MidMassNewfers: Vision & Activities
General Information
We are a group of friends who meet regularly with our dogs to train in draft work, water rescue, obedience, and other performance activities.
- Although many of us do train for titles, others have no wish to gain titles but, instead, participate for friendship and socialization. We find that – title or not - our dogs’ are more satisfied and enriched when they have something to do.
- Our training sessions last about four to five hours each and a ‘rough’ schedule is sent out to members at the start of each ‘season’;
- Individual training activity for a single dog can often require multiple people and, thus, all participants are encouraged to stay for the full session in order to help others.
- Our dogs often have free play before and after training. If your dog is not comfortable with other dogs, please be sure to take measures to keep your dog and the other dogs safe. We’ve never had a dog fight yet and want to keep it that way. (Please also note that we can often do some socializing exercises to improve a dog’s ability to interact in a group. Let us know if you’d be interested!)
- We like to leave our training area so clean that no one will ever know that we were present. Everyone should pick up after themselves and their dog and, at the end of a session, help the group clean up. And don’t forget, bring lots of plastic baggies for doggie ‘do-do’.
- People should recognize that each dog is different and may require different methods of training.
· Members usually assist each other by problem solving and suggesting varied approaches for each dog.
· Some dogs will require quiet when (s)he is training and, therefore, participants may be asked to remain quiet while a dog trains; please don’t take offense. Similarly, handlers should feel free to ask participants to remain quiet or do whatever is needed for that particular dog’s training comfort.
Draft Training:
- Experienced owners mentor new Newfs and their owners and problem solve with each other to get the dog used to a harness and hitch, maneuverability and the obedience (needed to pass the draft test).
- Dogs who participate will eventually need their own cart and harness.
Water Rescue Training
- Water sessions are water training and not water play. That’s not to say that we don’t have fun – because we do. But the emphasis is on helping the dogs learn the exercises needed for their test.
- People should bring the equipment that they will need for their exercises. (This can include floating bumpers and life vests for retrieving, etc.in water rescue; check water rescue rules at http://www.ncanewfs.org/working/water/ )
- We usually have only one dog in the water at a time. As a result, there is down time for everyone which some will find tedious and boring. This can be alleviated by helping with other dogs.
- We do implement efficiencies to minimize down time.
- When people arrive, they should sign in on the white board for both their dog’s training time slot, and at least one time slot in which to steward. (If you’ve never stewarded before, we’ll let you know what to do; it’s actually rather fun.)
- If beach allows, we may break into a second group (i.e., ‘land’ or a novice water ‘fun’ group); please don’t be offended if this happens, we were all beginners once and even the experienced handlers often bring beginner dogs.
- If the group is very large at a particular session, dogs entered into an upcoming test may get preference for serious training
- Everyone should try ‘stewarding’ for at least one other dog. In order to do that, people should have some way to insure that, while stewarding, their dog will be safe, secure and not intruding on the training of other dogs. This can be accomplished by putting your dog back in your car, having someone else hold the dog’s leash, having a crate, etc.
- All adults who attend water training should wear a personal flotation device and protective footwear while working with a dog on a water exercise. Even if they are on land handling the dog, they may need to enter the water quickly to help their dog succeed in the training exercise or to help the dog or another person in the event there is a safety issue.
- All children under the age of 18 who attend water training must wear a personal flotation device throughout the training session whether in the water or on the beach.
- MidMassNewfers does not hold insurance and everyone who attends practice sessions must recognize that water activities are inherently dangerous and that MidMassNewfers is not liable for any accidents, injuries or damage to property. Train at your own risk.
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