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'!

TOP DOG SCHOLAR TEST PREPARATION

At both the Marion County 4-H Fair Dog Show and the Indiana State Dog Show there is an activity called "The Top Dog Scholar". It essentially quizzes you on your basic knowledge of the 4-H dog project. These tests are given based on the age of the participant at the start of this calendar year: Junior (grades 3,4,5), Intermediate (grades 6,7,8) and Senior (grades 9-12) .


What IS the Top Dog Scholar Test Made Up Of ???

**5 questions come from the Indiana State Fair Premium Book Dog Pages - Dept 411
The link is HERE
(study this FIRST --since generally ALL of our county and state 4-H programs abide by these rules and it best summarizes the general information of the dog projects different parts).

**5 questions regarding agility will come from UKC (United Kennel Club, www.ukc
dogs.com) UKC agility rulebook link, plus another single sheet link

**5 questions from the Indiana 4-H Showmanship Guide (4-H 716w),
here is the LINK to Shownmanship Guide

**5 obedience questions from the Indiana 4-H Obedience guidelines,
Obedience link here

**5 questions from the grade appropriate 4-H dog curriculum guide
*********THE 4-H DOG MANUALS ARE ONLINE**************
FAVORITE

Level 1: Wiggles and Wags (Grades 3, 4, 5) JUNIOR LEVEL

Level 2: Canine Connection (Grades 6, 7, 8) INTERMEDIATE LEVEL

Level 3: Leading the Pack (Grades 9-12) SENIOR LEVEL


**Tie Breakers are done with breed identification. For example, you are shown a few photos, and asked to identify what breed of dog is in each of the photos.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW MY COLLECTION OF PHOTOS OF DOG BREEDS

I HIGHLY encourage each and every one of you to take this test. Awards are given to everyone who takes the test and special awards to top scores. Besides that, you will receive your graded test back to have yet another resource for increasing your wealth of dog related knowledge : )

GOOD LUCK!

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.

FOCUS is FIRST

If you have been attending our club meetings you may have noticed that I have really been stressing the importance of the command "look". Although it is not something that you will be asked to perform for a score in the ring, I am convinced that the best training comes when you have your animal's attention. Think about it. If your dog is so intent on trying to see what is going on across the room, is he really paying attention to you or what you want him to do? That's a no-brainer, right?

So, I will continually "hound" (pun intended) you to get your dog to "look" at you. If you don't have his attention, he is distracted. If he is distracted he is likely to disobey. I am not saying that your dog needs to constantly focus on you every second of the day. You do want him to be alert to what is going on around him. Rather, I am stressing the importance of you being so aware of what has his attention that if a squirrel were digging at the base of a tree while you have him in a sit stay, that you notice his eyes watching the squirrel and you can get him to look back at you for a glance to praise him for staying; BIG praise for overcoming that kind of temptation.

The same thing applies with the sound of crinkling potato chip bags, or sudden bangs, a bouncing ball, flying bird; any kind of distraction that can take his attention from you. You should be getting to know your dog's temptations and be ready to use them to help train him.

How do you get your dogs attention? Easy. You make him watching you one of his favorite things to do. Training is just reshaping behavior and you can do that. But it takes practice and consistency.

Step 1: Say "Spirit [Dog's Name] Look"
Step 2: EVERY time the dog looks at your face they are treated as you SMILE and say "GOOD look!"

Gradually after repeating the above you can move on to the weaning away from treats and rewarding the noncommanded performance of the task.
Step 3: Don't ask them to look, but praise them for volunteering to look by giving the treat while smiling and saying "GOOD look!"
Step 4: Don't ask them to look, don't give treat but DO smile and praise verbally only or some petting and play session.

You can reinforce this at Non-scheduled training times whenever they look at you with a smile and a "GOOD look". Watch their tail wag! It doesn't always take you asking them to look, and it doesn't always take a treat, but praise IS important in positive shaping of the behavior.

Finally -- ignoring temptation to look back at you deserves HUGE praise!! Our goal is to always have them look back at you to check if it would be permissible to go check out that temptation over there.

Step 5: Proofing: You can set up scenarios with temptations nearby and regain their focus. Of course they will look, but we want them to refocus back on you when you call them and that deserves the greatest praise of all. So let them be showered with a gigantic celebration everytime they chose YOU over some other kind of tempting thing!

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.

Meet Mary

Hi everyone!

My name is Mary Myers. I am SO excited to join the Warren Waggers!

I grew up in Lafayette, participating in the 4H dog program (among MANY other projects!) in Tippecanoe County! When I "aged out", I stayed with the Tippecanoe County dog club as a leader, focusing mainly on showmanship. After I graduated from Ivy Tech, I got a wonderful job offer in Austin, Texas. My husband Kyle and I lived there for nearly two years, and then we moved to Hampton, Virginia for family events.

In January, we returned to our home state of Indiana! I am very glad to be home. I am now a student at IUPUI majoring in Pre-veterinary Biology. This fall, I will be applying to Purdue's Vet School. It's been my lifelong dream, and I cannot believe it's happening. Hopefully I will start vet school in 2011.

In addition to being a student, I'm involved with dogs both professionally and personally. I have six (Yep SIX!) dogs. I have 5 Pointers (sometimes called "English Pointers", but their breed name really is just Pointer) and one pomeranian/sheltie mix. Her name is Gidget, and she runs the house. She's 12 years old. I've had her since she was 4 months old, and she was my first dog I showed in 4H. She's incredibly smart and I took her through 6A obedience and three years of agility. My Pointers are all show dogs, but do "work" also. They are trained to hunt birds in the field. Some are therapy dogs, some are trained for obedience, and some even do agility. I have 3 show champions and 1 who has a hunting title (one of my dogs has even been to the Westminster dog show!). I don't just show my dogs! I am a professional handler also. That means I show other people's dogs in conformation (which is almost like showmanship).

