What makes seemingly normal people drive hundreds of miles every weekend, get dressed up in their finest outfits and parade around the ring to have their dog proclaimed the "Best of Breed"?
Join us for an introduction to the exciting world of conformation showing. We will discuss the purpose behind this sport. We will review the proper equipment needed for showing in the conformation ring. We will demonstrate the proper grooming for the GSMD. We will have a brief handling session so everyone can have a quick brush up before the puppy match and the conformation classes Wed-Fri.
No sign ups needed. Just drop in.
Introduction to Weight Pull
Weight pulling is probably the only performance event where a dog who has never tried the event before has a chance to earn a leg towards a title on their first try. Experienced weight pullers will be available to work one-on-one with any and all individuals who want an introduction to the event or just want to polish up on certain areas.
The national club has harnesses that can be borrowed for the event and we will help choose the correct size for you and teach you how to harness your dog.
You will have a chance to practice your dog with light drag weights so they get the experience of pulling something behind them. We will go over strategies of how to handle your dog before you come in the chute, while you are in the chute and when your pull is over.
You will have opportunities to practice with the empty cart; this is frequently the first real challenge. During this practice you will have multiple opportunities to pull so you can try it both with and without a lead.
This intro will be available on both Thursday and Friday. The Friday pull will be our actual national championship pull and will be for Swissies only. However, if you are traveling with another breed and would like to give them a try on Thursday you are welcome to do so. For those of us who run weight pulls, success is defined by you and your dog being successful.
Introduction to Drafting
Interested in perhaps someday attaining a draft title with your Swissy but are not sure what it entails? Here's your chance to found out without actually harnessing and hitching your dog.
In this hour session, which occurs just prior to the actual draft test, you will be provided handouts containing references, FAQs, and a piece describing the purpose of a draft test with list of the exercises. You'll also get a sequence of events and a diagram of this test's Maneuver Course.
Then we will conduct a brief walk thru of the Maneuver Course followed by a demonstration by a veteran draft dog negotiating the maneuver portion while you following along, observing and asking questions.
Weds 9:30 am
Thurs 3:00 pm & Fri 1:00 pm
Tues 8:00 am
Canine Chiropractic Care Thursday about 4:00 pm (after conformation)
Sue Campeau will be discussing the health benefits of chiropractic for animals. Chiropractic is pro-active, non-invasive health care that helps keep the patient well. The brain controls everything in the body--all the organs, the muscles, your senses, etc. The message gets to all your cells via the spinal cord and the peripheral nerves that come out of it and to all parts of the body. If the parts are getting the correct message, it can work correctly and be healthy. If the nerve is "pinched" or irritated, then the message is distorted and the organ or muscle will not work correctly. You can tell when you have a "pinched" nerve going to your arm because it feels numb, or weak. But how do you know if you have a pinched nerve going to your liver?
Sue will be citing various research articles (in terms everyone can understand) and demonstrating on some of her dogs. Sue will also discuss the legal end of animal chiropractic and how to find someone in your area.
Sue Campeau graduated in 1983 with a BS in Animal Husbandry from Michigan State University. She received her Teacher's Certification from East Carolina University in 1988 for high school science, all subjects. In 2000, Sue earned a second BS in Human Biology from Logan College of Chiropractic in St. Louis, Missouri. And in 2001, earned her DC--Doctor of Chiropractic. At graduation she received 2 service awards for her work with the admissions department and tutoring for the student services department, and the Health Center Achievement Award for exemplary clinical performance and academic excellence. Since 2001, Dr Campeau has been a practicing chiropractic physician running her own practice, Campeau Chiropractic, PC and is concurrently pursuing her Diplomat status with the American Board of Chiropractic Internists. Her interests in dogs spurred her to study the application of chiropractic on animals to improve their health and performance in the ring and on the field.
Sue has been breeding, showing and field trialing basenjis for close to 25 years and has finished over 2 dozen field championships on her dogs as well as numerous conformation champions. Her current dogs include 4 dual champion stud dogs, one of which is also an Australian Grand Champion and endurance titled. Her girls include a dual champion and 2 conformation pointed field champions. Sue's dogs run competitively well into their double digits in age.
CHIC/DNA Seminar Wednesday 8:30 am
Presenter, Erika Werne, Director of Research and Education, American Kennel Club - Canine Health Foundation, will be informing us with a dynamic power point presentation on the CHIC DNA Repository.
CHIC is co-sponsored by OFA and AKC-CHF, and this presentation will detail this worthy program and its objectives.
Following the presentation, there will be a blood draw. OFA is underwriting 50% of the fees for samples collected in conjunction with our National's clinic. Club members will be responsible for $10.00 per sample. Swabs done in conjunction with the National, will be done for free. As an added bonus, the GSMDCA Health Committee will pay for overnight shipping fees. This underwriting is on a one time basis, for our National Specialty.
This is an exciting time for research breakthroughs on canine health issues.
