News, Events & Information

Happy New Year

Wishing you all a very happy and prosperous 2012, from all at Tricks 4 Treats.

The first courses of 2012 start at the end of the month. We look forwarding to seeing new dogs and owners. If you have not booked in for a course and are thinking about it, please book up as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

And we look forward to seeing all current Novice, Intermediate and Advanced course members on the 4th/5th January and Agility members on 7th January, weather permitting.

Once again, Happy 2012, please do get in touch with any queries or questions.

Merry Christmas from Tricks 4 Treats

A very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year from all at Tricks 4 Treats.

Tricks 4 Treats will be breaking for Christmas as of Friday 23rd December. Normal office hours and business resumes on Monday 9th January 2012.

If you have any questions, queries or require advice, please feel free to contact us at any time via email or give us a call and leave a message if outside of normal business hours. We will get back to you as soon as possible.

Novice, Intermediate and Advanced Courses: All courses currently ongoing will resume on 4th/5th January 2012, our office will be closed during this week, but training will continue.

Agility Classes: We will be returning on Saturday 7th January 2012, weather permitting.

Once again, have a fantastic Christmas and see 2012 in with style.

Best 'festive' wishes,

Jo, Paul, Sarah & Aaron and of course our dogs - Bo, Roo, Indy, Lara, Bonnie & Duke.

Looking for Last Minute Christmas Presents for Your Dog?

If you're looking for something last minute for your dog this Christmas, please take a look at our sister site, Your Dogs Needs. We have a variety of great toys, mentally stimulating toys and games, treats/training rewards, training aids, treat bags to keep your training rewards handy.

For all current training class members: Save on postage costs and collect any wanted items at this weeks training sessions. Take a look at the products available on the Your Dogs Needs web site, email us with your order and we will get it ready for you to pick it up at training classes on 21st/22nd December 2011.

An Update on Roo's Operation

Many of you are aware that our lovely German Shepherd Roo has recently undergone a hip replacement operation due to Hip Dysplasia. This was carried out at MacQueen Veterinary Centre, Wiltshire. Ian MacQueen is an excellent vet, but also importantly he has a wonderful manner and put us at ease during a very worrying time, thank you Ian, words cannot truly express our gratitude for you and your staffs care of our wonderful Roo.

After two operations, severe skin rashes and very little gumption, Roo has made an astounding turn around! Her personality is back on track with her lovely face lighting up when we move in for a cuddle. The skin rash has been knocked out with the care and guidance from our wonderful vet, Duncan, at Lynwoods, Wimborne.

General movement is amazing. She has gone from very clearly not wanting to get up even for toilet breaks, to being much more willing to go about her business. Just a couple of days ago she would settle and be hard to move when necessary, now she is voluntarily moving from place to place in order to get comfortable, cool down etc.

Roo is now on a very slow recovery road with short walks for her muscles to start working properly and the new hip to settle in with her feeling happy about it all.

Our thanks are also extended to family, friends and clients for your get well wishes.

Jo & Paul

The ONE Show and Jordan Shelley

Some of you may have seen or heard about the "Fix My Dog" segment on The ONE Show on 16th September 2011 where Mr Jordan Shelley gave advice to owners of a Jack Russell who was resource guarding.

Please do not use the methods that were shown. They are dangerous and inhumane and could ultimately lead to yourself and/or your family being bitten.

The methods that were used have been heavily condemned by many animal charities, dog trainers and behaviourists, such as the APDT, APBC, Dogs Trust, PDSA, RSPCA and The Kennel Club, with a huge number of complaints being made to the BBC.

The methods used were based on older theories of Dominance and Pack Leadership and did not seem to take into account the dog's emotional state and the reason for the behaviour, but until the dog is properly assessed the problem will not be fully resolved.

The dog in question was taught not to bark in the end and therefore this method of giving a warning to others has been suppressed, without a warning to those around her, she is now more likely to bite. Her behaviour has been masked, the threat has increased and she is potentially a ticking bomb, all thanks to outdated and unnecessary techniques.

