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NEW ENGLAND 
DOG TRAINING CLUB
INCORPORATED
Member Of 
The American Kennel Club 
BULLETIN 

May we always strive to be the 
kind of people our dogs think we are.    
February 2002
The Night The Worst 
Almost Happened.  Those who were at the Armory on Thursday 
the 7th witnessed an attack by a member00 dog upon a beginner00 
7-month old pug.  The member was preparing to leave, having finished 
with Ruth00 class.  She had put her dog in a sit/stay while she 
walked away to get her coat.  The dog broke the stay and went to 
visit with the pug.  In a flash, and 00ithout so much as a by 
your leave00 the member00 dog grabbed the pug by the throat and 
proceeded to try to squeeze the breath out of him.  Luckily that 
did not happen and the pug is recovering well, having suffered a torn 
ear and a deep puncture wound.  The children (ages 6 and 10) who 
own him and witnessed this near death attack, are still recovering.
At the beginning of each training year 
I print the NEDTC Guidelines (aka  Rules of Behavior).  
I have done this even tho00I suspected that they fell on deaf ears 
or only warranted a cursory glance, figuring the readership might think 
them only 00or the other guy00  As of today we are all the 
00ther guy!00nbsp; If you walk your dog with a 6 ft leash dangling 
between you and your dog, these Rules are meant for you.  If you00e 
ever let your dog 00eet and greet00another dog without the other 
handler00 permission, these Rules are meant for you.  If you00e 
played off-leash with your dog, before, between and/or after your class, 
these Rules are meant for you.  If you00e used the time it takes 
you to roll up mats to perfect your dog00 sit or down stay, these 
Rules are meant for your.  If you and your dog have taken a short-cut 
between an instructor and her class or cut a swath across the middle 
of a training area during class time,  these Rules are meant for 
you.  This is not an exhaustive list, merely a litany of behaviors 
that all of us have been guilty of at one time or another.  If 
you have a happy, friendly dog it behooves you to make sure that he/she 
doesn00 get too happy or too friendly with a not-so-inclined 
other dog.  If you have a not-so-happy and/or not-so-friendly dog 
then tie an orange ribbon to the collar, keep a short  leash and 
ask folks to give you a wide berth.  If we all keep our own dogs 
leashed (or crated) and under control, the safety of our training environment 
will be assured.  
While we appreciate that the puppies 
in the puppy and beginners classes are what insurance folks call an 
00ttractive nuisance00  we ask that you and your dog keep a 
safe distance away.  Many of these people are first time owners 
who have come to us to learn to do right by their new best friend.  
They will make mistakes while they learn; the instructors are there 
to guide and inform them.  Let them do their jobs.  
 In the past the Club has relied on 
voluntary compliance of the Guidelines, and been somewhat lax 
on enforcement.  That will no longer be the case.   The 
NEDTC Guidelines will be strictly enforced.  Anyone coming 
into the Armory with a dog must stay with that dog and that dog must 
stay on leash at all times, except 
only while performing specific training exercises 
under supervision in the matted training areas.  We must be 
especially vigilant when coming and going from the various training 
areas (in between exercises as well as classes) 00all dogs must be 
leashed with a living, breathing, attentive person attached to the other 
end.  We hope for voluntary compliance, however, non-compliance 
means risking the loss of training privileges.
A Quick Aside:  
It00 my understanding that at AKC Obedience trials, leaving one00 
dog unattended (and uncrated) is grounds for dismissal from that trial 
and the trial site.  We are asking no more or less vigilance than 
one would have at an obedience trial.  Every time a dog leaves 
the show ring, it00 on leash.  Please conduct yourselves similarly 
around NEDTC00 training rings.  Thank you.
NOW FOR MORE ENJOYABLE CLUB NEWS:  
NEDTC HOLIDAY PARTY A HOWLING SUCCESS!!!  
A beautiful day (12/13) and a wonderful gathering of club members, students 
and all those wonderful furry friends.  Check out the photo gallery 
at our website (NEDTC.ORG) and make plans to attend next year!  
