your dogs in the classes.

The trailing year will commence with a monster agility/jumpers/games and obedience trial over the Easter weekend so all you trialling members get down and practice as there will be lots of fun things to entertain your canine friends over this weekend.

Training for obedience trailing will still be held on Thursday nights from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm so if you want to do some obedience trailing come down and see us on Thursdays and we will show you what is involved and how to get a good obedience dog. This training is available to all handlers who have reached class 4.

I would like to take this opportunity to thanks Mal Holland in advance for offering to run basic tracking training sessions for new handlers in March.

Unfortunately this class is now full but if you are interested in trying out this sport (training your dog to find someone who is lost in the bush) let one of the instructors know on Tuesday nights and we may be able to organize another course later in the year.

With regard to trials I would like to put a request to all our trialling members to help out with providing billets for our visiting judges. If you have a room available and you would like to host one of our judges this year please let me know.

One final request to all our members if you are interested in helping your club in any way, we are always looking for members to help with catering at our trials, helping as a steward at agility or obedience trails or even becoming an instructor. If you are interested in helping out in any way please come down and talk to me on Tuesday nights or phone me on 47725982 or 0427725982.

Happy training and trialling in 2010.

Judy Forbes-Faulkner President COCT Inc:

Editorial

Thanks everyone for your ideas and contributions to the magazine – too many to include this time around due to

space/cost issues but they will definitely be included in the next magazine – so keep them coming. This months

magazine contains a list of all titles and trophies won last year - congratulations to everyone who gained titles and

trophies– quite an impressive haul for a small club. It just shows the amount of time and training that goes on behind

the scenes – a title doesn’t just fall into your lap but represents months of training. Notice I didn’t say hard work

because if it is hard work for us and the dogs we are doing it wrong – it’s dog training – it should be fun for us and our

dogs. Dog training has changed a lot in the last 30 years and moved away from the more military style of training to

reward based methods. Since 1985 when Karen Pryor published “Don’t shoot the dog – the new art of teaching and

training” (available from the club library) there has been a groundswell of support for more positive and dare I say it dog

friendly types of training. The shift is away from allowing your dog to make mistakes and then correcting/punishing him

for them (learning the hard way!) to teaching the dog the correct way in the first place, and rewarding him for it. Karen

Pryor popularised clickers as an effective tool to mark behaviour in animals, a “reward maker” – paired with

reinforcement, it tells the animal exactly which behaviour has earned the reward. As a precision tool they are very

effective and many dog trainers use them. We are even beginning to see the emergence of them in our obedience

classes. TOADS of course have used them for a while.

Reflecting the COCT’s awareness of this shift in training philosophies, it has been decided to gradually bring in some

changes to both the curriculum and training methods to reflect what is now seen as best practice in the dog training

world. Rather than corrections and “checks”, lure and reward will be used train heelwork, Luring dogs into position for

exercises such as sit stand and drop has been standard practice for some time, replacing pushing down on a dogs back

end while pulling up with the lead (sit) or between its shoulders (drop) and this has just been extended to include the

heelwork exercises also. We have also made some changes to the curriculum to reflect what most pet dog owners want

to learn. We need to offer training and information that is relevant and useful. By doing this we are serving our

community by producing educated responsible pet owners – not that the council seems to care!

So let’s have fun training our dogs – constant correction and punishment take the fun out of it, so set your dog up for

success and reward the behaviours you like – who needs to punish when we control all our dog’s resources? (food,

water, shelter, social interaction, walks etc) We can use food and play as a means to motivate and reward our dogs to

want to do the things that we want to teach them. Dogs come with their own agenda (meeting other dogs, digging

holes, chasing cats etc). The art of training is getting the dog to willingly have our agenda (coming back when called, not

jumping up, politely passing other dogs on walks etc). Dogs don’t get born knowing these things – we need to teach

them what is required to live happily with us and be welcome members of our communities. Using positive

reinforcement (rewarding the behaviour we want) as our training method of choice will create a much better bond with

our dogs. Plus it works!

In the next couple of issues I hope to publish some further articles on Positive Reinforcement and how it works. In the

meantime we have several books in the library that explain reward based training.

Finally – if you know anyone who can give a special dog a home – read Sorely’s

story on pages 16 – 18. We euthanize hundreds of thousands of abandoned pets

every year – each new puppy bought from a breeder or a pet shop is one less home

for an abandoned dog – think about taking on a shelter dog or cat as your next pet

and help solve the problem. Eileen Fletcher Magazine Editor – write to me at

brindlebrock@bigpond.com or c/- the Clubhouse – we welcome your opinions

PRESENTATION NIGHT 2009

MARGARET IVE MEMORIAL TRACK AND SEARCH :

Presented by Sheila Fielder

Won by Mal Holland and

T.Ch OC Luack Jo ADM ADO JDM GD SPD SD ET (Booka, Kelpie)

