The Schaferhunde News
The German Shepherd Dog Club of Greater Kansas City
Founded 1923
Issue - May 2016
The GSDCGKC's free tracklayers seminar April 16 at Smithville Lake attracted numerous participants interested in learning how to lay a track. Sally Hamm conducted the seminar and received rave reviews for her expertise and her attention to detail.
Participants came from as far away as Des Moines, Iowa. Sally covered the types of AKC tracking tests; how to make a tracklayers map; and what a judge wants from a tracklayer.
Eight newcomers (including one who drove from Des Moines, Iowa) two club members and two juniors participated and learned from Sally.
Club members attending were Tiffany Bartley and Corbin; Carmi Swift and grandson Conlan Sylvester; Bill Long; Susie Long; Chris Kimerer; and Cheryl May.
All smiles at the tracklayers seminar: Bill Long, Chris Kimerer and Sally Hamm.
Sally goes over her notes as she explains the finer points of tracklaying to seminar participants.
Photos by Susie Long from the GSDCGKC Facebook page. Follow the club on Facebook to stay up to date with the latest information and photos.
You're Invited!
May 10:
New! Bring your dog before the meeting to socialize. We will meet on the East side of the American Inn 6-6:45 p.m. Dogs aren't allowed indoors but we can enjoy them outside before the meeting.
General Meeting 7 p.m., American Inn. Program: Chris Kimerer - Futurity/Maturity show system; and Sally Hamm - stewarding and assisting with the obedience trials
June 11-12: GSDCGKC Obedience Trials, Greater Kansas City Dog Training Club, Raytown, Mo.
June 14: General Meeting 7 p.m., American Inn
June 17, 18, 19: Futurity Weekend and Temperament Test, Purina Farms
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Do you have a NEW GSD at your house? Let us know!
Share your good news anytime you welcome a new German shepherd into your family. Members enjoy seeing photos and information about your canine family members. Please also share photos of your current dogs!
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President's message from Chris Kimerer
I hope everyone is being spared from these storms, though I know of one club member who has not been so fortunate. She had a lighting strike at her house, which caused all sorts of electrical damage. Dogs and people are fine, and there was no fire. Thank goodness for that!
Besides this active weather, it's also been an active month for the club. We are knee deep in obedience entries, which are arriving daily. That is a good thing, and I'm very certain the obedience trial will fill as it did last year. Closing is not until May 25th, so there is still time to enter your German shepherd dog! Those who have been to our trial know what a successful event this is and are getting their entries in early to ensure a spot. Entering early is not a bad idea, since it has filled for the last two years, ever since we started having it at the Greater Kansas City Dog Training Club. This obedience trial is June 11 and 12. If you would like to help, please be sure to let anyone on the Obedience Committee know – I know you will not be turned away. At this month's meeting, there will be a program on exactly that, "How to Steward and Assist at an Obedience Trial," so please plan to attend this very worthwhile program. The following weekend after the obedience trial, a number of club members are headed east, to the St.Louis area – Purina Farms in Gray Summit to be exact – for the Midwest Futurity/Maturity hosted by our club. If you are wondering why we are doing this in St. Louis, here are a few of multiple reasons. The main reason is location, Purina Farms, with the Event Center, has become one of the premier show sites in this country. The Midwest Futurity is also the largest Futurity/Maturity in the nation. The futurity/maturity system is divided into nine Regions.
Learn more about that at our next club meeting where I will explain this show system in more detail. Since most of the exhibitors can't show their own dogs in the large ring set up for a Futurity, handlers come in from all over. The St. Louis area is also where many of our handlers reside, making St. Louis is a great choice for the Futurity/Maturity. It also helps the local regional club, since many dogs that show in the Futurity/ Maturity will also be shown at the Regional Specialty Shows held inconjunction and in the same ring. Last but not least, Purina lets us use the outside facility, a huge tent on cement right next to the ring, which they (Purina) set up. All this is provided at no cost to either club.
If you want to see some of the top young dogs in the Midwest and beyond, plan to attend Sunday, June 19. St. Louis's specialties will be Friday and Saturday that same weekend.
It is always a good time and the GSDCA Parent Club will have a table set up with lots of educational material as well as health information.
Saturday afternoon/evening there will be a potluck dinner hosted by both clubs – St. Louis and Kansas City. There will also be a discussion panel regarding the state of our breed, which should be
very interesting.
I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at the May 10th regular meeting – please be sure to attend.
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Member Photos – Please share yours!
Marco, owned by Brad and Marion Baker, rocked the 2016 Lee's Summit St. Patrick's Day parade.
Selena and Cole taking a time spring walk in the park with owners Tiffany Bartley (Selena) and Carmi Swift (Cole).
Section on new GSDCGKC website to honor our GSDs at the Rainbow Bridge
Marion Baker, Web committee co-chair with husband Brad, invites members to send photos and memories of GSDs you have lost over the years. A special section of the site will be reserved for remembering those dogs we’ve loved and lost.
