I wasn't at last night's meeting and neither, apparently, were our guest speakers due to illness.  However, President Keith Millington rose to the occasion and delivered a presentation on dog training and judging which, from the emails I have received today, members found 'very informative and interesting' . What talent we have in this club!

 

'I started in dogs in 1970 with a Kelpie cross that I trained in Obedience until she got a kidney problem and could no longer compete. I then became a Judge in 1974 to stay in the sport.

Dog training is based on the reward system with the basic steps being; Give the command to trigger the response in the dog; Show the dog the desired response; Reward the dog for the correct response.

Lots of options for a trained dog to be involved in activities. Obedience, Agility, Tracking, Herding, Earthdogs, Retrieving, Ralley, Dancing with Dogs and Tricks are all popular activities requiring different skills from the dog and handler but all developed from the basic reward-based training.

Dogs take up a lot of time, but the reward from the dog is so much more in the affection, loyalty and companionship that the dog gives.

A short video of my two dogs competing in a Strategic Pairs dog trial was shown where one dog will do a section of a trial course, then change to the other dog for the next section with at least two changes. My dogs had a bit of a play session in the middle of it, but we got the dogs back under control to be able to qualify with less than 1 second on the clock.

Dogs are for life, not for Christmas.'

 

Keith Millington

 

 

                                     (Robert Brookes)

 

Toastmasters is encouraging their members to support the alliance by:

1. Welcoming a Rotarian to visit a Toastmasters club;

2. Inviting a Rotarian to be a guest speaker at a Toastmasters club; 

3. Consider opportunities  to hold a joint Toastmasters/Rotary club meeting;

4. Learning more about Rotary and visiting a local Rotary club.
It seems to me that this idea has developed as a result of our World President's theme "ROTARY CONNECTS THE WORLD"  

                               Announcements

 

 

                                  Bilyara Road Gate

 

7 A.M. - 10 A.M  Mark Graetz, Sue Graetz. Phile Graetz

10 A.M. - 1 P.M. John Monfries, Peter Fraser, Mary Martin

1 P.M. - 4 P.M.   David West, Geoff Zerk 

 

                   Elizabeth Street - Playground Gate

 

10 A.M. - 1 P.M.  Peter Canning, Peter Flaherty, Geoff Zerk

1 P.M. - 4 P.M.    Keith Millington, Ray Fiebiger

 

                     Elizabeth Street - Show Hall Gate

 

6.30 A.M. - 10 A.M. Peter Sich, Peter Perkins, Peter Thomas,                                 Bryce Lillecrapp

10 A.M. - 1 P.M.   Bill Simons, Sandie Simons, Don Farley

1 P.M. - 4 P.M.     Marie Rothe, John Tunnicliff, Anne Tunnicliff  

 

Ian Rice has extended his leave of absence due to eye sight problems.  Please keep him in your thoughts.

 

NO ROTARY INFORMATION THIS WEEK!