NEWS
LIFE IN A SHED
As many of you know, we sold our house before Christmas but our planned new home fell through. Whilst we look for somewhere else,
most of our belongings are in storage and we are living here, with 4 dogs. So many people have helped - such good friends and we are very grateful.
Thanks to Nik, Manda, Anne, Tris, Mark & Sue, Ray & Carole, Martin & Lynda, Tony, Liz & Colin - without you we would have been sunk!
It's a bit of a trek from here up to Bridgwater, so please bear with us .......
WELCOME TO HARRY, DOUG & FLAVIA
Harry has joined Jess, so now Lynne has TWO Cocker pups - as if one isn't enough of a challenge!
The Watkins family have added to their canine family - Doug, aged 7 weeks, joined them at the weekend.
Tris and Mark are taking it in turns to have sleepless nights we hear - Doug is ANOTHER Cocker spaniel
However, the spaniel takeover is not total - after the heartbreak of losing her beloved terrier Millie,
Anne has bucked the trend with Flavia - an Italian Greyhound. What a sweetheart!
Meet Flavia!
"TEAM BECKY", UKA FINALS & OLYMPIA
Last night a few us used Stretcholt to help Becky and Kim prepare for the Finals weekend at
the Hand Stadium and for Olympia
We are very proud of Becky, who has changed so much about her approach to handling since
joining us in 2010 and as a result has qualified 2 dogs for the UKA Finals on Dec 3rd and 4th.
Both Breeze & Storm qualified for the Steeplechase Final and Storm also qualified for the
Tug-e Nuff Challenge. Kim is also in UKA Finals with Pippin and Bub (Games, Tug-e-Nuff and CSJ)
and is off to Olympia again with Charley. We love all Kim's dogs, but Bub is special, she's a Stretcholt
Foundation 2010 dog.
We wish them all loads of luck, have fun and "Team Becky" will be cheering from the sideline!
Bub 
Becky & Breeze 
CHRISTMAS MEAL
After Flyball - we've booked the Puriton Inn from 6pm for an early evening meal -
those who want to stay all evening can ..... and those with dogs in cars can still
join us after Flyball and get home at a sensible hour!
(Those of us who will be homeless 
might need B&B!)
We have copies of the menu , we will need numbers and a deposit, so attack us at training for details if
we don't get to you first.
All Paws folk welcome - Agility, PawPlay and Puppies - the more the merrier
Right - off to pack more of our life into cardboard boxes now, can't believe how much stuff belongs to our dogs!
CHRISTMAS AT PAWS - (only 6 weeks to Xmas day)
Nikki and Jan had a morning out yesterday - a trip to Bristol to meet with The Somerset Scrumpys,
watch them train for a bit, then chat about - coming to Paws for a demo and interactive session.
Soooo - on Saturday December 17th, from 3 til 5pm, The Somerset Scrumpys are coming to Stretcholt.
There will be a Flyball display, followed by a chance to try an introduction to Flyball with your own dog.
Details are being finalised and will be available very shortly.
And then we had coffee and cake on the way home............ yum!
HOW TO TELL THAT SUMMER'S OVER .........
It's dark in the mornings when the dogs first go out, it's dark in the evenings when they go out after tea.
We need waterproof socks on 'cos the grass is always wet even when it isn't raining.
The van is permanently muddy - inside and out!
There are very few shows to enter - just a few indoor UKA and the occasional limit show.
All our agility classes are chock a block, no room for anyone else until 2012.
Waiting Lists are growing.
So what to do?
- Buy a good torch and put reflective strips on your dog's collar
- For those of you who haven't discovered Sealskinz, put 'em on your Christmas wishlist, fab socks
- Get over it - it's just a van. Buy waterproof seat covers and wipe the mud off the headlights
- Stop thinking about competition, use the winter to repair all the stuff you broke in the rings in the summer!
