Blue Mountains Dog Training Club in Wentworth Falls, New South Wales | Community organisation

Blue Mountains Dog Training Club

Locality: Wentworth Falls, New South Wales

Phone: +61 425 213 179

Address: Matcham Avenue 2782 Wentworth Falls, NSW, Australia

Website: http://www.bmdtc.com/

Likes: 413

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• Dog trainer

24.01.2022 WAITING TIME I have been giving some thought to dog psychology and the dog's mental attitude. I have searched the internet to find learned articles on the effect of dogs having to wait in limbo for some activity from their handler. I have my personal opinion of the effect of boredom on dogs; but I would like other opinion. The internet Google appears only to focus on the mental benefit to humans of dog ownership. If anybody can advise me of a young dog's mental response to "w...aiting time" I would be obliged. I know my response to Telstra answering services; I wonder if dogs become frustrated and hence uncooperative? Can dogs mentally switch off with a sense of hopelessness? I know that an active dog is usually responsive; but I do not know a dog's response to waiting time suspended in limbo with nothing to do. Can dogs be stubborn and resentful? See more

24.01.2022 ADVICE & The Internet

23.01.2022 After Exercise and Swimming 5 minutes later; the old dog asks "What's Next?" Dalmatians only moult once per year problem is it lasts for 12 months: especially after swimming.

22.01.2022 Dogs & Temperament I come from the very old school of discipline. You tell children what to do and expect them to do it. You tell dogs what to do and you force ...them to do it. My first dog in Australia was a Golden Retriever a lovely compliant and gentle dog. He taught me to change my attitude and try working with the dog let us both be happy and enjoy. When I lost Julius I had a long gap without a dog. My next dog was a Dalmatian; picked by pot luck on the basis of strong temperament and self confidence we were well matched and he was a wonder dog. The introduction of Positive Reinforcement when Dai Baby was about 4 years old; was a complete rethink for me a big challenge to my temperament a culture revolution. I got a new Dalmatian pup Yasmin when Dai was about 9 years old. I realised the two dogs were quite different but I did not realise just how different until I lost Dai and Yasmin was on her own. With the two dogs together we could go anywhere and no problem. Walk on the Corso at Manly; tails wagging as everybody wanted to stroke and say G'day. When I lost Dai it became very apparent Yasmin's bonding was more to Dai than to me. I could not walk her down Katoomba Street without she would have the tail tucked tight under her legs and be apprehensive of every person getting out of a car or a door closing. At 3 years old; I spent 9 months acclimatizing her to us being on our own in crowded places. It is a long time since she overcame the problem; she now wags her tail but can revert to apprehension. She is a very good dog, but has turned out to be far too possessive now I have a new dog. In my absence Yasmin and Otto are great mates, play most of the time and I could not ask for them to have a better relationship. Otto was picked to the best of my ability for temperament with great advice from his breeder. I think I have got in Otto exactly what I wanted; a self confident independent dog that may come good if I am up to the challenge. I want to do something with Yasmin; Otto just disengages and watches quite content. I want to do something with Otto and Yasmin is most unhappy; whinges and whines and will not stay where I tell her to stay. We talk about dogs learning Yasmin at 11 years old is still full of energy and tries every angle possible to get between me and Otto and she is very persistent with it. I have come to the conclusion that females are much more attentive and desiring to please than the male; but they are also very demanding of your attention. Otto is a very 'Cool', laid back sort of guy with plenty of energy; but why bother if somebody else is going to do it. Yasmin is highly competitive; Otto says "She'll be right Mate". You want Otto's attention "Hang on a minute; I'll just check this out". See more

19.01.2022 Nothing to do with DOGS Bill Higgins Internet Purchase BE WARE I highly recommend you never disclose Credit Card or Eftpos detail. Use PayPal I find them 100% I just had a bad experience seeking to buy a jacket. The supplier was a scam. PayPal has given me a full refund efficient, quick, reliable. If the supplier does not use PayPal find another supplier.... Alternatively, if you use Eftpos just have enough deposit available to cover purchase price and if it is a scam you only lose what you offered. Never use Credit Card !! www.paypal,com See more

19.01.2022 PLEASE NOTE Training Times From this Thursday 1/10/2020 @ Blackheath First Session 9:30 to 10:00 am Second Session 10:15 to 10:45 am There will be a short break but no refreshments.... Keep COVID Safe and stay cool. The Summer Period is until 31 March, 2021 See more