Good food and good company always make for a good time.  This year 
the Holiday Party was held on Sunday afternoon at the Armory, which 
gave us much more time to eat, hang out and visit with each other.  
Thanks to Jean Berman for spearheading the whole endeavor and thanks 
to all who brought goodies and/or helped with cleaning up.
Sundays 
002002 - Armory Availability.  
Between 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm on  Jan. 13 and 27, and Feb. 10 and 
24, 3/24 and 31, Apr. 28, May 12 and 19, June 9 and 30.  Members 
are welcome to come and practice with their dogs in available space 
during those times.  You may use any available equipment, but please 
return it to storage when finished.  There is a Beginners class 
from 3:45 pm to 4:45 pm in a portion of the space, but the balance of 
the Armory is open for use.  Jean Berman is at the desk at 2:00 
pm and has keys for whatever you might need.  As time goes on, 
the Club will be inviting guest speakers and holding various seminars 
on some of these Sundays.  (FYI, Lowry Heussler is gathering info 
on a canine cpr seminar.  If you would be interested in attending, 
please let her know.)  Flyers on upcoming events will be at Jean00 
desk as well as posted on the website.  
The NEDTC Annual Banquet and Meeting 
is next week and it looks to be a stellar event!  The speaker, 
Gail McCarthy, is co-founder and vice-president of the Massachusetts 
Canine Response Team and canine handler with FEMA00 Urban Search 
and Rescue Task Force 1 (Mass.).  Lowry is doing her best 
to make sure Gail brings a dog with her! 
NEDTC SPRING TRIAL is set for 
March 30th with the closing date of March 13th.  
The place is Gail Fisher00 All Dogs Gym, Manchester, NH.  Judging 
panel (and entry limits):  Novice A 00Susan King (24); Novice 
B 00nbsp; Don Thornton (40); Open A 00nbsp; Donna Meade (35); Open 
B 00Susan King (21) and Utility A & B -  Arthur Weiss (48)
CRDTC MARCH TRIAL 
will be Saturday, March 16, at the Field School in Weston, MA. Fee $21. 
Limited entry (total 168).  Judging panel (and entry limits):  
Novice A & B - Robert Amen (64); Open A & B - Don Thornton (35); 
and Utility A & B -  Susan King (48).  The premium list 
is available online at the CRDTC website at http://www.geocities.com/crdtc/ 
march02.html.  It00 a PDF file (you00l need Adobe Acrobat which 
you can download for free from the CRDTC site).  If you don't have 
Web access call Margaret Stubbs, CRDTC trial sec'y, at 781 894-4315 
or email her at mstubbs222@aol.com.  CRDTC wants to have 
a pre-trial run-through night on Monday, 3/11.
What Are Members Up To?  
Joanie Muse and her GSD Bessie were entered in three ASCA 
obedience shows 10/13-14 in Westfield and passed all three.  
Bessie is now, as Geoff Stern would put it, CD to the 4th degree, 
AM. CAN., UKC and ASCA!   Each in 3 shows, and all within 
6 months!  Way to go Bessie!   Joanie now 
has her first dog in Open.  Bessie, AM, CAN, UKC, ASCA CD 
and AKC AX and AXJ!  (But you can still call her Bessie.)
Joanie00 GSD Gretta 
got her 3rd leg and her ASCA CD on Saturday, 2/2 with a score of 193.5 
and a fourth place!!  Sunday she got a bumper leg.  Such a good girl!!
Gert Foster, Puppy Kindergarten 
Assistant extraordinaire was voted Employee of The Year 2001 
at Countryside Veterinary Hospital where she works as a groomer.  
Well Done Gert! You may also know that Gert is a new dog-mom.  
She adopted the lovely Kandi, a gorgeous Shiloh Shepherd who 
happens to be the mom of Lowry Heussler00 Blue.  Happy 
Trails to you guys!!  