COMMUNITY COMPANION DOG

Anna Doostkhah Allirapark Jasper

(Kaiser) German Shepherd)

JESS MCNALLY PERPETUAL TROPHY : COMMUNITY COMPANION DOG

Marie Gibson with Sheba CCD (Bull Arab) Linda King Brutus (Silky Terrier)

TRACKING DOG

Eileen Fletcher with Buddy (Xbreed) JUMPING DOG NOVICE

Donna O’Keefe Dykinta Guess Again AD

(Guess – Border collie)

JESS MCNALLY PERPETUAL TROPHY

Katrina Stonestreet Torlene Jarra ADM TOP EXCELLENT AGILITY DOG

ADO2 JDM JD02 SDX GDX SPDX Jarra Border Collie Paul O’Keefe Stockhaven Bobbie CCD

AD JDX SPD GD (Chip, Border Collie)

PRESENTATION NIGHT 2009

AGILITY DOG NOVICE

Teegin Bull Bella JD SPD GD ET (Border Collie)

PENNY MEMORIAL: Donated by

Bruce Samways

Louise Ashworth

Blackcombe Czarina CCD

(Allie, Rottweiler)

JUMPING DOG NOVICE MORRIS AND WILLIAMS: Donated by

Jim O Keefe Martin and Cheryl Morris

Leteemo Champas Charlie (Charlie) Mandy JonesWyglo Might N Power CCD CD

(Bruce, Weinmaraner)

TRACKING DOG TRACKING DOG EXCELLENT

Renate Linder Mal Holland

Demoniaque OShea CDX AD JD GD SPD Allambie Fergus CCD TD (Spud – Koolie)

(Roxy, Belgian Shepherd)

.JUMPING DOG MASTERS

Rick Slack-Smith

Bulngari Kanga ET JDX AD GD (Mocha – Kelpie)

CANINE OBEDIENCE CLUB OF TOWNSVILLE INC

Perpetual Trophies 2009

OBEDIENCE

UTILITY GERDA MEMORIAL ROSE BOWL: Donated by Sheila Fielder

The trophy will be awarded to the Townsville dog with the aggregate three highest scores in Utility in any three Townsville Trials. Non-qualifying scores will count. Won by No winner – no three scores

TOWNSVILLE STEEL FRAMES PERPETUAL TROPHY : Donated by Townsville Steel Frames The trophy will be awarded to the Townsville dog with the highest aggregate points in UD over both days in the October double trial. Won by Ch O.C. Delkahna a Tad Tuff ‘AZ’ ADX JD ET (Tuffy, German Shepherd)

Owner Tad Jaworski

Points 166 + 158 = 324

OPEN BEING POLIDO MEMORIAL: Donated by Mrs. Pat Cecil

The trophy will be awarded to a Townsville dog with the highest aggregate points in Open over both days in the August double trial. Won by No winner – no dog entered both days

MISS MUFFET: Donated by Barry Hall The trophy will be awarded to a Townsville dog that gets the three best title qualifying scores in Open at any trial. Won by No winner – no dogs in Open

NOVICE SWEEPTAKES CHAD MEMORIAL: Donated by Bruce and Judy Johns The trophy will be awarded to the Townsville dog that scores the highest first qualifying score in Novice Sweepstake. Won by Allambie Fergus CCD TDX (Spud, Koolie)

Owner Mal Holland

Points 196

NOVICE JESS MCNALLY PERPETUAL TROPHY : Donated by Jess McNally The trophy will be awarded to the Townsville dog with the highest aggregate points in Novice over both days of the April double trial. Won by Sheba CCD (Bull Arab)

Owner Marie Gibson

Points 97 + 73 = 170

MILLIE MEMORIAL: Donated by Glen & Janelle McCarrick

The trophy will be awarded to a Townsville member’s first trialing dog with the highest total of the first three qualifying scores. If no dog scores three qualifying scores then the highest scoring dog in a Townsville Trial (Novice). Won by Wyglo Might N Power CCD CD (Bruce, Weinmaraner)

Owner Mandy Jones

Points 188, 191, 196 = 575

OBEDIENCE (cont’d)

TOP NOVICE DOG : Donated by Townsville Veterinary Clinic The trophy will be awarded to the Townville dog scoring the three highest aggregate qualifying scores in Novice. In the event of there not being three qualifying scores, the two highest scores will count. Won by Wyglo Might N Power CCD CD (Bruce, Weinmaraner)

Owner Mandy Jones

Points 188, 191, 196 = 575

RUNNER UP NOVICE DOG : Donated by Ashley & Michelle Tolcher The trophy will be awarded to the Townsville dog that is runner up to the Top Novice Dog and scores the second three highest aggregate qualifying scores in Novice. In the event of there not being three qualifying scores, the two highest scores will count. Won by Blue (Cattle Dog)

