NEWS
GOING ON HOLS - WITH 7 DOGS
Well, we haven't been to many shows yet this summer, just local UKA and recently we took Bob and Abby to Tuffley.
Both Moss and Abby have been injured and Bob is "work in progress", but we think the girls are on the mend (fingers crossed)
so we're going to the UKA week at Tewkesbury - and taking ALL the dogs, including the puppies - heaven help us!
'Cos we aren't great at camping, we've booked a big cottage with a big garden.
So no classes or lessons on Monday July 26th, Wednesday July 28th or Saturday July 31st, as Manda, Nik, Anne and Jan
are off on their hols!
TOBY MEETS HIS MUM
Toby goes to "school" once a week with Lauren at Newhall. This week we changed our day to Wednesday,
so that Toby could meet his mum Ruby. They haven't met since he was 3 months old and he is now bigger than her.
Ruby told him off to begin with - he was a bit boisterous - but then it was fine, proud mum time!
That's my Boy!!
ABBY IS BACK
Earlier in the year, Manda's spaniel Abby damaged her leg in a fall at Severnside show, and has been out of action
for many weeks.
At Tuffley show on Sunday, she ran 2 jumping classes and still looks well. Abby delivered a lovely clear round in Grade 1 to 7
and a joyful if slightly erratic round in Grade 1 to 4 (not helped by 7 weave poles - strange!).
Welcome back Abby.
TEAM PAWS at Aldon UKA June 19th & 20th at Yeovil
Only 1 "new to competition" Paws person on Saturday - but wow - well done Margaret and Tess!
2 S'chase runs and 2 clear round rosettes - how's that for never been in a ring before!
Only Anne and me there with Margaret on Saturday, Meggie and Anne - lovely 3rd place in Jumping,
Bob-Bob didn't get eliminated all day (feels the same as winning, believe me) but Moss was struggling again so I pulled her out.
And lovely to see Karen and Colin with Ben - checking that Benny can cope with the noise & excitement.
Benny did really well, so looks like another pairing will be joining Team Paws before too long!
Sunday was a day of mixed fortunes and "nearly" results- Lynn and Ellie going well until Lynn started hobbling - Nik and Nelia going well
until Nel fell over and bashed herself against a jump (don't know why!) - Bob-Bob only 5 faults in Agility
and the Finish pole in Gamblers after he'd got the gamble (Grr!) - Moss finally decided to run at the end of the day
and missed a place in Gamblers by 1 point, Lyn and Bramble fast as usual but unable to go clear....
Finally - huge congratulations to Kim and Pippin and to Helen with Luna and Eko, both winning their respective Agility & Jumping rounds
to qualify for the Tug e Nuff Challenge Final in July.
Lyn and Bramble Lynn and Ellie Kay & Shelley watching!
Nik, Kim, Manda, Lynn & Jan enjoy the sunshine
SandS UKA Sunday June 13th at Taunton
Congratulations to Lyn and Richard with Bramble, Lynn with Ellie and Malcolm with Dylan.
Some great results, we are so proud of you.
Lyn & Bramble 5th Beginners' Steeplechase - 21.6 seconds, and just a fraction away from a place
Malcolm & Dylan, first ever show. 2 lovely rounds, one was clear. Lynn & Ellie 12th Beginners' S'chase - 27.8 seconds
Jan & Bob-Bob, still working on weave entries! Jan & Moss, 5th Senior S'chase 1, 2nd Senior S'chase 3 & 4th in Agility.
WE'VE BEEN PLANNING AGAIN
Those of you who know us are used to this by now !
Once every 3 or 4 months we sit down with "suitable" refreshments and just chat about our ideas and thoughts for Paws events.
Last Sunday we had a lovely afternoon in the Paddock - sitting in the shade of the long hedge ( Nikki brought muffins ) -
and here's the outcome:-
- Run and Review will close for the summer months on June 9th, to be replaced by 3 summer agility workshops
at Stretcholt on June 16th, 30th and July 14th, starting at 8.30pm. - The PawPlay pack will be hosting a sponsored walk on Monday evening, June 28th.
- Both our PawPlay Pack dogs and our Agility dogs will be offered the chance to take part in a demonstration
and Fun Rally competition at Westonzoyland Companion Dog Show on August 1st. - The Paddock Foundation course has finished, Stretcholt Foundation has 2 more weeks to run.
Dogs and Handlers from both courses will be joining the Beginners Classes. - The next blocks of Foundation will be late August/early September.