Winter is the time to go back to your groundwork, plenty of grids, strengthen those contacts & proof those weaves - If you haven't managed to get into a class, make sure your name is on the waiting list for 2012
- If you're on a waiting list for beginners or Foundation and your dog finds it hard to concentrate around other dogs
don't waste time - join PawPlay and learn how to improve your dog's concentration
ON HOLIDAY IN WEST WALES
Lynne and Richard have had a really successful summer, winning lots at shows and moving up the grades.
But as we all know, our dogs sometimes bring us back down to earth with some unexpected behaviours when
a new environment is too much to handle.
So in order to improve Bramble and Cassie's concentration levels in new and distracting places - this resourceful pair
took their weaves on holiday to West Wales and trained on the beach at Wiseman's Bridge!
For those of you who know how much these spaniels just luuurve water - what a fab idea and we are well impressed.
Richard also reports that the building at the rear of the beach is a pub - so plenty of rewards for the humans too!
AT LAST!
Results are out - having started this journey in April 2009, Jan has achieved a Distinction in the COAPE Advanced Diploma in
Companion Animal Behaviour and Training, accredited by the Open College Network, and is now entitled to use the letters
DipCABPT after her name.
Jan will be offered the opportunity to become an Affiliate member of the COAPE Association of Pet Behaviourists and Trainers
which gives her access to ongoing professional development and support.
Behaviour cases can only be taken through vet referral, but it will still be jolly useful to have a fully qualified behaviourist
as part of the Paws team!
LAUREN'S BACK ON OCTOBER 8th
Details and booking form are now available for Lauren's training day in October.
Don't miss this one - Lauren has recently been training for Susan Garrett in Canada and has come back with
loads of new ideas.
Lots of opportunities for new and young dogs on offer, as well as Walk the Course and Super
Steeplechase for the more experienced.
As usual the venue is the fabulous Stretcholt - agility training can take place in dry, comfortable surroundings!
FUN DAY THANKS AND WINNERS AND AREN'T PAWS PEOPLE GREAT?
Preparations for Fun Day started months ago, but preparing the Paddock started on Sunday.
Head Pawman loaded up the mower and set off at the crack of dawn to deal with the vegetation,
even if it was raining. Manda, Nik and me waited until 10am before we began laying out the rings.
I am happy to report that Head Pawman and me remain married - disputes over mowing versus
equipment assembly have not led to divorce papers being issued.
Monday Funday was dry, sometimes sunny and very busy!!! So many lovely people came to help,
here's hoping I haven't missed anyone (but apologies just in case).
Great big thank you to
Sue from OSCAR Petfoods, who supported us so generously with lovely prizes
Mark Watkins, our colourful cheerful Judge who worked tirelessly all day
Rebecca from Somerset Wildlife Trust, who manned the charity stall all day
Paul and Jenny Cobbledick, who sold Raffle tickets for our Charity
Richard Scarrott, always there to help with setting up & taking down equipment
Lynn Scarrott, who baked and brought her famous Apple cake to keep us going
Everyone that brought such lovely Raffle prizes
The competition was very close all day, all of the 9 teams gained at least one rosette.
In the end it came down to a run off between Margaret and Charlotte's team (Tess and Jake)
and Anne and Lucy's team (Meg and Dan). After two more rounds of Agility and Rally - O,
Margaret and Tess / Charlotte and Jake emerged as overall Triathlon winners, securing
the Trophies.
We raised just over £56 for the Somerset Levels Appeal and Rebecca gained 4 new members for the Trust.
We also met Lyn Reeve's new puppy (Nik did try to steal her but failed) - Lyn is such a super person, this is one lucky puppy!
We finished the day very tired but thrilled that so many of you said how much you enjoyed it.
I will post a full report in a few days, with details of all the results and hopefully some pics.
HELP SAVE THE SOMERSET LEVELS - WITH THE SOMERSET WILDLIFE TRUST
Visit their website here to learn more - here's a taster of what they say ...
Just £10 will help transform former industrial sites into nature reserves
We urgently need your help to raise £100,000 to restore the equivalent of 26 football pitches of former peat diggings
to lush wetland where wildlife can flourish.
