BRUSH FARM DOG TRAINING CLUB INC.
Established 1967. Affiliated RNSWCC (Dogs NSW) 1969
What we do
Brush Farm Dog Training Club is a non-profit organisation run by a dedicated team of volunteers committed to serving the local community and promoting responsible dog ownership We teach people to train their dog to be socialised and obedient and promote participation in canine obedience sports
Each year our club delivers over 300 hours of training classes, trains over 500 dogs and runs four double trials attracting over 250 competitors from across Sydney
Training provides a benefit to both dog owners and the wider community - dogs that have participated in obedience training are less likely to be surrendered to pounds and animal shelters due to behavioural problems or aggression than dogs with no training
Attending training for just one hour each Sunday afternoon at Brush Farm Park will give you the skills to train your dog to be a happy well-behaved member of your family.
Member Information
Sunday training times:
12:00pm to 1:00pm - Puppies (10am Summer start time)
2:00pm to 3:00pm - Brown & Green classes
3:30pm to 4:30pm - White Yellow & Red classes
New member registration – available every Sunday from 11:30AM
Orientation - 2:00pm on the Sunday before member’s first class Do not bring your dog/s For sale at the Clubhouse - collars, leads, halters, dumbbells, treat pouches, polo shirts, caps, snacks and drinks
Training is rarely cancelled due to rain or extreme heat (32C and above) – more often than not we are lucky with the weather! If in doubt please call the Clubhouse after 11am (for puppies) or after 1pm (for all others) to check if classes are on - phone 0488 701 682
We try to keep our Facebook page updated as well.
First Aid & Our Heartstart HS1 Defibrillator
A reminder that we now have a defibrillator on our premises. It is situated next to the first aid box inside the main entrance to the clubhouse. We encourage all members to be aware of its location. There are fact sheets available upon request.
Club Office Bearers
President: Carmen Kong
Chief Instructor: Richard Watkins
Treasurer: Kylie Williams
Secretary: Camilla Watson
Vice Presidents: Anne Affleck, Anna Steinberg
Dep. Chief Instructors: Colin Richardson Danielle Leong
Trial Secretary: Alan Luc
Registrar: Karen Forsyth
Equipment Officer: Noel Reilly
Editor ‘The Barker’: Gemma-Louise Sherlock
Committee Members: Angela Munge, Colin Richardson, Heidi Richardson, June Johansson, Caitlin La Rose, Janelle Woodward, David Bevins, Geoff Nippard and Simon Gray
Instructors: Anne Affleck, Tania Cochrane, Simon Gray, June Johansson, Carmen Kong, Karen Lamb, Danielle Leong, Natalie Leong, Alan Luc, David Marcellino, Noel Reilly, Heidi Richardson, Anna Steinberg, Colin Richardson, Richard Watkins, Kylie Williams, Janelle Woodward, Gemma-Louise Sherlock, Camilla Watson
Patrons: Steve & Vicki Austin; The Mayor of Ryde; Dr Sarah Short
Connect with us
Facebook is a great way to stay in touch with us and keep up date with all the latest club news!
For General Club infomation: https://www facebook com/BrushFarmDogTraining
For our Members ONLY Facebook group is called BFDTC Members Chat This is where we like to post training challenges and videos whenever we get a chance – there’s a lot of great info to be found there! https://www facebook com/groups/377721072947770
Get Involved
The club is run entirely by volunteers. All members are encouraged to attend the General Meetings are held bi-monthly at Brush Farm Club House Eastwood at 8.00pm. Members are welcome to come and have a say in our Club’s affairs. Supper is served after the meeting. We would welcome anyone who would like to assist with:
New member registrations on Sundays
Equipment management field set-up and packing away on Sundays
Field set-up and packing away on Trial days (4 Sundays per year)
Canteen/catering assistance on Trial days (4 Sundays per year)
Trial stewards (4 Sundays per year)
We are also always in need of NEW INSTRUCTORS If you have a passion for training dogs (and people) and would like to know more please have a chat to Chief Instructor Richard
Reminders for training days
Please do not leave your children unsupervised Children running around may frighten or over-
Please do not leave your children unsupervised. Children running may frighten or overexcite some dogs Please remind your children NEVER to approach any dog without the excite some dogs. remind your children NEVER to approach any dog without handler’s explicit permission handler’s explicit permission
Dogs wearing Dogs wearing BRIGHT YELLOW KNITTED COLLARS BRIGHT YELLOW KNITTED COLLARS may be uncomfortable around other people may be uncomfortable around other people and dogs Please give these dogs the space they need If in doubt MOVE YOUR DOG AWAY from and dogs. Please give these dogs the space they need. If in doubt MOVE YOUR DOG AWAY from stressful situations stressful situations.