Owner Eileen Fletcher

Points 182, 178, 177 = 537

COMMUNITY COMPANION DOG SUNNY MEMORIAL PERPETUAL TROPHY To be awarded to the Townsville dog scoring the three highest aggregate qualifying scores in CCD. Won by Wyglo Might N Power CCD CD (Bruce, Weinmaraner)

Owner Mandy Jones

Points 97, 98, 100 = 295

OTHER OBEDIENCE TROPHIES A1 BOARDING KENNELS : Donated by Alan and Joan Smail. The trophy will be awarded to a Townsville dog with the highest score in any Townsville Trial. In the case of a tied score, all competitors’ names will be included on the trophy. Open scores no longer count once a dog has been entered in a UD Trial or Sweepstakes or has had its Open title for more than twelve months. Won by Wyglo Might N Power CCD CD (Bruce, Weinmaraner)

Owner Mandy Jones

Points 196 (Novice)

ALEXANDER : Donated by Debbie Barrat.

The trophy will be awarded to any breed of dog that measures 45cm or less which is entered in the August double trial with the highest aggregate points over both days. If in more than one class, the highest score to count. Open scores no longer count once a dog has been entered in a Utility or Sweepstake or has had its open title for more than 12 months. The trophy is to be returned to the club before the next trial in August. Won by No winner – no dog of that size competed

CRAIGALEN : Donated by Ted Morris

The trophy will be awarded to the best three title qualifying scores in Townsville trials. If no dog gets three titles qualifying scores then the best two qualifying scores will count. In the event of a tied score the trophy will be shared. Any dog winning the trophy three consecutive times will retain the trophy. Scores in any class or any combination of classes to count e.g., one Novice and two Open qualifying Scores. Open to non-club members. Won by Wyglo Might N Power CCD CD (Bruce, Weinmaraner)

Owner Mandy Jones

Points 188, 191, 196 = 575 (Novice)

DAWN AND MAL HOLLAND – MOST CONSISTENT QUALFYING SCORE Donated by Dawn & Mal Holland

To be awarded to a Townsville dog with the three most consistent qualifying scores (excludes CCD). In the event of a tie the lowest qualifying score will win. Won by Blue (Cattle Dog)

Owner Eileen Fletcher

Points 177, 178, 182

GYPSY INSPIRATIONAL : Donated by Judy Campbell

The trophy will be awarded to the highest scoring Townsville German Shepherd Dog at any trial. In the case of

a tied score the trophy will be shared. Open scores no longer count once a dog has been entered in a UD trial

or sweepstakes or has had its’ Open Title for more than twelve months.

Won by Ch O.C. Delkahna a Tad Tuff ‘AZ’ ADX JD ET (Tuffy, German Shepherd)

Owner Tad Jaworski

Points 166 + 40 = 206

MORRIS AND WILLAMS: Donated by Martin Morris & Cheryl Williams The trophy will be awarded to the Townsville dog with the aggregate of their three best Townsville trials. Any dog that has qualified three times in Open cannot count any future Open scores. Won by Wyglo Might N Power CCD CD (Bruce, Weinmaraner)

Owner Mandy Jones

Points 188, 191, 196 = 575 (Novice)

NEVILLE & LINDA GREEN: Donated by Neville (deceased) & Linda Green The trophy will be awarded to the highest scoring Townsville gundog at any Trial. In the case of a tied score the trophy will be shared. Open scores no longer count once a dog has entered in a UD trial or Sweepstake or has had its’ Open Title more than 12 months. Won by Wyglo Might N Power CCD CD (Bruce, Weinmaraner) Owner Mandy Jones Points 196 (Novice)

PENNY MEMORIAL: Donated by Bruce Samways The trophy shall be awarded to the Townsville dog with the highest aggregate score in its best five Townsville trials. Open scores no longer count once a dog has entered in Utility trial or Sweepstake or has had its open title for more than twelve months. Won by Blackcombe Czarina CCD (Allie, Rottweiler) Owner Louise Ashworth Points 145 + 167 + 160 + 144 + 144 = 760 POPE WINNER OF WINNERS: Donated by Pope Trophies The trophy shall be awarded to the Townsville dog that scores the most qualifying scores in UD, Open or Novice (excluding sweepstakes) in any Townsville Trial. The dog must win its class in each trial. Open scores no longer count once entered in UD or Sweepstake event or the Open dog has its title more than twelve months. Won by Wyglo Might N Power CCD CD (Bruce, Weinmaraner)

Owner Mandy Jones

No. quals 3 (Novice)

TRACKING ELIOCARN: Donated by Sister Jeannie Johnston To be awarded to the best Tracking dog for the year. This is assessed on the following point score :-

Pass Good Very Good Excellent

TD1 2 3 4 5

TD2 6 7 8 9

TD3 10 11 12 13

TD4 14 15 16 17

TD5 18 19 20 21

TD6 25 27 29 31

TD7 30 33 36 40

In the case of a tied score the dog with the least attempts at the relevant track or tracks shall win.

