Getting Ducks in a Row for Club

As we are diving into a new year of Waggers 4-H Dog Club training classes there are some important items to take note of to make sure we have "all our ducks in a row" so that we can spend our time on actually training and not problem solving paperwork and those types of requirements.

Most important as far as paperwork goes:

Register with Marion County 4-H

Go to http://indy4-hyouth.org/ and the second link on the top right is called "Enroll Here"

Click that and complete the registration process.

Until you have COMPLETED this process, you are not seen as enrolled in 4-H, so not in the club.

Therefore, once you have completed the online registration, PRINT OFF A COPY to bring to club with you.

The county extension office will not have you on their list until the payment is made and therefore this step is important!

If you are not registered in Marion County 4-H, you aren't in the club, and can't practice because of insurance.

So PLEASE go there NOW... and get that done, okay?!

BRING Proof of Vaccinations:

The other mandatory piece of paperwork for clubwork is proof of vaccinations.

Absolutely NO DOG can attend class without proof of current vaccinations!

Most of you still have an active 4-Hvet form from last year, but EVERYONE will have to fill out the current year vet form and bring it to club asap. We have additional 2012 forms available at http://www.four-h.purdue.edu/projects/project_info.cfm?proj_key=14&project=Dog#

IF YOU DON'T HAVE THESE PROOFS YET, OR ARE ONLY VISITING TO SEE IF YOU WANT TO JOIN, DO NOT BRING YOUR DOG. You can learn even without a dog, but DO CHECK-in when you come, okay?

We welcome visitors and want to help you learn what 4-H Dog Club is about, and there is no better way than coming and seeing for yourself. One visit and I believe you will be convinced that it is an excellent program U*-*U

CLUB NOTES: Ms. Kathy Corbett (above) is a new 4-H Volunteer with the club this year (you remember she came last year to watch Miss Daisy last year). SHE is going to be our Club Secretary and so during club paperwork stuff gets handled with her . . . hurray!!

Our leader/volunteers for 2012

Ellen Spencer

Michelle Spencer

Brenda Miller

Teresa Lamb

Kathy Cornett

AND Jr. Leader, Melissa Miller

If you have any questions, just ask any of us. You can even call me or send an email BEFORE we hold club, so that we can use club time for practice time and not so much paperwork.

BECAUSE THE COUNTY FAIR IS SO CLOSE (June 30th) have your Dog Bucket/Bag stocked and ready to get to practicing. See you all on Thursday at the Expo Hall on the Marion County Fairgrounds at 6:30 pm.

We really look forward to seeing you Thursday! See you then.

2012 Waggers Club Starting Up

HELLO WAGGERS---

Tonight is the FIRST DOGLESS MEETING FOR WAGGERS DOG CLUB --- returning members do not need to come, but are welcome if they want to. It is primarily for introducing the brand new members to the club and what we do.

NEW MEMBERS:

When you come to your first club meeting, do NOT bring your dog. We will accept new members up until the May 10th club meeting, but honestly, they need to get to practice NOW, so if you have friends who are thinking about joining, please invite them to attend club at our regular times.

ENROLLMENT:

If you have not yet enrolled in 4-H, please do so ASAP. It is done online and there is no time like the present.

If you are not enrolled and have proof of current shot records you will not allowed to bring your dog until you do. (RULES)

VACCINATIONS:

I am attaching a vet form for you to take to get completed and show to Kathy Cornett (paperwork leader of the club).

You may show proof of vaccinations on other than this 2012 Vet Form only until April 19th at which time we should have EVERY MEMBER supplied a copy of the completed vet form to us. LET's get these done NOW!!

ACCOUNTABILITY:

There are going to be times when you won't be able to make a club meeting. All we ask, is that you LET US KNOW ASAP that you will not be there. We will actually have a calendar at the club for you to simply write your name on date you know you will not be at club.

MATERIALS/ PAPERS:

Because there are fewer lesson times before the county fair, we are going to have a lot more written materials, handouts, etc.