- and finally - we've decided to spruce up and rebrand the Paddock kit (look out for things changing colour)
and we are adding a Play Patch - tyres and logs and stuff - an adventure playground for dogs!
PHOENIX SHOW
Absolutely sweltering day - dogs and people wilting everywhere you looked and a field full of sheep doo-doos
for dogs to munch on to their hearts' content.
It was lovely to see so many Paws People at a show - the day felt more like a picnic in the park than a competition!
Malcolm (without Dylan), Mary (with Fletcher), Rebecca and Geoff (with little Molly) and Jenny R (with big Molly, Dodger and OH Tom!)
all came to watch and support (thanks folks!), while Jenny & Paul C, Lyn and Richard, Lynn R, Manda, Nik and Jan ran dogs.
Manda, Nik and Jan trained most runs - this is so useful at UKA shows - as well as using the time to work the puppies Wookie & Toby
around the rings. Jan withdrew Moss because of the heat.
The other three had a promising day - all of them ran well with only small errors , we predict it won't be long before they are
bringing home the rosettes.
Lynn and Ellie
2 outstanding runs in Agility and Jumping - 2 knocked poles in each case, probably due to the heat (Ellie is a VERY long coated GSD).
Bramble - all alone at the startline - Lyn needs as much of a headstart as she can get.
Bramble missed 1 jump in a cracking s'chase round, this dog is soooo fast!
Roly - his first ever UKA show
Little dog with big attitude, Roly and Jenny had 3 promising runs, only showring nerves got in the way of
clear rounds. Jenny wisely withdrew Pip, who didn't like the heat.
Nice to see Abby up and about after her accident at Severnside also, even if she was grumpy about not being allowed a run!
TRAINING AWAY DAY SUNDAY JUNE 6TH NEAR RADSTOCK
Are you hoping to compete with your dog but a bit worried about taking that first step?
Not sure how you and / or your dog will cope in an unfamiliar place alongside unfamiliar
(and probably excited) dogs?
Or maybe you like the idea of Fun Agility with just a hint of competition, not a full blown show?
This day is for you - safe environment, no pressure, clear round competitions.
Shelley and Kay at Four Paws One Direction have very kindly offered to host a training day - bit like a TIP day.
"Habitat" training is so important for the competing dog & handler, but this day is not just for them -
it's also a chance to have a great day out, have some fun with your dog and with friends.
Morning sessions will be agility courses for you to train and/or run as you wish.
Afternoon sessions will be Clear Round Steeplechase/Jumping type courses.
£7 per dog for morning or afternoon session; £12 per dog for all day.
Spaces will be limited, let Jan or Manda know if you want to come.
WHAT'S COMING UP IN THE DIARY FOR SUMMER 2010?
Don't forget the World Championships this weekend at The Hand Stadium, Clevedon,
then next weekend - May 22nd - No Saturday Classes because there is a local show at Langford, nr Bristol.
Bramble, Ellie, Pip and Roly are entered, (as well as Moss, Bob-Bob, Meggie and Nel) so let's wish everyone
lots of luck and pray for decent weather!
For those of you who haven't yet taken the first step to competing, have a look at UKAgility shows at Taunton on
June 12th & 13th and Yeovil on June 19th & 20th. Steeplechase classes are a great way to start competing - just jumps and
tunnels, no pesky weaves or contacts to worry about! Ask at training if you are interested.
The PawPlay Pack
PawPlay is now thriving, there are currently 13 dogs in the PawPlay pack that meet on Monday evenings.
Later in the summer we hope to issue a rally challenge to the agility classes - we're proud of our PawPlay pack!
JENNY & PIP WIN 3RD IN THEIR BREED CLASS AT CRUFTS 2010
Well done to Jenny and her youngster Pip ( Laurelton Moonlight Cowboy SHCM).
Pip was awarded 3rd place in his class at Crufts this year - Graduate Dogs - and has already qualified for 2011
by winning Best of Breed at a qualifying show at the end of March.
Jenny also trains in our Grade 1 -3 agility class with both Pip and her other Border Terrier Roly. These are feisty little dogs - sometimes
a challenge to train, but speedy and accurate around a course when asked.
Look out for more rosettes in 2010 - this time in agility.
EASTER UKA 2010 AT TEWKESBURY
Bob Bob 
Abby
What is it about Tewkesbury and weather? Every time we go there, it rains!
This weekend had the added attraction of liquid mud and a chance to try your hand at Rally driving.
