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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