~ ~ A newsletter of the Hamburg All Breed Obedience Club ~

MARCH 2013Hamburg All Breed Obedience Club 3656 Milestrip Road Blasdell, NY 14219

OFFICERS

PRESIDENT Kim Hitt / 716 -432 -8807 khitt@sedgeblac.com

VICE PRESIDENTMary Ellen Pratt / 716-947-5135 pups4geb@verizon.net

SECRETARYGail Studer / 716-662-1129 gsstuder@verizon.net

TREASURERKathy Quinn / 716-822-0350kmquinn@roadrunner.com

MEMBERS AT LARGE Sue Murphy / 716-823-6852 smur@roadrunner.com

Carole Gannon / 716-549-0388Tippy2bear@yahoo.com

TRAINING COORDINATOR Kathy Quinn

NEWSLETTER EDITOR Jean Barrett / 716-713-2959 jean.barrett@verizon.net

Next newsletter deadline is APRIL 24 !!!

HABOC NEWSHABOC

NEXT MEETING at the club building

MARCH 14 7 pm

Check us out on FACEBOOK - Search for Hamburg All Breed Obedience Club OR on our WEBSITE www.HABOC.com

Hello fellow HABOC members!

On behalf of the new Board I would like to thank you for your support in electing us to serve you in 2013. For those of you who don't know me I have been training, breeding, & showing Chesapeake Bay Retrievers & Flat-coated Retrievers in Obedience, Agility, Conformation, Rally Obedience, and Hunting Tests since I was 10 years old.

My dogs have earned titles up to and including Bred-by Exhibitor Championship (Ch), Grand Championship (GCh), Group Placements, Master Hunter (MH), Master Excellent Agility (MX/MXJ), Companion Dog Excellent (CDX), Rally Advanced Excellent (RAE), induction into the Flat-Coated Retriever Society of America Hall of Fame, and I am currently working towards my first Master Agility Championship (MACH) title.

Some of you may remember me from my years as a Junior Handler, however I have been out of the Buffalo area for the past 8 years while pursuing my Bachelors degree and Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degree.

Now that I am back I look forward to getting to know each of you personally! If any one has any suggestions, ideas, complaints, or recommendations please do not hesitate to contact me at khitt@sedgeblac.com."

KIM HITT

BOW, WOW, WOWS & BRAGS

Jean Barrett is proud to announce that Working Trial Ch Find Yourself Wicked DNA-VP ATDcsd OTFDm aka Mumble is included in 2011-2012 Merit Awards from the Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA). These Merit Awards are tallied from Australian Shepherds competing in ASCA stockdog trials in US, Canada and Europe. ASCA honors the Top Ten in each livestock division.

#2 Advanced Trial Dog on Sheep #2 Advanced Trial Dog on Ducks #3 Advanced Trial Dog on Cattle

Then over in AKC Herding, Find Yourself Wicked HXAcd -Mumble has been doing a great job as well! For points tallied from Jan - Aug 2012 as seen in the Nov/Dec 2012 Aust Shep Journal.

#1 Australian Shepherd AKC in HXA ducks - which just means - A course Advanced Ducks. #1 Australian Shepherd AKC in HXB ducks - which is B course Advanced Ducks.

Jean's Border Collie Nor'easter is also ranked #52 in Open Cattle from the US Border Collie Handler's Assoc and he's invited to the USBCHA National Cattle Dog Finals in Missouri.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Cindy Beeley would like to thank HABOC for sponsoring the TDI (Therapy Dog International) test last year. Molly passed the test and has been doing therapy sessions at public schools, SUNY at Buffalo, and she just began bi-monthly visits at Aurora Care in East Aurora. Molly is pictured at the facility before she starts her rounds at the Assisted Care units. Molly is AKA: Multiple Group Placing Am & Cn CH, BOSS, GCH Timberwind's Perfect Storm CD, PT, AX, OAJ, CA, RN, TT TDI. Molly is 2 years and 4 months old.

