NEWSLETTER – MAY AND JUNE 2021
As everyone knows, the club has closed for the month of July due to the high Covid-19 rate. We know how you and your doggies are going to miss your weekly outdoor session but continue training daily and surprise us in August with well-trained dogs!!! Interesting training lessons via videos have been put together by our trainers on Google Drive, and were loaded a couple of days ago on our Whattsapp group. I’m sure you will find them interesting. Kindly contact Tania should you have a question.
CLUB ACTIVITY
Welcome to all our new members, and happy training to all club members. You have taken the first step to training your lifelong canine companion, which, as a trained companion, will be a constant joy in your life! We have amazing trainers who have a passion for dog training, and they’ll make your time at the club very interesting!
Our Canine Good Citizen’s Test was immensely successful with 32 entries. Thank goodness we were able to complete the test before another lockdown! Congratulations to all our members who received Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Two puppies whom we must mention as being the youngest in our club to complete the CGCT successfully are John Swart’s Doberman Pinscher, Jinx, who was six months old, and Mauritz’s GSD, Hauzer, who was seven months old. Congratulations to John du Plooy who achieved Gold with Zeyla. We hope to invite Christine later in the year, so do not waste time, get ready for your next class! Thanks to Pete for keeping the wood fire burning and supplying endless amounts of German Vienna rolls and drinks. A big thank you to our trainers Tania, Este, Samantha, Pete, Chris, Charene, Ute, and John, who put in so much of their time! Thank you to Charene for your excellent secretarial skills!!!
Pretoria Dog Rescue is a selfless welfare organization that does a lot of distressing rescue work, which has become more difficult through this COVID-19 period. They are always in need of volunteers, cash donations, blankets, jackets, beds, and dog food. We have a box at the dog club for Pretoria Dog Rescue donations, which Ruben will clear.
Gloria has unfortunately resigned as Treasurer. Many thanks for everything, Gloria! Payment requests will be sent by Tania. POP’s must please be sent to ptashepherddogclub@gmail.com.
Louiza and her dad make flyball machines for R350.00. If you are interested, contact Louiza on
072 736 4082.
Annatjie makes snuffle balls, snuffle mats, winter blankets, and home-baked treats. The snuffle mat and ball are useful tools for bored dogs, but their use must be monitored unless you want it shredded! We keep an “honesty box” in the clubhouse for treats.
Denis Nasis has recently upholstered items for the dog club. Although he is in Boksburg South, it is well worth the drive. Best Rest Company – 082 330 3425.
Dog Jackets and blankets – Cuddly Paws – Ina – 082 776 3831.
Little education on the worm spirocerca-lupi is done on the public in South Africa. This is an extremely dangerous worm that is often responsible for many fatalities. Please read the articles to familiarize yourself with this problem.
https://www.henniealberts.com/…/spira-circa-lupi-the…
http://www.aloevets.co.za/spirocerca.html
Although the seasons are changing, it is recommended not to stop using parasite control on your dogs. Please take the necessary precautions like dipping, tick, and flea collars, and parasite sprays. There are new products on the market, and you can keep up to date with the latest information brochures, which we keep in the clubhouse.
We train with treats and comfortable branded waist treat bags are available from Gloria. They are R120 each and the small treat bag is R90.
A PET’S 10 COMMANDMENTS
- My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you will be painful.
- Give me time to understand what you want from me.
- Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
- Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up for punishment. You have your work, your friends, family, entertainment, but I have only you.
- Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words. I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
- Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
- Before you scold me, before you strike me, remember I could hurt you. Yet I choose not to bite you.
- Before you scold me for being uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I am not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
- Please take care of me when I grow old. You too will grow old.
- On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me, please. Never say you can’t bear to watch. Don’t make me face this alone.
- Everything is easier for me if you are there because I LOVE YOU.
WE DON’T HAVE TO WAIT FOR HEAVEN TO BE SURROUNDED BY HOPE, LOVE, AND JOYFULNESS. IT IS HERE ON EARTH AND HAS FOUR LEGS!!!
COLOURED TAGS
All members’ dogs are issued with different coloured tags. Your dog must please wear the tag at each training session. If you lose your tag, please get a new one from the trainers at R30 each. BLUE = PUPPY, GREEN = FRIENDLY dog, YELLOW = NERVOUS dog, ORANGE = NO DOGS (not dog friendly), RED = CAUTION (do not touch the dog). Please be aware of the colour of the tags, as it is a clear indication and warning to you and your dog to either befriend the dog or stay a respectful distance away.
Preparing for dog club: We know how busy everyone is, but the last thing you want to do is RUSH to the dog club. Your dog will be rattled, and you will probably waste an entire lesson being jittery and shouting at your poor, innocent dog. So, get yourself a bag or basket, fill it with your training equipment like collar/working check chain, leash, dumbbell/throw toy, treats and treat bag (sold at the club). Just lift and leave! Don’t forget your dog, hehe! Gates open at 1:30 pm.