Somerset's historic Levels are steeped in myth and legend and a place where nature's beauty shines against
the unerring backdrop of Glastonbury Tor, but our native wildlife is under threat from a devastating loss of wetland habitat.
Why do we care? Paws ON THE LEVELS - see what we did?
FUN DAY IN THE PADDOCK
The trophies have arrived - they're a bit posh! The rosettes have arrived - they're even more impressive!!
Oscar Petfoods are very kindly supporting us with additional prizes - Thank You!!!
Our "special" judge is confirmed for the fun show classes (we're just a bit worried about how he may be dressed),
the Rally O course is planned and ready, all that's left to do is design the agility course - I promise to be
kind!
So bring a picnic, a chair and some sunshine ...........
Monday August 29th from 12 noon, FREE for all folk who currently train with us, and bring your families
and friends along to watch.
We will be holding a Charity raffle on the day, so if you could also bring a raffle prize, that would be great.
PAWS CLOTHING
One of many new items available - waterproof and fleece lined
It may only be August - but I've had Christmas Catalogues land on the doormat and I bet you have too!
Our clothing supplier has enlarged the range of available products carrying the Paws logo, why not
pay them a visit to see if there is something that Santa could bring.
There are also accessories available, such as bags, collars, leads, dog coats & human hats!
WE'RE BACK!
4 days in Lincolnshire for Manda and me - lots of laughing, Manda learnt how to navigate by the sun
and the dogs had 500 acres of farmland to run in each morning and evening.
We set out Thursday lunchtime, van loaded to the hilt with dogs, bags, food, wine ........
All was going well until we missed the junction from the M6, but a bit of quick replanning soon saw us
back on the M1 & heading for the A46. BIG MISTAKE!! This road appears to be one long series of roadworks,
bridges and roundabouts being built in random locations and very little signage. Eventually we reached Newark,
then it really did go wrong. We now know how it must feel to be trapped in the Bermuda Triangle.
After several about turns, dead ends and one way system traps, we resorted to following the sun!
We needed to go due East, we were facing due West. Manda didn't believe me- (Sat.Nav generation) -
but it worked!!
We finally arrived at our B&B 6 hours after setting out, time for a quick wash and brush up before finding
the local pub for dinner.
We stayed with Heidi and Charlie at Barns Farm - absolutely superb. Dog friendly, well off the beaten track,
the dogs stayed with us in the house and had the run of the farm - 500 acres of arable crops, many of which
Charlie had harvested so the fields were accessible. There were hares everywhere, the farm cats brought
a "gift" of some kind of wildlife in most mornings and the resident staffies were just soft cuddle monsters.
Early Morning walk for Toby Hare spotting for Moss
For 3 days we were at Dog Vegas at the UK Arena, near Grantham. Lovely venue and well organised show
but incredibly hot and soooo many wasps!! Added bonuses - mobile bar (yes, really!), hog roast and day
parking near the rings. Some interesting and challenging courses, tricky starts and difficult weave entries
at times, but it was really nice to try something different.
Well done Manda and Abby - 1st in graded 1-7 Jumping on Friday, and 2nd in 1-4 Jumping on Sunday.
Wookie and Moss both had clear rounds in their Jumping on Saturday (yay - Wookie's first clear round!),
Bob-Bob managed to get round 1-4 Graded Agility, and Toby was a little star - first time running full courses,
he got every contact and weave entry, just not totally confident in trickier jump sequences yet.
The journey home was less eventful (under 5 hours 'cos we only turned round twice!) and we were never truly lost
- we just followed the sun!
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK
When the lovely Ellie retired early from agility due to her hip dysplasia, 'twas a sad day.
But now Lynn's enrolled this little cutie on the September puppy class -
Meet Jess, aged 5 weeks - I'm losing count of the number of Paws spaniels!!
DO WE NEED A PASSPORT?
I'm a bit worried, and excited as well - where's Lincolnshire?
Me & Moss & Toby & Abby & Wookie are all going on an adventure at the end of July (Mum and Manda are coming too).
There's going to be Agility everyday, and then we can sleep in our holiday house at night.