EACH OF YOU WILL RECEIVE A FOLDER TO KEEP YOUR PAPERS IN --- Treat it as a part of your Dog Bucket/Bag-- always with you, never lost.

In the middle of that pocket folder will be a page protector for you to slide in your vet form for safe keeping and easy access.

Here is the first link for you to print off and become familiar with. It called the "2012 State 4-H Dog Premium Pages --- it is THE rulebook for the Indiana State 4-H dog project, so it's important to know them. Not every item will apply to you personally, but by learning the rules you will better understand what the rules are, plus you will be prepared for the Top Dog Test U*-*U win/win

IF you have questions (and you probably will) just ask during club and we will all learn together. Once you learn these rules, they rarely change at all from year to year.

Butterflies Be Gone! Showing At Your Best

I realize that many of you kids may be starting to get "butterflies in your stomach" from becoming a bit nervous as you may be fast approaching your first ever county fair dog show. So I am going all-out as your helpful "leader of the pack/ care-taking mama dog" to get you as prepared as I know how.

There is a whole lot of "head knowledge" to know, but none of it is near as important as all the things I KNOW that you already KNOW!!! YOU and YOUR DOG are a TEAM. TOGETHER you two will do great! There will be things that are new to both of you, but you do NOT have to get worried. I feel very confident in saying that there is absolutely nothing that is going to happen on show day that is unsafe and that you two are not going to be able to handle because of everything we have already worked on at all of our practices. Remember, even if something unexpected does happen, it's just "different", NOT "bad". Just take a deep breath and use that brain of yours with a positive attitude. I guarantee you THAT will go further than getting all worried about what you think isn't going perfect.

LOOK for the good... and that's what you'll get. Remind your pooch partner to LOOK at you, and then, you smile and praise him or her when they do. Isn't that already making things go a LOT better?

Here are some helpful little sayings for you:
"if your knuckles are white, you're holding the leash too tight"
"there is no rule against smiling"
"positive praise gets positive results, positively"
"you get the behavior that you train for"
"which end of the leash is in control?"
"pay attention to your dog, and the judge; the rest of the world will take care of itself"
"No saying 'no'; or else it will cost you 10 cents"

To help you feel a bit more comfortable if you are showing in showmanship... here are some showmanship videos you can watch.
GREAT RESOURCE FOR WATCHING SHOWMANSHIP OF DIFFERENT BREEDS.
http://westminsterkennelclub.org/2007/video/breed/index.html

I suggest you go to this website and click on the breed which is closest to your dog's type to see how it is shown in the Westminster Kennel Club Breed Judging Shows. This will give you some real life idea of how dogs are shown. It is also a good idea to notice what you think the different dog handlers are doing that are good at showing off the dog and what things might be distracting from the dog showing at its best.

You know what makes your dog partner show his/her best. Number one, is having fun. Just know what kind of things to expect. Prepare mentally before you even enter the show ring. Watch the other exhibitors and see how things are done. You know what to do. So then all you have to do is just do your best and have a 'Good Show'!

What Group of Dog is That?

As we previously discussed, dogs are a species of animal that are then sub-categorized into GROUPS and then into BREEDS. Here is a nice graphic that was put together by the AKC (American Kennel Club) that helps explain in a nice way the different basic GROUPS of dogs and how you might more easily distinguish between them.
####Just click the above picture to enlarge it ####

Breeds of Dogs

Click on THIS LINK to My collection of dog breed photos

By looking at any of these photos, you can easily see the body types as being one of the most easily noticeable characteristics of the animal. Is it a big dog? Does it have a pointy nose or long ears? Does it have a multi-layered coat, smooth, or ruff? Does the animal have a feathered tail or typically docked tail? ALL of these characteristics are distinctive marks of that animals BREED. They have something to do with what that animal is created to do.

