'DOG ENDS' NEWSLETTER

BILLINGSHURST DOG TRAINING CLUB

 

 

‘DOG ENDS’

BDTC SPRING/SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2025

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Calling all BDTC members.

Don’t forget the BDTC Obedience Show is on the 20^th June!

Please find time to help!!

We cannot run this show without the help from the club members!

 

BDTC OBEDIENCE SHOW

BDTC is holding its annual Obedience show and the club needs as much help as we can get to make it the success it has been in previous years.

 

20th June BDTC Obedience Show setup.

21st June BDTC Obedience Show

22nd June taking down show

 

BDTC Open Obedience Show is being held back-to-back with South Eastern Dog Training Society at Horsham Rugby Club, Hammerpond Rd, Horsham, RH13 6PJ.

Prior to the show, if you can provide any tombola prizes, please bring them to Club on a Wednesday prior to the 18^th June. (There will be a box at agility to deposit prizes in). If you could volunteer to collect the prizes and number them up, please let us know.

On Wednesday 18th June at Club or Friday 20th June on the field, we need cakes for the judges’ teas.

On Friday, help will be needed to set up rings and distribute tables and chairs to the rings. Also help may be needed with parking the weekend campers.

On Saturday, help will be needed manning the car park (from 7.00am), taking score boards out to the rings, helping in the kitchen, distributing and refilling ring boxes and manning the tombola table.

On Sunday afternoon, after 4.00pm, help will be needed to take down rings, tents, load the trailer and generally help tidy up.

Please contact Eunice Pearson if you can be of assistance.

 

OBEDIENCE SECTION

Kennel Club Good Citizen Award

The Good Citizen Dog Scheme promotes responsible dog ownership as it is aimed at owners who train their dogs for everyday life situations - which of course matches the ethos of our club.

Tests were held on 24th November at Silver and Gold Level, where we were certainly challenged by the weather given these tests are held outdoors!

Nonetheless, we again had a good result with six passing at Silver Level and two passing at Gold Level.

Tracey judged for us again and was - as always - encouraging to both the handlers and their dogs.

 

Well done to everyone who took part and congratulations to those who passed the test. 

Christine Bolton with Roxy (Silver), Marion Clarke with Louis (Silver)

Eleanor Baston with Scarlett (Silver), Tracey Masters (judge)

Millie Winter with Tux (Silver), Samantha Liversedge with Ripley (Gold)

Andree Langhorn with Kiera (Gold), Ellie O’Donnell with Lux (Silver)

Theo O’Donnell with Lunar (Silver)

 

BDTC will be organising the Kennel Club Bronze Good Citizen award on the 14th May with the Gold & Silver will be held in October/November. Please contact me if you want to participate.

Elaine Heath, Obedience Instructor

 

Obedience Success!

Congratulations to Les Cocks and his young rottweiler Yogi (Jaqary Blaze of Glory) who won the limit class at Crufts in March, and then went on to win the reserve CC.                                             

Well done Les!                    The Ed!

   

AGILITY SECTION

Agility Competitions Advice

(By our new section trainer Graham Rapley)

Competitions can sound scary… and often people will say ’but I’m not that good’;  ‘ but I don’t have weaves’, but they don’t have to be and there are shows for all levels!   Some shows are designed for absolute beginners to get handlers and dogs used to show environments and courses are set up accordingly.  Others are for the more advanced and include all equipment…but which one is right for you?   This general guide will cover some of the local shows and give you an idea of what level it is aimed at, and what to expect.     If you are interested in competitions or unsure and want to talk to someone, please speak to your trainer and they can either help you or point you in the direction of someone who can.

I hope you find this helpful.

Beginners Shows:

Jumping Jacks – Redhill

This is a great show for complete beginners.   There are several levels with courses getting harder and with more equipment included, but the first level (Pre-Intro) is aimed at the complete beginner.   Courses are usually far easier than you are used to at training and there are no weaves or seesaw.  Also, the A Frame and Dog walk are set at their lowest levels so dogs are not phased by them in a show environment.