Meiko - June 30,2005 - April 18, 2012
Below is an example write-up about Meiko, a dog owned by Brad and Marion Baker, to give you an idea of what is needed. Meiko is pictured at right.
Meiko was whelped June 30, 2005. He was a Caralon and Tintagel boy. The sire was CH Kenlyn's Aries V HiCliff (Major Championship Ptd) OFA, and dam was
CaralonQED Pacesetter (Major Championship Ptd) OFA. Owners: Brad and Marion Baker. He was from the BAILEY/PUMA Litter - breeders Scootie Sherlock and Betty Johnson.
Meiko was stricken with a fungal infection(Aspergillosis) that affected his spine. He wasn't a show dog but he was a gentle soul. He was best buds with his friend, Ghingus the turtle. They slept together and were great companions.
Standing Water May Hide Dangers for Our Dogs
Due to recent storms and flooding, a Kansas State University veterinarian is warning of a disease that spreads through water to both dogs and people. "The most important thing about leptospirosis is it's a zoonotic disease, so dogs can transmit the disease to people," said Ken Harkin, professor and section head of small animal internal medicine at Kansas State University's Veterinary Health Center. Harkin helped develop a test to identify leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that can result in kidney failure and can be fatal in dogs. It is a worldwide disease that usually appears in periodic outbreaks. The disease is spread through the urine of wild and domestic animals and is usually found in creeks, lakes or floodwater. Harkin says dogs and their owners can be exposed from the same source. "A few years ago, we had a client who brought her dog in her with leptospirosis because her front yard had flooded and he raccoons had contaminated the yard," Harkin said. "Both the husband and the dog ended up in the hospital. He had leptospirosis and so did the dog. They both got it from the water in the front yard that was contaminated with leptospirosis from the raccoons.
The disease can attack any of our dogs. Lew and Nicky Bunch lost a young champion GSD to the disease and Cheryl May lost an agility GSD. The symptoms, which are similar for humans and dogs, include joint pain, weakness, vomiting and possibly jaundice. Dogs may exhibit excessive drinking and urination, which is a sign of kidney failure. Harkin recommends getting your dog vaccinated for leptospirosis if it is prevalent in your area. Medications are available for dogs and humans if they are infected with the disease. The Kansas State Diagnostic Laboratory at Kansas State University can test for leptospirosis using blood, urine or kidney tissue samples. For more information about the test, contact the diagnostic laboratory at 785-532-5650.
Summary of March Meeting Minutes
The meeting followed a presentation by Curt and Kristy Alldredge about Canine Dysautonomia disease. Mike Kennedy made the treasurer's report available at the welcome table for review. There were no objections to the report. Marion Baker gave an update about the website. It is still under construction with hopes to be ready soon. Membership chair Nancy Kennedy read second readings of membership applications for Jeff Pyle and Debi Thomas.
Summary of April Meeting Minutes
The previously-scheduled speaker had to cancel so Andrea Denning presented information about stained glass. She demonstrated her custom work of dogs, and explained how the work is done.
Debbie McHenry proposed that members bring their dogs before the meeting during warm months and gather on the east side of the American Inn from 6 to 6:45 p.m. for social time. Note: dogs are allowed outside, but not inside the motel. Debbie proposed a once a month gathering with our dogs to walk in a park. She said this would be great visibility for our club to attract other GSD owners to become members. Mike Kennedy made the treasurer's report available at the welcome table for review. Susie Long will put the Obedience Trial Premium List on Facebook.
Hospitality: Sally Hamm thanked the Alldredges, the Bakers and Kennedys for supplying hospitality. Website: Carmi Swift reported that she and Marion Baker were setting times to work on the website to get the first two main sections up as soon as possible. Training Classes: Sally Hamm passed around a sign up sheet to determine interest in spring/summer training classes.
Membership: Nancy Kennedy. First readings for Amy and Troy Edwards, Cindy Jarrar and Darla Lilly. Training Classes: Sally Hamm passed around a sign up sheet to determine interest in spring/
summer training classes.
Sit! Stay! And, by the way, don’t move until I get back!
By Connie Cleveland Don't miss her free e-book on training and sign up for her free newsletter at http://www.dogtrainersworkshop.com/ I often believe that the great majority of Novice class dogs perform the sit stay exercise by accident. After all, you are across the ring staring at them and dogs perform the "stay" only lasts for a minute. Many of the dogs are watching everything going on in and around the ring and some of them seem quite surprised when their handler returns. How can you improve the chances that your dog really understands that doing a sit stay is, in fact, one of the exercises?
In the Digital Obedience Guide: The Benefits of Mistakes, proofing is defined as “teaching a dog how not to perform.” For example, simply practicing a sit stay repeatedly does not teach a dog that he must stay where left no matter what is going on around him. Instead, you need to allow your dog to make errors, or even try to cause errors, in order to teach him what is and what is not allowed.
