CANIS MAJOR NEWFOUNDLAND TRAINING GROUP

Thank you for your interest about training your Newfoundland dog. Please read the following, which will give you an idea of the aims of our group.

POTTED HISTORY OF THE NEWF

Newfoundlands were bred in Canada to help the fishermen ply their trade. Their thick, oily coats protect them from the cold, and their webbed feet make them excellent swimmers. Their job was to take out trawls, and bring them back and, as an added bonus, they are reputed to have natural instincts to save and would jump from a boat to pick up any unlucky fishermen who had fallen overboard. They were also used as pack animals due to their massive strength, and could pull carts over vast distances.

The Northern Newfoundland Club are trying to keep these traditions alive, hence the training of our Newfs in all sorts of water and draught exercises.

AIMS OF CANIS MAJOR TRAINING GROUP

The popularity of the breed has escalated in recent years, and more and more people are wanting to try out the water work. The Northern Newfoundland Club is delighted with this response, but as far as the training groups are concerned these large numbers can cause logistical problems. Over the past couple of years the number of people approaching Canis Major has increased and we now have a thriving training group with around 20 dogs taking part on a regular basis.

The water training sessions run from early April until late September, usually on Saturdays,  and are timed to start at about 10.30 a.m. and go on until we finish (sometimes this has been 5 p.m. or later) Each member pays £5 per session.

When you bring your dog to your first session we will initially introduce him/her to the water, putting it through it’s paces, trying some simple exercises. We do encourage owners to get into the water with their dogs. Dogs will obviously respond better if their owners are in the water too.

We do have a couple of spare dry suits that you can borrow, and life jackets, but we would ask you to bring an old pair of trainers with you as we don’t have any spare boots, and perhaps a change of clothes, as our dry suits aren’t totally waterproof!

Your first two sessions will be free of charge. Hopefully, these two sessions will give you a good idea about water work with your Newfie at Canis Major.  For insurance purposes you must also be a member of the Northern Newfoundland Club.  Membership forms are available from Jacqui Price.

Owners are encouraged to get stuck in, not only with their own dog but with other dogs, and helping with other dogs will give you some insight into what they are capable of and the standards you need to be aiming for with your dog. It may seem daunting at first, but it is the best way to learn! Please don’t hesitate to ask if you want anything explaining, we are all happy to chat and explain what is going on, and offer help with your dog.

As the regular crew are there all day, we really appreciate any help we can get in preparing the equipment prior to training, and packing away at the end of the session, so please don’t be shy, just get stuck in and be prepared to stay all day yourself.

COMMITTMENT

During the season there are several water test events. These are held in various places around the country. These tests take place over a number of weekends in the summer, and entrants can go for the weekend (camping facilities are available), or just the day of their dog’s test. They are great social events, and are a good way of meeting other like-minded people. Occasionally we run “Local” tests for new dogs to try for their “A” level, which is for beginners. These are run by the individual training groups and dogs from any training group can be entered.

As the whole point of training is to attain the standard required to pass certified water tests, we need to ensure that the dogs entering tests are given the necessary time and attention to reach the required standard. If, in the first instance, you merely want to see what your dog can do, and just want to have fun in the water with your dog, then please come along, but be aware that our priorities are with the test dogs.

However, the more you do with your dog in the water the more likely you will be to enter your dog into tests, particularly when they do well in training, and when your dog passes it’s test, however high or low the level, the feeling of triumph and achievement is wonderful.

If, after reading this, you wish to come along and have a go, please ring Sue Sanders 01204 845172 Evenings to check when the next session will be. We use a number of venues, so you need to check where we will be next time! You will be made very welcome.  Please bear in mind that you will need to bring water for your dog, and a towel. Hot and/or cold drinks for yourself, and something to eat (it’s a long day!!!) Dogs can be staked out, and we do have a couple of spare stakes you can borrow, so your dog is safe and secure.

More information on the Water Training Sessions is available from Sue Sanders
Tel: 01204 845172 (Evenings)

Or Email: Info@CanisMajor.org.uk

DRAUGHT WORK

Canis Major also has a thriving draught work group.
 
Some of us decided that we actually missed getting together over the winter months when swimming had finished, so we decided to have a go at Draught work. We had no experience but we all mucked in with ideas and suggestions and even invited some more experienced draught judges to come and give us all some pointers.

The usual gang is Louie, Lucy, Jinx, Hudson, Jake, Fee, Macie, Herbie, Jess, Togan, Bell and Hovis all of these dogs also do water work.

It is approximately 2 years since we started and in that short space of time 4 of the dogs have passed up to level 3 with a few achieving their multi pass at level 2.

We meet at Trafford Water Park at the first car park usually about 10am on Sunday mornings each member pays £3 per session, the dates are posted on our web site but are subject to change so we try to keep in touch via email.
Trafford offers a large and varied terrain perfect for carting also a couple of nice big fields close to the car park ideal for setting up to practice the control work. When we have set up are control area, we take one dog at a time and run through the control work as per tests are done, this involves walking with your dog by your side following a pattern of left and right turns about turns, stops, waits, you will be taking instructions from somebody as to exactly what turns to take and when to stop. It is done this way to customise you and your dog to test conditions, but trust me it is done in a very light hearted way. The control is meant to teach your dog to walk calmly by your side and obey your commands. Once all the dogs have been put through their paces, we do a group down stay and sometimes some group control work, which is very good for getting the dogs used to working around other dogs.

The next part is called the Haul this is where the dogs are harnessed up to their carts and as a group we set off on a long walk encountering different types terrain and obstacles this is all about team work with you and your dog, it can get incredibly muddy which the dogs absolutely love but I would suggest that you come prepared with the right kind of footwear and attire (walking boots, gaiters, wellies, water proofs).

Anyone is welcome to come along on the haul even without a cart, it is a good idea to observe what is involved to be sure it is what you would like to do with your dog.

Draught work is fantastic for getting your dog to respond to your commands and demands real team work between you both, it can also help  in the water work by re-enforcing some commands and improving the understanding between you both. It is indeed a very satisfying feeling when you have successfully completed a haul with your dog.

You don’t need any experience to join us or any equipment to start with. Puppies are welcome but dogs have to be 15 months old to enter their first test. However there is no reason not to start training from a much younger age. Bring a flask of coffee, a sandwich and a sense of humour – everyone is welcome!,

More information on the Draught work is available from Angie Fitzgerald, (0151 259 4732) mobile (07879663136).
Smarty_paws@hotmail.com

Working with Newfs is great fun, very fulfilling and you will make a lot of new friends along the way.