Dogs are also expected to run at a height lower than where they would be measured at other shows and measuring (for that show only) can be arranged by speaking to the secretary at your first show. Rings are also fully enclosed so there are no worries about your dog running off.

Competitions to enter are either two jumping and one agility, plus a fun one (such as tunnel fun with lots of running through tunnels) or two agility and one jumping, plus a fun one, depending on which day you enter. Rules and further information can be found on the Jumping Jacks website.

They run from May to August with finals on the last day for dogs at Introductory level and above.

 

 

Pachesham

This is another beginners show and is only open to beginners and lower Kennel Club grades.  Courses are under cover and only contain jumps & tunnels in a single ring.  Courses are trickier than the Pre-intro at Jumping Jacks, but still no harder than you do in training.  Dog numbers are limited to 60 across all heights, so it is a very small friendly competition and great for getting to know people that are on the local circuit.

There are three runs in this competition.

Jenpaws

These are run twice a year as fundraisers for the Moorcroft Equine centre in Slinfold but fill up really quickly, so you need to be fast booking them when they are advertised.

They are held at either Slinfold or Pulborough and consist of 3 steeplechases, plus you get a chance to buy a second chance on one of the runs (you can choose which one you use it on on the day).

Jump ‘n’ Touch

These are held at Brinsbury in Pulborough and consist of 3 runs, a steeplechase, jumping and agility course.

The jumping and agility do contain straight weaves and a seesaw.

Elystari

They run 2 types of competition, a beginners show and a KC show.

The beginners show consists of 2 goes at two of either jumping, agility or steeplechase.  Steeplechase is just jumps and tunnels, Jumping includes 6 straight weave poles and Agility includes dog walk and A frame, but no seesaw or weaves.  This is perfect for beginners as the Steeplechase and Agility option avoids weaves and seesaw and you get 2 goes at it!

More advanced KC shows:

Before entering a KC show, you must be measured to formally agree what size you are able to run at.  You must also purchase a book (£4) where this will be documented.  Measuring is completed at a number of shows and they are always very nice and helpful (even if you have a crazy dog that won’t stand still!).

KC shows are split by Grades.  You will always start at Grade 1 and the highest level is Grade 7.  Progression is based on wins or a culmination of points of which a proportion must be from agility runs.

Shows often combine grades, so you will run the same course, but are only competing against others of the same grade.  Beginners competitions are usually either Grade 1-2 or Grade 1-3.

If considering entering KC shows, you will need to go online to the Agility Plaza website (or download the App) where you will be able to enter and pay for shows as well as keep track of what is happening on the day.  Please also consider joining the AgilityClub where you can gain points for the club (we are currently in Division 2). Help for getting online with either of these can be given if needed.

Most KC shows will have 2 jumping and 2 agility courses at each height and some will also have a steeplechase, so there are plenty of opportunities to get a good run.

 

Local shows to enter are:

Wessex - Often shows are at Cranleigh Showground

Kelluki – Shows at either Cranleigh Showground,  Merrist Wood in Guildford or Priory Equestrian (south of Farnham)

Elystari – Shows at Hailsham

It’s also worth remembering that there are usually a group of us that go to shows together to support each other, so there are usually people around to walk courses with you and help you if you are unsure what to do.  If still unsure, then why not come along and watch one, there is nothing to stop you walking a course if you haven’t entered and then you can watch how others get on with it.

It is important to remember, there is always someone worse than you!  Just watch and see

Lastly, and most importantly, there are usually plenty of cups of tea and bacon butties at most of the showsJ

 

Well done Graham, for an interesting article and passing the Agility Seminar course!                                                                                                                                                              The Ed!

 

BDTC CHARITY

CHARITY COORDINATOR-CATHERINE BROWN

bdtccharity@billingshurst-dtc.org        clympingdogsantuary.co.uk

2024/2025 CHARITY- CLYMPING DOG SANCTUARY

Amount raised so far £357

Clymping Dog Sanctuary take in unwanted and stray dogs and also dogs from owners who find they can no longer keep them. They never judge. They care for and keep the dogs, until they find loving, forever homes for them. They never put a clinically healthy dog down, so sometimes they have a few long term residents with them until the right owner comes along.                        