We started on Saturday, so by the time we got there, the entrance had already been trashed
and driving in was "exciting" , especially when you've got a LWB van loaded to the hilt with 5 dogs and all the
other stuff you need. But we made it unaided - proud moment as most other vans were towed in.
Lynn and Ellie came for the day and despite the mud Lyn was pleased with her - some good stuff in the steeplechase ring
and she got all her contacts in her other class.
Manda won the Senior Steeplechase with Abby and Jan was second in Novice Snooker with Moss. Both dogs ran well all day.
Bob Bob was very well behaved - nailed all his contacts and weave entries - just need to sort out the startline wait
so that we stand a chance of catching him up! A mistake on one tunnel cost him a good round in Steeplechase.
We were not able to get out of the field at the end of Saturday, it was pouring with rain and the gateway was a swamp.
Several kind, very strong men ( and Manda) pushed the van out and we went home to clean up before doing it all again on Sunday.
A repeat performance at the entrance the following day, Manda by now was used to my driving and the van sliding sideways,
narrowly missing other vehicles and yet again we got in and parked up the hill unaided - VERY proud moment this time!
Lyn, Richard and Bramble came on Sunday for the Steeplechases and well done to them - Bramble narrowly missed a
great result in the Challenge competition when she took just one pole, but in a very fast time.
Manda and Abby had a 2nd, 3rd and 4th and Jan and Moss had a 4th - but the ground was horrible, very difficult to stand up
which made the whole thing a bit of a lottery.
We were more than ready to go home but first we had the Challenge of the Gateway. Only the powerful 4x4s were getting through
so for us it was time to be towed. Actually it was more of a drag than a tow - not a lot of control, but thankfully Greg knew what he was doing!
What a start to the outdoor season - I am spending Easter Monday washing the van, the dogs, clothing, shoes, me .......
NEW STUFF - CHECK THE DIARY FOLKS!
- New Foundation Classes, a Taster session, a Training in the Paddock Day, all for Agility folk.
- PawPlay moves outside so that we can do more walks and other interesting things for general dog training.
- Lauren and Matt booked for Agility Workshop October at Stretcholt
AND (roll of drums and fanfare of trumpets) now for something COMPLETELY DIFFERENT - Richard Curtis, Heelwork to Music Masterclass and Cabaret Evening on Saturday November 20th!!
WHEN YOU KNOW YOU ARE HOOKED ON AGILITY
Malcolm and his Beardie Dylan now have a 5 metre tunnel in the garden as well as the jumps and seesaw.
Warning - the second dog, the van and the caravan aren't far away!
TRAINING WITH LAUREN & MATT
The Guest Trainer Day at Stretcholt on Feb 28th was another exhausting experience for us - nonstop
energy from Lauren from 8.30 until we got away at 5.30.
We were pleased with how well it worked at Stretcholt, and what a joy to be warm and dry all day!
We took a few photos, see them here.
Lots of good feedback from everyone - especially those who were meeting Lauren and Matt for the first time
and from folk who had not been to Stretcholt before. It is such a great venue.
Lauren and Matt will be back in October for another full day.
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)
INDOOR VENUE AS PROMISED !!!!
Look what Manda found!!!
State of the art arena, plus supporting facilities- refreshment lounge; loos; parking; etc
Stretcholt Equestrian is at most 10 minutes from J23 of the M5.
We're Back from the Nationals!
A week of torrential rain and sunny intervals and muddy dogs, not to mention evenings in a fabulous
cottage (we don't do camping!) where we were SOOOOO grateful for a hot bath, a washing machine and tumble drier,
comfy sofas, wine from the fridge and a large secure garden for the dogs.
On Wednesday the weather was so awful that you had to laugh!!
Three of us - Anne, Manda and Jan - ran 4 dogs throughout the week and we returned with 12 rosettes and 1 trophy.
Well done Abby! a first, a second, three thirds, a fourth and move up to Senior.
Go Meggie Go! a second, a fourth, two Clear Rounds and loving every minute of it.
Moss struggled after Wet Wednesday - a fourth and a Clear Round, then the injury flared up again.
Bob Bob did everything at 100 mph! - we trained most of his runs as he is still a baby, but wait til next year!!
New Toys Available
We have some great new motivational toys available, from small sheepskin purses on bungee handles for
soft mouthed treat driven dogs, all the way up to large squeaky fur tugs for the big brave spaniels!
Lots of the tough road ball toys for the manic Collies and super strong jawed breeds like the Dobermans,
not forgetting the small softer balls with fur "ears" and long handles for our tireless terriers and of course our
puppies!
They won't stay around for long - let us know if you want one, see them at training.
