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THE
GERMAN SHEPHERD SENTINEL AUGUST
2004 – NEWSLETTER OF THE GSDC OF GREATER
RALEIGH Pat Embrey, Newsletter Editor1390 Sanders Road, Benson, NC 27504 PH: 919-934-6232, E-Mail: VonRillca@aol.com Website of the GSDC of GR: www.gsdcofgrraleigh.org TABLE OF CONTENTS1. Board Policy on Dogs at Club Sponsored Events 2. August 2004 Meeting Information 3. Minutes of the July and June Meetings 4. Australian Mega Store 5. Tips on Insect Repellents and Killer 6. Deodorizing Ground, Grass and Runs 7. I’M Baad Because 8. Airline Cargo Door Openings 9. Grooming Tips 10. Canine Good Citizen 11. Pictures from our July Meeting. BOARD
POLICY ON DOGS AT CLUB SPONSORED EVENTS The GSDC of Greater Raleigh welcomes your German Shepherd at our events, including meetings. However, the following rules must be followed: 1. Anyone with an aggressive dog (one that growls, snaps, or is in any way aggressive towards other dogs or people) must be muzzled. 2. Dogs will be free of loose hair and external parasites (fleas or ticks). Please brush your dog prior to bringing it to the meeting as we must clean up the room after we are finished. 3. For the safety of all members, guests and their dogs, it is strongly recommended that all dogs be kept up to date on their vaccinations. ALL dogs that are old enough, MUST have a current rabies shot. AUGUST 2004 MEETING INFORMATION Our August meeting will be held on the 4th at the Exchange Park as usual with socialization beginning at 7:00 PM and our program starting at 7:30 PM. Dr. Liz Watson, DMV will be giving the program on Acupuncture and the new Vaccination Protocols. This should be a fascinating program and we hope we have a great attendance (along with the dogs). Refreshments are
being furnished by Ralph and Joan Mason. MINUTES OF THE JULY 2004 MEETINGGSDC of Greater Raleigh Meeting Minutes July 6, 2004 Program: Jane Wall did a short program on games to play with your dog such as hide-and-seek and musical chairs. These and other games (you can find many ideas on the internet) promote bonding and are just plain fun, as the demonstrations showed. Business Meeting: Vice-president of the club Deeda Duncan called the meeting to order and announced that President Sherwood Brantley has notified the club that he is stepping down immediately as club president and will also no longer be keeping up the club website, which is now down. Deeda will assume the duties of president and Chris Tew has graciously accepted the vice-president position. Bill Pfeiffer of the national GSD club has arranged for the club to have space for its’ web site through the parent club site for a small annual fee, about $40. The new web site is: www.gsdcofgrraleigh.org. Michael Zeeveld, a new applicant for club membership, has agreed to set up and run the web site for the club. Michael presented a basic outline and showed ideas from some other clubs. His goal is to put together a site that is easy to navigate, informative and attractive. The newsletter will be available at the site to club members but details are not complete yet. Bill says the national club sells ads on their site and that is certainly available to our club also. Pat Embrey will be the resource person who will clear everything before it goes on the web site. Deeda wants to come up with a new club brochure. Bill said that we can buy the national club’s newsletter and use the last page for our club information. Lisa Zeeveld volunteered to investigate details of setting this up. There are 4 more months before the end of the year and since December’s meeting is a dinner, we will need 3 more programs to be planned. Chris Tew said she would handle this and asks for any ideas members might have. Pat Embrey has been temporarily handling show details since Sherwood, who had agreed to serve as show secretary, has stepped down. The judges have been set up and Pat has confirmed the Raleigh Police Club site, but she is also looking at other possible sites that may offer people participating in the show more amenities. Also since we no longer have a show secretary, Pat has contacted Bob Peter’s Dog Shows about doing our show by serving as superintendent. The cost would be about $700 including ribbons and an additional $.25 per mailing for the first day, and $5.00 per entry for Sunday. New Business: Bill Pfeiffer talked about the Tailwaggers, a group that is in the process of reorganizing under a new mission and a new, as yet announced, name. The Raleigh Kennel Club is planning to rejoin now that they have a new president, Bob Peters and plans to become a club to lobby the NC legislature and serve as a central point for all licensed dog clubs in the Raleigh area. Also he reminded us that the nationals will be in North Carolina in 2005 and the sheepherding trials will be held in Durham in case anyone is interested in this event. First reading was held for Michael and Lisa Zeeveld of Fuquay. Treasurer’s Report: Sarah Bridges presented the Treasurer’s Report for June 2004 as well as an updated membership list.
