LRA Pamper day
The first official organised day for the LRA was held at the Kennel club venue Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire.
It was a new venue for all of us, but we were shown around and given guidance by a helpful site manager called Paul.
Members arrived from about 9.30 and after a lot of happy chatter and mayhem we were ready to start by 10am Emma Jane introduced the committee that were attending and we all gave a brief summary of our experience with dogs.
Then began our first activity.
The Grooming.
We started with brushing out the dogs, the technique using a slicker was demonstrated and then everyone practised on their own dogs. It was carefully explained that brushing out must precede bathing otherwise felting can occur This is an energetic and sometimes tiring part of the process.
Then we downed tools to watch Emma Jane explain the trimming process. It wasn't just a case of trimming to the right shape but of using the correct tools and how to handle your dog. the final results can be seen in our photographs. For those that were very keen we had for sale amongst other things, a number of high quality grooming products.
After a short break for lunch Martin Wellman demonstrated some ring craft techniques which I know will prove very helpful to those of us whom are showing at Crufts this year.
The final part of the day was given over to a talk by The Medical Detection Dogs charity. This charity trains dogs to aid people with illnesses such as Diabetes or epilepsy and Addisons. They also train them to detect cancer from breath and urine samples. It is life saving work but disappointingly not supported by the government or the NHS.
The whole day seems to have been a great success, with lots being learned, new friendships made and a wonderful atmosphere.
Written by Carol Meacham, LRA Committee Member
The first official organised day for the LRA was held at the Kennel club venue Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire.
It was a new venue for all of us, but we were shown around and given guidance by a helpful site manager called Paul.
Members arrived from about 9.30 and after a lot of happy chatter and mayhem we were ready to start by 10am Emma Jane introduced the committee that were attending and we all gave a brief summary of our experience with dogs.
Then began our first activity.
The Grooming.
We started with brushing out the dogs, the technique using a slicker was demonstrated and then everyone practised on their own dogs. It was carefully explained that brushing out must precede bathing otherwise felting can occur This is an energetic and sometimes tiring part of the process.
Then we downed tools to watch Emma Jane explain the trimming process. It wasn't just a case of trimming to the right shape but of using the correct tools and how to handle your dog. the final results can be seen in our photographs. For those that were very keen we had for sale amongst other things, a number of high quality grooming products.
After a short break for lunch Martin Wellman demonstrated some ring craft techniques which I know will prove very helpful to those of us whom are showing at Crufts this year.
The final part of the day was given over to a talk by The Medical Detection Dogs charity. This charity trains dogs to aid people with illnesses such as Diabetes or epilepsy and Addisons. They also train them to detect cancer from breath and urine samples. It is life saving work but disappointingly not supported by the government or the NHS.
The whole day seems to have been a great success, with lots being learned, new friendships made and a wonderful atmosphere.
Written by Carol Meacham, LRA Committee Member