THE clock is ticking for Hibiscus Kennel Club members as they get stuck into completing last minute jobs in readiness for the championship show at the Port Shepstone Borough Grounds this weekend.
The club is expecting top agility trainers from Gauteng who will be testing their strengths and weaknesses in preparation for the Agility World Championship taking place in Gauteng at the Coca-Cola Dome in Randburg next month.
The club’s star performer, Scooby and her handler Gaby Frey will also be among the top competitors as well as the visiting trainer from Germany, Hinky Nickels, who ranks amongst the top agility handlers in the world.
Agility is a fast growing sport and a very fast sport – dependent on how tight the dog takes its turns, handlers complete a round within split seconds of each other. Handlers are given five minutes to walk the course and memorise the 20 plus obstacles.
Dogs are not afforded the same opportunity, so once on the course the dog is totally dependent on the handler for signals. You will often hear a dog bark as if to say ‘where?’
Handlers like Gaby build up a very strong bond with their dogs and are totally focused on each other during the round.
Hibiscus Kennel Club is also using this time to celebrate its 40th anniversary and extends an invite to all former members to come along to the show this weekend and get acquainted again.
Maybe you and your dog were keen carters or loved the thrill of flyball. If so,why not come and support those taking part in these categories at the show.
Carting is absolute teamwork between handler and dog and obedience plays an important part in this discipline. Dogs enjoy working, especially if they are rewarded and all training is done with positive reinforcement.
In flyball the reinforcement is the sheer joy of being allowed to run and retrieve a ball, returning to the handler afterwards and hearing their fellow competitors barking in excitement.
Come visit the stalls selling a vast variety of goodies including toys and ‘beauty’ products such as shampoos. Various dog food representatives will also be attending and will be happy to discuss any questions concerning dietary needs.
There will be lots to see and do plus delicious hot dogs and hamburgers on sale so make this a family outing and head to the Port Shepstone Borough Grounds this weekend for the Hibiscus Kennel Club championship show. Entrance is free.