Program: Dr. Crista Gallagher, DVM and Rehab Specialist Sandy Usry, BSPT,CCRP from the Arbor Creek Animal Wellness & Rehabilitation Clinic P.A. talked about their facility and what they offer for canine rehab. The clinic is located in Holly Springs and offers wellness and rehab (the canine equivalent to human physical therapy). They also offer full dog boarding and grooming, but specialize in in-patient and out-patient care including referrals from NCSU Vet School for after surgery care and geriatric care, degenerative disease, orthopedic care and even athletic conditioning. Business Meeting: Deeda called the meeting to order. Our March show had majors on both days and planning has already begun for next year. There is an AKC Rally Seminar at WCU on July 17th, with a match the following day. On June 18 & 19 there will be an all-day all-breed dog training and handling workshop in Monroe at a cost of $90 per dog and handler. The German Shepherd Dog Club of America wants information on our show for next year to put in their calendar. Treasure’s Report: Sara absent. Anyone with outstanding bills from the show should get them to her asap. AUSTRALIAN MEGA STORE There is a site on the internet in Australia from whom I have ordered flea and tick killers, sprays, etc. etc. So far, they have been totally reliable and a great deal less expensive than any of the suppliers here in the States. You order with a credit card and they automatically convert the sale to American money. Here is the site for anyone who is interested: http://www.pets-megastore.com.au/ INSECT REPELLENTS AND KILLERS I have an extensive library of tips and ideas for just
about everything, plus access to the internet,( as do all of us) so I am
compiling a list of tips for the Sentinel readers on ways to get rid of, avoid,
or just help our dogs with flying, crawling, and biting insects. Hope this is
helpful to all of you. Pat. REMEMBER, USE
THESE REMEDIES AT YOUR OWN RISK. I
HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH ANY OF THEM, BUT I AM NOT AN AUTHORITY. ALTERNATIVE TO FRONTLINE I have a bitch that has developed a sensitivity to Frontline Plus and would like an alternative, if anyone knows of one. She had done well on Advantage and Frontline but when the new formulation came out, she immediately began itching. You can't imagine the huge raw hot spots she developed and the discomfort she was in. I took her off the Frontline Plus for two months, tried it again and she went back to the itching I had that happen twice, and the worst part was getting the vet to believe me! He did tests for every "itching" thing he could think of before conceding it was the Frontline. The manufacturer's rep was cool though, and when the vet filed the required "incident" report, without even being asked they (Frontline) credited my account for not only the Frontline, BUT the vet charges for subsequent visits, RXs and tests. Seems it WASN'T an isolated incident. (What a nice surprise! I went in for rabies shots and found out I had hundreds of dollars of credit!) BUT HERE'S THE IMPORTANT THING (from Frontline): If you are using Frontline and notice severe itching to the areas of application, IMMEDIATELY wash the areas w/ DAWN LIQUID dish detergent (exactly what they use on wildlife after oil spills). If you get it off in the first 12-24 hours, you'll avoid a lot of the sensitivity, itching and oozey, gooey, hotspot type sores. After that it is too late, and the poor dog will just have to suffer through it and the treatments to go with. For now I use Biospot during the spring/summer/early fall, (pain in the a** for as many baths as they get) and spray w/ Citronella and use a pretty good gel on the dogs' ears and bellies called "Gel Forte" when we're working outside and the gnats are bad. Fleas and Ticks - Buy HI-LO comes in a gallon and when you buy one you get one free. It is a dip for cattle, sheep and dogs. Really works. Kept fleas from cats away from my place in the city. Out here it keeps everything under control. I carry a spray bottle of it with me to shows and before the kids get in the car we spray them so nothing comes home. New England serum company sells it for sometimes only one gallon sometimes as two for one. Have to check catalog. Fleas and Ticks - Diatomaceous earth. Put it into a duster, and dust everything. Don't spray it when the dogs are there to breath it...once it settles it is safe for dogs to run on. It is miraculous. Ticks and Organic Sulphur I recently discovered that MSM (organic sulphur) has been used for generations to repel ticks and chiggers on humans and dogs alike. I started using MSM when one of my dogs injured himself when jumping up on the grooming table. I also have a bitch that was starting to show signs of arthritis and with the MSM she experienced significant improvement. Our property borders the Apalachicola National Forest so ticks are abundant. Interestingly enough I haven't found a tick on one of the dogs in over three years, but I have found them on the cats who don't get the MSM supplement. ************************************* We had a dog come in for
boarding, . He had over 200 ticks
on him.. Most were seed ticks
which are baby ticks. We put a Tick Arrest
collar on him and put him in a crate. By morning all those ticks were
dead in the bottom of the crate. I SWEAR by Tick Arrest. Won't harm
puppies (over the age of 8 weeks) or
pregnant bitches. (I would only put them
on pregnant bitches in an extreme emergency). *************************************** Spray with Sevin. Dust with Sevin. The terrible thing about ticks is that they can lie dormant for over 20 years...until they find a host.