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Eva Raczka - Pi finished her championship at 10 months of age at the Buffalo KC going WB all three days she was entered. She is now Ch. Coyote Run Lambda Lambda Lambda RN

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From Mary Ellen Pratt - Have you ever witnessed a person and a dog connected by a harness navigate a busy street and marveled at the miracle? Well those miracles don’t happen by chance. They are the result of a very special group of volunteers called Puppy Raisers. January 20, a dedicated puppy raiser for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Mary Ellen Pratt, tearfully sent her 24th puppy off to the National Training Center in Yorktown Heights, New York. Bucky, a nineteen month old Black Labrador Retriever was tested and accepted into Guide Dog Training. There is a minimum of 5 months training before Bucky will be matched with a visually impaired man or woman. We wish Bucky a long, happy and healthy life.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Eva Raczka - Eli finished his CD at the DOTCORNY Obedience Trial, which also helps him fulfill the requirements for the Versatility Certificate from the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of America. Eli now is:Am GCH/Can Ch. Ivy League's Red Carpet Rollick CD, OA, AXJ, OF, NAP, OJP, OFP, RN, CGC, OAC, NJC, HP-N, TN-E

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Sue Murphy’s Belgian Malinois, Remy Coeur de Lion BN, CD, GN, BH, APr1 completed his Graduate Novice title at the Nickel City Cluster. He also earned the first leg toward his CDX taking second place in both classes and got his CGC title this month.

Dr Shutlz's Vaccine Seminar April 20, 2013 9am – 4pmCreekside Banquet Facility 2699 Union Road Cheektowga, NY

"What Every Pet Owner Needs to Know about Vaccines" Featuring World Renowned Expert Dr Shutlz

For more information -http://blogger.thepetsperspective.com/dr-ronald-schultz-seminar-4-20-13/

Monday AGILITY Barb Klucik 716–440–0936 agiliteve@aol.com 12 pm Advanced Beginners 5:30 pm Advanced Beginners 1 pm Intermediate 6:30 pm Advanced2:30 pm Advanced 7:30 pm Advanced3:30 pm Advanced 8:30 pm Intermediate4:30 pm Intermediate

Tuesday AGILITY Patty Andolina Sheltifun@aol.com 9 am Advanced Agility Handling 10:30 am Advanced Beginner/Novice

AGILITY Dina Bistany 716–860–5969 ubistany@roadrunner.com 1 pm Intermediate Agility Handling 5 pm New & Review 2 pm Intermediate Agility Handling 6 pm Intermediate Agility Handling 3 pm Adv Beg/ Intermediate Agility Handling 7 pm Advanced Agility Handling 4 pm Puppy Agility 8 pm Puppy Agility

Wednesday AGILITY Dina Bistany 716–860–5969 ubistany@roadrunner.com12:30 pm Puppy Agility 2 pm Advanced Agility Handling 3:30 pm Puppy Agility Contact Dina to be placed in the appropriate class

AGILITY Barb Klucik 716–440–0936 agiliteve@aol.com6 pm Advanced Agility 8 pm Advanced Puppy Agility7 pm Advanced Agility (for puppies and young dogs that have some basic skills)

Thursday OBEDIENCE Cindy Rathbun cynthiarathbun@aol.com 716-491-05856 pm Novice / Beginner Novice Competition Obedience 8 pm Utility Competition Skills7 pm Open Competition Obedience **All classes begin with Happy Heeling**

Saturday OBEDIENCE Amy Swietlik justforthedogs956@yahoo.com 716-574-5006 10 am Puppy Obedience 1 pm Trick Training Class11:15 am Companion Dog

Sunday OBEDIENCE Mary Ellen Pratt 716–947–5135 pups4geb@verizon.net

4 pm Speical S.T.A.R. 6 pm S.T.A.R. Puppy (small breeds)5 pm Intermediate Obedience 7 pm S.T.A.R. Puppy (large breeds)

** Both classes offering S.T.A.R. Puppy Testing **

CGC is now an official AKC title! (see attachment)Beginning January 1, 2013, passing the AKC®’s Canine Good Citizen® test can be recognized as an

CLASS SCHEDULE

BUILDING USAGE: The hall can be used for practices whenever not in use for classes. Contact Sue Murphy for more information. smur@roadrunner.com 716-823-6852