Unfortunately for the rest of you - NO AGILITY classes on Saturday July 30th, Wednesday classes all OK.
ABBY IS G4 NOW - HUGE CONGRATULATIONS!
All I did was go to Maidenhead for the weekend and look what happens when I leave Manda alone!
Abby wins G3 Agility at Diamond Dogs show and is therefore now G4.
Don't have the details yet, but that has to be an enormous CAKE!!!
PLANNING AGAIN
It was a blistering hot day at the Paddock this Sunday - Abby spent a while sat in the water butt,
Nel didn't move out of the ditch and the three of us sat in the shade eating cake & reviewing the
last 3 years as well as planning for the coming months. There's still a lot of detail to resolve,
but here's an idea of what's coming ...
For Everyone:-
Monday August 29th is Fun Day in the Paddock
- PawPlay Pack and Team Paws Agility join together to compete for trophies and prizes
- Chance to try different things with your dog
- Free for Paws People
- Friends and Family welcome to support
- Charity Raffle
For Agility Folk:-
Classes continue as now, with some minor adjustments.
- The Wednesday Beginners' group will continue with their Foundation and equipment learning focus
until September 21st, after which they can join the pre competition class at Stretcholt. - A new Foundation class starts on September 28th at Stretcholt
- We will continue to take new starters into the Just for Fun Saturday class
- The Grade 1 to 3 handlers class on Saturdays will include a regular ( hopefully monthly) "Run the Course"
session, where handlers can work on full courses - There will be workshops and special sessions from September
- We aim to bring Lauren back in the Autumn, but this is a trainer who is in huge demand
Dates are hard to find.
For The Pawplay Pack:-
We are looking at PawPlay in depth in the next few weeks
- Good Citizen Scheme, Puppy socialisation and Lifeskills will continue & will be developed
- There is a need for discrete sessions for specific unwanted behaviour solving, we will develop this
- PawPlay will go indoors to Stretcholt on September 26th
General Interest Workshops:-
Twice a year we try to offer something completely different, either a chance to try a new experience with your dog
or a learning opportunity for dog owners, trainers and other professions.
We look for people who are among the best in their field to deliver these workshops.
The Autumn 2011 workshop is being set up - we hope this time to bring you a chance to try something new
with your dog - details when we've finalised.
Developing The Paddock:-
Huge thanks to Jenny C's hubby Paul - the PlayPatch has acquired its woodchip surface .
Head Pawman will be building simple obstacles & incorporating everyday items over the next few weeks
- to give us an area where puppies and young dogs can learn about novelty through play and interaction.
Some new kit is on order, which means we are getting rid of a few bits to make space. Look in the next newsletter
if you're interested in Long Jump, A Frame or Channel weaves.
Developing Paws on the Levels:-
We think it's time to shift the strategy a bit - in our first 3 years we have worked at establishing ourselves, building
confidence and knowledge and always ensuring high quality environments and organisation for anything we offer.
With the basics now in place and as Paws people start to earn their own successes, we intend to grow with you.
We'll start with the back office stuff - look at the admin., see how we can open up communication channels more,
maybe even upgrade the website to increase functionality - before expanding the training on offer for both dogs and owners
in 2012.
We will continue with our own learning so that we can bring it to Paws. We will share stuff with you not only
through training, but using the Training and Behaviours pages on this site.
HOTTEST DAY OF THE YEAR SO FAR
Richard & Lynne went to Staverton UKA on the hottest day of the year so far, this was
Cassie's first show in Novice.
Lynne and Bramble came back with a 3rd in Beginners' Gamblers
Bramble's other runs were a mixed bag, not helped by Lynne missing the tannoy so not walking one course
before running it! Always a problem when the parking is a long way from the rings and your priority is trying to
keep dogs cool and comfortable.
Richard and Cassie were 3rd in Novice Steeplechase, just 2 seconds behind the winner.
We hear that Becky was there with Lily, Storm and Breeze and that at least one of them did well,
becoming a habit for young Becky!
Last - but certainly not least - very well done to Richard for resisting temptation and training contacts
in the ring with Cassie.