If there are deer or rabbits, even mice, they can serve as host...not
to mention birds. On the other
hand, birds eat ticks.
Another wonderful thing to dust with is diatoms...(diatomaceous
earth)... any little critter that comes in contact with it scratches its body
cover and it will die. It doesn't
bother the dogs...just the bugs. The Sevin is my first line of attack
against all bugs...the diatoms are just added protection. (Sevin
is now considered to be a dangerous chemical, however, I never had any
problems with it and used it for years. Pat). ****************************************** Ants - Used coffee grounds, It does not kill them, but they do move away. In the spring I have to do this around the dog runs, I have railroad ties around them and could not keep the ants out of them until I tried this. Flies - GUESS THEY DO NOT LIKE THE SMELL OF BLEACH. BUT IT DOES WORK. (This is kind of a
repeat from last month, but it can’t hurt to rewrite it) Can anyone tell me "why does , this work??" If it works, I'm all for it, and will try it.. but why does it?? SunRehGSD@aol.com wrote: I will reply to all who have written, however, I have modified the method just a tad. This is what I do: 2 parts bleach to 5-6 parts water, and in a large bowl, preferably glass or plastic as the metal ones will rust. Now, more dogs, use more bowls, I have 4 dogs, one bowl. Do this once a month or more often, mix and place in a place out of reach of animals, like on top of an old water heater, or work bench in the area where you keep doggie poop, or close to. Remember, you must also pick up your poop everyday, this will also help. Now, I give you about 1 month and you will see the difference. And, yes, it takes care of bees too! At this time last year my doggies had fly bites on their ears and I had problems with "white-faced" wasps who get a little pissed off when you remove their poop. No more wasps and no more flies. My neighbors can't believe the difference. And, trust me, my fly problem was terrible here, always in the house too YUK! I don't know if this will help this late in the season, but what have you got to lose? Bleach is so cheap, it is well worth it!!!!!!!!!! I love my backyard now :-) And another thank you for the scoot problem, dry potato flakes! I will pass that along. FLIES For ears and face, Roll-On fly repellent by Farnam. Works great and not as heavy as the pink stuff on puppy ears and much easier to get off before a show. For general fly repellent for me and the dogs, Flys-Off for dogs, by Farnam. Have found it works great for me too. And, even better than Off for mosquitoes. Byte Free...just once a week...also loosens and softens hot spot crud. MOSQUITO REPELLENTS
Pass this on to anyone who likes sitting out in the evening or when they're having a cook out. So you don't like those pesky mosquitoes, especially now that they have the potential to carry the West Nile Virus? Here's a tip that was given at a recent gardening forum. Put some water in a white dinner plate and add a couple drops of Lemon Fresh Joy dish detergent. Set the dish on your porch, patio, or other outdoor area. Not sure what attracts them, the lemon smell, the white plate color, or what, but mosquitoes flock to it, and drop dead shortly after drinking the Lemon Fresh Joy/water mixture, and usually within about 10 feet of the plate. Check this out---it works just super! May seem trivial, but
it may help control mosquitoes around your home, especially in the South and
elsewhere where the West Nile virus is reaching epidemic proportions in
mosquitoes, birds, and humans.