RATES: Members $5/ hr / person Non-Member $10 / hr / personGROUP - Members $25 / 2 hrs Non- Member $35 / 2 hrs

http://www.akc.org/press_center/article.cfm?article_id=4802&spMailingID=4667291&spUserID=MTQwNDE2NTUzODcS1&spJobID=139436546&spReportId=MTM5NDM2NTQ2S0

HERDING CLINIC with Mr Cappy Pruett from Denver, CO. May 30, 31, June 1 – 6. Here's your chance to start your dog herding with one of the best instructors in the field! Mr Pruett has been my mentor for 10yrs+ . Cappy will be coming to my farm in Forestville for 6 days of sheep herding and 2 days of working cattle. Some working spots left - Contact Jean for info – jean.barrett@verizon.net

Message from the May Agility Trial Chairperson

Our May agility trial is fast approaching and Dina Bistany, trial chairperson for the May Agility trial, is in need

AKC's CGC is now a TITLE!Beginning January 1, 2013, passing the AKC®’s Canine Good Citizen® test can be recognized as an official American Kennel Club® title for all dogs.

“We’re pleased to celebrate the accomplishments of the thousands of dogs that pass the Canine Good Citizen test each year by offering CGC as a title,” said Mary Burch, PhD, director of AKC’s Canine Good Citizen program. “The CGC program tests the skills that make dogs a joy to live with and many owners have expressed the desire to officially add this ‘badge of honor’ to the end of their dog’s official AKC name. We hope that CGC is the first of many titles these dogs earn.”

For the complete article follow this link to the AKC Website-

NEW HABOC RALLY CLASS

We are very excited to announce that we are staring a new Rally class at HABOC on March 7th, from4-5 pm. Kim Alexander-Thompson will be training the class. It will be a 6 week class and the feeIs $75 for non-members and $67.50 for members.

For those of you that do not know Kim and her Standard Poodle – Abra, let me tell you a little about her and her credentials.

Kim has been doing Rally in AKC, UKC, CARO. In 2011, in UKC Abra & Kim were the #1 dog In UKC in RO2 and #2 in RO3. They were also in the Top Twenty for 2012. They continue in all Venues.

Additionally, Kim has judged matches for the Western Lakes Training Club.

Kim can be reached at 839-4379 or kimrobross@gmail for more info!!

Tribute to HABOC Member DOTTIE SELLE

submitted to NL by Yvonne Michalak

On February 14th, 2013, Dottie Selle, one of the founding Members of HABOC, died peacefully at her home in Hamburg, NY. She served as President of HABOC on five separate occasions and also held office as Vice President for several years. Dottie was one of the Members who was instrumental in getting AKC acceptance for our first Dog Show held on May 3rd and 4th, 1997. She served as Hospitality Chairperson that year and as Trial Chairman in 2000, 2003, and 2006 and also as Chief Ring Steward in 2005. She was an Obedience Trainer, taught Puppy Classes, and was a Beginner/Novice Agility Trainer when the sport was first introduced to our Club in the mid 1990s. When Rally began in the AKC, Dottie would introduce a few signs in her Obedience classes each week and talk about the new Title requirements and rules. As Breeder/Owner/Handler, she showed her dogs in Conformation. She encouraged all her friends and students to participate in AKC Shows and programs, such as the Canine Good Citizen. Dottie was also a Member of the Buffalo Kennel Club and worked as a Steward there.

Dottie and her husband, Don, raised Champion Gordon Setters and Lakeland Terriers under the "Don-D's" Kennel name. Beginning with German Shorthaired Pointers and Beagles, they next turned to Gordon Setters and their Ch Don-D's Miss Mischief, "Missy" was the Most Winning Gordon Setter in the USA for two years running. Their first Lakeland Terrier, "Poocho", came from California and they soon found out that he only understood Spanish. The whole family had to learn the language in order communicate with him! One of their Lakeland Terriers, Ch Don-D's Ode to Joy, "Joy" not only won her championship but also her CDX in Obedience along with her Novice Jumpers Agiltiy title. Dottie always like to have a working Title in addition to a Championship on her dogs. When she was in her early 70s, she bought a full set of Agility equipment and set up a different course in her back yard every week during the summer. Her friends were always welcome to come in and run the course with their dogs!