18.01.2022 Heeling Obedience Turns With all about turns you should try to return on the same line and not walk a small circle. Left turns and left about turns need some pr...eparation, they are not easy. The right about turn is relatively easy and you need to keep the dog as close as possible. To keep the dog close you can put gentle tension on the lead just before starting the turn; you could lure the dog close with left hand or you can verbally tell the dog to come in close. The video gives a diagram of suggested foot work; simply pause or stop the video to examine the diagram. I suggest you go 'Full Screen'. For beginner dog's step 3 swing your left foot into position. Step 4; you simply reverse your right foot on the same spot to face in the opposite direction. Practice without your dog. We assume the dog follows the left foot; BUT .... on step 3 be sure to turn your hips and your shoulders. It has been established many dogs actually follow the shoulder movement. See more

17.01.2022 A STALWART of the Club You cannot describe a Scottish Gentleman as gentle and retiring, but Bill Sweeney is a quiet fellow with a good word for most everybody. I had to get wife Ella to give me Bill's story & his photo. Ella & Bill had Sally, a mature Cocker Spaniel with attitude. On retirement Bill decided to train Sally and joined BMDTC. Training became a passion and Sally achieved an Agility title. Spaniels are lovely gentle dogs but not easy to train. Bill found himself a...t Katoomba Pound spending time with a crossbreed dog that really took his fancy. The inevitable happened and Marla was adopted in about 2003/4. Bill's passion lead him to serious Obedience Trialling and to becoming an Obedience Instructor it required Scottish determination and grit, as the going was not easy and awards did not just fall into Bill's lap. Under previous top rating UD Marla commenced to win in the UD ring. When UDX was introduced Bill went on to outstanding achievement with Marla gaining Grand Obedience UDX. Marla was the first dog to achieve UDX - Royal Easter Show 2014. Marla has six NSW Yearly State Titles. With great sadness Bill & Ella have recently lost Marla to old age. Ella suffered poor health and in 2007 they were given a Rhodesian Ridgeback Elsa as Ella's cancer recovery dog. Bill trained Elsa to be the first Rhodesian Ridgeback UDX Obedience Champion. There was not a lot more that Bill could achieve in the dog world a respected Obedience Instructor with Our Club and at Springwood; also an Agility Instructor: he gives his time willingly to help others. To cap it all he then advises that he has a Border Collie Pup on order and we are introduced to Nakita who has now achieve her CDX Title. On behalf of OUR Club and Dogs NSW we express maximum appreciation of Bill & Ella who have always been ready to assist the Club and at Dogs NSW trials. See more

17.01.2022 Handling the Long Lead A long lead is required for certain exercises sit stay, drop stay and stand for examination. Members may find the long lead a nuisance when doing "At Heel" exercise. The video is an attempt to help simplify use of the long lead. The lead is not meant as a training tool it is meant as a safety measure to prevent a runaway dog. We should use voice and treats to lure the dog into heel position rather than pulling on a tight lead. The method I use is to... always hold the lead in the right hand with a slack loop to the dog. The left hand is free to give hand signals, to give treats, or to momentarily grab the slack loop and check the dog. To check the dog; take hold the slack loop pull it and let go all in the one quick action. To help grabbing the slack loop, you can raise or extend your right arm to tighten the loop PLEASE "Like" ........... if you found it useful See more

16.01.2022 Copied from Ella Sweeney Oam Lawson DPW It’s a very sad day for my family as we had to have our Vet come to the house and put our beloved old awesome dog Gr Ob Champion Marla,UDX,AD... to sleep when her back legs collapsed early this morning, nearly 16 years old...she was a dog in a Million from a rescue dog of 5 months old from the pound to not only be a fantastic part of our family but one who adored her dad and would do anything he asked her to do and then some, she was st...ill going every day to the old golf course with Bill and Nakita....R.I.P. over the rainbow bridge to meet with Elsa and Sally beautiful girl Bill Higgins I feel your loss Bill & Ella. She was a top dog and together you were top performers. RIP Marla. You gave her a good life Bill with wonderful achievement; and thank you for all you do for Our Club; for Springwood and for others. See more

15.01.2022 General Dog Training You cannot read the book over the weekend and have a trained dog come Monday morning. Here is an article that takes you through general tra...ining principles in a very clear and simple fashion. Is a bit repetitive; but the slower and longer you read the more you will benefit. It also gives link to specific Recall Training. Again slightly boring; but essential good stuff. It avoids technical jargon but I very much endorse the comment that "Commands" should be replaced with the concept of "Cues". Unfortunately our Club is called an "Obedience Club" dog obedience went out with button up shoes. We need a name change to "The Persuasive Dog Club" Keep Smiling PS I am emphasising training the dog to a "Routine" - the article refers to "automatic recall response" that I would call the "Recall Routine".