Won by Allambie Fergus CCD TDX (Spud, Koolie)

Owner Mal Holland Points 92 4 (TD1 – Very Good); 9 (TD2 - Excellent); 13 (TD3 - Excellent)

17 (TD4 - Excellent); 20 (TD5 – Very Good); 29 (TD6 – Very good)

TRACK AND SEARCH

MARGARET IVE MEMORIAL TRACK AND SEARCH : Donated by Sister Jeannie Johnston

To be awarded to the best Track and Search dog for the year. This is assessed on the following point score :-

Pass Good Very Good Excellent

TSD1 2 3 4 5

TSD2 7 9 11 13

TSD3 15 17 19 21

TSD4 23 25 27 29

TSD5 35 39 44 48

TSD6 50 55 60 65

In the case of a tied score the dog with the least attempts at the relevant track or tracks shall win.

Won by T.Ch OC Luack Jo ADM ADO JDM GD SPD SD ET (Booka, Kelpie) Owner Mal Holland Points 32 4 (TSD1 – Very Good); 9 (TSD2 – Good); 19 (TSD3 – Very Good)

AGILITY

MARTY & LADDIE AGILITY: Donated by Marty Kooy

The trophy will be awarded to the Townsville dog with the most qualifying scores in Masters Agility Class in

the current year. In the event of a tie a count back on placing is required.

Won by Torlene Jarra CCD ADM ADO2 JDM JDO2 SDX GDX SPDX (Jarra, Border Collie) Owner Katrina Stonestreet

No. Quals 4 TOP EXCELLENT AGILITY DOG : Donated by Bayside Veterinary Clinic The trophy will be awarded to the Townsville dog with the most number of qualifying scores in Excellent Agility in the current year. In the event of a tie the winner will be determined on a count back of major placings, not necessarily qualifying scores. Won by Stockhaven Bobbie CCD AD JDX SPD GD (Chip, Border Collie) Owner Paul O’Keefe No. Quals 5 TOP NOVICE AGILITY DOG : Donated by Doedi Fittler The trophy will be awarded to the Townsville dog with the most number of qualifying scores in Novice Agility in the current year. In the event of a tie the winner will be determined on a count back of major placings, not necessarily qualifying scores. Won by Pintupi Boss AD SPD (Boss, Tenterfield Terrier) Owner Keith Thomas No. Quals 3

JUMPERS

DAWN AND MAL HOLLAND-MOST PROMISING JUMPER TROPHY Donated by Dawn & Mal Holland To be awarded to a Townsville dog that acquires the most qualifying scores in the current year (excluding qualifying scores from Open). Once a new level has been reached qualifying scores from the lower level will only be counted up until that day, the lower level may then be added to the higher level. Won by Bulngari Kanga ET JDX AD GD (Mocha, Kelpie)

Owner Rick Slack-Smith

No. Quals 16

5 Excellent Jumpers; 11 Masters Jumpers

CANINE OBEDIENCE CLUB OF TOWNSVILLE INC

Title Winners 2009

OBEDIENCE

NOVICE

Mandy Jones Wyglo Might N Power CCD (Bruce - Weimaraner))

Eileen Fletcher Blue (Cattle Dog)

Lucy Joynson Luack Indis Image CCD AD JDX GDX SPDM SD ET (Krazee - Kelpie)

COMMUNITY COMPANION DOG

Mrs Pat Cecil Pelorus Ovalandatcaptivator (Dryftha - Border Collie)

Anna Doostkhah Allirapark Jasper (Kaiser - German Shepherd)

Katrina Stonestreet Torlene Jarra ADM ADO2 JDM JDO2 SDX GDX SPD (Jarra -

Border Collie)

Paul O’Keefe Stockhaven Bobbie ADX JDX SPD GD (Chip - Border Collie)

Linda King Brutus (Silky Terrier)

Mandy Jones Wyglo Might N Power (Bruce - Weimaraner)

Lucy Joynson Luack After Dark AD JDX SPD (Toots - Kelpie)

Mal Holland Allambie Fergus TDX (Spud - Koolie)

JUMPERS JUMPING DOG NOVICE

Donna O’Keefe Dykinta Guess Again AD (Guess – Border Collie)

Katrina Stonestreet Sasndash Sammydavis (Soda – Manchester Terrier)

Jim O’Keefe Leteemo Champas Charlie (Charlie)

Keith Thomas Pintupi Boss AD SPD (Boss – Jack Russell)

Donna O’Keefe Barkenlodge Tammy Lass CCD (Lass – Border Collie)

Lucy Joynson Luack Lord of the Ring ET (Chappie – Kelpie)

JUMPING DOG EXCELLENT

Katrina Stonestreet Sasndash Sammydavis JD (Soda – Manchester Terrier)

Rick Slack-Smith Bulngari Kanga ET JD (Mocha – Kelpie)

Renate Linder Demoniaque OShea CDX AD JD GD SPD TD (Roxy – Belgian Shepherd)