There is no need to use force, aversives, coercion or anything that could create a bigger issue to resolve. Time, patience and an understanding of the dog will offer a long term solution.

Tricks 4 Treats use positive and reward based methods to train your dogs based on how dogs learn, which is in turn based on scientific study.

If you have a dog with resource guarding issues, please contact us for assistance.

Dogs Trust Salisbury Open Day and Fun Dog Show 2011

Sunday 7th August 2011, 11 am - 4 pm
Across from the Rehoming Centre at 45 Amesbury Road, Newton Tony, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0HW.

Fun Dog Show, Have-a-Go Agility, Tug-of-War Competition, Doggy Dash, Pony Rides, Bouncy Castle, Grand Raffle, Giant Tombola, Beer Tent, BBQ & Sandwich Bar, Bric-a-Brac, Games & Stalls for All the Family!

Guinness World Record Attempt for the largest simultaneous dog stay - bring your dog and be part of it.

£1.50 for adults. Free for children, OAP's and dogs. Free Parking

For more information, please contact the centre on 01980 629634 or see their website.

'The Great Dorset Talent Contest' - In aid of Friends of Wessex Assisting Dogs

Saturday 23rd July 2011 at 7.30pm at The Studio, The Lighthouse, Poole

Tickets are on sale now:

Adults £7.50
14’s and Under £5.00

Contact Sue Coombs on 01202 684048 to purchase tickets.

Alternatively you can send your ticket requests to:

Mrs S Coombs, 7 West Quay Mews, 12 West Quay Road, Poole BH15 1JD.
Please make cheques payable to ‘S Coombs’

All Proceeds go to ‘Friends of Wessex Assisting Dogs’

The Barley Mow Country Fayre

22nd & 23rd July 2001 at The Barley Mow, Long Lane, Colehill, Wimborne. BH21 7AH

A great day out for all the family and dogs. Food and drink available.

Friday 22nd from 5 pm:

• Hog roast and BBQ
• Live music - Black Sheep Band
• Beer Festival

Saturday 23rd from 10 am:

Tricks 4 Treats will be attending all day. Our team will be available to offer advice on dog training/behaviour and also have a good selection of dog related items for sale. Please do come and say hello!

Plenty of individual craft stalls to look around including: Florists, Ceramics & Basket makers.

Displays through out the day including: Falconry and Dog Agility with some of the Tricks 4 Treats Fun Agility class members.

Activities and “have a go session,” including: Tractor rides, Archery and miniature steam railway.

And many many more!!!

Charity raffle presented by Mark Woodhouse (chairman of Hall & Woodhouse.)

Live music and food and drink carrying on into the evening.

Admission: Adults -£4.00 Children -£2.00 Families of 4 -£10.00

For more information contact: 01202 882140

Tricks 4 Treats Accepted by Trading Standards Buy With Confidence Scheme

Tricks 4 Treats is very proud to announce that we have been accepted to join the 'Buy With Confidence' Scheme which is run by Poole Borough Council Trading Standards officers. Additionally, we are extremely proud to be the first dog training business to be accepted onto the scheme, in the country.

In order to gain acceptance Tricks 4 Treats have been heavily vetted by Trading Standards to ensure we comply with the scheme's requirements, which include:

• CRB (Criminal Record Bureau) checks
• Be committed to good customer service
• Have been operating for a minimum of 6 months
• Not cold call customers
• Comply with consumer protection legislation (see www.everythingregulation.org.uk)
• Have appropriate insurance
• Abide by the terms of membership of the scheme.

For more information about the scheme, please se the Buying With Confidence web site.

Too Hot to Handle

Every year dogs lose their lives due to being left in cars during hot weather. Even with open windows the inner temperature of cars can increase within minutes, leaving dogs' to literally cook. Dogs aren't capable of expelling heat in the same way that we are.

