BASINGSTOKE AND DISTRICT
DOG TRAINING CLUB

Spring has been a long time coming this year but luckily it now seems to have arrived in style. Let’s hope it keeps fine for the Open Dog Obedience Show. This year its on Saturday 5 June at War Memorial Park...depending on when you read this we will either be looking for last minute help or be sitting exhausted recovering from a hectic day. Either ways we hope it will be an excellent day.
 
We are delighted to report a 100% pass rate at our latest Good Citizens Tests. Our examiner, Di Morgan, was lovely. Calm, cheery and thorough – she was perfect for us more nervous participants. Bronze awards went to Claire Barker and Poppy, Lindsay Mowbray-Williams and Lara, Paula Conlon and Digger and Karen Hare and Archie. Silver to Phillipa Hewison and Zephyr, and Gold to Viv White and Meg, Jenny Kemp and Trumpet and Karen Hare and Rolo. The next round of tests will be in October.
 
The Hampshire Rally, a friendly obedience competition between dog club teams from Hampshire and Berkshire, took place on Bank Holiday Monday 3 May. This year the overall winners were Winchester who put on a splendid display. We did quite well too winning 3 rosettes despite not fielding a full team in every class. Funds raised went to Greyhound Gap who rescue and re home greyhounds and lurchers. All in all a good day was had by all.
 
Club members have been doing really well on both the Obedience and Agility circuits. Janet Thrift and Kizzy, Cathy Benfield and Cito, Carol Hale and Lacey, Lilian Turner and Drifter, Deb Steadman and Dodger, Caroline Stevens and Cosmo and Kath Gorick and Tilly ALL deserve special mention! Shocking but true. Well done everyone and big smiles all around!
 
Dog Treats and training – Just a quick reminder to use tasty soft treats to give your dog extra motivation. They are easy on the throat – but do avoid anything too crumbly!
 And finally...we are currently working to retire our rather elderly web site (www.basingstoke-district-dog-training-club.synthasite.com - what a mouthful!). It will stay up and running until the new one is in place. Thanks to Sally Mathews for her help with this.