Richmond Hill K9 Klub
RHK9Klub Newsletter
It's All About the Dogs! February 2010
Greetings!
 

At long last our new website is live! If you haven't done so already, please drop by a have a look.  We are particularly happy with the "Public Forum". We would very much like this to be the primary form of communication between park users and Klub members alike.

 

The Richmond Hill Winter Carnival 2010 was amazing.  The ice was perfect for skating, the sun was out and the food was great. Our own Neal Nicholls, Director of Park Maintenance, was seen flipping burgers and sausages for a few hours on Sunday afternoon.  Way to go Neal! Thank you to the Winter Carnival Committee and its army of volunteers for another successful Richmond Hill event.

 

It was a great turnout on Carnival Sunday at "K9 Kapers" presented by 4 Paws Training & Pet Services. Lorraine Wilson gave members of the audience an opportunity to try out some agility equipment with their dogs with mixed results and lots of laughter. The spoon races (with kibble instead of eggs) were also a big hit.  A huge thank you to the K9 Klub volunteers who were on hand and pitched in to help out.  

 

Spring is just around the corner and it's time to talk about park improvements.  The K9 Klub has registered for Operation Clean-Sweep 2010 April 24th and 25th.  See the Coming Events section below for full details and how to get involved!

 

The K9 Klub Board has appointed a new director. The Board extends a warm welcome to its newest member, Shelley Shane.  Shelley has been an extremely active Klub member and park/event volunteer. Her passion for dogs, the park and the K9 Klub will help give the Klub the additional boost needed to ensure the park passes public scrutiny when the project is reviewed next year.  Her appointment will be re-affirmed for a 2 year term by member vote at the coming Annual General Meeting.

 

Shelley fills a huge gap left after the resignation of Helane Fischburg.  Helane was among the first directors elected to the board a year ago when the Klub officially formed and was the go-to person for volunteer coordination as well as a voice of reason in our board meetings.  Thanks Helane for all your hard work helping us get our park!  We'll keep a seat warm for you should you wish to jump back in!

 

Speaking of the Annual General Meeting (AGM), the meeting has been called for April 13, 2010, 8:00pm at the M.L. McConaghy Centre.  Notice has been sent out and the local media has been notified.

 

To vote at the AGM, you must be a paid member of the Richmond Hill K9 Klub.  Our annual fee is nominal, but paid participation shows the Town of Richmond Hill that our members are serious and committed to ensuring the leash free park is officially approved at the review in early 2011.

 

Please visit our membership page and show your support!   

 

Happy February!  Where did winter go?

 
grrr... I spoke too soon... as fresh snow blows past my window...
In This Issue
Park Issue
K9 Klub To-Do List
Park Volunteer News
Coming Events
Thanks To Our Sponsors
Quick Links
Contact Us
 
Membership Inquires:
 
Park Maintenance:
 
Dog/Owner Aggression Issues:
 
Corporate Sponsors Info:
 Volunteer Info:
 
Media Inquiries:
Subscribe to Our Newsletter!
Park Water Feature 2
 
Check out the new "Water Feature" mother nature has delivered with the warmer February weather!  
Mayor Dave Barrow - Ribbon Cutting 
Park Issue - Spiked In & Spiked Out
 

The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Richmond Hill K9 Klub or its membership.  It is presented to provide some information and open discussion.

 

Please visit the forum section of our website for discussion on this topic and others.

 
I was disconcerted to hear that some dogs have been brought to the park with spiked collars and I was appalled to find, during my research on the topic, stores on the Internet promoting spiked collars as protection for your dog in dog parks! ?????

 

I suppose I can understand the reasoning behind collars that spike IN (pronged collars).  These are "training" collars possibly for dogs and breeds that are difficult to control.  They are kin to choke chains (slip collars) and I recall my father using a choke chain to control our Doberman Pinscher when I was growing up.  The chain was its primary collar, though this Doberman was fairly docile and overweight so the choke chain only served the purpose of hanging his tags from. His predecessor, our first family dog, was also a Doberman but my dad had purchased him specifically to protect our family when we lived in Los Angeles.  This dog would probably have attacked anything without the last name Walker, including other dogs, but its purpose was protection and it would never have been a candidate for socialization in the likes of a dog park!

 

Because a choke chain was all I knew for simple dog control (not trained obedience in my opinion now) it is what I used on my own family's first dog (Lab/Shepherd mix).  The choke chain was his primary collar but over time we discovered it was not necessary.  We had our dog trained so well he would never leave the property and could sit in the front yard for hours and never stray.  It wasn't until we picked up our purebred Golden Retriever that we decided to try everything by the book.  It was actually Lorraine Wilson at 4 Paws Training & Pet Services that introduced us to the Easyway collar from New Trix that opened our eyes to a better way.  This "collar" is a training piece however, and  comes off with the leash at the park and all that remains is a simple flat collar with her current license and rabies tags.

 

The spiked collars I am concerned about are the ones that actually spike OUT.  Below are a couple of pictures.  The one on the left is, from what I understand, a Turkish Collar.  These collars had their purpose back in the day and perhaps still do but are for herd governing dogs.  They are designed to protect the dog from wolf attack while the dog is working protecting sheep herds.  THAT makes sense!  The one on the right is a more modern design and is for aesthetic purpose or even perhaps used while walking your dog on a leash down the sidewalk, however I have seen them advertised as dog park collars! 
 
