Last weekend was a reminder that winter is well and truly on its way. For those who turned up at the Plymouth Dog Training Club on Saturday, the weather showed just how unkind it can be. Those who stayed over in their caravans on Friday night, reported a lively night weather wise! Needless to say the ground was ‘heavy’ going. K9 Meals on Wheels were situated on a particularly soggy patch, we did think this was actually a well thought out plan to get us potential customers’ boots stuck in the mud, unable to move after seeking shelter from a hailstorm, most of us bought from their stand…….excellent sales strategy! Unfortunately the soggy stay ring had the opposite effect on the dogs, in the Novice Bitch class it would have been easier to say which dogs didn’t move! It really was an extreme day, however I hear Sunday was better. Anyway the downturn in the weather has prompted the SWCOG Committee to start thinking about a members’ training event, a few of you have been asking what we have planned for the out of season period, so we are looking to set something up shortly. The date is likely to be 29th January, the venue, Newhall Equestrian Centre, Exeter. As soon as we have confirmed this we will let you know, in the meantime pencil this date in your calendars and watch this space.
Members who are new to our sport and perhaps some who are not so new (!), have expressed some confusion over training rounds for food rewards. I myself have had some conflicting information from judges. Let’s dispel some of the myths.
Below are the relevant rules taken from The Kennel Club General Regulation (The ‘G Regs’ as you may have hear them referred to as). In addition please see the very recent guidance regarding food rewards as discussed in KC Obedience Liaison Council. The minutes of the meeting held on 6th July 2016 state: Competitors leaving the ring to feed their dog and returning to the ring during training rounds 77. The views of the Council were sought regarding the above practice. It was agreed that it should be at the discretion of individual judges, but that if doing so, competitors should show consideration to others and should ensure that pots of food remained outside the ring at all times, and did not cause a distraction to other dogs. 5. Introductory. a. This class is to introduce and support newcomers to Obedience Competition. In this class only incentives in the form of a toy or rewards are allowed to be carried by the handler in the competitive ring and may be given to the dog at the end of an exercise or in between exercises. Rewards include food which must be carried in a small closed container during the exercises. The judge will designate an area in the competitive ring where food may be given to the dog by the handler. 36. Practice Rounds. Practice rounds are permitted at the Judge’s discretion and the judge’s decision is final, provided their main purpose is to aid the dog’s or handler’s confidence and their experience of the working ring, and subject to the following: a. Where practice rounds are allowed they must be available for all competitors in that class. b. The Judge may limit the amount of time taken, which is to be no longer than the actual round. c. The competitor may only practice those exercises that are set out in Regulation G(A) ‘Eligibility and Schedule of Classes’ for the class in which they are entered. d. The use of toys which emit any noise and the use of food are not permitted. e. The usual rules and etiquette for those who compete must be followed except that the handler may use as many commands as are necessary to aid the dog, and may touch the dog in a non-harmful and non-intimidating manner. f. Excessive exuberance from the handler or dog will not be permitted if the Judge considers that it could interfere with the chances of winning of dogs and handlers working in adjacent rings. . Everyone appeared to enjoy the two days despite the rather changeable weather. We had rain showers, sunshine and plenty of wind. I take my hat off to those who braved two nights in a tent, that's dedication to the cause. Apparently for some, copious amounts of alcohol helped you sleep......you know who you are!!
Thank you to Keith for taking some great pictures, check out that sky! View pictures in the gallery here.
Firstly the SWCOG committee would like to thank everyone who supported the show, entries were up considerably from last year and the weather was glorious, not a drop of rain fell all week, fairly unusual for Plymouth but not for the SWCOG (formally “Bulldog”) annual two day open show it would seem! We, the committee were at the venue from Thursday evening planning and preparing for the show. On Friday we were in full set up mode. When the camper’s started arriving it was pretty hectic, many thanks to those who set up their camps and then came to help us set up the rings etc., it really is a case of every little helps.
The venue was received enthusiastically. The location overlooking the Dartmoor National Park, with acres and acres of adjoining fields to walk your dogs went down well particularly with the campers who stayed all week. The local pub, rugby club, takeaways enjoyed the influx of new customers too! We have worked hard this year to host the show, the logistic challenges presented by a new venue have meant we have well and truly been kept on our toes, but we did it. All the hard work has been worth it as praise has been fantastic. Our professional caterer (Coast2Coast Events) was particularly well received, thank you to Ross for slaving over a hot BBQ for two very hot days to provide us all with some great food. Finally we would like to thank everyone for respecting the venue and leaving it clean and tidy, ensuring the land owner will be happy for us to return next summer. Enjoy your dogs, enjoy the rest of the season and we look forward to seeing you at our 2017 SWCOG Show on 15th and 16th July. If anyone has any observations, comments or ideas for possible improvements for next year's show please contact us Just a reminder that entries close 30th July for the BCOS 2 Day Show to be held on 20th and 21st August:
You can enter online http://withyourdog.co.uk/ I kept looking for the Burnham on Sea schedule, but couldn't find it on Obedience UK, the reason being it's here instead: http://www.obedience4free.uk/schedules.html
(Entries close 27th June 2016). Thanks to everyone who supported this event, the day went without a hitch and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, including the dogs of course. This only goes to prove that you can reward your dog in the ring without it having a negative effect on others. If only we could convince a few more judges that training rounds ARE GOOD! Our photographer for the day will supply some photos soon (Thanks Keith), and I'll add them to the site. Hope to see you all again very soon..........and I still can't believe that some of those fabulous dogs have never competed in an obedience competition, I was blown away! Finally, thanks to everyone who helped out, your continued support is vital for us to be able to organise these events...........Angie :-)
We are all but ready for tomorrow's 'show' training day. All those of you who have entered should by now have received an email, showing the running orders etc.
The venue is easy to find, but we will put the usual SWCOG Event signs out just in case!
We look forward to seeing you all. Let's have a good day. For those of you who are new to the sport please click here to see the Kennel Club's useful guide, I wish I had had one of these when I started!
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