DOGS COME FIRST AND THEY GIVE THEM EXACTLY WHAT THEY NEED.

Clymping Dog Sanctuary provides a safe refuge for many vulnerable dogs. Sadly some owners decide they no longer want, or can care for their dogs and surrender them. Other times these dogs are found as strays. They look after them all, until they can find their rightful place in a loving forever home. If they cannot find them the right home, they will always have one with them at the Sanctuary, and they will love them. They never put a healthy dog down.                                     

THE SANCTUARY IS RUN SOLELY BY VOLUNTEERS.                                                                      They often receive wounded dogs in desperate need of medical attention or on the brink of starvation. There is no greater reward than seeing a dog fully restored and filled with joy. As an organisation run solely by volunteers, they rely heavily on people’s donations.

 

2023/24 Charity – Hearing Dogs for the Deaf

The 2024 donation has now been transferred to ‘Hearing Dogs for the Deaf’ by Trudy. Thank you for the relevant charity photos from agility (Neil), KCGCS (Elaine) and the big cheque photos at both agility and obedience (Eunice).  I have emailed these with a short explanation to the charity and have received an email with the reply and a thank you letter and certificate. Please check out the Charity website page for the pictures and certificate.             Catherine                                                                                              

 

BDTC  CLUB CLOTHING

 

If you wish to see a few samples of the club clothing available please speak to Catherine Brown (alternatively contact noticeboard@billingshurst-dtc.org and I will speak to her.

Surrey Embroidery is the suppliers of BDTC clothing.

Check out the items below on the Surrey Embroidery website:        www.surreyembroidery.co.uk 

Either phone them, contact them via the contact page, or email them with your order at the address. info@surreyembroidery.co.uk

 

Sweatshirts – Navy: RX 301: £22.00 

Hoodies: RX350:  £25.20

Zip Hoody: RX351:  £27.50

Rugby Shirts:   FR100 Navy with white collar: £29.00 

Polo Shirts:  RX101 – Navy or white: £18.00 

Ladies T shirts:  GD95 – Navy and White: £17.00 

Jackets:  RG211: £27.00 

Cap:  RC050 Navy: £15.50

Body Warmer:  RS214 – Navy : £31.00

 

 

Includes garment, embroidery, vat and p&p, i.e. everything included to receive an individual order. They will send an invoice with the garment.

Please note, Surrey Embroidery do not accept Card Payments so people can pay by BACS, Cheque or Cash. (Note: Prices are correct at time of printing but are subject to change.)

The Surrey Embroidery Co Ltd, The Old Coach House,

1 Fengates Road, Redhill, Surrey,  RH1 6AG.

Tel: 01737 761666, Fax: 01737 780666. 

 

DATES FOR THE DIARY

21st JUNE BDTC OBEDIENCE SHOW

28th NOVEMBER BDTC AGM

 

 

ONLINE PAYMENT

Thanks to all of you who pay your course fees and membership subscriptions online. It is the quickest and easiest way to pay the club.

For anybody who wants to take advantage of this payment system, here are the bank details.

Sort code: 30 94 41 Account number: 01678041.

Contact Trudy at treasurer@billingshurst-dtc.org for more details.

Your membership forms will need to be returned to Lynne Stringer

 

 

TAIL NOTE!

I hope you all enjoyed this copy of ‘DOG ENDS’ and have found something of interest, and we will see you at one of the events.

If you need to find anything out about Billingshurst Dog Training Club, the best place is to check out the website www.billingshurst-dtc.org, which I try to keep updated regularly.

If you have anything you would like added (or put in ‘DOG ENDS’) please contact me at noticeboard@billingshurst-dtc.org, and I will be pleased to add it.

Contributions for the next issue and website are always gratefully received.   

As ever, a very big thank you to all of you who contributed to this edition of ‘DOG ENDS’                                                                                                         The Ed!

 

 

 

 

Please note BDTC cannot be held responsible for any information found on any of the links in the ‘DOG ENDS’ Newsletter.

 

 

 

 

 

(Please note BDTC cannot be held responsible for any information found on any links on the BDTC website!)