April 2016 Newsletter - Limpopo K

Dear handler,
Welcome to everyone new, old, young,
funny, skinny and fat!
We really hope you and your pup will enjoy
the dog training journey with us!
Congratulations!!!
Table of Contents:
Our newsletter is finally starting to
take shape and we urge each and everyone
to e-mail us any exciting news you would
like to share – yes, even if it’s just a funny
photo of your dog!
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The club will have 2 demo’s this coming
Saturday and ask that you support us. More
details will be given on page 2.
There are a few exciting changes and we ask
that you to take time to read through the
important information.
Enjoy our newsletter and happy training!
The Newsletter Team
[email protected]
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Please like our Facebook
page: Limpopo K-9 Club
We are so proud to announce that
Lizelle, Jenny and Linda survived the
Level 1 Instructor course which took place at
S.A. Dog Training College between
26 February to 12 March 2016.
Not only did they survive but passed with
flying colours!
Read on page 2 and 3 what each trainer
experienced, achieved and appreciated during
the 2 weeks!
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Foreword
– p1
Important Info
– p2
Handler and Dog of
the month goes to…– p2
Lizelle’s column
– p2
Did you know?
– p3
Linda’s Adventure – p3
Jenny’s Experience – p3
Jenny’s Journal
– p4
Canine Lyme disease – p4
Breed Pick
– p4
Oscar’s Corner
– p4
Congratulations to our…
TRAINERS of the Month!
Remember to pay your R100 annual membership
fee to become a registered member of our club. The
membership fee includes your welcome pack: filled
with discounts and goodies for you and your dog!
The Club will have 2 demo’s on Saturday 2 April
2016 at Soetdorings Club @ 10:00 and
Bevlin stables (Plot 138 Dalmada) @ 12:30
Our contact details are as follow:
Lizelle
082 829 4024
Jenny
083 275 0583
Linda
083 709 3868
Fax:
086 545 9278
Email: [email protected]
New Club Shirts & Caps may be ordered with Lizelle
or on the whatsapp group:
Golf Shirts
Small & Medium
– R350.00
Large & X Large
– R365.00
2 XL & 3 XL
– R380.00
4 XL & 5 XL
– R395.00
Caps
– R120.00
The most important drive to build with your dog is
the PACK drive. Your best four-legged friend will
enjoy working with you if there is a special bond
between the two of you.
You are never too old or wise to discover and
learn more they say. This is so true. Especially in
dog training… A dog is the most exceptional
animal in my point of view. Every human can learn
more from dogs! At the Instructor's course, SA
Dog Training College made us “think like a dog”! It
was there where we learned the importance of
building this incredible PACK drive. The main aim
is to get your dog to be a member of your pack
and excepting you as the pack leader. Once that is
achieved, the possibilities are endless!
Important Info:
We will be taking photos at the club for the name
tags on Saturday, 9 April 2016. Please ensure that
you are present with your dog.
Lizelle's Column
Lizelle, Jenny &
Linda!!!
Your dog is not only your best and loyal friend but
I realized how clever dogs are at the course. It is
astonishing what dogs can actually do! The dog is
always willing to learn more from his pack leader.
It depends on you - the leader: You must be
willing and dedicated to be his respected master
and teacher! Don’t be someone he is afraid of but
rather somebody he regards as his true friend and
leader.
TIPS AND TRICKS:
HOW TO BUILD THE PACK DRIVE
Pack drive is elicited by physical affection, verbal
praise and smiling at the dog. Grooming and
playing brings out “pack drive” behaviours. The
pack drive is “group” behaviour and this is the one
that trainers key is on.
The dog needs the physical contact (petting,
grooming, play time) and the attention it gets
during training, as well as the acceptance it
receives from the human family pack.
The dog will do anything it needs to do, to get the
acceptance as a member of the "human" pack.
Linda’s Adventure
This adventure I'm in at the moment all
started when I was surprised with a little grey
puppy with startling blue eyes. Knowing that
he was not the easiest of breeds to be
burdened with I decided that I would try my
utmost to make sure he wasn't a burden to me
like everyone informed me he was going to be.
I got Lizelle’s number from Woofels Doggie
Parlour and haven't looked back since. Now
my little grey puppy is no longer little but six
months old and the most incredible dog I have
ever owned. Maybe because I was told that he
would be difficult I have found him to be
amazingly easy. Boisterous and naughty at
times and causing complete havoc for my poor
Yorkies, but not a day of not loving him dearly.
When the opportunity for me to do the Level 1
Course was presented to me by Jenny and
Lizelle, I was extremely excited and I couldn't
believe my luck. I didn't even know a person
could do something as comprehensive as this
course! It certainly was a huge eye opener for
me and something I think many people would
benefit from if they decide to do the course in
the future. Even if they don't use it to teach
people, but use it for their own benefit in
teaching their own dogs.
The SADTC made everyone on the course (11
people in total) so inspired to go out and do
the right thing. I believe this was their main
objective right from the start. Everything they
do they do for the "GOOD OF THE DOG". Chris
and Christine's 30 odd years of experience in
the dog training industry can only cause an
inspirational hype with their students. Their
passion is contagious and their two different
personalities whilst teaching complimented
each other tremendously, bringing out only
the best possible scenario. We still have so
much to learn, but with them having given us
the correct tools all we need to do now is to
implement it in our own way and like them
"DO IT FOR THE GOOD OF THE DOG.“
Linda Dyer
Every exam, Lizelle, Linda, Danae, Taylor,
Samantha, Roger and I hit a Panic! It was study
sessions 5am in the morning, study practical’s
before dinner - looking quite the fool as we
marched up and down the Guesthouse garden,
with no dogs next to us!
