Cleveland's Source for Dog Training News and Information
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A Month of Greyhounds... |
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11th Annual Canine Fun Days and Greyhound Reunion coming
~Ed
Dickson
North Coast Dogs is proud to be involved this year with the 11th Annual Canine Fun Days and Greyhound Reunion, an event put on by Greyhound Adoption of Ohio the weekend of September 11th and 12th. The plight of greyhounds in our society is a sad story. The beauty and elegance of this breed is what stands out. The other part that stands out is that they are fast.........very fast. A point that did not go unnoticed by some. The human fascination with money and speed has taken advantage of this fact for far too many years in the industry of Greyhound racing.
There are two sides to this story just as there are to every story. First the side of the greyhounds. The first question is where do the animals that are used for racing come from? The answer is they are bred....and bred .......and then bred some more. So much so that there are more dogs than are actually needed for the racetrack. So the selection process begins and only the fastest survive. The HSUS estimates that in 2003 alone, 7,500 to 20,000 greyhounds were euthanized simply because they couldn't run fast enough. The conditions that greyhounds are usually kept in while not racing are generally less than favorable. Very small cages with very low quality food and little interaction tends to be the norm. The life expectancy of a greyhound is 13 or more years while the racing career is usually over at 3 1/2 to 4 years. They are then discarded so the next "batch" can move in. Just doesn't seem right, does it.
The other side of the story. The people
who are breeding and racing these dogs are doing it for one reason, money.
Greyhound racing is an industry that needs greyhounds to survive. In most
cases, the dogs are raced until they are no longer profitable to the "owner".
When they are not profitable, they move on to the next one. No attachment,
no leadership, no gentle guidance......just dollar signs. They are not seen
as the living, breathing social beings that they are.
In a day and age when the animal rescue movement seems to be picking up
steam, it appears the human race can make a choice, very similar to the
choices we urge our dogs to make with positive reinforcement methods of
training. We can choose to blindly support an industry driven by money and
the quick dollar or we can choose to learn and educate ourselves as to what
happens behind the scenes and find other forms of "entertainment" .
Right, wrong. Good, bad. Who I am to judge. I know there are two sides to every story. With the reading and learning that I have done, I know which side I choose in this one.
For some reading and facts about Greyhound racing, check out these articles from The Humane Society of the United States
New Addition to the North Coast Dogs Family
NCD Trainer Julie Weir has a new bundle coming into her household over the Labor Day weekend. The new addition will compliment her four legged family members Arlo, and Woody and will appropriately be named Pete. Little Pete is a beautiful brindle Whippet pup. He is going to be in Puppy Class and following the footsteps of his big brother, Woody, into Agility. Julie has had her sights set on a new puppy for close to a year now. She has deemed the time to be right and found one that fit what she wanted. Join us in congratulating Julie on this new addition and we are all looking forward to watching this new relationship form!
New
Products
North Coast Dogs has expanded our dog food offerings by deciding to carry Wellness brand dog food. Wellness is made by Old Mother Hubbard, whose Meaties and Bitz we carry for training treats. This brand, like the others that we carry, are made with all natural, human grade ingredients. The brands of food that NCD carry contain no fillers or by-products meaning that your dog (or cat) will digest and absorb more of what they eat which means less elimanation and also smaller meals. Wellness has been the Top Pick 3 years running in the Top Dry Dog Foods Report in the Whole Dog Journal. NCD takes pride in being able to offer another top quality product to our clients. If you have questions about the product or any others that we carry, please feel free to give us a call!
Special Seminars and Summer Events
September 11th & 12th ~ 11th Annual Canine Fun Days & Greyhound Reunion
Greyhound Adoption of Ohio is holding its 11th Annual Canine Fun Days and Greyhound Reunion, at the Cleveland Metroparks Polo Fields on the corner of Rt 87 & Chagrin River Rd. in Moreland Hills. Saturday the gates open at 10:30am, Sunday the gates open at 9:30am. Each day will be loaded with all sorts of events, demos and shows. You can enter your four legged friend into such contests as 'Prettiest Eyes', 'Best Trick', 'Kissing Contest', 'Dunking for (hot) Dogs', 'Best Costume' which has a $100. first prize!
Not into contests? There is a fenced in Lure course, Agility course, The Maze, a "Fun Run". Enter or watch the Basset Hound Races, Italian Greyhound Races, Weiner Dog Races, Jack Russell Races and Mixed Breed Races.
Just want to sit in a shady spot and people/dog watch with your best friend, have a little picnic -- stop at the food tent.
North Coast Dogs is a proud sponsor of this event. Stop at our booth and say hello. We will be holding Rally-O matches with Ginger Alpine and Anne Ferry. Julie Weir and Susanna Hamm will be holding Flyball demos with the North Coast Fly Ball team. Susanna Hamm will also be giving 5 minute Canine Massages on Sunday.
