Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year to all Stix n Bones Members

I would like to thank everyone for the fantastic support shown since Stix n Bones started last January, I really mean it when I say I couldn't have done it without you.
When I began last January with 9 people I would not have expected to see 6 of those 9 still with me.
Thank you to all those who have joined and contributed throughout the year and I look forward to welcoming everybody again for 2015
Take care, have a great Christmas and a happy new year

The Queen has heard about me, and by royal appointment...............

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BAFTAs awards results:

1st Place 2014 Stix n Bones Top Dog: John Russell and "Mylo"

2nd Place: Maria and "Diego"

Joint 3rd Place: June and "Poppy" and Gita with "Kimi"

Most Improved Dog: That mischievous French Bulldog "Jimmy" (and Lesley)

Well done and thankyou everybody for all your efforts, these dogs are a credit to you!

 

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New Year Course starting Friday 9th January 2015

Kick off the new year with an excellent sit, down, stay and recall............add a few fun and games and what have you got...............yes, its the first course of the year!

Normal times for classes 1:30pm-2:30pm, 6pm-7pm and may have to expand to  an extra time of 7:15-8:15pm to accommodate new dogs so please inform Tony of your continued enthusiasm to maintain your place on the course

There will be a small price increase of £1 per lesson and the new prices are as follows:

First basic course will continue to be £60

Continuation courses will now be £54 (six weeks)

All other events such as Walking out mornings and rambles will continue to be free.

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The Stix n Bones BAFTA (Best At Fun Team Activites) awards evening Friday 19th December 2014

Location: The Black Horse Pub, Eastcote Road. 8pm meet onwards
directions.........head south along Joel street, turn right at mini roundabout into Eastcote Road, over another mini roundabout and Black Horse pub on left

Categories:

4) Most Improved dog and Handler

3) Third placed top dog and student

2) Second placed top dog and student

1) Top dog and student

Certificates for everyone who has trained at Stix n bones

Please make a big effort to come along!

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Xmas "Walking Out" morning at Ruislip Lido

Don your Xmas hats and head out for the last walking out morning of the year. Join us for a civilised walk around the Lido, stopping for tea and coffee before finishing off with a few easy exercises.
Meet at the Lido (main) car park for 9:30am

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WARNING.................Dognapping is on the rise

It would appear that even older dogs are being targeted, please keep a watchful eye on your cannine friend as a number of abductions and attempted abductions have occurred in the south Watford and Ruislip areas. Be street-wise or rather woods-wise and report any suspicious activity to the police, take descriptions of people and registrations numbers of vehicles and stay observant.

Keep your dog safe and yourself safe-STAY SWITCHED ON-

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New Courses starting this Friday 14th December

Usual times for classes,1:30pm-2:30pm and 6pm-7pm. Please contact Tony to put your name on the list if you are a new "Stix" for all others normal times as per normal. Contact Tony if not sure.........

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Fireworks and dogs don't mix so here's what you do......................

Hello to my dog club and anyone else who might like to read this. As I won't be seeing you guys until after Fireworks night (and Diwali) I'll just have to give you your lesson now.............

Firework fears and noise phobias are common problems in dogs and its estimated that at least 80% of them are scared of fireworks.

How to recognise the symptoms of a noise sensitive dog:

Signs and symptoms a dog may exhibit, which can range from mild to extreme:

Urinating or defaecating, hiding

Chewing, panting, pacing or digging

Trying to escape, drooling or licking of lips

Seeking out the owner, flatulence ( with Jimmy it appears normal at any time)

Barking, trembling or dilated pupils

So what can we do about it:

Try and provide/make a den as in the picture, the blanket around the cage or den area can hopefully muffle the sounds of the bangs and if there are some tasty treats and toys the distraction of this can hopefully deflect noise issues

Other things you can do is to have a radio or television on at night and close windows and doors to keep the noise to a mimimum and don't forget to close the curtains

Try and ignore fearful behavior, dogs in particular may pick up on their owners anxiety making the problem worse. The best thing I would suggest is to leave your dog to cope independently. Only step in if they are causing harm to themselves or others.

