THE KENNEL CLUB ACCREDITATION SCHEME FOR INSTRUCTORS IN DOG TRAINING AND CANINE BEHAVIOUR IS HAILED AS THE FUTURE

APRIL 1ST 2008

COMPANION DOG CLUB MEMBER OF THE MONTH

MID MARCH 2008

CRUFTS DOG SHOW RESULT

David Munnings and Gunran Misteree win the Large Dog Agility Championships

The winners of the Medium size were Joanne Tristram and her Staffie Ellie De Lyston

The winners of the Small Dog Championships were Nicola Garrett and Agility Champion Obay Truly Driven.

HEELWORK TO MUSIC WAS WON BY KATH HARDMAN

FEBRUARY 25th 2008

HEELWORK TO MUSIC - CRUFTS QUALIFIERS

Richard Curtis overcame all opposition at Coventry in both Heelwork to Music

Crufts qualifying classes handling two different dogs to two different routines. 

In the Freestyle semi-final his Portuguese Water Dog Rysalka Moon Disco was worked to "The 'A' Team Theme", scoring 28.37.  In the Heelwork to Music semi-final he worked his Working Sheepdog, Dance Floor Diva to the "Pot Black Snooker" theme, scoring 27.93.  He will be repeating both routines in the Crufts final.

The other results marked out of thirty were:-

Novice HTM

Jill Davis and River of Gildersway, WSD, worked to "O Fortuna" by Carl Orff, 19.07

Novice Freestyle

Mary-Ann nester & Crystalgorse Gari, Min. Poodle, worked to "Kiss" by Prince, 21.37

Intermediate HTM

Susan Betteridge and Corton Anett, GSD, worked to "Diamonds are a girls best friend", 23.33

Intermediate Freestyle

Kat Nicholas and Fun and Frolics, WSD, worked to "James Bond Theme", 25.60

Advanced HTM

Kirsty Vaughan and Wildsea Mountain Pepper, BC, worked to "Pirates of the Caribbean", 23.27

Advanced Freestyle

Linda Topliss and Dark Warlord, Rottweiler, worked to "Burlington Bertie" 24.70

February 18th 2008

AGILITY CLUB 25^th ANNIVERSARY GALA AWARDS

Peter Lewis was awarded A Lifetime Contribution to Agility at the above 25th anniversary celebratory dinner held on February 16th 2008

John Gilbert also received the same award

Saturday evening, February 16th at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire the Agility Club held a 25^th Anniversary celebration dinner followed by Gala awards.  In the style of acting awards there were various categories awarded in front of over 200 Agility Club members and guests and the evening culminated in the club’s chairman, Bill Glover, presenting The Kennel Club Chairman, Ronnie Irving with a cheque for £1000 for the KC charitable trust. 

The ten categories were first nominated by members and then voted on by them.  The lifetime contribution to Agility was decided upon by the Agility Club committee and the award made by the club’s chairman, Bill Glover and the chairman of The Kennel Club, Ronnie Irving

The result of the awards was as follows:-

Category                                             Winner                                    Reason why

Agility Innovation                                Martin Pollard                          Inventing electronic timing suitable for dogs

Best Judge                                           Dave Jolly                                Voted the country’s best judge

Best Trainer                                         Kathrin Tasker                         Voted as the best agility instructor

Agility Personality                               Fizz the Wonder Flea               A Papillon handled by Marion Mcllherene

Contribution to Agility                        The Agility Club                       Awarded for the club’s work within the sport

Unsung Hero                                       Jimmy White                             Selfless work for the sport beyond duty

All Time Handler                                 Alan Bray                                  The country’s best agility handler

Best Ever Agility Dog                           Nedlo Magic Midge                   Trained and handled by Lesley Olden

The Future of Agility                           Anthony Clarke                        The young person award

Best Agility Show                                 Wirral Alsatian TS                     The show that received the most telephone votes

Lifetime Contribution To Agility         Peter Lewis & John Gilbert      Awarded for the impact they have had on agility

News January 2008

THE ROTTWEILER ATTACK

The recent attack by a Rottweiler on a 13 month old child is a terrible occurrence.  Without knowing all the facts, and in particular the dog's nature, it is difficult to make judgements about why it happened.  However, we must all remember that our friend the dog does not understand right from wrong and will act from instinct which will vary from dog to dog irrespective of breed.

