The Tribune

THE Nassau Agility and Obedience Club and the Bahamas Kennel Club will hold two special training seminars on Saturday, January 7, from 9:30 am to 1pm at The Retreat on Village Road. A special introduction to the Dog Agility seminar will be held on Sunday, January 8, at the Village Road Training Centre. The seminars will be taught by Carol and Jon Mett, American Kennel Club judges from Savannah, Georgia. "Our annual Dog Show will be held March 17 and 18 on Paradise Island. There are many wonderful dogs in the Bahamas that should be entered in the show. Unfortunately many people feel that they are not qualified to show their dogs, but with some guidance and handling tips owners can become excellent show handlers," said Lynn Gape, Vice President of the Bahamas Kennel Club (BKC). "The first seminar on Saturday will introduce dog owners into tried and true ways to handle your dog. We encourage young people who love their pets and want to enter the show to attend this seminar as there is a special class for junior handlers." The second Saturday seminar will introduce Rally Obedience. Rally is a fun and exciting team sport for dogs and their handlers. Dog and Handler teams navigate a course with numbered signs indicating different exercises to perform such as Sit-Down-Sit, Straight Figure 8, Right Turns, Left Turns Send Over Jump, Recall Over Jump. Teams navigate the course at a brisk, continuous performance without direction from the judge. Handlers are encouraged to talk to their dogs during the performance. All dogs, purebred, mixed breeds and dogs with disabilities are encouraged to participate. The NAODC will hold a Novice Rally Trial immediately after the seminar for participants to practice their newly learned skills and maybe even go home with a rally title. The Nassau Agility and Obedience Club (NAODC) is working with Purina to introduce Agility to The Bahamas. The Club has recently completed its training area on Village Road and on Sunday, January 8, there will be a special introduction to Dog Agility Seminar with trials in the afternoon. Dogs participating in this seminar should have had Beginner Obedience Training, but interested persons are encouraged to attend. According to Tonya Gay, President of the NAODC, "We are working hard to train and have our own Bahamas Agility Team. Last year the Puerto Rican Agility Team appeared at our show and we want to have our own Bahamas Team this year."