Welcome to our many new members!We hope you will enjoy the training sessions and programs offered by our trainers.

CLUB ACTIVITY

September was a relatively quiet month, after having the Canine Good Citizen’s Test, potjie competition and obedience show.This does not give our wonderful trainers time off, as they are now preparing you for our dog jumping competition on the 30th November.

We have so many special members whose buttons we push for assistance to run the club successfully on a Saturday!Thanks to Pieter for watering the new trees, John who is always around and too scared to stand still in case I see him, Martin and Chris.Thank you also to Annatjie for the two beautiful dog-printed tablecloths!Remember that Annatjie bakes delicious doggy biscuits for sale at the club @ R5.00 a packet, and for special occasions she will paint a customized bottle with your dog’s name, which will make lovely Christmas gifts!

Once again, we celebrated birthdays at the club. We were spoilt by Anel who baked delicious chocolate cake and sausage rolls, with Herman (birthday boy) taking to the fore with copious amounts of champagne.Danielle, yes, it was your birthday as well!Thank you for the cake and our customary birthday sing-along!

Dr Michiel Opperman is a trained chiropractic doctor (2009) who wants to specialize in dogs and horses.His 3-year animal training took place in Texas, America. Michiel is offering his services free of charge on Saturday, 19th October between 2pm and 5pm.He is especially interested in dogs who have performed manwork, dogs with genetic faults, e.g. hip dysplasia and spinal problems, and dogs with injuries.You are welcome to bring your dogs for a session.We will continue training throughout the afternoon, but you are welcome to watch the sessions.It is preferable to send your x-rays or questions to opperman.michiel@gmail.com beforehand.

On Sunday, 27th October, Tania will be giving the club members a sheepdog demonstration at her venue in Mooiplaas.The event starts at 7am in the morning!It is already warming up quite considerably, so an early start is important for the sheep and dogs.Bring along your flask of coffee, rusks and Tupperware of sandwiches.Suntan lotion is also important.We should be finished by 10am.Everyone is welcome!

Many of you are preparing for the December holidays.Have you got a pet sitter???Here are a few names you can try, but make sure they are qualified for the work required!

Royal Vet Pet Sitters – 084 678 9948 – 072 908 9712

Vet Student Pet Sitting – Caitlin Holyoake – 063 994 0497

Kathleen – only Pretoria East – 083 470 1343

Happy Chappies – Herman du Preez – 079 437 4200

QUESTION: DOES YOUR DOG HOWL?

Peanut does howl. He only howls as I’m about to leave the house.

NICCI AND PEANUT

Luckily Cindy does not howl.

CHARL AND CINDY

I have been trying to teach my dogs to howl for years… all to no avail. One day the alarm went off by accident… and there is Bruno sitting on the stoep, facing the house and howling. I was so surprised, I howled with him. He stopped, looked at me like I am insane, whipped around and walk away. I had such a laugh. He has never howled since.

MARISSA AND BRUNO

My dogs often break into a howl – definitely pack behaviour.Roxy, our matriarch, who is no longer with us, was the leader of the howl.Shelby does not join in.

TANIA, DINGO, SHELBY, GYPSY GIRL AND GEORGI GIRL

When we first brought our new puppy Jaeger home, he was only 6 weeks old, with small, flat ears and barely a bark. Many visitors commented on how he looked more like a little black bear than a dog.

As he matured, his bark improved and his ears began to stand up straight, one at a time. Each ear taking its turn, until both stood up at the same time.

His bark developed faster than he did, and seemed as if it belonged with a much bigger dog.

One evening while we were playing with our little bear, my very mischievous daughter broke out into a very convincing howl. Much to everyone’s surprise, the little black bear joined in and delivered a most impressive howl, for his small frame.Thereafter he left behind his reputation as a bear, and has matured into a majestic black wolf.

Neighbouring dogs are aware of the wolf in the suburb and can easily trigger a howl from the height of our patio, if he hears any barking from them.