Roo Runs Amok!   Vilkas 
to the Rescue!  Roo, in a spurt of fitness adrenaline 
this fall, had taken to running 2 miles a day.  She00 only been 
at it for a couple of weeks when [potential] disaster struck!  
THAT night around 1AM, Roo and Vilkas went out for 
a jaunt.  Roo, not being as agile as Vilkas stepped out on a piece 
of sidewalk that wasn't really there; and down she went.  (And 
she without a cell phone to call for human help.)  Roo would 
have been at the mercy of the night had it not been for her hero, 
VILKAS.  Amazingly and instinctively, Vilkas assumed 
the role of assistance dog; helping her back on her feet (err, foot) 
and home.  Roo spent the rest of that night and some of 
the next morning (6.5 hours) in the Mt. Auburn ER where she was diagnosed 
with a major sprain (no weight-bearing allowed for at least a week.)  
An Atta Boy to you Vilkas!!  [I00 tellin00ya, they never 
let us down!  Ed.]
The Rainbow Bridge.   Kay 
Barry00 beloved poodle Fancy crossed over the Rainbow Bridge 
on 10/24/01.  Our hearts go out to Kay.
Also to catch up, Kay recently 
had hip surgery, but I understand she is home and will be attending 
the Banquet!  Look forward to seeing you Kay.
Sullivan Clan Grows By One.  
I found a little cairn-type terrier on my way to work one morning just 
before Thanksgiving.  He was looking much the worse for wear (bald 
on his back half from dermatitis and his front half was covered by what 
looked to be dirty string).  I thought he was lovely (read:  
00he00 in rescue mode00.  Even his high octane body odor 
did not disuade me.  I took some treats out of my pocketbook (don00 
ask) and fashioned some yarn from my needlepoint into a leash.  
Gingerly, we approached each other.  The hotdog treats were a hit, 
so we toddled along to my car and off we went.  First stop, the 
groomer/vet.  On the way we had a chat and I told him he had to 
get along with the collies and the cats if he wanted to stay with me; 
otherwise his new forever home would have to be found elsewhere.  
He made his choice and there has been nary a hint of a growl or a fuss.  
He00 called Bobby (Greyfriar00 Bobby) 
and seems to like it.  He00 about 10 years old and in the 3 months 
we00e been together, he00 had his heart murmur checked, 12 teeth 
removed (kept his fangs, so he still has a 00oggy smile00, massive 
infections in gums and anal sacks cleaned up and been neutered.  
Whew!!  Both he and my checkbook have taken a licking, but only 
Bobby keeps on ticking like an old Timex watch.  So if you see 
me being escorted around the club by a canine James Cagney with a bad 
toupee, it00 just me and my little guy out for a stroll. 
NETWORKING RE VET COSTS.  
Until Bobby came along, I was not on a first name basis with 
my vet because my animals all enjoyed disgusting good health.  
All that has changed.  I00e discovered that the cost of procedures 
can vary greatly from place to place and have add-ons, not requested 
or needed, but included, that can make that increase even sharper.  
I called 5 places in the South Shore for ultrasound info, and altho00
the base cost was $250, one place added $75 for x-rays (that my doctor 
did not order but if I chose this vet I had to have them) and another 
charged an additional $85 for a consult with the doctor.  I ended 
up at The Animal Ultrasound Clinic in Salem (actually only 35 minutes 
from my home in Quincy).  They do weekends (great for us working 
folks) AND charged $95 for the cardiac ultrasound and $95 for the consult 
with the cardiologist.  (This place got rave medical reviews 
from any vet I talked with.)
I take my troops to the Petco in Weymouth 
for their shots.  This Petco has a vaccination clinic every other 
week, run by Luv My Pet in Malden.  Vet gives the shots and I get 
them all done for less than the price of a one-dog trip to the vet.  
FYI, Bobby00 rabies shot was $10 the 5-in-1 was $12!!  