JUMPING DOG MASTERS

Rick Slack-Smith Bulngari Kanga ET JDX AD GD (Mocha – Kelpie)

Paul O’Keefe Gypsy CD ADX JDX JDO GD SPD (Gypsy – Border Collie)

AGILITY

AGILITY DOG NOVICE

Donna O’Keefe Dykinta Guess Again (Guess – Border Collie)

Rick Slack-Smith Bulngari Kanga ET JDX (Mocha – Kelpie)

Teegin Bull Bella JD SPD GD ET (Border Collie)

Keith Thomas Pintupi Boss SPD (Boss – Jack Russell)

Louise Ashworth Ch. Amberidge Miss Margarita CCD CD JDX SPD GD ET

(Meg – Rhodesian Ridgeback)

Donna O’Keefe Barkenlodge Tammy Lass CCD (Lass – Border Collie)

AGILITY DOG EXCELLENT

Paul O’Keefe Stockhaven Bobbie CCD AD JDX SPD GD (Chip, Border Collie)

Rick Slack-Smith Cedarholme Shenanigans AD JD GD SPD SD (Dusty – Border Collie)

Paul O’Keefe Gypsy CD AD JDX JDO GD SPD (Border Collie)

AGILITY DOG MASTERS

Lucy Joynson Luack Dark Angel ADX JDM SPD GD ET (Trubble – Kelpie)

AGILITY DOG OPEN

Mal Holland T.Ch OC Luack Jo ADM JDM GD SPD SD ET (Booka – Kelpie)

AGILITY GAMES

GAMBLERS

GAMBLER DOG NOVICE

Rick Slack-Smith Bulngari Kanga ET JDX AD (Mocha – Kelpie)

Leisa Cassidy Murphy ADX JDM SD (Tenterfield Terrier x)

Louise Ashworth Ch. Amberidge Miss Margarita CCD CD JDX SPD ET

(Meg – Rhodesian Ridgeback)

Paul O’Keefe Stockhaven Bobbie CCD ADX JDX SPD (Chip, Border Collie)

Lucy Joynson Luack Dark Angel ADX JDM SPD ET (Trubble – Kelpie)

GAMBLER DOG EXCELLENT

Lucy Joynson Luack Indis Image CCD AD JDX SPDX GD SD ET (Krazee – Kelpie)

Teegin Bull Bella AD JD SPD GD ET (Border Collie)

GAMBLER DOG MASTERS

Katrina Stonestreet Torlene Jarra CCD ADM ADO2 JDM JDO2 SDX GDX SPDX

(Jarra – Border Collie)

SNOOKER

SNOOKER DOG NOVICE

Katrina Stonestreet Sasndash Sammydavis JDX (Soda –

Manchester Terrier)

Lucy Joynson Luack Dark Angel ADM JDM SPD GD ET (Trubble – Kelpie)

Mal Holland T.Ch OC Luack Jo ADM ADO JDM GD SPD ET (Booka – Kelpie)

STRATEGIC PAIRS

STRATEGIC PAIRS DOG NOVICE

Paul O’Keefe Gypsy CD ADX JDX JDO GD (Border Collie)

Leisa Cassidy Murphy ADX JDM SD GD (Foxy x Tenterfield Terrier)

Rick Slack-Smith Bulngari Kanga ET JDM AD GD (Mocha – Kelpie)

Judy Forbes-Faulkner Sandygate Ima Star CCD TD (Star – Border Collie)

Donna O’Keefe Dykinta Guess Again AD JD (Guess – Border Collie)

STRATEGIC PAIRS DOG EXCELLENT

Katrina Stonestreet Torlene Jarra CCD ADM ADO2 JDM JDO2 SDX GDX SPD

(Jarra – Border Collie)

Lucy Joynson Luack Dark Angel ADM JDM GD SPD SD ET (Trubble, Kelpie)

Mal Holland T.Ch OC Luack Jo ADM ADO JDM GD SPD SD ET (Booka, Kelpie)

STRATEGIC PAIRS DOG MASTERS

Lucy Joynson Luack Indis Image CCD AD JDX GDX SPDX SD ET (Krazee, Kelpie)

TRACKING

TRACKING DOG

Renate Linder Demoniaque OShea CDX AD JD GD SPD (Roxy, Belgian Shepherd)

Mal Holland Allambie Fergus CCD (Spud - Koolie)

Eileen Fletcher Buddy (Staffordshire Bull Terrier x Shar Pei)

TRACKING DOG EXCELLENT

Mal Holland Allambie Fergus CCD TD (Spud - Koolie)

TRACK AND SEARCH

TRACK AND SEARCH DOG

Mal Holland T.Ch OC Luack Jo ADM ADO JDM GD SPD SD ET (Booka – Kelpie)

SORLEY’S STORY

One day as I was returning to my parked car after work, I noticed a dark shape flat on the ground in the middle

of Illich Park, Aitkenvale. As I walked along I kept looking at this object trying to work out what it was – perhaps a coat

or a black garbage bag. Itinerant people sometime camp in the park and sporting clubs train there so I thought it may

have been an empty sports bag or other piece of clothing. As I reached my car the object moved and I realised a very

thin dog had just lifted up its head. I phoned Les, my husband, and explained I’d be a little longer as I wanted to see if

this dog was ok.