There are various reasons for dogs to be aggressive but the two most common are fear where the dog's perception is that he is threatened and dominance which is the extreme end of high rank.  Such a dog regularly kept in an enclosure can regard that area as his territory which may need defending. While some adult humans that live with the dog may be seen as sufficiently high in rank for the dog not to risk confronting them over any territorial issues, the younger that human the lower will be the dog's perception of their rank and therefore an attack becomes more likely.

These odd occurrences of children being badly mauled by a dog are rare given the vast numbers of dogs in this country and, while children are less able to defend themselves, for babies it is impossibility. It is my view that that it is rank combined with other circumstances that causes such terrible occurrences.

For those of us who study dog behaviour it is a difficult enough subject to understand.  99% of dog owners will have no comprehension of a dog's rank and other factors that can increase danger to a child.  We know that you cannot leave a dog alone with babies at any time and that a child has to be capable of stopping aggression from a dog should it occur.  Inevitably the strength of the dog and the child must be taken into consideration.  Even then it is still too great a risk so therefore the rule should be neither baby nor child should be left alone with a dog no matter how gentle and soft the owners may consider their dog to be.

Dogs are usually non aggressive, so are humans - Humans usually do not kill those they live with and dogs are even less likely to do so.  Regrettably it remains a possibility.  That is why it is better to be safe than sorry where dog's are concerned for they are capable of killing just as man is!  We live in an almost perfect world populated by imperfect animals and people.

July 2007

New web based Dog Behaviour Courses

I am pleased to announce that my new web based behaviour courses are now ready and available for those who have a genuine interest in the subject and those already practicing. Detailed information can be found on the page entitled Dog Behaviour Courses, and candidates can enrol on line.

There are two courses available. The first entitled Changing Dog Behaviour is available for those with an interest and/or wishing to study the subject and is based upon my book How to Change Dog Behaviour.  Basically a candidate will be asked to answer 200 questions about the subject matter of the book.  It is split into into three parts and each part must be passed (80%)before the next set of questions are made available. It is also compulsory for those who wish to take the second course.  This is for people already practicing as a dog behaviourist.  Again there are three parts to passed in stages. They are:  Case studies of non aggressive problems.  Case studies of aggressive problems and satisfaction reports or testimonies from clients. 

Diplomas are available for successful clients at three levels. They are:

Diploma in Changing Dog Behaviour (CDB) – requires a minimum of 80% in all three tests

Overall grades of pass

Pass 80%, CDB          Excellent pass 85%  CDB^ex          Distinction pass 90% CDB^dist

Diploma in Dog Behaviour Practitioner (DBP) – requires a minimum of 80% in all three papers

Overall grades of pass

Pass 80%, DBP          Excellent pass 85%  DBP^ex          Distinction pass 90% DBP^dist

^{Click on Dog behaviour course for more information}

May 2007

The First Kennel Club Accreditation Award For ‘Behavioural Training’

From the newsletter issued by the Kennel Club

The Kennel Club Accreditation Scheme for Instructors in Dog Training and Canine Behaviour (KCAI) has accredited 25 of its members to date, and Peter Lewis has become the first member to gain Kennel Club Accreditation for ‘Behavioural Training’.  

Behaviour is one area of the scheme that is being developed with care, and the majority of scheme members involved with providing behaviour services will be looking at an assessment for ‘Behavioural Training’, which applies to ‘normal’ canine behaviour that causes a problem of general dog management, to the people or the environment.  A ‘Clinical Problem’ module will apply to ‘intrinsic’ problems to the dog, which will attract veterinary professionals and those with well-established working expertise. 

Peter Lewis has been involved with dogs all his life; he has trained his own dogs and taught others at the highest level in Agility, Obedience, Good Citizen Dog Scheme and Working Trials.  Peter has also been involved in the development of Heelwork to Music, persuading Mary Ray to make her demonstrations a competition.  The accreditation scheme is a points based modular training and assessment programme for anyone involved in the teaching and instructing of handlers/owners of dogs at any level, and as such, Peter rightly deserved the high scores that reflect his considerable contribution to the world of dog’s over many years.

With more than 2,500 home visits under his belt and referrals from many vets in his area, Peter is proud to gain this award for the subject that has fascinated him most.  Peter has helped thousands of people enjoy their dogs and helped make life more rewarding for the dogs.  As a successful author, Peter continues to write so that others can share and benefit from his experience.