OK,mosquitoes...prepare to be repelled!!!!! Use Bounce Fabric Softener Sheets...Best thing ever used in Louisiana - just wipe on & go...Great for Babies
Bob, a fisherman, takes one vitamin B-1 tablet a day April through October. He said it works. He was right. Hasn't had a mosquito bite in 33 years. Try it. Every one he has talked into trying it works on them. Vitamin B-1 (Thiamine Hydrochloride 100 mg.) If you eat bananas, the mosquitoes like you, - something about the banana oil as your body processes it. Stop eating bananas for the summer and the mosquitoes will be much less interested. This is going to floor you, but one of the best insect repellents someone found (who is in the woods every day), is Vick's Vaporub. TICK REPELLENTS Here is a natural remedy: 15 oz spray bottle: 3/4 full water 1/4 full apple cider vinegar 15 drops peppermint oil 15 drops eucalyptus oil This is a great all purpose tick repellant.. Doesn't make the coat sticky and makes your dog smell nice too. You can also hang a bandana round the dogs neck with the essential oils on it for more protection. The spray is also safe and useful for humans OR Take the rinds of 1 each: lemon, lime, orange, and grapefruit and boil with 2 tablespoons rosemary (if using fresh, increase amount). Boil it for an hour, makes the house smell nice. Skim out the rosemary and the rinds, and pour the liquid into a spray bottle. You will have enough to put into another bottle to store in the freezer. Keep spray bottle in refrigerator, spray all over (watch the eyes!) before going out - works on people too DEODORIZING PENS, GRASS, ETC Sweet PDZ (this is obtainable from most horse suppliers, here in the area I find it at Southern States or Family Farm Supply). , dog door flaps, and other mundane things Sweet PDZ, for all those that asked privately is a product that is put on horse stall boards to adsorb moisture and odors. It looks like white sand (sort of) and very inexpensive the last time I bought someYou can get it at any feed store. (Not really, some of them recommend Lime, but I was not happy with that (I don’t remember why))Does it work on gravel? I don't know. Cement Floors? Never tried it. Dirt, wood, DG, yep. S I’M BAAAD…… BECAUSE
BY SYD MAILBURG REPRINTED WITH KIND PERMISSION I used to think I was a pretty good "dog
keeper"...that is, until I have AIRLINE CARGO DOOR
OPENINGS
FROM LEW
BUNCH, GSDCA REGIONAL CLUB COMMITTEE AND NANCY HARPER
(WHO MADE OUT THE LIST).
GROOMING TIPS
Most of the following tips are for the dog going into the show ring,
however most of these tips can be used in the day-to-day life of our dogs.
Behavior Socialize, socialize, socialize! Get your dogs out of the kennel and take them with you wherever you go, whether its to the kids softball game, the dry cleaners, or Jack In The Box.(OR OUR CLUB MEETINGS) As a side note, I’ve found that several of the fast food drive through restaurants in this area give dog cookies when there’s a dog in the car! Care for the Coat
A healthy coat comes from the inside out. As Sharlonna told me the first time I met her when I asked her what made the dogs coat so shiny, Its not what you put on your dog, it’s what you put in them! A nutritious diet (whatever is the best for your dogs - God knows none of us can agree on the best diet!! is the most important factor (other than genetics) to determine a healthy coat. Having said that, the following products/tips were given: Bathing: The dog should always be bathed immediately prior to a show and blown dry. It not only makes the dog look its best, but helps get their attitude up. Start grooming on the judges side. In case you get tired, the first side will look the best. Regular brushing is a must. Stuff that’s sprayed on the dog: most people are just spraying water for last minute touch-ups. Dogs have bad hair days just like we do! In that case, hair spray, conditioners, or straighteners come in handy. Take 1 tablespoon of people hair conditioner and dilute it in a spray bottle with warm water. Spray all over the dog, comb through, towel dry, then blow dry the dog. Blow drying tips: Blow against the lay of the hair all over except the back, neck and croup, which should lie flat. Get a de-matter made by Cherry Brook - the white one with curved teeth. Helps to smooth wavy hair. Brush away from the dog in the croup area. Also can use a Greyhound comb to combat matting. This isn’t exactly about coats - but - use Vitamin E cream on the nose and foot pads after bathing to erase dry skin and give a nice, dark look. Another thing that’s not about coats. Advantage continues to work even if you bathe the dog, just be sure to wait a few days before bathing. Invest in your own grooming kit: a powerful dryer, extension cord, a garden sprayer (like for insecticides) full of water (in case there’s not water for bathing at the show site), Shine, brushes, rakes, combs, extra collars and leashes, face cloth, towels, fixative (for cow-licks), Cindra Reconstructor, mousse, hair spray, first aid kit, sun screen, Immodium A-D, pain killers for the handlers (non prescription, of course), Tums for the Butterflies in your stomach, and if you’re really lucky, your own generator! Look for the best looking dogs, watch the groomers technique and ask questions. Recommended products: Bio-Vite shampoo by Crown Royal for body and shine, Crown Royal Bodifier diluted 1:5 (put on after drying and then dry again), a teaspoon of corn oil daily in their food, liver 3 times weekly, Inflight, Nupro, #1 All Systems Care products, Nova Pearls Moisturizing Shampoo by Tomlyn, Hoka Mix or Peak Performance oral supplements, and Cindra reconstructor. JB Wholesale was recommended as a good source of information with knowledgeable show breeder employees