Monday 23 September 2013

To Walk With Dogs (5)



To Walk With Dogs
German Shepherd Dogs
K9. V. W. G.
The K9 Voluntary Walking Group.

TITUS

 Dog Socialization Therapy. 
 

NO WALKS THIS SUNDAY 27th October.

NOTE: 
WALK 
CANCELLED.  
Sorry, this weeks walk is to be cancelled, due to the severe weather warnings.

It’s not wise to walk near trees or in a forest as this weeks walk was arranged. The forecast is for severe structural and tree damage.

Weather permitting, there will be a walk next Sunday.


Next Walk will be - Date: Sunday 3rd October 2013 - Walk to be Decided. 

Forest of Bere,
 Havant Thicket.

Forest of Bere, Havant Thicket, Manor Lodge Road, Rowland’s Castle, Hampshire.  (B2149)
Only as a Guide - Nearest Post Code: PO9 6HE



Click on this Link for further directions, and to see meeting point at the Havant Thicket car park.   http://goo.gl/maps/MY9OL

All meet at 10.15 for a 10.45am Start. Andy will lead the walk.

It’s advisable to wear Wellington Boots, as this time of the year can be quite squishy and waterlogged in parts.

The Duration time of the walk will take about 75 Minutes.


Directions are:

From Fareham East Street, head towards the roundabout, take the 4th exit onto Cams Hill /A27. At the second set of traffic lights turn left onto Downend Road, this continues onto James Callaghan Drive, at the main roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Portsdown Hill Road/B2177, at the end of this road, there’s a small roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Bedhampton Road/B2177, continue to follow this road onto New Road/B2149, at the end of this road there’s a roundabout, take the 1st exit onto the Petersfield Road/B2149, continue to follow through to Durrants Road the B2149,  keeping hard to your left go through two small roundabouts onto MANOR LODGE ROAD / B2149 a little further up to your Left is the entrance to Havant Thicket Car Park - YOU HAVE ARRIVED.

OWNERS  RESPONSIBILITY.
All dogs and owners welcome as usual, but we would ask that all owners please be responsible for your own dog, the K9.V.W.G. will not tolerate, be held accountable or responsible for any accident, fight or unwarranted behavior towards a member of the group or member of the public. We welcome new members and dogs and positively urge them to come on the walks for their and their dogs benefit but we do expect owners to keep their dogs in check.

 We all come on the walks to socialize the dogs & have a natter with like minded people and have a good walk, but if you think your dog maybe snappy or over  aggressive and show any signs of dominance to other dogs or you don't know how your dog will react to other dogs we do ask that you muzzle it for your dogs and others safety. Providing your dog has good recall, the dog can be off lead, this will give the freedom to interact and socialize better.

If your dog is unpredictable we ask that you either keep it on a lead or a long line. Please be courteous and respect others by keeping an eye on your dog and being aware of what it's doing, and take the appropriate instant action. We do not want to stop people or dogs coming on the walk but we will be left with no choice if a dog is a constant problem. 

If the walk has to be cancelled for some reason it will be posted on here as least 2 hours before the walk. It won't be cancelled if it is just raining!  So please check here before you set off.



DOG’S and LIVESTOCK.
To Walk with Dog’s. We recommend that you should exercise caution when bringing your dog on our walks, and that you should have adequate control over your dogs around livestock. A flexible lead would be recommended as this will aloud your dog to explore, while it enables you to keep your Dog Safe. 
Even if livestock are not present, dogs should be ‘under close control’ always, although this doesn’t necessarily mean on a lead. Dogs should be kept on a lead if owners cannot rely on their obedience. You mustn’t forget that Dog’s worrying livestock can be legally shot. On this part of the walk theirs a  number of  Domestic Animals roaming free, be vigilant and Dog safe.


Remember to Carry plenty of fresh water and a container for your Dog to be constantly hydrated when on the walk.