All handlers must wear enclosed shoes for safety
All handlers must wear enclosed shoes for safety.
All dogs must be kept ON LEASH unless an instructor tells you otherwise All dogs must be kept ON LEASH unless an instructor tells you otherwise.
Dogs that have a history of running off during off-leash exercises must use a long lead in class
Dogs that have a history of running off during off-leash exercises must use a long lead in class
Please pick up after your dog Bags and bins are provided Please pick up after your dog Bags and bins are provided
Our Cover Dog!
Kenny, Cocker Spaniel, 8 years young! His is a pincher of socks, he goes crazy when his Dad gets home from deployment! AND is mad for Scent Work!
Does your dog (or you) want to be the next cover dog for The Barker? If that is a yes! Look out for our post on BFDTC Members Chat (Link above) What do you need to do? Comment with the BEST picture of your doggo and let me know a bit about them (Breed age favourite thing/s (toy place food etc ) and maybe a funny story about them)
You never know you (well your dog) might be the NEXT BARKER COVER DOG!
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Welcometoanotheryearoftraining!Manypeoplesetgoalsatthebeginningoftheyear, andI'msuremanymembershavegoalsfortheirdogtraining.Whateveryourgoalsare,Ihope itincludesbuildingastrongerrelationshipwithyourdog,sothatyouallenjoyyourdogsmoreand more.
Over summer, I usually travel with my dogs and it always strikes me how lovely it is that our training means I can trust my dogs off lead. My dogs can enjoy the freedom, for example at beaches,andIamrelaxedknowingtheyaresafebecauseIwillbeabletorecallthemifnecessary. Forme,thisistherewardthatallourhardworkthroughtheyearbrings:thefreedomwecanenjoy together.
As we get back into training, know that it's not always going to be easy or fun. We all struggle in someway:someSundaysit'shardtomotivateourselvestocometoclub,somedaysourdogsjust seem determined to be stupid, some days we manage to drop all the treats before we even start training the dog. But let's keep in mind our goals, and know that persistence will get us a long way towardsachievingthem,andalsoknowthatyourinstructorsandfellowclubmembersarehereto support you. And if we persist in building those strong bonds with our dogs, we can enjoy having theminourlives,andtheycanenjoytheirtoo-shortliveswithus.
CarmenKong-President
Henri’s Journey
by Barbara Horsfield
Thanks Gemma for the opportunity to share the story of Henri’s obedience journey. I would also like to thank the Club for the tremendous support Henri and I have received since we joined the Club six years ago. Noel especially has been willing to put Henri and I through our UD exercises each week. Thank you Noel.
Who is Henri?
Henri (Sonderbar Climb Every Mountain), is a nine year old food driven miniature smooth dachshund Dachshunds are known to be intelligent but have a mind of their own They respond well to training although, as the NSW Dachshund Club says, “their innate stubborn streak may sometimes exhibit itself If you want a challenge – train your dachshund for obedience work!” Obviously I didn’t read this before Henri and I started our obedience journey many years ago Henri started formal training classes with my private trainer at the beginning of 2016, when he was about 7 months old I had been trialling with my older dachshund, Honey for a couple of years, so I was confident I `knew’ what to do Little did I know the challenges ahead
Why did you start Trialling?
There was never any question that I wouldn’t be trialling We were in the Trialers Class at the Hills Dog Club and entering competition was the next step I also wanted to show that a ` non traditional’ obedience breed could learn the exercises
Henri’s Achievements
Henri now has eight ANKC Sports titles, three in Obedience (Community Companion Dog, Companion Dog (Novice) and Companion Dog Excellent (Open) He has three Rally titles and two Trick titles
Henri’s first two CCD trials were in May 2016, just before his first birthday Although he didn’t qualify, these trials gave him some ring experience and let me know what we needed to work on. We entered two trials in November 2016 and by the following February he had achieved his Community Companion Dog (CCD) title at Bermagui. We had also started our Rally journey with him achieving his Rally Novice title, also at Bermagui in February 2017. He was 18 months old. We are really doing well here, I thought. Little did I know that it would take us three years to achieve our next obedience title, Companion Dog (CD).
Henri’s Journey continued...
He did gain two CD passes fairly quickly in 2018 and achieved his Rally Advanced title in 2019 However, it was the third CD pass that was so challenging I was determined to keep going and to prove that a dachshund c ld d it W fi ll t thi d d titl i April 2021
The next class is ‘Open” or Community Dog E heeling pattern, a drop on recall, two dumb b change of position exercise We had been trai years and fairly quickly gained two passes by the second one at Bermagui Again it was the many rainy weekends that challenged us We May 2023 he gained his CDX title at the Centr On to Utility Dog (UD). This is the second high with a set of fairly difficult exercises with mul the exercise needs to be correctly performed who have seen us training at Brush Farm with had to `find’ a lost article, go to a `box’ from w to come to me. He also had to find an article with my scent on it from 12 other articles, perform a heeling pattern and change of position with commands by signal only (no speaking) and do a five minute stay out of sight.