who know what they’re talking about! Ears Clean regularly (weekly) and last cleaning should not be done on the day of the show. Reason? The dog may go into the ring shaking its head trying to get the last of the gook out! Dont use straight rubbing alcohol as it may be too drying to the skin. Most people fill the ear canal with the cleaning solution, swish it around and let the dog shake its head to get rid of the excess solution. Follow that by wiping the ear out with a cotton ball. Repeat until the cotton ball comes out clean. Side note: I advise people to warm the solution before putting it into the ear. Test the temperature by placing the bottle against the back of your wrist (just like a baby bottle). Cold solutions in the ear are painful!! Never use Q-Tips! One slip can puncture the ear drum. Actually John DeHope pointed out that this isnt quite true because the dogs ear canal isnt straight, like a humans ear, but rather sort of buJb shaped so you shouldnt even be near the ear drum. We bow to John, because he does know everything!! But be careful with Q-tips just the same! Suggestions for cleaning solutions: Betadine/vinegar/alcohol (equal parts I imagine, the author didnt elaborate), half and half vinegar and rubbing alcohol, Novasan Otic. Nails Trimming prior to a show is a must! Its best to do the last trimming a couple of days prior to a show rather than immediately before the show. The reason for this is in case the blood vessel in the nail is cut, these few days will allow the nail to heal and the dog wont be limping in the ring. Trim the nails regularly. Regularly varies from dog to dog but usually once every week or two, weekly if grinding, every 2 weeks if clipping. When the nails click on the kitchen floor, is a good indication that you may have waited too long! Regular trimming helps keep the feet tight and prevent splaying (straightening out of the toes). After trimming with clippers (or instead of clippers) use a Dremmel or grinder to smooth the edges. If you use a grinder, put a drop of oil on the nail afterwards to get rid of the dusty look and prevent splitting. Cookies after trimming and snuggles during trimming make it a little easier. Teeth Brush their teeth with a doggy tooth paste. Taxi Groom solution made by Cherry Brook came highly recommended! Dentatreat by Wysong powder sprinkled on their food helps cut down tartar build-up, and abrades existing tartar. Conditioning
The purpose of conditioning is to increase endurance and increase muscle tone. A dog in good condition will have firm muscle tone without softness, rolling or spinginess. Most responders roadwork their dogs on a bike. Length varies; start slowly, usually about 1/2 mile, gradually increasing up to 2-3 miles as the dog tolerates. Duration varied depending on the dogs speed, usually 10-20 minutes. Frequency varied from daily to 2 or 3 times per week. Go at the speed required to keep the dog gaiting. Stop when the dog appears tired or their tongue starts hanging out of their mouths! Talk to the dogs during this one-on-one time them telling them how wonderful they are! ALWAYS wait a couple of hours after exercising the dog to feed them or at least crate them for 30 minutes before feeding. Road work in the morning or evening when its cool, you can also hose them off to cool them down when you get home. If swimming the dog, the duration is the same as road working the dog. Following swimming, if done in a pool, be sure to rinse all the chlorine out of the coat. Chlorine left to dry in the coat can cause hair breakage. Keep the dog on a leash while in the pool as you walk along the perimeter of the deck. If you are in the pool with the dog, wearing a wetsuit protects you from getting scratched accidentally and keeps you warm! When swimming the dog in bright sunlight, put a doggy baseball cap on them to protect their eyes. One responder felt swimming may build too much muscle in the front and restrict front reach, but felt it was very good for weak pasterns. If you’re very talented you can road work the dogs from a vehicle. Go 5-7 miles/hour for no more than 2 miles. Stop road working on the Thursday prior to any show. Training
Start by teaching the dog to stand , then stack, followed by Stay. Gradually increasing the duration of the stay. Eventually teach them turn for the out and back. Get the dog to a handling class, if available. Smart dogs get bored quickly, vary the routine and don’t overtrain. Why are dogs at the specialties thinner than those at all breeds? The specialty dog is most likely in better condition. They have to be because for the most part the specialty rings are much bigger than the all breed rings......Lets take them around one more time.....! Usually you want to see or feel the last rib. Another thought was that all breed judges prefer plush coats and pretty, standing dogs. Specialty judges focus on movement. My dog behaves badly when he’s taken away from me. What can I do to change that? Linda Bankhead gets the gold star for the first place response: Mine does too. That is how you know they love you. I would never change that! CANINE GOOD CITIZEN The Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Program is a program by the American Kennel Club (AKC) which is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. A dog that has been through a basic obedience class or that has been trained at home should be able to pass the 10 item test. Dogs do not need to be AKC registered to test. Sometimes landlords are more willing to rent to prospective tenants with dogs if the dogs have passed a CGC test. The 10 item CGC test include:
More information can be found at the AKC web site, www.akc.org
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