Do not leave your dog to suffer, however long you may think you will be. If in any doubt, leave them at home with fresh drinking water and a cool area to remain healthy and alive!

Dogs Today magazine has published a very poignant poster to help everyone understand these avoidable dangers. If you would like a copy of this poster, please visit the Dogs Today website for further information.

Dorset Dogs Doggy Festival

Dorset Dogs have organised a fun day again this year, which includes a dog show and fun 'have a go' activities for you and your dog, including "have a go fun agility" (for dogs over 6 months) in the morning with us.

The event takes place on Saturday 11th June at Upton Country Park, Poole from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm.  Tricks 4 Treats will be there all day (look out for the red gazebo with the flag), so come and say hello and meet the team!

For further information please take a look at the Dorset Dogs Doggy Festival page.

Hope to see you there.

Billie Missing from Lawson Clump area of Wareham Forest, Dorset

Billie, a female chocolate toy poodle has gone missing while on a walk, she was chased by another dog. She is a timid girl and very wary of people she doesn't know. Wearing a pink collar. She has an umbilical hernia.

UPDATE: Billie has been found safe and well

National Pet Month - Pet and Information Show held by Friends of Wessex Assisting Dogs

Sunday 10th April 2010 from 2pm 'til 5pm at the Memorial Hall, West Parley.

Fun classes for ALL pets to take part, cats, dogs, rabbits, ferrets etc. Photograph competition if you cannot bring your pet

£1 Adults, 50p children. LOTS OF PRIZES

Also present on the day will be Tricks 4 Treats Pet Dog Training, holding a stall with training advice and information, along with a stall containing training aids, toys and much more, for purchase on the day.

Refreshments
Nurturing By Nature for all your raw feeding needs
Cats Protection
Photographer

Also available will be Temptation Alley , can your pet resist the temptation the alley will provide? Come along and have some fun.

Tombola and other fun ways to raise a few funds for the Friends of Wessex Assisting Dogs.

For more info. call 01202 722217

We hope to see you on Sunday 10th anytime between 2pm and 5pm.

DFS Crufts 2011

10th - 13th March 2011 at the NEC, Birmingham

If you love all things' 'dog', then Crufts is a must!  There is a lot of information on all breeds at 'Discover Dogs', with many breeds to learn about, and meet.  You'll get the chance to see Flyball, Agility, The Kennel Club Good Citizen Scheme in action, Competition Obedience plus much more, take a look at their site for further information:

http://www.crufts.org.uk/

You will also be able to watch videos of DFS Crufts 2011 on the DFS Crufts TV web site and can see video clips of Crufts from previous years.

You can also catch up on what is happening on the More 4 TV channel which has more coverage of the event this year. The coverage times are (please check TV listings for further information):

Thurs 10th March 19:00 - 21:00
Fri 11th March 19:00 - 21:00
Sat 12th March 19:00 - 21:00
Sun 13th March 19:00 - 21:00

Spider a Large Brindle Lurcher Missing in the Ringwood Area

Spider is a brindle adult male Lurcher Missing from Ringwood on 15th February 2011.

There is a CASH REWARD for SPIDER's safe return.

Please contact 07521 232235.

For more information and a poster of Spider for further distribution, or clarification of how he looks, please go to the DogLost site: http://www.doglost.co.uk/poster.php?dogId=28084

New Thursday Intermediate Class

Due to the current Intermediate classes booking up so quickly and several people asking for a class earlier in the day, we have a new Intermediate class starting on Thursday 24th March 2011, 4:30 pm at the Creekmoor Community Centre.

To book a place, please download an Intermediate booking form or do feel free to contact us to discuss.

Happy New Year

Wishing you all a very happy and prosperous 2011, from all at Tricks 4 Treats.

This week sees the start of the first courses of 2011. We look forwarding to seeing new dogs and owners. If you have not booked in for a course and are thinking about it, please book up as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Once again, Happy 2011, please do get in touch with any queries or questions.