For example: let's look at a bloodhound. Why all those folds of skin and jowls? Doesn't that just make it more...um... homely looking? And, my oh my, the mucous that a blood hound seems to always be drooling? And those LONG ears? Why? IF it is a SCENT hound; why would it need long EARS? Here is the answer to that.... those long ears and folds of skin actually help focus the scent...as does the extra mucous. That's right! All of these seemingly unrelated characteristics actually make the bloodhound the VERY best at picking up minute pieces of scent and finding and tracking unlike any other animal or even man and machine on earth. Isn't that neat?! And that is just ONE breed of dog.

As I just discussed the bloodhound is in the HOUND group. To Learn more about the different "Groups" of dogs. I will refer you to the next post about groups.

2011 Year Start UP Meetings : )

Waggers Dog Club News for Sept 2010

DATE MOVED

As I feared... it IS Labor Day weekend and many will be out of town, so I am proposing that we change the date of the WRAP-UP DOG MEETING FOR WARREN WAGGERS DOG CLUB

TO Sunday September 19th at 2:00 PM at POST ROAD PARK Picnic Shelter.

Next Saturday, September 11th, is the IN State 4-H Dog Committee Meeting where leaders and anyone else interested will attend to wrap up the year, make comments about what did and did not go well, suggest improvements, etc.

So IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE ME TO BRING TO THE COMMITTEE PLEASE LET ME KNOW. It is best to put it in writing, but there is no comment either positive or negative that is not taken into account and every suggestion helps us try to make the 4H Dog project better.

Waggers Dog Club News for Sept 2010

Dog Advisory Committee Meeting

DATE: Saturday September 11, 2010

Time: 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Type: Meeting

Location: Indiana State Fairgrounds

, Meeting location is the Normandy Barn on the north side of the fairgrounds.

Showmanship & Agility Clinic - Jackson County

DATE: Sunday Sept. 12, 2010

Time: 11:30 - 5:30 pm

Location: Jackson County Fairgrounds, Brownstown, Indiana

I have attached the pdf flyer for this (click here). It is going to be especially good for teaching teeter totter and some intermediate skills, so I am really looking forward to going. IF you want to go, please note that it asks you to email or call to preregister.

Link to Map & directions to Jackson Co. Fairgrounds, Brownstown, IN

And HERE is something that I think would really be fun to go watch as a group outing! If you've never seen it before, it's fun to check it out!

DOG Flyball Coming to The Indiana State Fairgrounds

NAFA^® Flyball Tournament Seeks Record as World‘s Largest

A new world record, “Largest Flyball Tournament,” will be attempted at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 9, 2010, during the 2nd annual NAFA^® CanAm Classic Flyball Tournament.

NAFA^®, the North American Flyball Association, is hosting the international tournament and hoping to set a Guinness World Record™. (www.nafacanam.com)

“’Largest Flyball Tournament’ is a new category established by Guinness World Records™ specifically for this event,” says Lee Heighton, NAFA^® Executive Director. “In order to set the record, we will need at least 500 dogs to participate.”

“Last year’s inaugural CanAm Classic was attended by 123 teams that competed in a four ring tournament layout” added Leerie Jenkins, Chairman of the NAFA^® Board of Directors. “This year we will have six rings spread over four acres indoors. Teams will be traveling to Indianapolis from across the United Sates and Canada. We are looking forward to having the ultimate authority on record-breaking achievement recognize both our sport, and the enthusiasm of the dogs and people who play it.”

The NAFA^® CanAm Classic takes place at the Indiana State Fairgrounds October 8 through October 10, 2010. For more information, visit http://www.nafacanam.com.