A Registered Nurse, Dottie was graduated from the Buffalo General Hospital School of Nursing. She worked in the Operating Room there and then married Don and raised their five children. Their daughter, Cindy Rotino, was a HABOC member for many years. Dottie also worked with Dr. Robert Dygert at the Hamburg Veterinary Clinic on Pleasant Ave.

A Memorial Service will be held in June---details to be announced.

Message from the May Agility Trial Chairperson – Dina Bistany

Our May agility trial is fast approaching and Dina Bistany, trial chairperson for the May Agility trial, is in need of gift cards which can be used for the worker raffle. Members unable to help at this trial due to its out of town location, are asked to make a donation of a gift card valued at $10 in lieu of working at the trial. There will be a container on the desk appropriately labeled into which these cards may be dropped. Pick one of your favorite retailers. Tim Horton’s and Pet Smart are always welcome raffle items as is just about anything you might fancy yourself. Dina will be happy to accept other worker raffle items as well and they may be left on the large table on the stage at the training building. If not habituating the training center, gift cards may be mailed to: Undine Bistany, 115 Lexington Ave., Buffalo NY, 14222. Contributions gratefully accepted.

Our quilt for the May agility trial raffle will soon be finished and ready for members to view. The quilt this year is smaller than twin size---more like a ‘throw’. Raffle tickets for club members not attending the trial will once again be available for purchase allowing all members a chance to win this hand made memento. There will be more information about the quilt in the April newsletter.

A reminder that our HABOC agility trial opens March 12, 2013. Please tell everyone and anyone. The premium list is available on our website as well as Countryside Agility.

WHY BELONG TO A ‘DOG CLUB’? submitted to the NL by Dina Bistany

Definition of a ‘club’: a group of people associated for a common purpose, usually in an organization that meets regularly. This is what HABOC strives to be and what HABOC tries to be. HABOC was conceived by its’ founders to be an organization to facilitate the training of dogs, not solely for its members but also providing an opportunity to do so for other persons within the community.

To facilitate this mandate, members are asked to help with various functions throughout the year which are initiated to help raise money and keep the club solvent. One way we do this is to pay our yearly membership dues.

In return for this membership we are to have special privileges such as reduced costs for classes and most important of all: providing a place to train our dogs, nurture our relationships with our dogs, have fun with our dogs and allow many of us to pursue our favorite hobby, without which, many of us would feel quite despondent, right? All of this club-work and club- benefit is supposed to be done with camaraderie (comradeship, loyalty, and good spirited fellowship) within the confines of HABOC, our club! It is hoped, ideally, that this club-work and club-benefit ratio be somewhat balanced between all members of the club.

All of the above is an oversimplification of what keeps a club sustainable, running smoothly, and solvent in an ‘ideal club-world’. Unfortunately, the status quo is quite different for most clubs and it is evident that it takes a lot of work on the part of a few members to make all this happen.

It is becoming evident for HABOC, as with other similar dog training clubs, that membership fees and fees collected from classes, are no longer enough to meet the rising costs of insurance, rents, sustaining quality instructors, and keeping up with repairs as needed or purchasing even small amounts of new equipment. As an example, the DOTCORNY club in Rochester will be forced to close its training facility because its overhead is far more than the club can afford.

Of utmost importance, clubs are in need of members who can devise strategies and conceive plans for fund raising and sponsoring and holding lucrative events that will ensure their club’s survival in the future. This brings us to pose the question: “What prospects does HABOC have for fund raising ventures?” Should members have a car wash, perhaps have a bake sale? I don’t think any of us are up for that sort of endeavor at this point in our lives. Thanks to the membership buying tickets, the quilt raffle was a success last year and we

Annual Quilt Raffle for the May Agility Trial

Once again we will be raffling off a quilt in conjunction with our May 3rd- 5th, 2013 Agility trial in Edinboro, Pa. We made great profits last year and hope to once again, raise money for HABOC this year. We are making the quilt raffle a yearly event. The HABOC members put forth great effort last year by purchasing many tickets which more than offset the price of the quilt and made the raffle very profitable. Once again, I thank all of you.

