Disp07

Display at Lord Whisky Animal Sanctuary Saturday 9th June 2007

Roger/Ben, Ros/Lucy, Mary/Sam, Jo/Rufus, Terry/Alfie, Norman/Charlie, Brenda/Chester, Janet/Smokey, Dan/Max, Cheryl/Charles

Our team of 10 handlers with their dogs went to Lord Whisky animal sanctuary at Stelling Minnis to demonstrate what can be achieved from our social obedience training.
The routine started with the handlers with their dogs being introduced individually into the arena by our commentator Mick and forming into a line along the length of the arena. The display then starts with half the team walking with dogs to heal to the other side of the arena completing a circle right half way across. All handlers then walk forward to pass dog to dog, this is then followed by the handlers working in pairs demonstrating the down stay.

Distance commands are also demonstrated with dogs asked to individually sit or down to create a Mexican wave. Handlers then leave their dogs to walk round in a circular path, this is followed by forming into two compact lines to recall between two rows of dogs.
Various other exercises are carried out including crossovers, disturbed downstay and pairs of dogs doing recall crossovers. The dogs were then left in a small circle in the middle of the arena while the handlers walked around the arena perimeter. Cheryl then walked into the centre and Charlie completed his party piece waving his front legs to the spectators. This was the signal for the other handles to rejoin their dogs, shake paws, place on lead and exit the display. The display started at 12 o'clock and lasted for about 20 minutes.
All the dogs and handlers put in a good performance which is always more difficult with so many distractions. Throughout the display Mick gave a very good commentary explaining about the club, the different exercises and the reasons for them which makes the display more interesting and educational.
I think all the handlers should give themselves a pat on the back and the dogs an extra treat for such a good display. For Charles and Max it was their first display with the team before an audience and they worked well with the 'older' hands who were in displays last year. Well done to them and of course their handlers Cheryl and Dan.

At the end of the display Anne presented a donation on behalf of the club to Margaret Todd who runs Lord Whisky to help support their animal welfare work.

The team completed a repeat demonstration at 13:30 before setting off home.

Video Clip

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Display at Labrador Rescue Reunion Day Sunday 2nd September 2007June

The display team comprising of eight handlers with their dogs put on another display on behalf of the club when they visited Labrador Rescue.
As Roger and Ros were unable to attend the lead was taken by Mike with Jack and Wendy with Charlie leading the second line in place of Ros. The other members of the team were Brenda with Chester, Cheryl with Charlie, Janet with Smokey, Norman with Charlie, Sue with Tia and Terry with Alfie.
The team put on another good display which was appreciated by the spectators. It was quite appropriate that half the team were Labradors for this venue. Charlie seems to be a popular name in this team, makes it more tricky knowing which one is being called.
Thanks to the team and Mick for the commentary.

Display at Lord Whisky Animal Sanctuary Saturday 8th September 2007

The display team assembled once more at Lord Whisky for their last display of 2007. Team on the day was Roger with Ben, Ros with Lucy, Cheryl with Charlie, Mike with Jack, Brenda with Chester, Terry with Alfie, Anne with Mizzy and Sue with Tia.

To start the display the team walked on one at a time with Mick introducing each handler and dog. With all the dogs in line and in the sit the display commenced in the normal manner until after the step over down stay. At this point a new element was introduced which meant walking the dogs to the centre of the ring then leaving pairs of dogs in the sit in opposing directions. Handlers returning to the end of the ring they had come from before returning to collect their dogs. The routine then carried on in the normal manner. It was nice to see so many spectators lining the ring and enjoying the display with clapping as the dogs successfully completed elements of the routine.
All the handlers and dogs did extremely well, the extra Thursday evening practice really paying off.
There is a lot of time and effort goes in to getting the dogs to work as well as they did and a really big well done to all.

Social obedience is about carrying out basic commands with dogs working close to each other without interfering with each other. This was demonstrated with all the dogs and well described by Mick in his very good informative commentary explaining the importance of the different elements of the routine.

Thanks again to all who have supported the team this year, now we have to start thinking about a routine for next year!

Every effort has been made to ensure the information contained within these pages is accurate, but no responsibility can be accepted for errors or omissions. Last updated: 08 September 2007