When walking your dog, do it as early in the evening as possible because the more night it is the more sound travels.

This advice can apply to cats as well

Hope this helps and good luck!

TM

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Xmas course now starting on Friday 14th November

Apologies for any inconveniance but due to circumstances beyond my control (well, a little bit because I am away in half term)  the new start date is Friday 14th November and will run for 6 weeks. The awards evening (19th December) will carry on after the 6pm class and I would like to remind the 1:30ers to come along and don't forget your dogs.

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New Xmas course times and dates

Please see the above blog on latest course news and awards evening

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Ramble pictures

The first of the "Rambles" took place in lovely weather, great company thanks guys!

The first of the 2 hills..........no problem for our intrepid ramblers

I wouldn't argue with Simba, Minnie!!

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Autumn "Walking Out"

Join us on Saturday 11th October for a walking out around Ruislip Lido meeting in the car park at 9:30am. Its great fun, lots of tea and coffee and finishing off with some easy exercises

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Late summer ramble: Chess Valley Saturday 27th September

Enjoy the last moments of summer with a nice dog walk/ramble through the Chess valley. Meet for 10:30am in the car park at the Cock Inn which is situated in Church Lane, Sarratt, Rickmansworth Herts WD36HH. Once all there we shall embark on a 3/4 mile jaunt across the Chess valley after climbing two moderately steep hills before returning back to the car park and lunch.

Can you please note that good footwear and waterproofs are essential along with any doggy necessities that you may wish to bring.

The two hills are fairly steep and will definitely get you puffing but the fresh air will soon revive you.

Please note that this ramble is only open to Stixnbones members

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Summer "Walking Out" morning 9th August

Get your sun cream on and water carriers out, if the last walking out morning was anything to go by, we'll be needing them! 9:30am meet at the Ruislip Lido car park and the usual ingredients of walk, coffee/bun and exercises will ensue.

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New Courses starting Friday 5th September (Repeat post)

Can I just remind everyone that to fit in with Xmas (yes Xmas) I will be running two 7 week courses starting on the 5th September and 24th October consecutively. All new members welcome and could all existing dogs and puppies please confirm interest so places can be reserved. Thank you

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Informal summer lessons: Chestnut Avenue Park

Every Friday at 1:30pm and 6pm I will be running outdoor lessons on a pay-as-you-go fee for approximately an hour in duration. Because there are no hall fees the price will be cheaper at £6 a lesson.
Please meet at Chestnut Avenue Park by the tennis courts and we will go on from there. If you could email or text me your interest then I will know what numbers to expect. Thank you very much

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Massive thanks to all those who went on the "Walking Out" morning yesterday, heres a couple of pictures

"Ah, Bonjour, wee Bonjour" The two Frenchies getting to know each other

Tony has finally devised a way of getting Monty to "sit"

Standing room only

Sunshine and blue skies...........and a bit of dog swimming

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Not going away for the summer?

If there is enough interest a small course held away from the usual venue can take place. Please see myself to put your name down...........topics covered will be searching for people/property, recalls, obediance oh, and pub lunches

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Xmas Function and Awards Night

19th December 6pm all StixnBones members and families welcome to come along.

Award Categories

1) Overall best dog and owner team

2) Runner-up best dog and owner team

3) Most improved dog and owner team

If people could bring in food and soft drinks that would be great

A couple of dog games will take place

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September and October Courses running from Friday 5th (Sept)

Two 7 week courses running from 5th September to 17th October and 24th Oct to 12th December. Please note that both courses are of a 7 week duration (to fit in before Xmas) and that there will be a weeks break for October half term.

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12th July last "Walking Out" morning before summer hols

This is the last one until September so please come along for a nice walk followed by tea and cake at the Lido cafe.
PS Massive thanks to those who braved the weather on the last "walking out" morning. RESPECT!

PPS Non-Stixnbones members welcome, it costs nothing and is very sociable
 

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One or two places still available for next weeks new course

Afternoon and early evening classes full but still places available for the 7:15-8:15pm class

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New Course starting 13th June through to 18th July (Important news contained within)

This next course will be a bit lighter...............No, not in numbers.