ALDON & BARNSTAPLE & MOVE UPS!
Not as wet as Taunton - first result!
Well done everyone - some really good stuff happening in and out of the rings.
Several Clear rounds - well done Margaret & Tess (2); Jenny & Molly (2); Becky with both Lily and Storm
Some fab training - Roly & Nel around the rings, Folly, Bramble & Toby in the rings
Some oh so close rounds - Bob-Bob was flying on Sunday, Moss one of her fastest Steeplechases
for ages - just one pole down, Ellie clear with 2 time faults in Jumping ..... it was Ellie's last show,
she is retiring from competition and will leave a huge hole in Team Paws, a hard act to follow.
Lynn & Bramble - 2nd Beginners' Steeplechase Midi, very fast time
Richard & Cassie - 2nd Beginners' Steeplechase Standard, also very fast
Becky & Storm at Barnstaple - winning G1 Agility
Huge congratulations to : -
Richard with Cassie, moving up to Novice after competing at only 4 shows - very proud of this pair.
Becky with Storm, a delightful team, moving up to G2 and you so deserve it, you've worked hard!
Tris & Folly having a good time Ellie's final show Lynn & Bramble get 2nd place Proud moment for Jenny
Molly's clear Agility round Moss enjoyed this run The lovely Ellie - we shall miss you
KIM & BUB AT THAMES & OLYMPIA QUALIFIERS
We hear that young Bub - those of you who train on Wednesdays will know them - won G3 Agility
at Thames so is now G4 - well done them, we knew she was a little star!
Also Kim took Charlie to G6 and qualified for Olympia, along with Matt who qualified his young dog Riot.
So exciting - looks like some tinsel wrapped training at Stretcholt needed later in the year!
UNBELIEVABLY WET AND WINDY AT TAUNTON
2 rosettes for Mary and Bailey 5th in Agility and 3rd in Jumping on Saturday - well done you two -
and then along came Sunday.
OK - back to normal then - wet, windy, cold and miserable. It felt rather like a siege, those of us who
went to Taunton stayed to support each other, even tho' everyone really wanted just to go home!
Results of the Siege of Taunton
Sue and Mark had a trade stand, they lost both their gazebo tents to the wind (does that count as a result?)
Nikki had a puncture and didn't make it (now that's a lucky result for Nik!)
Jan trained everything except an Agility run for Moss - in which she went clear
Manda ran Abby twice - won Champ S'chase and got lost in Snooker
Margaret and Tess ran a couple and trained - but Tess hated tunnels with water in, and boy was there a lot
of water!
Lynn and Ellie - a lovely steeplechase run, only 5 faults
Tris had his best ever run with Folly, wasn't clear but it didn't matter and we get cakes on Wednesday
Richard and Cassie 4th in Beginners' S'chase - careful, Novice is very near!
THE BEST BIT? - Jenny and Molly, first ever RUN at a first ever show, and they came up against a really tricky course,
the TUG - E -NUFF Agility qualifier. Woo-hoo, 7th place! And they were in danger of doing it again in the Jumping qualifier,
just one small error. I think Jenny was relieved - she nearly found herself qualifying for the Finals in December!
WELL DONE TEAM PAWS - PROUD OF THE WAY WE STUCK TOGETHER TODAY! (almost literally at times)
JUST DOGS SHOW - GREAT START TEAM PAWS!!!!
A good start on Saturday to 3 weekends of competition for Team Paws
Margaret with Tess and Mary with Bailey - both had 2 really nice clear rounds in Beginners' S'chase 1 and Jumping,
just out of the places (Bailey was 5th).
Mary with Bailey 3rd in Beginners' S'chase 2
Jan with Moss 1st in Senior S'chase
Sunday brought rain, but more rosettes as well!