Les came and joined me but when I approached the dog it just trotted away from us. We took some dog biscuits

and water from our car and left them in the middle of the park for the very thin dog. Before we left, another lady

arrived in her car, also with food for the dog. She’d noticed it a couple of weeks before and had sometimes brought

food along for it and a neighbour whose house adjoins the park was leaving water out for it. This neighbour said the dog

was very afraid of people and no-one could get near her. He said she was regularly hiding and spending the night

amongst the roots of the fig trees in the park just behind his place. The Townsville City Council Animal Management

staff had had several unsuccessful attempts to catch her so they were considering setting a trap for her. It seems the dog

had been in the park living rough for several weeks in October.

When I saw her again a few days later she had deteriorated. She was so thin and weak she could only walk about

three metres before she'd just flop down to the ground again. Initially she was so afraid I couldn't get within 20 metres

of her and could never see her until just on dark. I began feeding her daily, first finding where she was hiding then

placing the food out in the open where she could see it. Mostly she came out and circled very wide before coming to

the dish and carrying it away a short distance before starting to eat. She always ate slowly and would not always finish

the food and wouldn’t take a bone. I think her stomach had shrunk so much she had little appetite and strength. She

was stopping to scratch every few steps and it looked like she had hair missing off her tail and over hip bones.

By late November, the dog would sometimes come towards me when I arrived with food, which was a real

breakthrough, but I still couldn’t get closer than around 10 metres of her. From this distance and in the fading light she

looked like a small, perhaps stunted, Irish wolfhound. I decided to name her and found an Irish word, Sorley, meaning

‘mid-summer wanderer’ which described her very well. So the thin little waif now had a new identity. Sorley. It seemed

to suit her.

I approached our regular vet clinic for advice on treatment for worms and fleas and they kindly donated both as

oral medications. A work colleague also took an interest in Sorley’s plight and contributed to the cost of buying good

quality meat for her. After her worm and flea treatments became effective, Sorley stopped the constant scratching,

began to gain weight and much more lively. Occasionally she would even trot around in a playful manner but still

beyond my reach. I could now see she was much too small to be an Irish wolfhound, more like a shaggy-haired

greyhound.

When the school holidays started on 11 December, Sorley moved into the local school grounds for shade and shelter

and didn’t return to the park. I started feeding her through a gap under the fence and she would come and eat when I

returned to my car. I kept reducing the space between me and the food till I was holding the dish while she ate. Again I

offered her a bone and this time she snatched it from my hands, took it away a short distance and lay down to enjoy it.

It gave Les and I great pleasure to see Sorley so healthy and interested in her bone. I decided to lean over the fence and

take some photos of her but still had to use the zoom as I couldn’t get close enough without it.

Various neighbours had taken an interest in the plight of this abandoned dog and would come to and ask me

how she was going. A man even came back to the school one night and gave her some left over steak as he couldn’t see

it thrown out when Sorley needed all the nutrition she could get. Another lady offered to put Sorley in her yard but

unfortunately the fence was quite low and would not have contained a dog used to roaming in the open space of the

nearby park and the school grounds. It was gratifying to see such kindness and that neighbours do still talk to each

other and care about what’s happening in their street.

Early in January I decided to climb the fence and try to get her to come to me which she did after a few days but

I still couldn't touch her. Sometimes she’d come galloping towards me from another part of the school grounds but

would pull-up several metres away then timidly trot up to where I held the food. A couple of weeks later I patted her for

the first time. This was a real thrill for me! I stroked her neck while she was eating meat out of my other hand – she

froze with the meat between her teeth the minute I touched her! Twice more I touched her briefly like this over the

next week.

The end of the school holidays was fast approaching and we knew Sorley had to be out of the school grounds by

Monday 25th January when the children would be returning to school. I’d spoken to staff at the school and they’d

agreed to not forcibly remove her providing I had her out by Monday. I again asked for assistance from our local vet and

was given a sedative to help calm her down sufficiently to either lead her to my car or pick her up and carry her if

necessary. The vet offered for me to put Sorley into their kennels until she could have a thorough check up and we

could decide the next step for her future. We planned to give her the sedative on Friday 22nd after work to see how

effective it was, knowing we still had Saturday and Sunday to adjust the dosage if necessary and still have her out by

Monday.

On Friday afternoon I crushed the tablets and mixed them into a small amount of custard. I’d been giving Sorley

a little custard each afternoon that week and she loved it so I thought it would be easy to get her to take it.