Dogs are distracted by visual, auditory, and physical stimuli. I want you to know that your dog will stay, even in the midst of distractions, before you ever get further than a leash length away. This week, I want you to systematically set up three situations. Begin by putting your dog in a sit, and go to the end of your leash.
Step 1: You become the distraction. Do not stand still. Try jumping up, bending over, tying your shoe, stepping from side to side. Every time you move, your dog may use your movement as an excuse to get up. Respond by saying “no, Sit,” as you gently and firmly put him back in position. Dogs are Situational (see “How Dogs Learn” at http://ow.ly/4ndLLI). Do not assume that your dog understands that he must stay in all situations, teach him. If you have never been distracting, your dog probably does not understand that no matter what you do, he should remain in a sit. If you do makes multiple errors during this step, put him on a platform, or small be to define exactly where you want him to remain sitting. As he starts to stand up, or step off, pull up on the leash and respond with "no, Sit!" Your expectation that he sit and remain sitting will soon become very clear to him.
Step 2: Use auditory distractions such as someone knocking on the door, or squeaking a toy. Again, the response for every mistake is “no, Sit,” as you physically place him back in position.
Step 3: Use visual distractions. Any movement will do such as a ball rolling by, or another dog chasing a toy.
Remember to perform all three of these steps while you are only a leash length away. This ensures that the time between the dog’s mistake and your response is almost immediate and easiest for the dog to understand.
Most of us are in too much of a hurry to create distance. After all, in a competition, we must stand across the ring from our dogs. Your ability to effectively communicate when your dog makes an error is diminished when you are standing across the ring from him.vIncreasing distance will be easy once
you’ve created a reliable stay close to you and in the presence of distractions.
Go to this link to get a free copy of Tricks That Transition Into Obedience Exercises, Connie's free ebook: http://ow.ly/4ndMkb You'll be asked for your name and email. I've been a subscriber for many years and have never been spammed by Connie Cleveland. - Cheryl
MV Select GCH. Charbo-Tanbark's Trinket v Hillside, TC, was Best of Breed both April 2 and 3 at Purina Farms in a huge specials class. Saturday judge was Jamie Hubbard and Sunday was Charles Olvis. She topped it off with a Group 4 on Sunday.
Congratulations!
Proud owner Chris Kimerer said, "She looked amazing under the guidance of Jeffrey Pyle. Wow, she gave me chills this weekend!
We are so proud to be a part of this girl with Tiffany Bartley, Bobbie Schiffelbein (Trinket's breeder) and Judy DeRousse."
Sally Hamm's Hillside-Tanbark Heidelburg Tiger Eye, TD, BN, CGC, "Heidi," was awarded a major reserve. This means Trinket achieved her ROM all out of one litter!
Watch next month's newsletter for a photo of Heidi getting her major
reserve.
Send New Title Information to Lew Bunch for Annual Awards
Lew Bunch, chair of the awards committee, asks members to let him know whenever your dog earns a new title during the year. He will compile this information to order plaques for the annual awards presentation at the annual holiday party. Lew said it is helpful to receive this information as your dog earns the awards, rather than at the end of the year.
1) Dog's full name, complete with all current titles.
2) List the new title(s) earned.
3) Your name.
Send to:
Lew Bunch
13100 Woodland Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64146
Or email lewieb@aol.com
Please contact Lew with any questions.
Online Resources:
Two YouTube videos from: Karen Becker, DVM, on Paw Care
Caladium accounts for 13 percent of plant exposures for pets,making it the second most common plant for pet poisoning. Photo courtesy Mississippi State University Extension.
Photo from: flickr user carllewis
Online resource: Prevent Plant-Related Pet Poisonings
Follow @gsdcgkc on Twitter
Twitter sends meeting reminders, GSD news, health information and fun facts! Sign up for @gsdcgkc at Twitter.com. Here are a few of the many notes you've missed if you're not following us. Check them out!
Trainer Michael Ellis explains IPO (formerly Schutzhund) for those unfamiliar with the sport. ow.ly/4mLTdq
Ideas from Franny Gott (Sweden) on how to help your dog love training. ow.ly/4mLSkF
The GSDCGKC all breed obedience trials are June 11-12 in Raytown, Mo. Entries close May 25 at 6 pm. Enter soon! ow.ly/4mLRON
Is your dog too excited or aggressive when taking treats from your hand? Curb this behavior w/ 3 simple ground rules ow.ly/4mVtu0
What dog owners should know about vaccines. Balanced article from Dogs Naturally. ow.ly/4n1ow2
Fast CAT is a new AKC event where dogs individually run the 100 yard dash. Looks like fun! ow.ly/4n1nUh
Things to consider when deciding whether to spay or neuter your dog from veterinarian Dr. Chris Zink. ow.ly/102SiN