Again we had been learning these exercises since we started competing in Open and Henri showed his willingness to learn, his wanting to please me and of course many positive rewards. He did well in his first UD trial, completing all the exercises, but unfortunately needing a second command for a couple of exercises. I was told that the whole trial stopped to watch Henri! I believe he was the only dachshund in Australia competing in UD.
My goal had been to enter Henri in UD in the trials held over two weekends in February at Bermagui We did this last year and although there were no qualifications he did all the exercises in two of the trials and we had a lovely holiday with Carmen and many other friends
What have been the challenges for you and Henri and how have you overcome them?
The challenge was working with a ` non traditional’ working or obedience dog The border collies prance beside their handler with their noses glued to the owner’s hip Henri, on the other hand was easily distracted by smells on the ground, any rough or different terrain and of course interested in anything else going on around him He would lag and when I couldn’t see him and I would slow down and look back I had to learn to keep walking and be confident that he was with me Confidence in ourselves and our dogs is important when trialling My trainer would repeatedly tell me `Henri can do this Barbara, you just have to be believe it`
Although I was stubborn enough to keep going until my goal was reached, I also needed to know when Henri was telling me it was too hard for him in the obedience ring We would have a break and do some Rally and Tricks He gained his Rally Excellent title at Newcastle in May 2021, his Trick Starter title at Brush Farm in June 2022 and his Trick Novice title at Newcastle in November 2023
Do you have any tips for fellow handlers?
Do compete in as many trials as you can Every time I went in ring, I learned something – about me and about my dog The trialling community is hugely supportive Henri and I have m from all over NSW and I have spent many weekends away in Bermagui, Coffs Harbour, Canberra and Newcastle having qu time with my dog The third pass will happen! We did train consistently even when I didn’t feel like it. Henri loves trainin showing me what he can do and of course getting many rewa I always walked with a spring in my step after a good training I believe that all dogs need to be challenged to keep their br and (particularly for dachshunds) not to get into mischief. T for any dog sport is an excellent way to help your dog. Henri is now enjoying retirement from obedience trialling although we are slowly building our Trick repertoire. He is an affectionate and loyal companion. I love him to bits!
2024 Dogs’ Christmas PARTY
Thank you to all our amazing Volunteers on the day! Games, fancy dress and so much FUN!
What About ME!
Welcometoabrandnewyear!Ihopeeveryonehashadanenjoyable,restfulsummerbreak.
Inkeepingwiththenewyear,Iamsurethatafewofushavemadesomeresolutions.Someofthem may even relate to our accomplishments with our dogs. Maybe you are looking to teach your dog sometricksorprepareforyourfirstcompetition.Butwhataboutyourdevelopmentasatrainer?
It’s fantastic that you give the time to come to school of a Sunday. That you are willing to devote thistimetoyour4-leggedmateandthatspecialbond.But……allwedoisgiveyouthetoolstotrain your dog. Depending on what your aims are, there is so much more that you could be doing to improvethistoolkit!.Readabookabouttrainingormorespecificallyaboutsomeofthechallenges you face with your dog. Watch DVD’s and videos about training and different disciplines. If you want some recommendations ask your instructors! Enrol in a starter class for some of the disciplinesnotcateredforatourclub.Theseincludethingslikescentwork(therearequiteafewof us competing in this!), agility (again there are quite a few people at the club who can point you in therightdirection),Flyball,herding,trackingandcountlessotherformsoffunandenrichmentfor youandyourbuddy.
Anothergoodwaytolearnmoreaboutthesemysticartsistovolunteerattheclub. Werun4trials throughout the year (obedience in March, August and October and Tricks in June). A great introductiontocompetitionistostewardatourtrials.It’safunday,yougettosocialisewithsome of your club mates and some very knowledgeable judges and you get lunch! Who said there’s no suchthingasafreelunch?!
Ifyouhavebeentrainingyourdogforawhileandarelookingtokickyourtrainingalongtothenext level and make a contribution to the club, consider becoming an instructor. This is a big commitment but the payback is worth it! If you want more information come and see me on trainingday.
AllthebestandHappyTraining! RichardWatkins–ChiefInstructor.
TRIALING TEAMS UPDATE
There are so many dog sports out there, and we are lucky enough to have some talented teams at Brush Farm. Here are some of the recent amazing achievements of the Brush Farm Trialing Teams. If you are interested in what it takes to trial, have a chat to one of our Instructors.