How can you help with this trial this year if you are not attending? By purchasing raffle tickets, as you did last year! Any members and interested persons will be able to purchase raffle tickets even though they do not attend the trial. By doing this, you are supporting HABOC since the quilt raffle is a fundraiser for the club. I do not yet have a photo of the quilt but it will be completed next week and be at the training center where all can see it. Hopefully, a picture in the next newsletter.

This year the quilt is smaller, approximately 50 X 60, more the size of a large ‘throw”. Of course it is a ‘dog motif’ quilt.

If you are interested in purchasing tickets, please send checks (payable to HABOC) to: Undine Bistany, 115 Lexington Ave, Buffalo NY, 14222. I will then ‘drop’ the appropriate number of tickets, with YOUR name, into the quilt jar. The actual drawing will take place on May 5th at the end of the trial. Good luck to all of you in possibly winning this memento/heirloom.

Tickets are the same price as last year: $1.00 for one ticket, $5.00 for 6, $10.00 for 12, and $20.00 will entitle you to 25 tickets.

EXTRA BONUS FOR CLUB MEMBERS ONLY : If anyone would like to include a $10.00 ‘gift card’ from one of your favorite merchants, (which I can use for our worker raffle), I WILL DROP 10 (YES TEN) EXTRA TICKETS, WITH YOUR NAME ON THEM, INTO THE QUILT RAFFLE JAR. I really need some donations of gift cards for the workers who help us at the trial!! Some favorites are Tim Horton’s, Pet Smart, Cold Stone Creamery or whatever you yourself like.

Undine (Dina) Bistany Trial chairperson

We decided that we definitely wanted a trial held locally, indoors, preferably at the Amherst Recreation Center which is air conditioned . It would be a local trial and allow two rings and three days of activity. I will not get into the complications which arose in trying to secure a weekend where both Countryside Agility was available for trial secretarial services, Amherst Recreation Center was available, and another very important stipulation, no conflict or competition with other local agility venues in the area, and, of course, getting AKC approval on such short notice. Ellen and I were lucky to find one possible weekend where all of this criteria was met. We quickly reserved the weekend of September 13-15, 2013 for our second trial of the year. After many hours and countless emails, I was lucky enough to find two (favorite) judges on such short notice that would help us out this year. Judges, I am finding, are booked 2-3 years in advance.

I really want to thank the HABOC Board for allowing me to pursue this second trial and agreeing unanimously to its inception. We all agreed it was somewhat scary since the scope of work involved is overwhelming but we are forging ahead as best we can and learning as we go along. My feeling is ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’. We have to try!!

You will be hearing more from me within the next few months because Ellen and I will really, really, need all of your help and contributions in whatever way you can. There will be a need for food to be prepared for workers and others who buy lunch, baked goods, and persons to work in the kitchen serving food and taking money at the door, the ribbon table, the raffle, set-up at the trial site, picking up judges, hospitality, the list goes on. YIKES!!! But I think WE CAN DO THIS!

For this trial I will need additional people on the trial committee to be in charge of the aforementioned items and others I probably have not thought of yet. I am asking your help and asking you to contact me if you feel that there is anything or any part of these jobs that you might be able to help with? UBistany@roadrunner.com

The agility trial in May at Countryside is much easier to mange and everything runs like a well-oiled machine. This September trial is of a totally different magnitude. I want to mention that many members have always said that they would help if (only) the trial was LOCAL. Here’s your chance!!

I want to once again thank all the members for coming forward last year and purchasing tickets for our quilt. The raffle of the quilt and the baskets with items donated by you, made a nice profit for the club.

Mostly, I ask that you consider not just your own interests but also the unselfish interests and the obligations you assumed when you became a member of HABOC, which is your own ‘dog training club.’ We need the support, hands-on work, ingenuity, and your vision of the future to continue to uphold the mandate the founders of this club envisioned when it was conceived. HABOC will need funds and your continued support to forge ahead and remain viable for all of us for years to come!!