Unfortunately when I approached Sorley, I could she was quite distressed and exhausted. She wouldn’t come to me and

was again walking away a short distance then lying down. I could only assume the school had been trying to catch her,

not being confident that I’d get her out over the weekend. Eventually she came to me and lapped up a little of the

custard but not enough to have any effect. I followed her around and encouraged her to finish the rest. Sorley quickly

became drowsy and curled up under a tree quite near to me. I called the vet and he offered to come down and pick her

up for me. Just as he arrived she got up and ran away into the school rainforest area. Fortunately she found a favourite

nesting spot and stretched out, sound asleep. The vet came in, picked her up and carried her to the fence where he

handed her over to Les. Les nearly gagged at the stench of this poor, filthy dog being placed into his arms at chest

height – right under his nose! We took her straight to the vet clinic, put her in a kennel and left her for the night to sleep

off the medication.

We’d kept my promise to the school. Sorley was out of their grounds ahead of time.

Saturday morning we went down to the vet clinic where Sorley was awake and recognised me immediately. She

greeted us like old friends with no sign of the fear or anxiety we had expected. We put a lead on her to take her out the

back for a much needed bath and soon found she has little or no experience walking on a lead! After a thorough bath

we spent a long time combing and brushing the knots out of her coat, loosening the grime on her back and treating the

scabs from previous flea infestations. New hair was already growing back from her improved diet over the past three

months but there were still thin patches on her body and hairless sections on her tail. Once she was dry, what I thought

was a coarse wiry coat was actually soft and fluffy, blowing gently in the breeze. One of the female vets decided she is

actually a Scottish deerhound, which is like a long-haired greyhound.

We arranged to have Sorley fully examined, vaccinated and spayed (services kindly donated by the vet clinic)

and she could stay in the kennels at the clinic until she passed the quarantine period following vaccination. She was

spayed on Saturday 30th January and also had a microchip inserted.

Tomorrow, Saturday 13th February, Sorley begins the next phase of her rehabilitation when she is moved to

Danita’s Pet Resort – her next temporary accommodation while she waits for her permanent home with a very caring

person or family.

Could you give me a safe, loving home?

I’ve been hurt in the past and I’ve been too frightened to come near anyone so I’ve

been homeless for at least three months. I’m really very gentle.

My new name is SORLEY. That’s Irish for ‘midsummer wanderer’ as the person

who found me thought I may be an Irish wolfhound cross. I’m probably a Scottish

deerhound (like a greyhound but with a long, shaggy coat).

If you can foster or adopt this very shy, previously

mistreated dog please call Marie Gibson on 0413 456 542.

SUMMER SAFETY & KEEPING COOL Summer time in Townsville starts around October and doesn’t start cooling off until about May. It is hot and humid, sticky and sultry, and from December to Easter rains in varying intensities from light showers to monsoonal downpours. Top temperatures have reached 40oC, and it is common to have overnight minimums of 25-26oC and maximums of 32-33oC with high humidity for weeks on end. It can be uncomfortable enough for us humans, but for our dogs it can be deadly if they overheat. Humans can keep their bodies’ core temperature at a safe level by sweating, and as it dries on the skin it creates a cooling effect. We can also seek the relief of air-conditioning and swimming pools to help cool off too. Dogs can expel some body heat to a certain degree, but unlike us have no sweat glands. Instead, their only means of reducing their body of heat is through panting. Having all that hair of various lengths and thickness on their bodies doesn’t help either! Double coats can have a certain degree of “insulating” against the heat, but it is the humidity that is their undoing.

Some of the things we can do to help our dogs be as comfortable and safe as possible during summer are :-

Clean water. Use a sturdy, deep container as a water bowl for larger dogs that can’t be knocked over. A stainless steel cooking pot is ideal. Plastic buckets can be ok but clean them out regularly as algae and scum can take hold and grow on the sides Make sure it is in the shade all day and not exposed to the sun where it can heat up, and needs to be changed at least daily. Have at least two water bowls available, especially if there is more than one dog.

Shade is a must, and needs to be available all day. Patios, verandas, garages, shade trees, doggy doors to allow access inside a house can all provide refuge from the sun.

Doggy iceblocks. For a cool treat, make a thin broth from beef stock cubes, pour into a Kong, and put in the freezer. A wonderful cool treat to give your dog on a hot day, and will keep him occupied for as long as it takes to melt. Or put some ice cubes in an ice cream container for him to lick as they melt.

Kids plastic shell sandpits make great swimming pools. Fill with water and leave under a shady tree for your dog to jump in and cool off during the day. Or a second hand bath tub mounted on a couple pieces of timber to keep it stable makes a great plunge pool.

Cool off by letting him jump underneath a sprinkler before starting your walk, or douse under the hose or wipe down with a wet, clean rag. Encounters with neighbourhood sprinklers is always a great way to cool down – for the dog, of course!

