GDF Suncoast Puppy

Raisers Meeting

Announcement &

Newsletter August 2012

Puppy Saturday Meeting

Date: August 11, 2012

Where: Chili’s Clearwater

5430 East Bay Dr.

539-8596

Time: 11:00am-1:00pm

Hi everyone,

We have reserved a room at

the back of Chili’s so that we

could enjoy lunch while

listening to our guest speaker.

At the last meeting, you guys

had so many questions about

the rights and access of guide

dog users that we decided to

invite our good friend Debbie

Grubb to try to answer them. We got to know Debbie several years ago when she was matched with Magic, the

7th

puppy we raised for Southeastern. She currently is working Deana, raised by Judy Bordignon, and resides in

Palmetto.

. Debbie has committed her life to the betterment of the guide dog movement and has involved herself in many

levels including

locally as former board member of Southeastern Guide dogs, and chairperson of the Environmental Access

Committee, and on the state and national level as past president of the Florida Council of the Blind and Guide

Dog users group. She has traveled many times to Washington D. C. to speak to our legislators on behalf of

Guide Dog users and all Americans with Disabilities. She is very happy to join us and answer what ever

questions about Guide Dog users you may have on your mind. We are also expecting some other out of town

guests that I’m sure will be adding to the fun. So bring your questions and appetite. We’ll see you there.

Directions: Chili’s is located in the Tri City Plaza, just west of US. 19 on East Bay drive. From most of

Pinellas County take US Hwy 19 to the corner of US 19 and Roosevelt Blvd / East Bay, head west on East Bay

and take first Right into Tri City plaza. Park in Chili’s parking lot and when you come in tell them you are with

the Guide Dog Foundation meeting and they will show you to the back room where we will be meeting.

Above, Euro shows Don and Debbie her swimming skills.

Below, Don’t tell Reuben Collies don’t like to swim. He

is showing Donna he can swim just fine.

For those of you coming from the South take I275 northbound exit on Roosevelt Blvd 686 to Clearwater. Stay

on Roosevelt Blvd it will merge with Ulmerton Road, stay to the right and Roosevelt will split from Ulmerton

Road, stay on Roosevelt Blvd to US Hwy 19, Cross US Hwy 19 (Roosevelt turns into East Bay Drive at US 19)

take your first right into Tri City Plaza and park in Chili’s parking lot. If you have any questions or need

different directions call or email Chuck.

Last Month

We had a lovely time at the Anderson’s

house enjoying their swimming pool and

hospitality. All the puppies got to swim

some more happily than others, but I can

say that Bernie, Euro and Reuben had the

most fun.

We also had a very delicious lunch of

hot dogs and hamburgers grilled by Glen

and side dishes contributed by the rest of

the group, topped off by frosty paws for

the dogs and yummy frozen yogurt for the

rest of us. Oh ya, we did have a short

meeting and discussed pool safety and dog

first aid, but it didn’t get into our way of

having a good time.

After lunch, we took a stroll down to the

bay and took a walk in the water. Diane

mentioned on how tropical storm Debby

changed the shoreline of the beach and the

water was very shallow for quite a ways

out. The dogs had a romping good time and

were probably worn out and ready to return

to be hosed off. I think we all had a good

nap that afternoon.

Our second meeting on Wednesday, July

25th

at Fergs went equally as well. The idea

was to introduce the puppies to a crowded,

noisy atmosphere, but as the Rays were out

of town, the bar and restaurant was

comparatively quiet. Well, we had a good

meal and for homework, we told everyone

they had to come back on their own

sometime when it was crowded!

On Wednesday August 22nd

, the group will be going to a Thrashers game at Bright house Field. That should

provide enough excitement. Donna will be sending out more info about that a week or so before the meeting.

Above and below GDF Suncoast puppy raisers working on

obedience at our Wednesday meeting at Ferg’s

Training Tip – Basic

Obedience

There are many traits that make a guide dog

successful. Some are innate, and some can be

trained. Basic obedience and good house

manners are ones that can be taught. You

hear all the time that you should be practicing

basic obedience with your puppy every day.

That doesn’t change when they become guide

dogs. Guide dog users are practicing

obedience every time they walk out the door.

The dog needs to sit, stay, down, heel, move

forward, come, and stand, at various times

when they are working.

It is almost universal to hear, my dog

behaves well as long as we are not around

other dogs. This is natural, but can be

minimized and controlled with good handling

skills while your puppy is young and before

your puppy gets too big to handle. Although

we practice obedience at each of our meetings,

that is not enough. At least a couple of times a week,

it is recommended to walk around your neighborhood

or park where other dogs may be distracting them. It

is up to the handler to know how to correct or redirect

the puppy away from the distraction while continuing

on your way.

A good way to sharpen your skills is to take an

obedience class. There are several community

classes available and will give you the skills and

confidence you need to properly direct your puppy.

Four our local GDF group, we are lucky to have

Diane Anderson as one of our own. Diane is a

professional obedience instructor, she is happy to

help you with either your guide dog puppy or

personal pet. The following is some information on

her upcoming classes and contact information for

other types of training and services. You can always

contact us for other obedience class locations that

may be closer to your home. Good luck, and as

Diane Anderson says, “have a happy dog!”

“Basic Obedience Classes Offered

Happy Dog! Behavior & Obedience Training is offering two,

basic obedience, 6-week Boot Camp classes this fall. The

registration fee for this class is $75.00. If you are a Guide

Dog Puppy Raiser, this class is available for only $25.00.

For Guide Dog puppies, there are currently two places still

open in the class beginning on September 6th

and three places

still open in the class beginning on October 13th

.

Participants in Boot Camps are accepted on a first paid,

first registered basis. If you wish to register, go to

http://www.haveahappydog.com/classchedule.html and e-

mail the registration information requested to the e-mail

address at the top of the page. Please be sure to note if the

dog you’re registering is a Guide Dog Puppy and the school

you’re connected with. Then go back to the web page and use

the “PAY NOW” button to make your credit or debit card

payment. Basic Obedience Boot Camps, All puppies and dogs

welcome September 6 – October 11, 2012 Thursdays, 6:00 to

7:00 p.m. Coquina Key Clubhouse 3850 Pompano Drive S.E.

St. Petersburg, FL 33705 October 13 – November 17, 2012

Saturdays, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Coquina Key Clubhouse 3850

Pompano Drive S.E. Times and places subject to change

without notice A Boot Camp will NOT be held unless there is a

minimum of 5 paid registrants NO refunds after the first class but

fee may be applied to a future Happy Dog! Class.

Pictures on this page all from July’s meetings. We will see

you all at Chili’s on the 11th

. You’re A/C’s Debbie & Chuck