Also check out http://www.flyball.org/

Wolf Park

information at http://www.wolfpark.org/admission.shtml

(PLEASE check your calendars and submit times to Ellen as to when you'd like to go as a group)

Howl Nights Location: Bleachers, main pack enclosure Time: 7:30 pm

May 1 - November 30: Fridays and Saturdays

December 1 - April 30: Saturdays Only Duration: 1.5 hours

Visit Wolf Park in the evening, and see our animals in a whole new light. As the night falls and the air cools, the wolves get frisky. Guests will have an opportunity to hear a more in-depth discussion of the wolf's "trademark" behavior -- the howl. They will have front row seats to a sing-along as Wolf Park's expert wolf handlers enter the enclosure and interact with the main pack of wolves. Guests will be encouraged several times during the performance to howl, and will be able to see and hear our wolves return the call.

No flash photography, please, as it can startle or upset the wolves. There will be lights on in the enclosure. Generally the wolves come right up to the fence and can be seen clearly. In cold or inclement weather, a building with floor-to-ceiling windows is available, with sound from the enclosure piped in through a speaker.

Successful County Fair Show

HAPPINESS IS DOING YOUR BEST AND BEING RECOGNIZED FOR IT !

It was great to see such a good result from those who came to the Marion County Fair 4-H Dog Show. I was extremely proud of all of you. I know that the low pressure weather bothered a few dogs behaviors, but you trainers (yes, that's you) handled it like pros. It's just the way it is and you deal with what you are given.

It was sad that a couple members of our club did not come to the county show, but those of you that came shone like the stars that I know you are!!

It was absolutely button-popping to know that each and every one of you took the Top Dog Test knowing that if you don't at least try, you can't place. And, a few of you received honors because of it. ALL of you received your tests back, so learned from the experience, right?

Because, I was in charge of running the Agility portion of the show in another building, I didn't get to witness your prowess in the obedience and showmanship rings. However, I can testify to your outstanding handling in the agility setting. All of you demonstrated exactly what we worked on all year. Even when a challenge came up for your particular dog.

The other exciting thing about the 2010 year in particular was the addition of the TROPHIES. Yes, some of your parents, other clubs, and our club contributed to be able to purchase those for the winners. They were beautiful and I believe gratefully accepted by the winners. IF you were one of those who received one of those AND it had an attached envelope with the sponsors address on it PLEASE be sure to send a thank you letting them know how much that trophy means to you. Maybe you could tell them about how special that day was to you and a little about your dog.

A special thanks to Mr. Miller who helped transport the agility equipment. Those who helped set up and take down. Leader Mrs. Miller for staying with the Obedience building show, and Leader Christi who I didn't get to see but in passing, but I am sure was helping facilitate those of you getting to your classes at the appointed times.

It all gets a bit chaotic on a show day, but if we all work together, it will get done and there is ALWAYS room for suggestions for improvement.

Here are a few photos that I managed to get... I am still hoping to get some more from parents.

Above from Left to Right:
Mackenzie C. and Oscar; Melissa M. and Macy; Jennifer B. and Carlisle; and Kiersten T. and Pedey.

If the rest of you will send in photos, I would love to post them as well.

DOG BUCKET LIST

Here is a list of all kinds of dog equipment that you may be using as you train your dog in while doing the 4-H Dog Project. You will NOT need ALL of this. But you should keep what you need to go with you in a show bucket or bag. I personally like a bucket with the handle : ) Carry only what you will need. KEEP your equipment in the bucket when you are not using it and it shouldn't get lost . Then when it's time to practice or leave on a trip, everything is in one place.

THE ITEMS THAT ARE CAPITALIZED ARE THOSE THAT SHOULD BE IN YOUR BUCKET EVERY TIME.

VET FORM - you must have proof that your dog's required shot's are up to date. If you have not yet done so please visit your vet to have them complete your 4-H Vet Form. A new form is required every year.

LEASHES -6 FOOT leather or nylon, chain leash, retractable, martingale

COLLARS - TRAINING (choke chain), flat (agility), household collar, showmanship

TREATS- (small) string cheese, "sausage" pressed (ask Ellen), hot dog, pellets or cookies. Most important is that is something special that your dog will love and that it is easily carried, given and consumed. Only treat when rewarding for successes. A Ziploc or treat dispenser to carry treats in.