Cool coats have pockets of cooling liquid or water built into the sides of the coat and can be frozen or cooled down before putting on to the dog like an ordinary coat.

Swimming is a wonderful means of cooling off and an activity that has low impact on the joints. Be cautious where you let your dog swim as coastal creeks and rivers from the central parts of the Queensland coast and right across to Western Australia is saltwater crocodile country all year round. Crocs are particularly active in summer as they get flushed out of rivers and creeks by floods or larger crocs, and start looking for mates to breed. Dogs are the perfect snack size for crocs, so always respect crocodile warning signs and avoid those areas at all times.

There have been several reports in the media of dogs being taken or, in some lucky cases, escape with injuries from crocs. Always check with a local if you are new to the area on where you can let your dog swim safely.

Marine stingers can be a problem for shorthaired dogs with little covering on their undersides. They can be stung just as easily as humans. Apply vinegar and take to nearest vet.

Footpaths, bitumen roads and sand on the beach get mighty hot under the summer sun. Dog’s paws are about the same toughness as the soles of our feet, so it can be quite uncomfortable to walk them on these surfaces. If at all possible walk them on grass or if on a footpath one that is in the shade and may have lost some of it heat.

NEVER EVER’S ….

Never exercise any dog in the heat of the day, and never run or jog with him. Walking at this time of year is the safest and more than adequate. Depending on where you take your dog, morning walks should be finished by 7.00, and afternoon walks should not commence before 5.00pm at the earliest. You know how hot you feel, so your dog is feeling it even more and prone to overheating. Dogs have a great way of masking pain or showing signs of injury or weakness, a built-in instinct for survival that meant life or death in the wild. This has been passed down to the domestic dog from their ancestors generations ago, so chances are you would not even be aware that something is amiss until it is too late.

There have been several reports in the media of dogs that have died from heat stress after their owners have taken them for a run, and the first they were aware of anything wrong was after observing the dog becoming lethargic, weak, followed by collapse. At this stage death is almost always the outcome as the organs have already been damaged beyond repair and have started to shut down due to the inability of the body to reduce excess heat. If this should happen don’t put the dog in the car and rush it to the vet. By the time you get there it will be too late. Instead, put him in the shower and let water run over him, or fill up the bath and let him lie in it for at least 15 minutes. By this time you would have phoned the vet and alerted him to your arrival. Some of the things to look out for are :-

1. Tongue hanging right out of the mouth as far as it can as the dog pants

2. Stare-y eyes

3. Frothy saliva as the dog pants

4. Making a gagging noise in the back of its throat

5. Wobbly in the hind legs

These are all signs that overheating is occurring and immediate steps must be made to cool the dog down.

Dog’s in uncovered ute’s and trucks have no way of avoiding the sun, so unless the trip is short and the destination has shade and water leave them at home.

Never leave a dog inside a car – it is inexcusable and a dog will die just asquickly and painfully as a child. If you can’t take the dog inside with you at your destination or stay with him with the air-conditioner running leave him at home. Have a non-spill water bowl (stainless steel is easiest to clean and available from pet shops) in the vehicle and take a bottle of old water for him to have a drink, or fill up if a tap is nearby.

Pip, from the Greyhound Adoption Program keeping cool

Basic Gourmet Dog Snack These are easy and very good Ingredients:

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Mix together all ingredients. Gently roll out to ¼ inch thickness. Cut

into desired shapes with cookie cutter. Bake 30 – 40 minutes Allow to cool and store in a tightly sealed

container.

LIVER TREAT RECIPES

Hint: To easily crumble treats into small pieces for training, use a pizza cutter shortly after removing from the oven. Liver Bread Here is a recipe that's quick, easy, cheap, keeps well, etc. and dogs LOVE it.

· 1 lb of any kind of liver, pureed · 1 cup of any kind of flour · 1 cup of corn meal · 2 Tbsp of Garlic powder (amount optional) · 1 Tbsp of oil Puree the liver and mix in the other ingredients. Spread on a cookie sheet or jellyroll pan (I line a pan with foil and oil it). Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes. Cool and break in pieces. I divide into bags and freeze. It thaws very quickly or the dogs will eat it still frozen. They care not.

Liver Bits

This works well if you want a dry treat that won't leave any residue. It's a bit like the liver bread recipe but less bready in texture. After it's cooked in the microwave and cut up into bite-size bits, the trick to drying it out is the last step.

· 1 lb. chicken liver · 1 cup graham cracker crumbs · 3 tablespoons molasses or honey · ¼ cup parsley. Place all ingredients in the bowl of food processor. Process until smooth. Pour into a microwaveable container, approximately 8" square or round. Microwave on high until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. This takes 7 minutes in my microwave, but your mileage may vary. When cooked, turn out of pan immediately, allow the bottom to dry since it will be damp from condensation, and cut into squares while still warm.

Spread bits on a foil-lined cookie sheet and bake at 200° for 1.5 hours. Freeze or refrigerate.