Half a dozen of our dogs over the next six weeks are having "that" operation so for a temporary time I will be employing a "pay as you go" method of payment for those owners wishing to attend classes as of when delicate bits have healed.

I would like to keep numbers up so if people at the start of the course give me fair warning that a future lesson can't be attended (for whatever reason) I may be able to negotiate a reduction of initial payment. 

ONE VERY IMPORTANT POINT: All current members will have their places automatically renewed unless I receive information to the contrary.

Lastly, many thanks to the new people joining and I look forward to welcoming you and your dog on the course.

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I've got to "Man up"

Wet and muddy to the point of being sodden no-one will turn up today for the Walking Out morning at the Lido.............How wrong I was!

Phyllis, (sitting down wearing the hat) with her famous quote of "As fast as I drink my tea, it fills up"

".........and to get my dog to stand perfectly takes................"

"Bonjour, je m'appelle Jimmy. j'adore ma mare, qui s'appelle lesley"

Sorry Gita, its just cardboard love from Leddie!

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No classes half term week

To all Stix n Bones members:

No classes on Friday 30th May, which is half term week as I am visitng the WW1 Somme battlefields.

The final class of this course will resume on Friday 6th

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I'd like to introduce "Minnie May"

Hi Guys,
This is my new dog who will be meeting everyone in due course. She is currently 10 weeks old and is totally full of beans and very mischievous. After being with us for 2 weeks she is slowly building up her confidence and is already doing the "Sit, Down and Recall" (armed with lots of tasty treats obviously). She is absolutely lovely and can't wait to get her out when she's fully vaccinated

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"Walking Out" morning planned for Saturday 7th June

They keep getting better and better, many thanks to all the guys who went on the last one (10th may) it really was a great success. Thanks also go to Nick for buying all the coffees (the dogs loved the sausages!)

Please note that non-members of "Stix n bones" classes are very welcome, it costs nothing and everyone is very friendly, and that includes the dogs

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New 6 week Training Courses starting on Friday 13th June

I have 3 classes, with only 8 places available.

1:30pm-2:30pm................2 spare places

6:00pm-7:00pm................2 spare places

7:15pm-8:15pm ...............2 spare places

Please note that its on a first come, first served basis.

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"Swimming Out" morning

For the first time, I will be organising a "swimming out" morning at Ruislip Lido where as the name suggests there will be swimming involved. I shall pick a nice warm Saturday morning and we'll take the dogs to the Lido and encourage them into the shallow areas (only). All owners must be prepared to get a little damp as wet dogs do shake a lot!

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"Walking Out" morning for Saturday 10th May

Back by popular demand, a stroll around Ruislip Lido with a stop at the Lido for coffee and then followed by dog training exercises. For newbies with their pups this is an ideal time to get your dog off the lead and to practise in safe conditions the "recall"
Meet in the Lido car park for 9:30am

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Continuation Training Courses

The first CTC will be held on Friday 28th February at 6pm-7pm. This course is only open to those who have completed and passed out from the January 10th basic courses. Thank you

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"Walking out" morning

Hi Guys
You're favourite morning constitutional is back...........Meet at the Ruislip Lido car park at 9:30am on Saturday 15th February.
We will walk/swim to the cafe for a cup of tea and then walk on to an area where rain permitting we can do some exercises.

Remember: You don't get bad weather, only bad clothes!

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New Courses

Info: New 6 week basic course starting on Friday 28th February
Places available on a first come, first served basis
8 places booked already
Classes start at 1:30pm-2:30pm and 7:15pm-8:15pm

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Welcome

Welcome to Stix ‘n’ Bones Northwood’s newest dog training club. Set in the heart of Northwood we run regular dog training classes easily accessible for the local community and those coming from further afield.

The aim of the club is to enable every dog owner to master basic commands (sit, down, stay), recalls and obedience (walk to heel) with their dogs in a friendly supportive environment.

The classes will be kept to a manageable size within a large hall to facilitate all training needs.

The philosophy of the club is to use kind, positive reinforcement methods to bring the best out of every dog and focus is placed upon learning new skills without any pressure or fear of being put centre stage.

Visit us now at www.stixnbones.co.uk

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