14.01.2022 Some Reading for Serious Thought

14.01.2022 Silvia Ford was the driving force that raised public funds and established the BM Animal Shelter totally independent of the RSPCA. With help from others; she opened two shops in the mountains and acquired funds for the Katoomba Shelter. After being established and running very well after years of hard work and local public support; it was agreed to hand over to the RSPCA; something I believe Silvia very much regrets. I joined Silvia about 6 years ago to fight for survival of the Katoomba Shelter. We only succeeded by threat of direct communication to all RSPCA NSW contributors. I am not clear on current RSPCA intention; but if in doubt I would listen to Silvia. Please read this very important article of great concern to Mountain dog owners. Bill Higgins

11.01.2022 The simple basics of positive reinforcement are that you use reward to establish a routine for the dog. Reward may be soft toy; tug toy; ball; verbal praise, ga...me play, stroking or food treat. All actions are repeated many times and regularly refreshed for the whole of the dog's life. You should aim for ongoing improved response one little step at a time. If response goes backward, start over again from the beginning. Allow yourself to be impatient or frustrated and you will fail. Whilst walking the dog; you stop and you want your dog to stand and stay standing until released:- ** In any free relaxed situation; when the dog is standing say "Good Stand" and reward. ** Walking with your dog stop and if the dog stands say "Good Stand" and reward. Each time you reward precede the reward with your hand signal for stand. Your action should be quick whilst the dog is still standing stationary. ** With many repetitions the dog will learn the meaning of "Stand" and of your hand signal. ** When walking, just as you stop tell the dog "Stand" with hand signal. If successful say "Good Stand" and reward; if no success carry on walking ** After many repeats with regular success you can phase out the reward and simply say "Good Stand" the dog will now accept your verbal good stand as adequate reward. ** Much later simply perform the routine "Stand" with hand signal and your dog is now trained for this routine. ** You can use food treat to lure the dog to standing position and then state "Good Stand" as you give the treat. To have the dog stand on command from any position when you are not walking with the dog is a completely new exercise that you will have to establish starting back from a new beginning. With stand-stay "Stay" is again a new routine to be started after "Stand" has been established. It is much preferred that you teach a routine without lead attached. Start in your own lounge room with little steps one at a time and succeed with positive reinforcement. Good luck in training your dog; it will take more than a couple of weeks. With a beginner dog it is absolutely essential after performance of each simple routine that you relax and play with the dog. You are not the boss; you are the dog's best mate and you must maintain a happy enjoyable relationship. There is a big difference between coaching and coaxing try always to persuade the dog; use bribery, seek cooperation. Teach your dog there is reward for cooperation. See more

11.01.2022 COVID-19 in the Mountains Unfortunately; we all need to be especially vigilant as the Blue Mountains now has 5 active COVID-19 cases, an increase of 3 overnight, all locally acquired. It started with a student at Blue Mountains Grammar School who attended school while infectious late last week. Whilst infected it is known that daytime visits were made to Springwood Sports Club and Lawson Oval. With the close proximity, it can be assumed Pitt Park would also be at risk. Please take care.

09.01.2022 Please let us ALL get behind this. We need a local facility.

09.01.2022 Robot; or Plastic Surgery gone wrong? I have oft been criticised for meandering. This non-doggy I could not resist. Give me my pipe, slippers and rocking chair. The world has left me without saying Goodbye... With two au naturel dogs laying at my feet. See more