The vet even gave his mouth a look and  mentioned the condition 
of the teeth to make sure I had them tended too.  
Did you 
know00rices of medication also can vary wildly!  Bobby 
was put on Enalapril for his heart murmur.  The cardiologist said 
it would be cheaper at the vet.  WRONG.  One vet wanted $200+ 
for 100 tablets.  Walgreen00 (and PedMed Express) wanted $79 
per 100.  PetMed charges an additional shipping fee.  My sister00 
vet charged her $4 for 15 of the same pills.  Words to the Wise.  
Take a few pills to get started.  If you can00 find it cheaper 
and your pet tolerates it well, go back to the vet and get more.  
Meantime, go on line or ask around and check it out.  I don00 
mind paying what needs to be paid to take good care of my dogs, but 
I do mind paying more than I need to for the treatment.  Finding 
the best treatment for every veterinary-care dollar becomes even more 
important when you have multiple.
If any of you have any 
ideas or helpful hints, you00 like to pass along, I will be glad to 
include them here.  Just send me an email.
Liz Sullivan sends along the 
following explanation of show dog terms.  Timely, given Westminster 
is this week.  Enjoy.  00/font>Pet dogs raid the garbage ... Obedience dogs 
are very food motivated.   00/font>Pet dogs shed ... Show dogs blow coat.  00/font>Pet dogs 
are in heat ... Show dogs come into season.  00/font>Pet dogs run around the house... Show dogs show 
tremendous reach and drive.  00/font>Pet dogs stand ... Show dogs stack.  00/font>Pet dogs 
get a bath ... Show dogs are groomed.  00/font>Pet dogs beg for treats ... Show dogs animate 
for bait.  Pet dogs jump the fence ... Obedience dogs demonstrate 
problem solving intelligence.  00/font>Pet dogs bark at other dogs ... agility dogs 
show excitement before showing.  00/font>Pet dogs are hyper... Show dogs are high drive.   00/font>Pet dogs 
steal socks and laundry... Show dogs show natural retrieving ability.   00/font>Pet dogs 
find and chew up their owners shoes... Showdogs are practicing scent 
articles..  
Questions Dogs Have for God.  00/font>How come 
people love to smell flowers, but seldom smell one another?  Where 
are their priorities?  00/font>When we get to Heaven, can we sit on your couch? 
Or is it the same old story?  00/font>Excuse me, but why are there cars named after 
the jaguar, the cougar, the mustang, the colt, the stingray, and the 
rabbit, but not one named for a dog?  How often do you see a cougar 
riding around?   We dogs love a nice ride!  I know every 
breed cannot have its own model, but it would be easy to rename the 
Chrysler Eagle the Chrysler Beagle!  00/font>If a dog barks his head off in the forest and 
no human hears him, is he still a bad dog?  00/font>Is it true that in Heaven, dining room tables 
have on-ramps?  00/font>If we come back as humans, is that good or bad?  00/font>More 
meatballs, less spaghetti, please.  00/font>When we get to the Pearly Gates, do we have 
to shake hands to get in?  00/font>We dogs can understand human verbal instructions, 
hand signals, whistles, horns, clickers, beepers, scent IDs, electromagnetic 
energy fields, and Frisbee flight  paths. What do humans understand?  00/font>Are there 
dogs on other planets or are we alone?  00/font>I have been howling at the moon and stars for 
a long time, but all I ever hear back is the beagle across the street!  00/font>Are there 
mailmen in Heaven?   If there are, will I have to apologize?  00/font>Is it 
true that dogs are not allowed in restaurants because we can't make 
up our minds what NOT to order?  Or is it the carpets thing, again?  00/font>May I 
have my testicles/ovaries back? [I forget who sent these to me, but 
Thanks!]
Until next time,
      Pat 
00coop00Sullivan pasullivan@goodwinprocter.com






Summer00all00inter00PRING00oops)00ummer, 
2001 Page 

May we always strive to be the 
kind of people our dogs think we are.  Page