Undine (Dina) Bistany Trail chairperson for the May and September agility trials

HERDING - EWE NEED TO TAKE THAT FIRST STEP

Imagine, a handler walks calmly to the post with her dog at her side. She looks down field, squinting as she tries to pick out the direction the sheep are headed. They appear like tiny cotton balls gliding across the bright green grass at this distance. The dog looks up to the handler waiting for “the” signal. That small gesture to go gather up his sheep. The dog tenses and concentrates, not really knowing where to go, but knowing that it's almost time. Finally, the handler sees the sheep settle in one place and then slowly lets out a sshhhhhssh noise to signal the dog to go gather his sheep.

The handler watches as the dog leaves her side in an explosive flash. Running from her side as quick as he can. His path pushing out to become a big sweeping arc that will bring him up behind the sheep. She keeps her gaze on the dog as he gets ever so small in the distance. Waiting. Ahh, there he is coming in behind the sheep. Patience now. The dog gently commands the sheep to move off ever so slowly, in a line straight to the handler. The handler watching as the dog manages and guides the sheep to stop at her feet..... Jean's Border Collie – Nor'easter bringing the sheep in

It's that exhilarating feeling of seeing your dog accomplish such a complex job. Be it in a 1,000 feet or 100 feet area. The culmination of all the training, lessons and work you have put in with your dog. From the very first lesson through all those years of training, the amazement of watching dogs work stock never ends. To me, this could be the start of a trial class, or just simply gathering sheep in the field to bring in to the barn. It's that joy of working with sheep, just you and the dog.

How do you get there...

As with any dog sport you participate in, there are a gazillion different ways of teaching and as many methods to get there. All I can say is do some research. Go to herding trials and watch all the classes, especially the advanced classes. Observe how each team interacts with the livestock. Is the dog working calmly or just this side of out of control. Is the handler constantly yelling and threatening or quiet and supporting. Do the sheep seem to hit every blade of grass on the field or do they go directly on course. Does the dog look back at the handler in confusion or sniff the ground in stress. Does the dog respond to commands or just never seems to obey any. Form a mental picture of how you would like you and your dog to perform like. After the trial ask where they train and how they got to where they are.

Observe some lessons at a few different places. Ask some questions – do the students training at the facility always trial there, or are they successful off the property. When I worked in obedience, I can't tell you how many times I heard, “well my dog does it at home”. Get somewhere else and the dog struggles.

Check out what the instructor has accomplished – titles just on their own place or off property. Are they used to just Border Collies or other breeds. It does make a difference if you have other breeds. Observe how the dogs work – are they working livestock or being placed in the right position through obedience. Decide how you like or don't like the interaction between dog and livestock as well as, dog and handler. You have to decide just how you want your dog to work. Just because a training facility is closer or cheaper doesn't mean they'll get you where you are wanting to go.

Herding clinics are another good way to see and observe. Clinics offer a larger number of people to watch and see how different dogs are trained. Doing your research will greatly help your entry into herding. I always encourage everybody to go to as many clinics as they can. I also host them at my farm. I am always evolving, adapting and learning new ways to work herding dogs more gently, more positively and just as important, getting the students to understand herding more efficiently. The way I train now has changed a lot from what I was doing from last year. As I look back, my training methods have changed vastly from what I did 2+ years ago.

Going herding isn't so simple as walking up to a pen full of sheep, walking in the gate, unsnapping your dog's lead and letting your dog do his thing. This usually ends up with the dog chasing sheep around the area. Out of control and chasing has no part in working livestock – aka herding.

What to expect that first time - well that depends on the method you choose – some trainers start dogs like this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1zcQ3_B1nw , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJEFKoU_h2o While others, myself included, start dogs like this -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enG-OjBFmpU , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bI-uvZ0Lsc Here are two videos – can you guess how each dog was initially started? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVE_uYnYWjw , http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDyXIZbjdNE

So, now you have seen a couple of different ways dogs are started for herding training. The first few lessons on livestock are so important, because they set up that first impression the dog will take with it for the rest of its herding career. If you come for a lesson at my farm – you can expect to work livestock with your dog on line and in a calm controlled manner. I say, give the dog the rules and allow him to figure out just what he can do within those rules.