Our house has been turned into a howl zone, and you may randomly hear howling coming from different parts of the house. Without hesitation, Jaeger will reply with a resounding howl. It is really a strange phenomenon to experience.

Jaeger has a personal goal to hold a howl for as long as possible. He is prepared to forego breathing for an extended length of time, in order to achieve his goal.

He is the only four-legged howler in the Lastrucci house, the other pooches stand in awe of his howling abilities.

Jeager’s howl is second to none, and he would welcome any rival howlers (two or four legged) to a Howl-Off competition.

BEV AND JAEGER

YES! Both Chloe and Bailey howls.

Chloe howls when you tell her “no” when she is very excited – as if to say, “Who do you think you are?”

Bailey howls, well a lot! He is quite vocal, he howls/humms when he scratches his ear, when he is just lying down and chilling, he loves to talk to himself and especially when he wants to play with big sis Chloe and she is not interested.

ROLANDA, CHLOE AND BAILEY

Why Do Dogs Howl?

We need to update our website and are looking for new testimonials.You can go to our website to see what form the testimonials take.Many thanks!

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 1.30pm.

Someone opened or closed the club’s water.Please look in your car or clothing to see if you accidentally took it home.We are really struggling with the water tap now. Thanks.

Summer causes parasites like ticks, fleas and flies to predate.Please take the necessary precautions like dipping, collars and sprays.We have hardly experienced a winter, which means not enough cold to send the parasites scuttling and contracting biliary is a real concern.There are many new products on the market, and you can keep up to date with the latest information brochures, which we keep in the club house.

Pretoria Shepherd Dog Club sell treat bags, dumbbells and leashes.Please ask Ruben or one of the trainers to assist you.

INTERESTING WEBSITES

https://medipetsa.co.za/

https://www.hippo.co.za/pet-medical-aid-quote/

Home

https://hollardpetinsurance.co.za/

https://www.oneplan.co.za/plans/petlanding

https://insurance.rogz.com/

Home

www.barkhow.com

INTERESTING BOOKS

The Genius of Dogs – How dogs are smarter than you think – Brain Hare and Vanessa Woods

Understanding the Silent Communications of Dogs – Rosie Lowry

Dogs Can Sign, Too – Sean Senechal

EVENTS

5th October – new intake of dogs

19TH October – animal chiropractor, Dr Michiel Opperman

27TH October – sheepdog demonstration – on farm in Mooiplaas

2nd November – new intake of dogs

30th November – year-end prizegiving, trophy hand-out and do jumping competition – club closes till January 2020

TESTIMONIALS

Thank you to everyone who have sent testimonials – they’re on the website!This is a powerful and easy way of advertising your club, so please make full use of it – www.pretoriashepherddogclub.co.za.Our Face Book page also has some interesting photos and information!

MAINTENANCE

The grounds look rather dull in winter and are quite forgiving once it rains.Thanks to Stefan and co. who will soon be putting together jumping equipment donated by John Cox.

PRETORIA DOG RESCUE

Samantha and her team do a lot of wonderful work 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 Face Book 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 R300.00 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 Wattsapp 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 sterilisations at a reduced fee.

SATURDAY – gates open at 1.30pm

OBEDIENCE – new intake the first Saturday of every month at 2pm

Please arrive at 1.30pm and visit our Treasurer, Ruben in the Club house – please bring a 1.2m cotton leash, half check chain and throw toy or dumbbell.

Obedience training – R200.00 per month, payable 3-monthly in advance. PLEASE BOOK WITH US BEFOREHAND. This is not a course, but ongoing training.

PUPPY CLUB – 3.pm – 4.30pm – Annual club membership – R300.00

R800.00 for the 6-week course – puppies can join any time.

This class is for puppies between the ages of 3 months and 5 1/2 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 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, half check chain 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 – Beverly – 083 272 1014

Chairperson and Chief Trainer – Tania – 082 430 1456

Treasurer – Ruben Muller – rubenmuller1959@gmail.com