I look forward to meeting all of you and having a GREAT 4H season! If you have any questions at all, do not hesitate to e-mail me. (envypointers@yahoo.com) I will get back to you as quickly as possible! I can't wait to see everyone! Good luck, and hug your dogs!

Mary Myers

Mary and Maverick

Mary is currently going through the process to become a registered 4-H Volunteer Leader and will be joining us at our regular meetings in May.

Know Your Dog

(Click on image to enlarge) One of the things that we strive to do in Warren Waggers 4-H Dog Club is to help you to know your dog better. Today we will be looking at the different body parts of your dogs. I am posting a copy of an illustration from your 4-H Wiggles and Wags Handbook here for you to be able to help memorize the body parts on a dog.

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)

BASIC WAGGERS DOG CLUB INFO

Complete your Online Marion County 4-H Enrollment at:

https://www.four-h.purdue.edu/enroll/

After enrolling online be sure to print, sign and mail to the address indicated BEFORE May 15th to be able to show at the county fair.

About Warren Waggers 4H Dog Club Dog Club

Our club meets Thursday eves at the Marion County Fairgrounds Exposition Hall 6:30 - 8 pm (April-June) with additional times added by club calendar.

2010 Dog Vet Forms, State Fair Forms, and other Dog Forms at:

http://www.extension.purdue.edu/CES/Marion/4-HForms.htm

County Fair Registration and State Fair Registration are both due July 1, 2010 at their respective places.

Marion County Dog Committee Chair: Sue Barlow: fredandsue@aol.com

www.extension.purdue.edu/CES/Marion/4-H%20Clubs%20&%20Projects/Dog.pdf

We focus solely on: Obedience, Showmanship, Agility, Poster and other information. We are open to all enrolled Marion County 4H members grade 3 and above.

Bring to Club:

Completed Vet Form - MUST have all required shots up to date

Your Dog - healthy, clean, and not "in season".

He or she is your partner, so work and play with them throughout the week to have the best experiences.

Your Show Bucket/Bag should include at minimum:

Appropriate collars:

OBEDIENCE- training color (slip chain);

SHOWMANSHIP - Martingale Show Lead;

AGILITY- flat collar with NO tags.

6 Foot leather or nylon leash.

Dog Mess Kit: p/u after your dog

Training treats -

Dog water bowl

water or snacks for yourself

Yourself - be accountable to someone when you can't make a meeting :-D

Be sure to be wearing sneakers. No flip flops, crocs or such. Safety and movement first.

Please dress casually, but modestly.

If you have any questions please contact

Warren Waggers 4-H Dog Club Leader,

Ellen Spencer 317-351-9503 Home or email

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.

4H: What is it? How can I join?

I really believe in 4H. It is a youth organization that was started and upheld by Purdue University and Land Grant structure. The regular 4H clubs offer children the opportunity of "learning by doing". Traditionally, people associate 4H with showing cows, pigs, horses and sheep or sewing, food, needlework and canned goods at the county fairs. But 4H is so much MORE!

Today's 4H offers Mini clubs for children who are not yet in the 3rd grade to learn even more simplified lessons while having fun in a structured, nurturing club setting. The total number of projects offered has skyrocketed over the almost 30 years since I was a 10 year 4H member. The offerings now include such things as collections, writing, personality, health, woodworking, woodcraft, computer, animal posters, wildlife, forestry, genealogy, bowling, gardening, clothing design, sewing, miscellaneous crafts, recycling, pottery, ceramics, electricity, and independent study projects. These are only some of the offerings. Chances are, if your child is interested in it, there is a project for them. If you have knowledge of it, there is a 4H leadership opportunity for you.

I was a farmer's daughter and a former FFA member at my highschool. Besides taking part in animal projects, vet science, livestock judging, fine arts, soil judging, parliamentary procedure, sales demonstrations, speech, choir, wildlife management...etc, I developed skills of leadership, cooperation, community awareness and civic responsibility.

Now, that I am raising my daughter in the city, I got plugged into 4H anew as a leader. My first love is in leading a local 4H Dog Club. We offer obedience training which all members must participate in, then, optional Showmanship and Dog Agility. My husband and I have made most of the equipment, but are in need of obtaining more as our program advances. The parents of the kids in our club are ACTIVE participants. Together we are a family. Like a pack of dogs, we show one another respect, learn from each other and experience successes with one another. All the while the kids are learning that I am not there to train their dogs. We are there to help THEM to train their dogs. Even the most timid little child learns how to take charge, communicate clearly (even nonverbally) and grows in understanding and confidence. It truly is a wonderful thing.

Our particular dog club is open to any child grade 3 through age 18 at the beginning of the school year. They first register as a 4H member, pay a nominal membership fee, and sign up for as few or as many projects as they believe they please. There is the Dog Poster project available for even the child who may not own a dog, but want to learn and exhibit. Many materials are provided by the County Extension Office through trained and certified volunteers who schedule and lead meetings. There are also record sheets to be filled out to assure orderly organization and team the skill of record-keeping.

The 4H year culminates at the County and State Fairs where the project(s) of the child can be viewed by all. At the fair, projects receive ribbons and the appreciation of the general public. A sense of accomplishment is instilled in the growing minds of our communities children thanks to the program of 4H, the service of volunteers, involved parents and leaders, and the effort put forth to "make the best better".

If you have questions regarding signing up a child in 4H or becoming a volunteer leader or resource assistant, please contact your local County Extension Office Agent and inquire. The number for your area is in the blue pages under county government or just search on the web for "County Extension Office AND (the name of your) County."