PICK-UP KIT - Poop bags or Ziploc baggies, and some paper towels or napkins.

Toys squeeky, jack, kong, bone, rope, frisbee

Grooming - any kind you use, curry, paddle brush, rubber brush, T-comb single, T- comb double coat, any grooming spray or perfume. Toe nail clippers or file.

First Aide Kit (optional) few bandages and whatever else

Advanced Training: Dumbell, Scent Articles

Clicker (if used)

Hand Sanitizer (good idea)

WATER - In a well-sealed bottle, & bowl to drink from or reusable glad containter.

VET FORM - ALWAYS HAVE IT (put it in a large ziploc or page protector.

Armband for Show Number (optional)

DON'T FORGET ABOUT YOU:

CHAIR- camp or folding chairs if not at site.

NOTEBOOK: Paper, pen, calendar

DRINK: waterbottle, juice or whatever. Plus any snack if you need it.

MONEY: If you are going to another show, it's always good to have a little $.

NOW.... What's in YOUR bucket? (or bag)

VOTE FOR CLUB OFFICERS This Thursday

Club Officers for our Waggers 4-H Dog Club will be tallied this Thursday at club.
If you have a conflict and cannot attend club, OR if you just wish to vote before club time you may do so by emailing your choices to ellenspencer22@gmail.com before 1 p.m. on Thursday.

VOTING -
Each clubber will receive one ballot and should vote for a person to hold one office. In other words, do not vote for the same person to hold more than one office. Of course it is acceptable for you to vote for yourself in the position you'd most like to accept.

Here is a brief description of the offices and their responsibilities.

President- regularly runs meetings.
Start meeting on time & run according to schedule.

Vice-president- assists president, lead pledges. Recruit demonstrations.

Secretary- takes attendance, announces calendar events, notes "meeting summary". Gets familiar with paperwork filing of the club papers (Ellen will oversee that part).

Treasurer- keeps monetary record, reminds people of money related items. Adult help will be provided.

Sergeant of Arms- facilities: set up & clean up. Chairs, tables, flags, posters, handouts, etc.

Hospitality- welcome guests and coordinate any refreshments. Make sure we have hand sanitizer, napkins, plates, cups, etc. Recruit volunteers and give reminders.

Historian- create/keep scrapbook; use a three ringed binder to keep a record of our year. Be creative with photos, fliers, notes (secretary can help). It is important to be neat and as complete as possible, as this record will stay with the club for future reference to history.
=================================
As an officer it is important to come to club early if possible so that you are ready to fulfill your duties. You will be a representative of what it is to be responsible young 4-H leader. So be a good example not only to our club, but to others you meet. My goal is to be at club at 6 p.m. so you can arrive anytime after that. That is also a good time to come to club early if any clubber has need for additional information (like missed previous week).

Don't worry about uncertainties of your office. As a club leader I will make sure you are equipped and help you in any way possible. You will get the hang of it, develop skills as you serve in your office and be good at it. :-)

As officer you are chiefly responsible for your duties, however --- you may ask for help from others. One of the greatest characteristics about our club is the willingness of fellow clubbers and even adults to offer help. Just ask for help when you need it, or offer it when you have it to give.

I am very excited about our 2010 Warren Waggers 4-H Club Year.
Now vote for who you believe to best fulfill the office.
We will announce the results at the end of club on Thursday (4-15).

THE OFFICER BALLOT

President: Shelby Trees, Erin Lego,

Vice President: Kiersten Tuggle, Melissa Miller, Allissa Arnold

Secretary: Matthew Uhrig, James Reed

Treasurer: James Reed , Mackenzie Carr , Shelby Trees

Sgt. of Arms: Erin Lego, Shelby Trees, James Reed

Hospitality: Melissa Miller, Shelby Trees, Kiersten Tuggle, Shelby Cleek, Erin Lego, James Reed

Historian: Shelby Trees, Erin Lego, Melissa Miller

If you are voting early send your ballot selections to ellenspencer22@gmail.com
BEFORE 1 P.M. of this Thursday.