08.01.2022 PLEASE CONSIDER I lend you a dog from the RSPCA kennel. You and the dog are together with no lead in a fenced compound. You are allowed to make friends and play for 30 minutes. You then leave the dog to return on another day.... On the next occasion you return to train the dog. I give you a tummy bag full of delicious treats; no lead or collar.. Assume you are gagged; you cannot use your voice. You have to train the dog to achieve sit, drop, stand and a 5 second stand stay. Also the dog likes to walks beside you and comes when wanted. Let's say you have 30 or 45 minutes to achieve this. If you can easily achieve this with confidence and pleasure then you know what Positive Reinforcement is all about; and you have no need for all the technical jargon used by Professional Behaviourists. At the end of the session; you will not have a trained dog, but if you repeat the session over and over you will have a trained dog. The dog over time will acquire automatic responses to your body actions or hand signals and now, for your own benefit and convenience, you can remove the gag and associate words with desired responses. I emphasise using words is for your convenience, the dog much prefers body language. If the dog is out of sight or not paying attention to you, first call the dog with a whistle or by name (if you are still gagged; clap your hands). If the dog is reluctant to be involved use a "Play Bow". If you cannot easily and joyously achieve the above then you must find a means to teach yourself about Positive Reinforcement as it is the best and quickest way to achieving a great and willing mate. See more

08.01.2022 A note of CAUTION Facebook does NOT reflect CLUB POLICY. When at the Club you are required to comply with Club Policy as set down in writing and as per the Official website www.bmdtc.com Facebook is for the free exchange of interesting articles, photographs, comment and information between members. Members train their own dogs and facebook information may assist; but that is for private training only; not for training at the Club. The Club has approved member's unofficial and free use of facebook, so please make use and be involved. Currently; our facebook is public so ALL are invited to comment.

08.01.2022 WE need YOU @ the AGM To keep our Club vibrant; we need involvement. The AGM for OUR CLUB will be held on Thursday, 3 September 2020 at Wentworth Falls School of Arts, GWH Wentworth Falls commencing at 7.30pm All members are encouraged to attend. We need a succession plan, all members have a role to play and we are desperate for volunteers. Please think seriously of what you would like from our Club then give attendance, voice and action to your wishes. You are respected a...nd needed, so please feel confident and empowered. Nominations for positions not already spoken for will be received from the floor you are free to verbally nominate at the AGM. The AGM is a set format as already advised by our Secretary, but we normally would close with a general business session when your views can be heard. Ex Pres Julie has done great work to encourage relaxed involvement of members and to promote good communication let us improve on Julie's great effort. Written nomination and postal vote application closed on 10 August; but there are still positions vacant for nomination from the floor. Proxy voting is not accepted. I personally have no problem with advance written nominations; but all positions should still be able to be nominated from the floor at the AGM. Postal voting would appear a waste of time this year on account that there are no competing written nominations. Postal votes can only vote for those already having written nomination. I very strongly feel postal voting is redundant and that proxy voting is quite essential for those unable to attend. Bill Higgins See more

08.01.2022 You can donate dog accessories, tinned food, etc to homeless animals at the RSPCA Wishing Tree (see below)...

05.01.2022 Hi All Wet Weather If it has rained; if there are puddles in your yard or on the road please check Council's web site to see if ovals are closed - https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/ground-closures You can phone 4780 5617, but last time I tried I had a weird response. The recorded message used to be updated at 4:30pm. I assume; if the website states ovals closed at say 6:00pm then they will remain closed till at least noon the following day.

03.01.2022 Getting a New Dog Select the Breeder and not the dog. Good Breeders have their dogs tested for known common genetic problems. All pups look lovely and cuddly but can lead to heart break if genetic disorders have been on-bred. Also; a good breeder is the best person to advise on the likely temperament of the pup. There is much debate about the health of mixed breed and purebred dogs. A study by Bellumori examined more than 27,000 dog's records and compared the incidence of 24 ...genetic disorders in mixed versus purebred dogs. They found:- The incidence of 10 genetic disorders was significantly greater in purebred dogs. The incidence of 1 disorder was greater in mixed breed dogs. For the rest of the disorders examined, they found no difference in incidence between mixed and purebred dogs. What is very sad is that genetic disorders in domestic animals are many times greater than in wild animals. Domestic Dogs outstrip all other species in the number of documented genetic disorders, with 619. Domestic Cats: just over 300. Wild Deer are listed at 8 and Grey Wolf 6. I have had very good luck with my dogs; but being wiser and older I took extra care with my new dog. I visited three breeders and my only interest was how the breeder stacked up. When I had settled on the breeder, I then waited for the pups to arrive. I was again lucky to have first choice; but I was talked out of my first and second choices by the breeder on his assessment of likely temperament. I told him in detail what I wanted and I think I got what I wanted. Heaven protect me from an independent, self assured, totally sociable terrorist who will do anything if he feels like it; and if there is no better option. At 2 years old he will now recall when he is good and ready. https://www.instituteofcaninebiology.org//do-dogs-have-mor See more