Our medical aiders are Sam and Chris
PUPPY CLASSES
We have Puppy Club for pups between the ages of 3 months to 6 months on a Saturday afternoon. Socializing your puppies from a young age can be the best show of love, which you, their human parent can give! Your trainer is Charene and she will lovingly guide you towards training a happy puppy!
CLUB EVENTS
5th June – New Intake of dogs
3rd July – New Intake of dogs – CANCELLED
7th August – New Intake of dogs
INTERESTING WEBSITES
https://www.thedogbakery.com/…/top-20-healthy-homemade…
https://wagwalking.com/…/rice-vs-oatmeal-whats-better…
https://skinnyms.com/grain-free-dog-biscuit-recipe/
https://www.lovethegarden.com/…/12-fruits-and…
https://www.friendsofthedog.co.za/…/10tipshandout_v4.pdf
https://www.friendsofthedog.co.za/educational-downloads.html
INTERESTING BOOKS
At the Other End of the Leash – Patricia McConnell
Yin and Yan Nutrition For Dogs – Judy Morgan
How to Be Your Dog’s Best Friend – Monks of New Skete
WEBSITE AND GOOGLE REVIEW
Thank you to everyone who has sent testimonials – they’re on the website and Google Review! This is a powerful and easy way of advertising your club, so please make full use of it – www.pretoriashepherddogclub.co.za. Our Facebook page also has some interesting photos and information!
MAINTENANCE
There are several maintenance issues that need to be attended to. We will call a general maintenance day one Sunday in June. These maintenance days are never really busy, always relaxed, and the fun part is the bacon and egg breakfast, followed by a bring and braai. We look forward to the day!
PRETORIA DOG RESCUE
Ruben and Marissa have committed to offering their spare time with Pretoria Dog Rescue. It is a worthy cause to support. Please put the word out that they have many, many dogs up for adoption. Check out their Facebook page for more information. Dogs bought from Pretoria Dog Rescue qualify for one month’s free training.
SPCA AND WETNOSE
Dogs bought from SPCA or Wetnose qualify for one month’s free training (excluding the R320.00 club membership fee). Just bring along your receipt of purchase. The SPCA Newsletter has put out a request for more volunteers, so if you have any spare time, please consider donating it to a worthy cause. Please contact Celestie Mathews who is a volunteer at the SPCA. She has some wonderful fundraising ideas. Celestie also has a volunteer Whattsapp group that you can belong to, where she advertises the SPCA’s wish lists – 082 825 8442.
ANIMAL CHARITY
Our adopted animal charity is the South African Veterinary Association’s community project called Community Veterinary Clinics (CVC). They look after the primary healthcare of dogs and cats in disadvantaged communities and offer vaccinations, de-worming, dipping, and sterilization at a reduced fee. Please get involved in their MySchool card project – www.savacvc.co.za
SATURDAY – gates open at 1:30 pm
OBEDIENCE – new intake the first Saturday of every month at 2:00 pm
Beginners – please arrive at 1:00 pm and visit our Treasurer, Ruben in the clubhouse – please bring a 1.2m cotton leash, slip collar, and throw toy or dumbbell.
Obedience training – R220.00 per month, payable 3-monthly in advance. PLEASE BOOK WITH US BEFOREHAND. This is not a course, but ongoing training.
PUPPY CLUB – 3:15 pm – 4:30 pm- Annual club membership – R320.00
R900.00 for the 6-week course – Puppies are welcome to join every week!
This class is for puppies between the ages of 3 months and 6 months. The puppies must have had their 2nd vaccination and been de-wormed. Appropriate tick and flea control must be administered before participating. Please bring your vaccination books. The members will have a lecture in the clubhouse and thereafter learn the basics in puppy obedience, e.g. retrieve, heelwork, sit, down, and stand. And of course, lots of socializing. Bring along a 1.2m cotton leash, slip collar, or collar and throw toy. If the dogs advance well before the age of 6 months, they can join Beginner training. PLEASE BOOK WITH US BEFOREHAND.
CONTACT
Secretary – Charene – 082 843 7446
Chairperson and Chief Trainer – Tania – 082 430 1456
Kind regards
TANIA QUARMBY
CHAIRPERSON
PRETORIA SHEPHERD DOG CLUB
082 430 1456
www.pretoriashepherddogclub.co.za
Check us on FaceBook!
Dogs are our key to achieving
a sense of peace. They can keep us
connected to the world of nature,
which gives us balance and
harmony in our lives.
-CESAR MILLAN
WE’RE NOT IN IT FOR THE INCOME, WE’RE IN IT FOR THE OUTCOME