But I don't have a Border Collie, you say. Any herding breed and non-traditional herding breed dogs, can try herding. Generally speaking, most dogs can work livestock – some have more aptitude for it than others. If a dog likes to move things, then moving sheep is just another step to take. I have had Schnauzers, a Whippet, Poodle, Bichon, Papillon, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Kerry Blue and mixed breeds– as well as the more traditional herding breeds come for training. It is a great sport to participate in. So, what are ewe waiting for?

Next article we'll discuss the requirements of the AKC Herding Program at the Test Level.

Jean has been involved with herding for 15 years. She is an American Herding Breeds Assoc judge and the author of the book – HERDING PRIMER. She has many local and National titles and awards with her dogs and client dogs – both Border Collies and other breeds. She has a stockdog training facility, where she teaches all breeds of dogs to work livestock. She currently owns 3 Australian Shepherds and 3 Border Collies. Her training facility is currently located near Forestville, NY. 5 miles off I-90 exit 58. Contact Jean at jean.barrett@verizon.net or http://edenherding.webs.com Group Herding Lessons starting in April – 4 wks @$45/dog on Sun WNY Herding – events, clinics, trainers: http://wnyherding.weebly.com Yahoo Group http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/wnyherders/

A NEW Trick Training Class starting at HABOC March 9 at 1:00 pm

Loads of fun for people and dogs alike. Some of the tricks are "Wipe Your Paws","Peek a Boo", "Shut the Door", "Cross Your Paws" and more.

Dogs just need to know a few basic's like Sit, Down & Stay to get into the class. When's the last time you laughed with your dog?

Great way to bond with your best friend, and a good way to bring the shy dogs out of their shells. Call Amy Swietlik 716 574-5006 or e-mail justforthedogs956@yahoo.com. to reserve your spot.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS?

HABOC IS NOW OFFERING COMBINED SPACE IN THEIR BI-MONTHLY NEWSLETTER, TRAINING CLUB AND WEBSITE.

Space is limited to 10 slots. Send us your Business Card and for $10 / issue your business will be advertised to all of our members, students and trainers. HABOC sends out 6 Newsletters per year. Hurry and get your business

advertised before all the slots are gone!Contact Carole Gannon at tippy2bear@yahoo.com for more information and questions.

HABOC LOGO T-SHIRTS for Members, do you have something that you would sale at the Club Training Hall like to sell? You can advertise your item in the newsletter$8 Get yours soon! for a 10% fee, if you sell it. Send item picture

and a description to: jean.barrett@verizon.net

New applicant, Jan Bergman plans to attend our March meeting at which time her application will be read and voted upon.

HABOC GENERAL MEETING – JANUARY 17, 2013 7:00PMSue Murphy called the meeting to order at 7:07PM.

Board members in attendance: Kim Hitt, Carole Gannon, Kathy Quinn, Gail Gambos-Smith and Sue Murphy

Members present: Undine Bistany, Ellen Schopp, Don Galmbacher, Sylvia Andolina, Kathleen Dahmer, Carol Spierto, Rochelle Jackson, Jean Barrett, Mary Ellen Pratt, Sandra Hitt, Amy Swietlik, Rachel Hill, Gail Studer

Reading of the minutes of the last meeting December 13, 2012

There was a motion to waive the reading of the minutes of the last meeting by Dina Bistany seconded by Ellen Schopp. Motion Approved.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY:

To date we have 48 renewals for membership. Renewals are due by January 31st 2013.

REPORT OF THE TREASURER:

Christmas party: Expenditures were $192.00 for food and paper products.

There was a motion made to allow Greg Liskowitz to do our taxes and audit by Carol Gannon and seconded by Don Galmbacher, Abstained by Kathleen Dahmer. Motion Approved.

REPORT OF THE TRAINING COORDINATOR:

Barbara Klucik has a fractured wrist but is doing well. Class will resume one week later than originally planned.

Dina’s new Agility Skills Class will be held Tuesdays from 4:30-5:30PM with Weave Poles being the first skill.