Nelia going well Manda & Abby 2nd place Champ Steeplechase
Lynn & Bramble had a good day Richard & Cassie winning Beg Steeplechase Bob-Bob getting his first Clear in Agility
Lynn with Bramble 2nd in Beginners' Gamblers
Richard with Cassie 1st in Beginners' S'chase 1
Manda with Abby 1st in Senior Agility & 2nd in Champ S'chase 2
Jan with Bob-Bob Clear in Beginners' Agility
In between collecting rosettes, we trained LOADS of runs with Nelia, Toby & Bob-Bob
and there was a practise ring as well , all in all a really good weekend.
Many congratulations to Just Dogs for their first show - well organised, lovely venue, nice courses, time to chat
with friends - next stop Taunton show!
SWAT SHOW - Well Done Mary & Bailey!
Saturday was Mary and Bailey's first experience of competition and congratulations to them both - 2 ROSETTES!!
Starting with G1 Jumping, a 6th place, then a nice steady clear in G1 Agility - yay - more cakes at training!
Well done to Mary for conquering first time ring nerves as well!
One of the reasons we go to SWAT is the practise ring, its really useful to be able to work the dogs in a
different environment, and we certainly made use of it - we put Moss, Abby, Bob-Bob, Wookie and Toby
in several times, in fact apart from 1 agility run with Bob ( 5 faults (pole - doh!) - nice round) - that's all I did.
Manda ran Abby on Sunday, the courses were really tricky, one of the problems with small dogs is that
the classes are often combined. Abby is G3, so running combined 1-7 is always a challenge, but she ran well
and Manda was pleased with her.
AND ON THE QUIET............
Richard and Lynn went to Phoenix show at Staverton and came back with a blue rosette EACH from
the same class!!!
Bramble second in Beginner's Steeplechase Medium Height in just over 26 seconds, we've deliberately
placed accuracy over speed currently for this mad spaniel - gotta keep the poles up!
Cassie second in Beginners' Steeplechase Standard Height in just over 22 seconds. Cassie was just 1.5 seconds
behind the winner - look out Richard, we've got some work to do on tightening turns.
HUGE WELL DONES AND CONGRATULATIONS FROM US ALL - AND DON'T FORGET .......
CAKE!!! - YAY!!!
CANINE FIRST AID WORKSHOP
Our Spring workshop was Canine First Aid - delivered by Animal Aiders. Yet again we had a brilliant day -
full house, two entertaining but knowledgeable presenters in Sophie and Jo and time for a few laughs
along the way.
We fully expect Poppy, Balou, Bailey, Minx, Benny, Roly and Pip to be sporting coloured bandages at classes soon,
as their owners practise their newly acquired skills - (look out Poppy, I've seen your Mum's efforts!)
WE'RE OUT AND ABOUT AGAIN .....
At Paws we believe that there is always more to learn and more to understand about our dogs - and that
as trainers we have a responsibility to ensure that the information we pass on to our students is the best available.
We regularly seek opportunities to listen and hopefully learn from others.
This can be a bit of a minefield - the dog training sector is mostly unregulated and there are numerous examples
of people with little or no experience or knowledge setting themselves up as training providers - or even worse -
behaviourists.
So we are VERY careful about the courses and seminars we pick, which means that we look for evidence of credibility
and often travel a long way for the right presenter.
This month has been a bit like the old joke about buses - nothing for ages then along come 3 at once!
On Monday Manda and Jan went to a full day workshop near Exeter - Training Contacts and Weaves with Susan Garrett
Susan is in the UK currently as part of the Canadian team competing in the World Agility Open competition.
On Saturday Nikki and Jan are going to a full day COAPE seminar near Birmingham - Dogs, The Law and how to cope
with the Reactive Ones, with Trevor Cooper, the UK's leading dog law solicitor and live demos by CAPBT Practitioners,
including Kirsty Peake.
At the end of the month, Nikki is going to Cambridge to learn more about the new dog and handler activity - Rally O.
All being well, Paws hopes to introduce this to our area in the Autumn.
Nothing else in the diary so far this year - but hey, it's only May!!
EASTER AT UKA
What a contrast to last year's mudfest - wall to wall sunshine!! Manda and me took the opportunity to train
all our dogs in the classes on Friday and Saturday and we were well pleased with them. Milestone moment
for Manda - Wookie's first time in a show ring - Yay!