Dogs MUST be kept either in cars or walked AWAY from the car park until the start of the walk.
It can be a fairly busy place and it doesn't help our cause to have the dogs barking and bouncing about on the leads. It is up to us to make sure that our dogs are not seen in a bad light and to have a large amount of dogs in the car park barking at people and their dogs as they go past is not acceptable & it's not fair on the rest of us who spend a great deal of time and effort trying to improve how the public looks at dogs like ours. Just be a little extra vigilant, as this area is popular with young families, you should have adequate control over your dogs. 

Please make sure your dog is wearing a suitable dog tag before the walk, by law this MUST have the owners address and telephone numbers on and preferably that the dog is chipped and neutered.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: K9.V.W.G. will not be held liable for any costs, damages, expenses, claims and/or judgements that may arise or result from any harm or loss caused by any owner and/or their dog(s) whilst participating in any activity organized by the To Walk with Dogs (K9.V.W.G.) You are responsible for your own dog(s). For further information, read below, under (OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY). 
  • Dog waste.  Do bag it and bin it.
Please be aware that other dog walkers, joggers, horse-riders, and families may be situated in the same area, we do ask if owners can put dogs on there lead or make them sit to one side when people walking with or without dogs are on the same path to let them pass. Please keep this up, we have been congratulated on previous walks for stopping and allowing members of the public to pass with their dogs, so it is important we carry on doing this not just because it's polite and something that should be done but because we 'are' responsible GSD owners!
   
And don't forget a loud shout of Dog Walkers, Cyclists or Horses will alert the rest of the group, as to what is ahead, and take the appropriate action.


"Adders - Safety Warning" -  From march all owners should be aware of Adders.
Springtime sees the end of hibernation for the adder. So keep your eyes peeled while walking on the grassy fields, heaths and in the woods. 

The adder is the only British venomous snake, Unfortunately dogs are the animals most likely to be bitten due to their natural curiosity and need to stick their noses into everything!   Remember, there has been Dog fatalities through adder bites.  But adder bites are rarely fatal. Adders tend to live in areas of dense ground cover, where they can hide from natural predators, but they also need sunny spots for basking. (Adders need to warm their bodies before becoming active). Adders seem to prefer South facing slopes, in order to maximise their access to sunshine.

Adders are difficult to spot because they're extremely shy animals. Although they can't hear, they'll detect vibrations from you walking, and usually will quickly and smoothly slither into cover as soon as you get anywhere near. Adders are often only a foot or so away from deep cover, and they favour remaining in ground which matches their colouration, making them really difficult to spot.

         To keep you and your pet safe follow these simple tips...
  • Keep to the paths - snakes tend to live in the undergrowth
  • Use a short lead on heathland in summer - part of your Open Access responsibilities
  • If you encounter an adder - leave it alone - give it the opportunity to escape to safety. Here's a helpful leaflet Dogs & Adders Leaflet for dog owners.  The leaflet gives good advice on identifying adders and what to do if your pet does get bitten.  You can also find some tips on  First Aid for Dogs page.

  • So enjoy your walks and REMEMBER that bites are rarely fatal but must be treated quickly  by a vet.
Here's some adder facts...
Adders are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.  It is an offence to kill, harm or injure them, and to sell or trade them in any way.
Our walks are held on alternate sunday at different locations.

Some quick snapshots of Previous Walks - 13th October at Alver Valley Country Park.

A big thanks to everyone for turning up on a gloomy damp day in supporting the dogs. Just over half way round every one got drenched, but the dogs loved it, some seemed full of life and bouncy, a nice walk. Please come and join us on one of our GSD walks. All are welcome.



















































































Photos of Previous Walks - 29th September at M.O.D. Training Camp, Browndown.

































































Photos of Previous Walks - 22th September 2013 at Alver Valley Country Park, Gosport.























 

























CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR MORE PHOTOS: 



http://www.dogtraininginhampshire.co.uk/index.htmlhttp://www.dogtraininginhampshire.co.uk/index.html

TITUS

Translate