Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

A very Merry Christmas and a happy 2008 to you all.

We looking forward to seeing you all in the New Year either out on walks, in class or in agility.

All the best from Tricks 4 Treats.

Dog Crate For Sale

Dog Crate available for just £45.00.  Will fit Primera Estate or similar, and probably various hatchbacks.

Base size: 24" x 36" x 26" in Height.  Sloping and reducing at top to 16" x 36".

Folds flat for storage.  Complete with escape door and separator.

Discover Dogs - The fun day out for doggy people

Discover Dogs is a fantastic experience and one that can't be missed by any dog lovers.

The most popular attraction of the event is, of course, the dogs and the Kennel Club is showcasing nearly 190 pedigree dog breeds at this year's Discover Dogs. With each example of the breed, visitors will find experienced and knowledgeable owners who provide essential advice on dog training, dog health, what to look for in a pedigree puppy and what to ask a dog breeder.

Discover Dogs is held at Earls Court 2, London.

Discover Dogs web site

2007/2008 Training Courses

All 2007 Novice Courses are now full. 2008 dates can be found on the Training & Behaviour section of our site.

Spaces are still available for our forthcoming Intermediate and Advanced Classes for those of you that have completed the Novice, or for those that feel their dogs would benefit from further training. Please contact us for further details.

If you can't wait until the New Year for training, please get in touch and we would be pleased to recommend another training club to you.

Christine Gibbs - Professional Dog Sitter

• Dog Walking
• Dog Sitting
• Day/Week/Month Boarding
• Horse Care (Holiday Cover)
• Home visits (Dogs and other pets)
• Pet Transport
  

Secure Your Dog in the Car

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents highlights just how important it is that dogs are secure in the car. In a crash, an unrestrained pet could not only be seriously injured, but could seriously injure people in the car. For example, at 30 mph, a 50lb (22.5kg) Border Collie would be thrown forward with a force equivalent to a polar bear.

For more information about traveling safely with your pets, please see the BUCKLE UP! That includes your pet too! article on the PDSA web site.

The Stray Dogs Sanctuary Micro Chipping Session

If you don't yet have your dog micro chipped, we strongly advise you to do so as soon as possible.  The Stray Dogs Sanctuary are holding a micro chipping session at Haskins, Longham on Sunday 9th September 2007 from 11am - 3pm.  For further information please contact Sandy on (01929) 463981.

River Cruise in aid of the Stray Dogs Sanctuary
 
Poole to Wareham. Departs Poole Quay at 7pm. One hour in Wareham to have a meal etc.  Return to Poole quay appox 10.30pm. Licensed bar on board.

£10 per person - Sorry no dogs

Please book in advance by contacting Judy on 01202 696685

Max needs a Home

Max is a 2 year old GSD Cross with a lovely nature.  He would love to be an only dog and doesn't like cats or young children, older children are fine!  He loves to play football!

He has been in rescue for over 6 months now and deserves a decent loving home.  Max was handed in by his previous owner, so full history known.  He is strong on the lead but learns quickly.  With time and patience this chap will reap big rewards and be a lovely loyal pet dog.

Could you offer Max a permanent home, he would love the chance to prove he is worth it...

Contact Sandy at Stray Dogs Sanctuary on 01929 463981.

Training at Bearwood Community Centre

Tricks 4 Treats have decided to cease hire of the Bearwood Community Centre due to a recent floor refurbishment.  The floor is now unsuitable for dogs and has proven to be a 'challenge' for some dogs. Therefore, with safety in mind, we have decided to stop training there. 

All pet dog training will now take place at the Creekmoor Community Centre.

Quiz Night and Fish & Chip Supper for The Stray Dog Sanctuary

Your support would be gratefully received on Thursday 12th July 2007, when The Stray Dog Sanctuary will be holding a Quiz Night with a Fish & Chip Supper at Haskins, Longham from 6pm - 8pm.  20 Questions and Fish & Chips just £6!!!  There will also be a licensed raffle, you need to book in advance.  Please contact Sandy on (01929) 463981 for further information.