The public and professionals should be aware that, under the Accreditation Scheme, fully Accredited Instructors are entitled to use the initials KCAI.  They have met the exacting criteria set, have successfully completed an oral and practical assessment, have at least five years practical instructing experience, a broad knowledge of dog training skills, activities and disciplines and a good understanding of dog and human psychology.  They actively promote responsible dog ownership, and remain subject to continual professional development and the Kennel Club Code of Practice for Instructors.

Said Bill Hardaway, Chairman of the KCAI Accreditation Board, “Peter and I first met about forty years ago when we were both competing in Working Trials. During the intervening years it has been my pleasure and privilege to work with Peter in various capacities at the Kennel Club.  These include the Working Trials Council which we both had the honour of chairing, the WTOA Sub-Committee, the Good Citizen

Working Party and the KCAI. Peter’s ability as a trainer has been proven where it cannot be challenged; in the field of competition.  Beyond that, he has always impressed by his depth of thought and willingness to expand accepted boundaries, whatever the matter under consideration. This attribute, coupled with the ability to articulate his conclusions, has made him a valued member of any team.  At Crufts, I was delighted to present Peter with his certificate, the first to be awarded in this discipline, to mark his Accreditation in Behavioural Training, a subject to which he has devoted many years of study.”

Said Peter Lewis, ‘’My involvement with many competitive disciplines, more or less one after the other, gave me a constant new hill to climb. Why? Because, as mountaineers would say, it was there.  I suppose it was also a search for more knowledge.  However it is nothing compared with the last 20 years of my life where I have been privileged to have the vet’s confidence to be able to solve the problems their clients have had with their dogs. Rosettes, prize cards, trophies and being the judge at a big final fall into insignificance when compared with the smile on the face of the pet dog owner when you can show them the way out of the problem.  This scheme has long been needed and I commend it to all dog-training teachers, so that soon the public will know if we have or have not achieved our kite mark!  Remember we never stop learning!’’

For more information on the scheme please contact Sue Evans. Tel: 020 7518 1039

February 2007

ACCREDITATION FOR DOG TRAINING INSTRUCTORS AND BEHAVIOURISTS

Peter Lewis is accredited in Dog behaviour

The Kennel Club have have spent several years setting up an accreditation scheme for dog trainers and behaviourists.  Those accredited after rigorous theoretical work and proven practical handling and organisational skills are granted the title of KCAI (Kennel Club Accredited Instructor) after their name. After these initials comes the type of training they have been accredited in as an instructor.

At present the public have no idea about the quality of the dog trainers and behaviourists that are practicing.  So apart from insisting that those accredited are fully capable to undertake teaching dog owners in the type of training for which they have been accredited all that receive this Kennel Club recognition must follow a strict code of practise. 

This scheme sets out to address this problem in a similar way to gas fitters being accredited with the Corgi badge. However this course is arguably more rigorous than anything similar that is available to accredit individuals with skills they have acquired.

Peter Lewis was one of the first behaviourists and instructors to support this scheme doing so several years ago.  After writing 10 theoretical modules, 10 practical modules and 8 about his achievements in various dog activities he has recently been assessed and granted KCAI by the schemes board.  In fact he is the first to be accredited on the subject of dog behaviour and has been awarded the additional advanced level which is the highest attainable. He is therefore entitled to use the following as his title:

Peter Lewis KCAI (Beh^A)

CRUFTS DOG SHOW

Crufts Dog Show will take place at the NEC Birmingham from the 8th to the 11th of March 2007.  This will be the biggest Crufts so far and in addition to finding the the best looking dogs there will be many dog training events and displays.  There will be Obedience, Agility, Field Trials and Heelwork to Music competitions on all four days and much more can be found out about these competitions at the Dog Days Out Stand.

In addition there are dedicated rings for The Kennel Club's Good Citizen Dog Scheme and also for the Young Kennel Club and all the activities they are involved with.  If that is not enough every breed recognised by the Kennel Club will be judged for beauty culminating with best in Show on the final evening of the show. 

If you are looking to purchase something related to dogs then be sure you will find what you are looking for at one of the myriad of trade stands that make up the show.  If it is dog training or dog behaviour that interests you then visit Mary Ray's stand in in Hall 1. It is stand number 179. Of course if you are lucky you may be able to catch Mary's Crufts 2007 Heelwork to Music routine in the main ring just before best in show is judged.  Always a stunning curtain raiser for the show's finale it is never to be missed!