Kenny (our Coverdog) and Kylie after achieved a number of passes over the last few months, this Team received their SWN Title!
AND a pass in Novice Vehicles
Nettle and Danielle Excellent level in ANKC Scent Work
Cooper and Heidi have been having some great success too achieveing multiple passes in Excellent Vehicles, Exteriors and Containers ALSO a 3rd place in vehicles and 2nd place in containers AND L1C (level 1 containers) element
We had 4 teams receive qualifications at the Hills Trick Trial in November Georgia and Colin passed in Intermediate, Mudgee and Janelle qualified and received their Starter Title, Carmen and Dio AND Gemma and Hadley got their first pass in Starters
Eva and June have received a number of qualifications Masters Vehicles, Nose Work 2 title, 2nd place in Containers and Interiors AND Scentwork Interiors element title
Charlie and Karen received 2 passes in Rally Novice at our October Double Rally Trial
Cello and Elizabeth achieved their ACSW NW1 title, coming away with 1st in containers and vehicles and 2nd on the same day THEN achieved their NW2 title and 3rd place in exteriors at another Trial And to finish off the year with 2nd places in Excellent Interiors AND Excellent exteriors
UPDATES to CLASSES
At the end of 2024 Richard Watkins, our Chief Instructor, proposed to make some minor changes to the way our beginner classes operate The Committee approved these changes and will be implemented for 2025! Changes:
Brown and Puppies will be 4 week courses. There will no longer be a Brown class commencing each week. They will now start according to the Calendar. Orientations will only occur the Sunday prior to Puppies and Brown starting. Please see Calendar.
FUNDAY will be implemented for Green class. FUNDAY will be a chance for Green class to learn new FUN skills, refine the skills need to progress and potentially be promoted to White! All the changes have been updated on our Website and the Calender on the back page!
OCTOBER 2024 TRIAL
Thank you to all the AMAZING volunters on the day!
Congratulations to all the Competitors!
OCTOBER 2024 TRIAL
2025 CALENDAR
Sun Feb 2 First Day of Training for Current Members New Member Registrations - Orientation
Sun Jul 6 Training
Sun Feb 9 Training, Puppies & Brown Classes Starts Sun Jul 13 Training
Sun Feb 16 Training Wed Jul 16 Committee Meeting
Wed Feb 19 General Meeting Sun Jul 20
Training & Orientation FUNDAY for Green Class Handler's Day for White,Yellow & Red
Sun Feb 23 Training Sun Jul 27 Training, Puppies & Brown Classes Starts
Sun Mar 2 Training & Orientation FUNDAY for Green Class Sun Aug 3 Training
Sun Mar 9 Training, Puppies & Brown Classes Starts Sun Aug 10 Training
Sun Mar 16 Training Sun Aug 17 Training & Orientation
Wed Mar 19 Committee Meeting
Wed Aug 20 Annual General Meeting
Sun Mar 23 No Training - Obedience Trial Sun Aug 24 No Training - Obedience Trial
Sun Mar 30 Training Sun Aug 31 Training, Puppies & Brown Classes Starts
Sun Apr 6 Training & Orientation Sun Sept 7 Training
Sun Apr 13 Training, Puppies & Brown Classes Starts Sun Sept 14 Training
Wed Apr 16 General Meeting
Wed Sept 17 Committee Meeting
Sun Apr 20 No Training - Easter Sun Sept 21
Training & Orientation FUNDAY for Green Class Handler's Day for White,Yellow & Red
Sun Apr 27 No Training - ANZAC Day Sun Sept 28 Training, Puppies & Brown Classes Starts
Sun May 4 Training Sun Oct 5 No Training - Labour Day
Sun May 11 Training Sun Oct 12 Training
Wed May 14 Committee Meeting Wed Oct 15 General Meeting
Sun May 18 Training & Orientation Handler's Day for White,Yellow & Red FUNDAY for Green Class Sun Oct 19 Training
Sun May 25 Training, Puppies & Brown Classes Starts Sun Oct 26 No Training - Double Rally Trial
Sun Jun 1 Training Sun Nov 2 Training & Orientation
Sun Jun 8 No Training - King's Birthday Trick Trial Sun Nov 9 Training, Puppies & Brown Classes Starts
Sun Jun 15 Training Sun Nov 16 Training
Wed Jun 18 General Meeting
Wed Nov 19 Committee Meeting
Sun Jun 22 Training & Orientation Sun Nov 23 Training
Sun Jun 29 Training, Puppies & Brown Classes Starts Sun Nov 30 Training
Sun Dec 7 Dogs Christmas Party