Can My Dog Come?

"Can my dog come to dog club?" That is a question that I have been asked repeatedly. Here is the answer.

In order for your dog to attend our Warren Waggers 4-H Dog Club the following must be true:

* the clubber is (or is in the process of getting) registered as a 4-H member with Marion County. NEW MEMBERS need to leave their dog at home for at least their first meeting.

* the animal is healthy: Current on required vaccinations (you need to be able to prove it with vet papers, so keep a copy of papers with you), dog is not "in season", and mustn't show fleas or other communicable malady. Returning members may utilize last years vet paper for first few meetings IF shots are still current to allow for vet visit. Please have current year 4-H Vaccination Form completed & signed by your vet by May 15! 

* Dog's age - the animal will be at least six months old at show time. Dogs under one year must not jump in agility. 

* Dog's Behavior - a dog that the leaders deem as a danger to any other person or animal may not attend club. Dogs which have excessively disruptive behavior may be pulled aside for additional behavioral training.

There you have it. I hope that helps make it clear for you. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Waggers Club 2009 Underway

We have begun our 2009 year in 4H Dog Club. Happily we have almost everyone returning from last year. A couple of kids have new dogs this year. On top of that we have several new students. It's great to meet new kids and their dogs and the parents who bring them.

We are again meeting from 6:30 - 8:30 on Thursday nights at the Marion County Fairgrounds in the 4H building or just outside of it on nicer days. We will have one day (MAY 14th) when we must meet elsewhere; otherwise we will routinely meet here until time to vacate for County Fair Preparation.

If you are joining us for Warren Waggers 4H Dog Club. There are a few things you should know.

1.) ENROLLMENT: This 4H Club is for children grades 3-12 who register for the dog project with 4H through the County Extension Office. However, you may enroll at your first club meeting up until the May 15th deadline. Also, children from neighboring county may join us as long as they enroll with Marion County 4H and do NOT show projects at another county fair.

2) CLASSES: All dog project kids must take part in the obedience aspect of the club. We also teach showmanship and dog agility which are also competitive at the county fair and if you chose, the Indiana State Fair. Also, we encourage each student to also sign up for the dog poster project. We are easily learning enough about dogs through the year as to make this an easy project for them to complete and compete.

3) ANIMAL CARE: Animals coming to club MUST BE CURRENT ON ALL OF THERE VACCINATIONS. There is a 4H Veterinarian form available at this link or may be obtained at club. NO ANIMAL MAY attend a club meeting without proof of current vaccinations. The completed designated form is required by the 4H organization and needs to be signed by your veterinarian. Any dog showing signs of illness, in "season", showing signs of fleas or other physical disability should not come to club, however the child may attend without the animal during its recuperation so as to stay up to date on training sessions.

4) BEHAVIOR: The main objective of our club is to train obedience. Not that we leaders are training the animals. Rather, that we leaders teach the kids how to train their own animals. The 4Hers are to be the principle caretakers of the animals. They learn responsibility, animal care and training skills, and record keeping. They grow in confidence as "masters" of their animals. The animals develop skills of obedience and being a good canine citizen. It is a wonderful process to witness and be a part of.

5) REQUIRED FORMS:
a) 4H enrollment form and enrollment fee
b) Vet Form -- http://www.four-h.purdue.edu/downloads/Dog/4H671W.pdf.
c) Marion County 4H Fair Dog Show pre-enrollment - Due June 15th
d) Indiana State 4H Dog Show Enrollment form (optional)
e) Dog Record Sheet

6) RESULTS: We have fun learning by doing!!
We have a new "pack" each year. Each 4Her and animal are a team. All 4Hers and their animals form a family unit "pack". The parents usually stay and socialize with each other and participate with some of the club activities, and all of us together are THE WARREN WAGGERS 4H DOG CLUB!

If you need more information, just leave a comment with your email and I will contact you back.