OLYMPIA AGILITY HEADLINES - DECEMBER 2006

Toni Dawkins handling her Border Collie Spellcast Made in Heaven wins The Kennel Club Agility Stakes again at Olympia December 2006.

The Kennel Club Midi Agility Stakes final – Thursday 14th

1^st AG CH Hooligan Nell – WSD - handled by Fiona Vaughan  - clear in 33.03 seconds

The Kennel Club Mini Agility Stakes Final – Friday 15th

1^st  AG CH Piquant Painted Sunshine – Min Poodle - handled by Dawn Weaver – clear in 32.99 seconds

Now available see - Dog behaviour books page - 20 February 2006

How to... Change Dog Behaviour by Peter Lewis-

A comprehensive guide to solving dog behavioural problems in three parts

Part 1. Essential theoretical knowledge

Part 2. Solving non aggressive problems

Part 3. Solving aggressive problems

BIG WIN FOR TONI - December 17th 2005

At the end of December the London Olympia Horse show was again held.  this features the renowned dog agility stakes that have previously been sponsored by pedigree but this year for the first time The Kennel Club took them over.  pedigree still support this long standing venture so it seems that its future is secure.

This year the big winner of the The Kennel Club Agility stakes was the Border Collie Spellcast Made in Heaven.    This dog owned and handled by Toni Dawkins put in the almost perfect round to win the coveted award.  Toni has been at the top of the sport for a few years now and has represented the British team at the world Championships for two or three years.  This win under the glaring lights of Olympia's Grand hall and the pressure generated by the watching and roaring thousands should stand them both in good stead for major events in the future.  For me I believe Toni and Spellcast Made in Heaven to be the best partnership of dog and handler in harmony that the sport of agility has ever seen.

WORLD AGILITY CHAMPIONSHIPS - October 2005

The FCI are reported to have changed their minds about non-signatory countries competing in their World Championship events.  It appears that they must have realised that shooting themselves in the foot would lead to a disability!  This was to be from 2007 onwards but to their credit the Agility commission of the FCI seemed to be quite appalled that a decision like this had been taken without consulting them.

The British agility team again competed at the world championships in Spain they decided to travel partly by coach and plane because of problems with the number of dogs that airlines have facilities for on their aeroplanes. That meant a flight to Porto in Portugal and a coach trip from there to Valladolid in Spain.  Even then they had to go on two flights on two different days.  Quite a complication!  However, next year I would expect them to go by coach all the way to Switzerland where the event will be held.

They did quite well at this prestigious event and pulled off a third place in the large dog category where over 100 dogs competed when David Munnings, handling  his Border Collie Billy, put in two clear rounds which, for a first time appearance in the pressure cooker of the arena, showed a fine handler temperament.  Therefore for the third year running we were on the podium.

Standards continue to rise at this annual event and the fortunes of the countries fluctuate.  The USA are going through a poor patch and France, that did so well for several years, are struggling to reach the podium

We were unlucky in the large dog team event for our dogs were among the fastest, but five faults over six rounds can be enough to move your country well down the result list.  These championships are all about consistency of performance and handler temperament rather than the demeanour of the dog.   Our dogs do not feel pressure other than any that might originate from their handler.  To them it is just another agility round.  For the handler the experience can be daunting.

THE FCI SHOOT THEMSELVES IN THE FOOT - June 2005

The FCI (The body governing international competition between national kennels clubs that belong to it) have decided that those country's that are not members may not compete in any of their World Championships.  This becomes effective in either 2006 or 2007 and also covers the international dog sport of agility that was invented in England in 1978.  This effectively means that The British the Americans and the Canadians will not be taking part in the future.  Two of these three country's have the largest Kennel Club's in the world and all three are very strong agility competitors.

I cannot believe that he FCI have thought this through properly.  It would seem that they have opened mouth without engaging brain!  The history of dog agility which follows explains how I felt the FCI could hold the sport together. Now they tear it apart.

Great Britain Dog Agility team win at the FCI World Agility Championships 2003 held in France

NEW PUBLICATION - June 2005

I am pleased to advise that my latest manual in the How To series was published during early January 2005.  Its title is descriptive being:-

How to Have a Problem Free Puppy - It details all the mistakes that can be made and gives much positive advice for a peaceful life with a young dog.- Full details can be found on the product pages of this web site.

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