County-Wide will soon be having our annual AKC Obedience and Rally trials. We hold four events on one day – 2 obedience trials and 2 rally trials giving the exhibitor a chance to earn multiple legs towards their various titles. Our event is held outdoors with most of the obedience rings on grass (weather permitting). Our rally ring is on cement. Please download our Premium and Entry Form to enter this event and for full information.

We look forward to sharing the day with you.

County-Wide Dog Training Club presents Dr. Jean Dodds on June 24, 2012 speaking on Dog Health Issues. This will be an all day seminar (9:00AM to 4:00PM) held at the Marin Human Society facility in Novato, CA.

Dr. Dodd’s topics will include:

Thyroid Disease – Learn how to recognize and treat one of the most common endocrine disorders of dogs

Vaccine Issues – Learn when and when not to vaccinate

Nutrition – Wholesome nutrition to help maintain healthy immune function and resistance to disease

Dr. Dodds received the D.V.M. degree with honors in 1964 from the Ontario Veterinary College. She accepted a position with the New York State, and there began as a Research Scientist and culminated as Chief, Laboratory of Hematology, Wadsworth Center. Later she also became Executive Director,
New York State Council on Human Blood and Transfusion Services. In 1986 she moved to establish Hemopet, the first nonprofit national blood bank program for animals.

Attendance at this seminar is by preregistration only. For more information and to register please download the Dr. Jean Dodds Flyer.

Club members, Melinda and Leslie, realized that the mouse population had vanished in our building since the regular presence of the feral cats. They decided to try to catch them and be sure they were altered and could be released back into the area to be mousers! Leslie, who has been spearheading our efforts, tells us that we have now had 13 cats spayed or neutered. The photo is of two of the first three that were caught. They have moved on to be very happy barn cats with one of our club members.

Forgotten Felines does amazing work. At the weekly clinics they alter between 50 – 60 cats. The $30 per cat cost covers altering, overall health check, rabies vaccination, FVRCP vaccination, parasite control, pain medication, and ear tipping. The ear tipping is usually on the right ear which helps to identify who has been altered. There are still a couple of cats needing to be captured and treated. Donations have been made throughout the trapping attempts although more will be needed to cover this next trapping and to purchase food. If you would like to make a donation please contact Leslie 321-8479.

The next Canine Good Citizenship test is scheduled for March 4 at 10:00 AM. Contact CGC Evaluator Debbie Stoner for more information.

To reserve a spot for the CGC test you need to preregister by sending a check for $10 made out to County Wide DTC. Send the check to: Debbie Stoner, 499 Pleasant Hill Road, Sebastopol CA 95472.

The Canine Good Citizen Test (CGC) was created by the American Kennel Club to recognize well mannered dogs and is open to all dogs, not just purebreds. Dogs that pass the test will receive a certificate suitable for framing. It is helpful in getting landlords to agree to rent to dog owners. For more information on the rules and what the test involves go to the AKC website . Basically the dog must be able to walk on a loose leash without pulling, do a sit and down stay, come on command, accept petting and grooming from a friendly stranger, tolerate some minor distractions and wait quietly while a friendly stranger holds the leash and the handler is out of the dog’s sight for three minutes.

The Sonoma County Humane Society requires a dog to have passed the CGC test to become part of its Pet Assisted Therapy Program. The volunteers and their dogs visit many convalescent hospitals and rehab facilities in Sonoma County. To become a volunteer you can visit the SCHS website and download their volunteer application.

To reserve a spot for the CGC test you need to preregister by sending a check for $10 made out to County Wide DTC. Send the check to: Debbie Stoner, 499 Pleasant Hill Road, Sebastopol CA 95472.