Skidboot, who won Animal Planet's Pet Starz competition will be back to put on his incredible show on both days. A show not to be missed!
Thinking about adoption? Check out rescue alley where local area shelters will be showing their friends who are looking for homes. Find a new friend and hit the vendors for a new collar, dog bed and other fun stuff. Dont miss the live auction of great dog and human products on Sunday.
Sunday at 10am there will be a Blessing of the Animals and Breakfast on the Grill. It is a weekend for ALL dogs and their families. It's an excellent opportunity to get some really fun socialization time.
Funds raised over this fun packed weekend will go to help Greyhound Adoption of Ohio continue to provide shelter, medical care, and TLC to these animals until they are placed in loving homes.
Snaves 'Scoop' Lee ~ On the Rescue Beat
This month's organization.......Greyhound Adoption of Ohio
~
Snaves Lee Watson
CALLING ALL JOGGERS!!! Looking for that special someone (or two) who will go for a nice long jog with you, who will enjoy a quiet walk with you? Well look no further, my friend! I have just who you need featured in this months' "Rescue Beat" column. Pablo and Pilar are Spanish Galgo Greyhounds who really did come from Spain. WOW! Imagine the frequent flyer miles!
Litter mates, Pablo and Pilar, 2- 1/2 years old, have been not only brother (neutered) and sister (spayed), but the best of buds. As the begininng of their lives were lacking in love and affection, not to mention the basic necessities, they really count on one another for security, comfort, but most of all - companionship. They have their hearts set on being adopted together! As this reporter knows first hand, we rescue-dogs make friends for life - four and two legged!
At 60'ish pounds each, they have improved quite a bit since they joined up with GAO (Grehound Adoption of Ohio,) in January. In addition to a few more inches around the waist, these two pups are learning that there are lots of nice people in this world, too, as they are making friends with the neat folks at GAO. Pablo and Pilar are learning some basic obedience; ie: leash walking, sit & down, as well as how to play. Mostly, though, they enjoy playing chase with each other. Boy oh boy, can those Greyhounds run! So - what do you say, Joggers? Bethca these two are just the ticket!
If you would like to see some Greyhounds and others having fun, not to mention people being silly, why dont you join us for the 11th Annual Canine Fun Days & Greyhound Reunion?
For more information about Pablo and Pilar, click on their names.
Remember: Hugs will get you a lot further than hurts!
Want to drop Scoop a note? Share a rescue story with her, suggest a Rescue or Shelter?
Send emails to Snaves Lee.
Rally-O Matches
Looking for more Rally-O matches?
Look no further. We are holding 2 at the Canine Fun Days and Greyhound Reunion. The only charge is your admission into the event (Adults-$5 & Children $3) which benefits the retired racing Greyhounds. Come find our booth and show off or brush up on your Rally skills. Saturday September 11th, Anne Ferry will be judging a match at 12:30pm. On Sunday, September 12th Ginger Alpine will be judging at 3pm. We will also have a course set up if you would just like to practice throughout the event weekend.
Also ~
Ginger Alpine will be judging an APDT Sanctioned Rally Obedience Trial hosted by Canine Coaches, LLC. Northfield Dog Training, 3676 W. Ellsworth Rd., Ann Arbor MI September 18th & 19th. Entries close September 4, 2004 or when full. Day of show entries accepted if limits not reached. Go to Canine Coaches to download the premium and get further information on the event.
Class Updates
Second Level Rally-O & Agility Classes Coming ~
With several of our existing Rally-O and Agility clients progressing, North Coast Dogs has found a need to add second level classes for both of these fun and entertaining canine sports. Agility Level 2 will be on the schedule in mid September and we hope to have Rally-O level 2 on the schedule sometime in October or November. Keep an eye on our website for class dates and times. If you have an interest in either of these beginning level classes and would like to find out more or come and observe a class, give us a call for the current classes that are in session.
New Volunteer/Intern Program ~
Are you or have you been a student at North Coast Dogs? Do you want to show others the "magic" of non-violent, reward based training? In our classes, you have learned it's not with magic but through innovative education and positive action combined with lots and lots of consistency and repetition that are keys to forming a sound, positive relationship with your canine friend. In addition to all of that, you still need to know how and when to be unpredictable and/or variable with your reinforcements. Have I lost you yet? Are you still interested in learning a way of teaching and training that will change your life? Are you interested in teaching others another way of training our favorite canine friends? Do you want to help change the world?
If the answer is yes to the above, then North Coast Dogs newly formed Trainer Guidance Program is for you. You, too, can learn how to teach canine obedience classes. You, too, can even learn how to teach behavior modification! To apply, you need to have taken a class or had an in-home session with NCD. If you are interested call Susanna Hamm at 216.221.DOGS or send an email expressing your level of interest.