Spetisbury Church Fete Fun Companion Dog Show

Tricks 4 Treats will be hosting the annual Dog Show at Spetisbury, Dorset, which will be held on Saturday 23rd June 2007 at Blair Manor, Spetisbury.

This is a hugely successful event every year, with various attractions going on throughout the day.  The Fun Companion Dog Show will be registering from 12 Noon with judging starting at 1pm. £2 per category for first entry, £1 per category for further entries. All proceeds go to ‘Spetisbury Church Fund’.

The categories are: Most Attractive Puppy (5-12 months), Best Veteran (7+ yrs), Prettiest Bitch, Most Handsome Dog, Best Rescue, Dog the Judge would most like to take home and Best in Show.

Put Your Dog on Lead Near Livestock

The RSPCA have reported that there are more than 200 incidents where dogs attacked livestock in Britain last year. Pleaser remember that you as a dog owner have a responsibility to ensure that your dog is kept on a lead and under control at all times when near farm animals.

"Livestock worrying can be dangerous for dogs too," said Julia Wrathall, head of the RSPCA's farm animal department. "They can be injured or killed by large animals such as cattle, and farmers may legally shoot any dogs that are posing a threat."

For more information, please see the RSPCA web site.

Most Popular Dog Name

A study by Direct Line Pet Insurance has revealed that the name Molly is the most popular name for a dog or a cat, beating names such as Charlie, Max, Tigger and Oscar to top the list of the nation's favourite pet names.

After Molly, many of the other names making up the top ten are conventional human names, reflecting the way in which Britain's pets are seen as important members of the family.

Direct Line Pet Name Top Ten (Dogs)
1. Molly
2. Max
3. Charlie
4. Holly
5. Poppy
6. Ben
7. Alfie
8. Jack
9. Sam
10. Barney

James Wellbeloved / APDT Tails of Achievement Award

Do you think your dog is worthy of a Tails of Achievement Award?

To enter the “Tails of Achievement Awards”, the organisers need to know about your dog’s achievements and what makes him so special to you as their owner.  Entries must be on a single side of A4 paper, typed or clearly handwritten, and must include the owner’s name, address, daytime and mobile phone numbers, email address if applicable, along with the dog’s name, age and breed or type, plus a photo of the dog.  The name and registration number of the APDT  trainer visited must also be included (for Tricks 4 Treats that is: Jo Hart, MAPDT 00953).  Entrants must be over 18, or have the signed permission of a parent or guardian if younger.  Entries should be sent to:

Charlotte Mann, James Wellbeloved, 25 Brympton Way, Yeovil, Somerset BA20 2JB, to arrive by FRIDAY JUNE 15 2007.

For more information, please see the APDT web site.

New Advanced and Fun Agility Courses

Starting in June a new Advanced Course will be opening at Creekmoor Community Centre for those who wish to take their dogs even further after reaching Intermediate level.

Fun Agility Courses are also coming soon and details will be posted about this as soon as they are available.

If you are interested in either Advanced or Agility Courses, please let us know and we will keep you informed.

New Novice Course Slot at Creekmoor

Due to high demand, a new Novice Course will be opening up on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm at Creekmoor Community Centre starting on May 23rd.

Please see our Novice Course page for more information.

Dog Walkers Action Group Web Site

To support DWAG and their fight against the proposed dog control order for Hamworthy Park, Tricks 4 Treats has helped to create a web site to inform people on the progress of DWAG's campaign. The site can be found at:

http://www.dwag.org.uk

Keep Dogs on Leads Near Cliff Edges

The coastguard is urging dog owners to keep their dogs on lead when near to cliff edges following three rescues within 24 hours over the Easter weekend.

For more details, please see the article on the BBC web site.

Have you seen Buster?

Buster was taken from his kennel on the 23rd March in Organford,Poole. Please keep an eye out for him.

For more information, please see the poster on Dog Lost.

