CHANGES/IMPROVEMENTS AT THE PARK

By now, many of you have seen the new small dog area. Of course, some fine-tuning is still needed--the gate latches don't fit properly and have been filed off sharply (be careful with the small dog one), and the fence south of the service gate is too high off the ground--our little Ziggy can get under it. Of course, the fence folks were supposed to be here today (the 13th), to make some adjustments and reinforce the main entrance gate so it doesn't spread apart when the ground freezes. Very soon we will be adding a garbage can and water to the area. The training yard is now locked from the outside, and will be used for the classes that we're in the process of organizing that will start in May. I've just posted the classes we're offering on the bulletin board... I hope you will consider taking a class or two with your dogs this summer. All the classes will be taught using treats and positive reinforcement--I've tried several of them and have had good fun. I'm looking forward to the flyball class--maybe we can get a CCC team together...Actually, an advanced beginner's agility class started today (Wednesday). It's the first time we've started this early.
Now, we have some other new developments at the park! The lattice is meant to prevent high speed jumping up on the porch, and to slow the dogs down while they're on there. Most of them will quickly figure out that the only way onto the porch is at the steps or the west end. We're asking our members to restrict their dogs' activities while on the porch. No running, wrestling, or romping, and please discourage leg lifting. We have 5 acres for those fun things. Some of our more "unsteady" members and visitors use the porch for a home base, and the lattice is meant to make it safer and more secure for them and everybody. Please feel free tell us what you think--if it's positive ;-). We recently discovered that the pop in our machine froze and exploded during the cold spell in February. According to people that know about such things, this is very unusual in our area of the country. Today Joe, the handy man cleaned up the sticky mess, and tomorrow we will restock the machine--just in time for the warm weather. (It's just around the corner) My next post will discuss some ideas I have for the training yard, and the classes that we're getting ready for. ***By the way, if you don't wish to register when you reply on this blog, just click "anonymous" and registration is not required. If you wish to say who you are in the body of your message, you can do so. Thanks, ttyl