Nasty Spiked CollarSpiked Collar 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Even though the everyday spiked collar is meant for aesthetics only and the spikes are dull in order to prevent injury, dogs play rough and the danger is very real for a dog to chip a tooth or suffer a puncture from even a dull spike. Dangers of leaving training collars on during off leash play exist as well.  Prongs can bend and puncture and slip collars can catch on a branch and cause a choke injury.  All form of training collars and spiked collars should be removed for the duration of the park visit.

 

Although the park rules are precise, they are still fairly generic and do not go into enough depth as to the importance of understanding that dog park use is a privilege, and not a right.  Perhaps if more people adopted these rules, protection for your companion would not be required.

 

Here are some additional dog park rules for consideration:

  • Do not crowd the entrance gates - it may put new visitors on the defensive
  • After you enter the park, remove your leash immediately (dogs may become protective if leashed while surrounded by unleashed dogs)
  • Owners must remain with their dogs at all times and are responsible for all actions of their dogs.  Keep your leash with you.
  • Respond immediately to any aggressive behaviour toward humans or other dogs.  Aggressive dogs should be leashed and removed from the off-leash dog area.  If a dog remains aggressive and not removed, you will be asked to leave by a park volunteer or OSPCA officer.  Repeat offenders will be asked not to return to the site.
  • Fearful dogs may become dangerous.  Anxiety may cause them to bark and/or growl at other dogs, which may cause other dogs to respond aggressively.  If your dog appears to be fearful of the situation, please leash and remove him from the area.

If we follow the rules and be considerate, it will help make sure the area remains open.

 
Dave Walker
Co-Chair
Richmond Hill K9 Klub
 

Once again, the opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Richmond Hill K9 Klub or its membership.  It is presented to provide some information and open discussion.

 

Please visit the forum section of our website for discussion on this topic and others.

 
K9 Klub To-Do List
 

  

The installation of the Klub bulletin board has gone through many design phases and has been structurally approved by the Town to be installed at anytime.  We have a little more work to do on graphics and think we have locked down the corporate sponsorship needed.  Stay tuned! 
 
We are now looking seriously at adding agility equipment to the park.  The board will be reviewing submissions and ideas this spring.  If you have any designs or ideas you'd like to submit, please email: parkmaintenance@rhk9klub.ca
 
What are we going to do for our dogs in 2010?
 
The K9 Klub board is considering what our major accomplishment(s) will be for 2010.  We will be asking our membership for ideas at the Annual General Meeting as well as through the website forums and coming newsletters.  Please submit some ideas to the forum and or via email. 
Park Volunteer News Park Volunteer pouch

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Pease welcome Diane and Debora as our newest park volunteers.  Watch for them as regulars with their Labernese "Matty"!  They are avid referees at the park but don't be surprised if they are not wearing their park badges; they often prefer to be "undercover" so as not to reflect harshly on the Klub with their stern words to ignorant park users.

 
Go girls!
 

We are always looking for volunteers to help ensure the leash free area pilot project is a success.

 

If interested, please email us at volunteer@rhk9klub.ca and we'll send you out full details.  Park Volunteers are given a badge/wallet to wear around their neck so they are easily identified. 

 

 

Coming Events 
 
April 13 - 8pm at M.L. McConaghy Centre
Richmond Hill K9 Klub Annual General Meeting
 
April 18
Canine Emergency Care & Accident Prevention (CECAP)  Spend a full day at 4 Paws Training & Pet Services and learn everything you need to know to keep your best friend safe!
Contact Lorraine Wilson by email or call 905 780-7900 for more information on fees and registration.
 
Operation Clean Sweep
Pitch-In Week 2010 is April 19 - 25 and the Klub will be joining in!  
 
On April 24th and 25th we will be taking on the Off-leash park and surrounding area with a major spring cleanup. Wear some work gloves and boots - the Town of Richmond Hill will generously provide the garbage bags. Times will be posted on the website, but we'll be sure to remind you closer to the event date!
To Our Corporate Sponsors:Thanks!
 
On behalf of the Richmond Hill K9 Klub and our loyal friends we wish to thank you for your generous donations and ongoing support.
 

An older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard.
I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home and was well  taken care of.

He calmly came over to me, I gave him a few pats on his head;
he then followed me into my house, slowly walked down the
hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep.

Tired Golden 

An  hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out.
The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard, walked inside and resumed his spot in the hall and again slept for about an  hour.

 

This continued off and on for several  weeks.

 

Curious, I pinned a note to his collar:  'I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful sweet dog is and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.'

 

The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned to his collar:

 

'He lives in a home with 6 children, 2 under the age of 3 - he's  trying to catch up on his sleep.

 
Can I come with him tomorrow?'
 
We do not know where this story originated but was emailed to us by a fellow K9 Klub member, Lynn Grey and her Pug boys, Riley and Bobo - Thanks Lynn!  If anyone has a story or article they would like submit - we can use the help! Please email dwalker@rhk9klub.ca.
 
 Forward to a Friend

 

We have lots more information to share so keep an eye out for future newsletters and notices.  Thank you very much for your support.
 
Full Membership in the Richmond Hill K9 Klub is currently $20/year and entitles you to attend member only events, official general meetings of the Klub, vote on issues, stand for nomination and election to the board of directors and generally get involved in the politics and growth of the Klub.
 
 
Remember...
 
It's All About the DogsRichmond Hill K9 Klub
 
Sincerely,
 
David Walker, Co-Chair
Richmond Hill K9 Klub