We have also be told that there has been several incidents of dog theft in the Swanage, Durleston, Studland, Ringstead and Weymouth areas. Therefore, please do not leave your dogs unattended in the garden, your car or tied up outside shops.

Dog Walking Restrictions in Hamworthy Park - Update

The photo shoot was well attended with many people coming along to show their support.

Candidate for Upton, Simon Williams, also came along to show his support, please also offer yours.

Dog Walkers Action Group (D.W.A.G) has also been setup to support that campaign.

Dog Walking Restrictions in Hamworthy Park

A meeting to discuss the proposed Dog Control Order went well with 80 people attending.

A photo shoot with the Daily Echo has been arranged for Sat 31st March at 10am in Hamworthy Park by the Cafe and everyone is welcome to come along to show their support.

Trixie has been Found

Trixie has been found and returned to her owners safe and well. She was living rough and being fed scraps by people from a boatyard.

Thanks to everyone for keeping a look out for her.

Dog Walking Restrictions Planned for Hamworthy Park

Poole Borough Council are proposing a new Dog Control Order that dogs must be kept on lead at all times in Hamworthy Park.

A copy of the proposed orders (in PDF format) can be found on Poole Borough Councils web site. There is also a discussion forum about the proposed orders on Poole's Discuss It web site.

If you wish to find out more about this and to discuss the proposed Dog Control Orders, a meeting is being held on Monday 26th March at 18.30 at The Yachtsman Inn, 124 Lake Road, Hamworthy.

Have you seen Trixie?

Trixie went missing on 23rd February from Canford Heath. She is rough coated and has a tiny white marking on one back paw. Please keep an eye out for her.

For more information, please see the poster on Dog Lost.

Tinkerbell is Back Home

Some good news to start the week off. Tinkerbell has been found and returned to her owners safe and well. Well done everyone for keeping an eye out for her and putting up posters.

Have you seen Tinkerbell?

Tinkerbell went missing from her home in Corfe Castle,Dorset on 24th February. Please keep an eye out for her.

For more information, please see the poster on Dog Lost

Crufts 2007 is Almost Here

Crufts is even bigger this year at the NEC in Birmingham, with more displays, more competitions and more trade stands than ever before.

If you have never been, we highly recommend it and be prepared to leave with a car full of goodies.

More Information

Dog ban plans for playing fields in West Dorset

The West Dorset District council wants to bring in new dog control orders from 31 March and is asking local people to have their say on the plans during February. Dogs would be banned from most sports pitches and children's play areas.

They would also be banned or their movements restricted on beaches in Lyme Regis and West Bay.

More Information

Most Popular Dogs Breeds

The Kennel Club have released their list of most popular dog breed for 2006. Still in top place is the Labrador, followed by the Cocker Spaniel, Springer Spaniel and German Shepard. In fact the top 11 have stayed the same since last year.

Top 20 Breeds PDF

Deed Not Breed Petition

With all of the bad press lately regarding various dog attacks we believe it is important to provide all with the correct knowledge regarding responsible pet dog ownership.  Please take a moment to read through this petition and if you agree, sign to state you agree that the Deed and not the Breed should be punished, i.e. the owner, and their lack of responsibility, should be punished not the breed of the dog.

Deed Not Breed Petition

The Wessex Autistic Society Companion Dog Show on 28th January 2007

The Wessex Autistic Society is holding a companion dog show at the Bearwood Community Centre, King John Avenue, Bournemouth, BH11 9TF.

Entries from 10.30am with judging from 12pm.

Pedigree Classes, Best in Show, Reserve Best in Show, Best Puppy in show plus 8 novelty classes. Rosettes for 1st to 5th in each class

Entry fees per dog: First entry - £2, subsequent entries £1.50

For further information contact the fundraising team at the Wessex Autistic Society on 01202 483360 (dial option 2).

Dogs who have won a CC, RCC or Junior Warrant are not eligible for entry at this show. Dogs do not need to be Kennel Club registered to enter the show.

All proceeds to the Wessex Autistic Society – developing services for people with autism throughout Wessex region. Charity registration no 1000792.