Tris, Lynn and Richard joined me on Sunday, both Tris & Folly and Richard & Cassie are just starting in competition,
so we encourage training in the ring at this stage - so important for both the handler and dog's confidence levels.
I also took Moss on Sunday - bless her she's so reliable. She hasn't run for months, I gave her 1 run on Sunday in Snooker and
she gave me a 3rd place. Bob-Bob had a really good show - we're now at the stage where he's missing places through
clipping just occasional poles - and I know now that it won't be long before he's truly competitive. His times are always fast.
Lynn & Bramble had 4 good runs, just the odd pole down in both steeplechases and the jumping, then the
agility run was a cracker - a tricky course, Bramble made it look easy thanks to Lynn's clear handling.
Big blue rosette - well done!!
But the moment that made us all smile the most was Richard & Cassie's clear round in steeplechase.
This little spaniel measured into Standard height by a whisker, so has to run against collies.
After good training runs in Nursery, we thought it was worth a go - and we were right.
A time of 25.4 seconds put them 7th overall, with lots of collies behind them in the ranking
- WELL DONE RICHARD & CASSIE
LAUREN LANGMAN AT STRETCHOLT
Lauren worked her socks off again - such energy and enthusiasm and still smiling at the end of a very long day.
This was probably the busiest guest trainer event we've run to date - loads of dogs and owners coming and going from 9 til 5.
Here's a bit of the day - my first attempt at uploading video!! - Toby is starting to sequence quite well providing I can give him
enough information. Being unable to run, I have to be sure he will work ahead. For a baby dog, I think he's doing OK,
jumping full height with ease and a reasonable degree of forward focus.
Wookie is 3 months younger than Toby, look how well he's doing! Only one height away from full height now.
Manda and me are having such fun with these two youngsters, shame they grow up really!
And not forgetting Nikki with Nelia - this was so good to see after Nel being out injured for
the best part of last year - looks like Nel's fully recovered then!
PUPPY AWARDS
Monday Feb 28th brought our first Good Citizen Puppy Awards - the first of many we hope, but these two
will remain very special. Well done to both of them!!
Nina and her beautiful Bedlington/sighthound lurcher who goes by the very apt name of Rocket
Sue and her handsome but naughty (we're told) working Labrador, also aptly named Ghillie
These two are now going on to take the Bronze award next month with the "big" dogs, and the Puppy class
starts again. We have some lovely new puppies joining, possibly the cutest so far is Stanley - no offence to everyone
else, but if you have ever had the chance to cuddle a 10 week old miniature dachshund, you would
know what I mean!
Treat Bags for Training Food Motivated Dogs
At Paws we understand that not all dogs are ball obsessed or turned on by toys and this can make
rewarding when training difficult - just ask Manda !!
So we've had some strong, washable food bags made in Paws red and black colours, with a velcro closure
and handles for throwing. Available now, £7 each - just ask Manda, Jan or Nikki.
Back to School
At Paws on the Levels we try very hard to keep up with current thinking in Dog training,
and to continue to grow in our knowledge, understanding and training techniques so that we can
pass the benefits on to the handlers and dogs that train with us.
In recent months, Manda, Nikki, Anne and Jan have attended a course on handling aggressive dogs,
Nikki has completed a COAPE (Centre of Applied Pet Ethology) workshop on the challenges of working with
wolf hybrids and other Northern Breeds such as Alaskan Malamutes, and Jan has recently been successful in completing
a year long COAPE qualification in animal behaviour, earning a distinction grade pass.
Jan has also just returned from the Agility Club Instructors' Seminar in Guildford.
This is a 4 day, fast moving and demanding seminar covering all aspects of agility instruction,
assessed in a written examination and four practical sessions with external examiners and unknown dogs and handlers.
Moss accompanied Jan as "practise dog" and had 4 nights luxury accommodation in a local B & B, to compensate
for all the stuff she was asked to do in the day!
Well, Jan passed, so Paws now has an ACAI (Agility Club Approved Instructor)