Cindy’s Classes will resume 2/7/13 with Novice Obedience @ 6PM, Open@ 7PM, & Utility @ 8PM.

Jean Barrett proposed teaching a Body Talk class: This is a technique usually used in herding which emphasizes using body language to direct behavior without the use of toys or treats. Proposed time is Fridays 6PM – 7PM, or 7PM - 8PM for a 6-week session. Jean is asked to send a class description and instructor application to the HABOC Board for review.

COMMITTEES:

AGILITY –The May Trial will be held May 3rd –5th. Dina is awaiting the Premium list. The ribbons are counted and we may need to order more. Christy Bower will judge. There will not be toys for each placement due to cost, however every Novice competitor that is entered will get a toy. $1.00 will be donated for every dog that qualifies to one of two organization, and the competitor has the choice of where the money is going, either The Baker Institute at Cornell or the Western New York Pet Emergency Fund. This donation will be deducted as a trial expense. The general raffle will include a Quilt 50” X 60” @ ~$120.00, 1 set of weave poles @ ~$120.00, and 1 clean run subscription or gift certificate. We have a credit to Clean Run, which is how these items will be purchased. Gift cards to places such as Tim Horton’s will be raffled off in the worker raffle, Dina is looking for donations from members for these gift certificates.

Dina is looking into having a second trial sometime in the summer or fall, locally.

HERDING – The next trial will be held in Forestville on July 20th – July 21st. Jean Barrett is the Chairman.

OBEDIENCE - The STAC Cluster will take place in Dunkirk on May 30st thru June 2nd. Our Obedience/Rally trials will be on May 31st, there will be 2 Rally and 2 Obedience trials run concurrently with a C match on Thursday May 30th. The Judges will be Diana McKenzie and Catherine Thompson. Kathleen Dahmer suggested going to local businesses for catalogue advertising to help with the income of the trial.

CONSTITUTION REVISION - Constitution and By-laws: Chairman Carole Gannon (on behalf of the Committee) recommended that the revised Constitution & By-laws be adopted and seconded by Mary Ellen Pratt. The motion was approved by the membership present at the meeting with 14 members voting yes, 1 member voting no, and 1 member abstaining.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Club Cleaning: A motion was made by Dina Bistany and seconded by Sylvia Andolina to have Amy Swietlik clean the club every Thursday for a trial period of 2 months @ a cost of $40.00 per week. The motion was passed.

HABOC tee shirts are available at the club for $8.00 each.

Newsletter: Jean Barrett is our new Newsletter editor.

The Furnace has been taped and the broken window has been boarded up.

NEW BUSINESS

A HABOC student lodged a snowplowing complaint. Sue Murphy stated the landlord’s obligation is to plow one path past our door. The secretary was asked to draft an email response via e-mail to the student at the January Board meeting.

Election of new officers was held. 2013 Officers are as follows: President - Kimberly Hitt, Vice President - Mary Ellen Pratt, Treasurer - Kathy Quinn, Secretary - Gail Studer, Board Member at Large (2yr) - Sue Murphy, Existing Board Member At Large (1yr) - Carole Gannon.

A motion was made by Kathleen Dahmer and 2nd by Dina Bistany to purchase a $20.00 patron ad for the Animal Kingdom Seminar on Vaccine Protocols by Dr. Robert Schultz, April 20th at the Creekside Banquet Facility. Motion approved.

MEMBEERSHIP

There were no new membership applications to read.

BRAGS

Herding: Jean Barrett was the Highest Scoring Aussie and high in trial at a recent Herding Trial

Obedience: (Nickel City Cluster)

Sylvia Andolina/Miah completed Grad Novice Title, 1st place two days and high in Trial both days.

Sue Murphy/Remy completed Grad Novice Title and 1st Leg of CDX

Gail Gombos-Smith and Mila completed CDX with a 1st place

Agility:

Dina/Missy are going to Nationals in Oklahoma

Ellen Schopp/River completed her Open Standard Agility Title

ADJOURNMENT:

The meeting was adjourned at 8:07PM

THINK SPRING!!

drawing by Jean Barrett