Saying: “sit, down, stand, at the halt left turn,
right turn and about turn!” Each one getting a
turn to be an instructor!
I did not just learn about dogs, instructing and
dog behaviours - I learnt something about
myself! I made friends with the best people
ever! Especially with Linda & Lizelle!
We had some good laughs – oh, did we have
laughs! Lizelle and her “chicken” made our
day! And my Feisty Little friend Linda!
“Apparently” I was the naughty one…. I think
we need to re-assess, as I believe I was the
ONLY sane One! 
Thanks to all involved for giving me this
awesome opportunity. I cannot wait to teach
every single member what we were taught!
To my co-students: you are the BEST!
Jenny Venter
DID YOU KNOW?
Jenny’s Experience
I thought I was going on an Instructors
Course?! Little did I know that my whole life
will change soon! I met the most incredible
Instructors/Tutors, Chris & Christine. I have
certainly never ever in my life met people
that are so passionate about dogs! Putting
the dog first in all aspects!
The knowledge was incredible!
 Dogs’ only sweat glands are between their paw
pads
 Like babies, Chihuahuas are born with a soft spot
in their skull which later closes as they get older
 A one year old dog is as mature as a 15 year old
human, yes - a teenager!
 Dogs can be trained to detect epileptic seizures
 Greyhounds are the fastest dogs on earth – they
can run up to 72km/h
 Dog’s nose prints are as unique as human’s finger
prints and can be used to accurately identify them
Jenny’s
Journal
1.
Don't ever chase or run after your puppy. Rather
you run away from him and let him chase you.
2. Never over feed your puppy. A fat puppy has more
health problems than a puppy of the correct
weight. Ask your vet how much your puppy should
weigh at his age.
3. Never listen to housewives tails, consult your vet
or a reputable dog trainer - they are trained in that
field.
4. Keep your puppy in good health: physically and
mentally.
5. De-worm the pup regularly and keep the puppies
inoculations up to date, discuss this with your vet.
6. Start your puppy off with basic obedience
exercises as soon as he has settled into his new
home. Request the help of a reputable trainer.
Consult your vet for a referral.
7. Never leave an old shoe for your pup to chew…
unless you want him to chew your new shoes as
well!
8. Puppies must have suitable chew toys, they teeth
the same as humans do.
9. Puppies must have toys to play with, otherwise,
like children, they get bored and frustrated, and
will become destructive.
10. The mind of a puppy works only with a yes or a no.
There is no maybe or sometimes. They are either
allowed to do something or they are not.
The Canine Lyme disease – part 2
Canine Lyme Borreliosis …is caused by a
bacterium that is transmitted by ticks and is
commonly seen in dogs and humans.
This is how the bacterium is transmitted…
The tick had to be feeding on your dog for 24 – 48
hours for the disease to take hold. This type of
disease infects the areas closest to the tick bite.
Get your dog to the vet as soon as it displays any
of the following symptoms:
• Lameness
• Fever
• Enlarged lymph nodes near the tick bite
• Low red blood cell count
Treatment… Antibiotics (Doxycycline) is used to
treat this form over a one month period. You
should see your dog feel better shortly after the
treatment starts. It is also possible that your dog
may experience a relapse after the treatment.
Prevention… can be done by checking your dog
for some ticks after visiting the thick invested
environments as mentioned in the previous
newsletter. Remove any ticks by hand
immediately. Sprays, collars and spot-on topical
products that repel and kill ticks can be
recommended and bought at your local vet.
Always use these products under a veterinarian's
supervision and according to the label’s
instructions.
Other forms of Lyme disease include:
 Infectious Cyclic Thrombocytopenia – this form
only enters into the platelets. A mild fever is
normally the only symptom that occurs.
 Babeiosis Lyme disease & Granulocytic
Ehrlichiosis – will be discussed next month
Breed Pick of the month –
The German Shepherd Dog
Description: Commonly regarded
as one of the best police and
military breeds in the world, the
German Shepherd is a strong,
athletic and intelligent breed.
Known for its loyal, protective and
versatile nature, the German Shepherd is among the
most popular dog breeds worldwide, 2nd in the
United States and 4th in the United
Kingdom. Its popularity is attributed
to its heroics in past wars and past
stardom in films and comics. The
breed comes in a variety of colors, but is most
commonly black and tan.
History: Originating in 1899 in Karlsruhe, Germany, the
German Shepherd was developed primarily by cavalry
officer Max Stephanitz. Developed from a diverse
combination of sheepherding and farm dogs for the
purpose of herding sheep, the German Shepherd soon
became very popular as a working dog. The Allies
recognized its heroism and bravery as a Red Cross dog
during World War I. Its strength, obedience, and ability
to be trained soon made it the preferred breed for a
number of roles including police and military work as
well as search and rescue. The breed is also one of the
most recognizable in popular culture, being the star of
24 films like Rin Tin Tin. Rin Tin Tin’s fame once
garnered 10,000 fan letters a week and helped save
Warner Bros. from bankruptcy after starring in Where
the North Begins (1923). It also appeared in Batman
comics as Ace the Bat-Hound from 1955 through 1964.
Oscar’s Corner
Let me tell you about my nose
 My nose is situated behind my
mouth – isn’t that rather special.
 Does a dry, warm nose means
that I am sick? The answer is no.
 The following can make my nose dry and warm:
 Lying in the sun
 Dehydration
 Sun burn can cause your nasal skin to flake. Ask
your vet what you can put on your dogs’ nose.
 More serious symptoms are a dry red nose.
Remember, my friends with pale or pink noses
should receive extra care in the nose department.
 If your dogs’ nose runs then the mucus should be
clear.
That’s all for this month...
and remember to keep your nose on the ground!