Silent dog training

Silent Dog Training
These classes are advertised in East Finchley’s Animal Aid shop. Linda Soper went to see one in action.
Silent dog training is a simple yet effective method, based on rewards, to get dogs to sit, lie, wait, and come when called.
Roland has been a trainer for twelve years and explains his methods with enthusiasm. If you ignore a dog, he says, it will stop jumping up and demanding attention. If you take notice of it, it thinks it is the boss.
To get a dog to sit, the owner holds a treat and moves it towards the dog’s head. Then the dog will sit and its reward is given. When the action is performed one hundred per cent then the command is introduced. Once the puppy understands what is wanted, rather than being forced to obey, it becomes more at ease and enjoys its training.
Not regimented
I spoke to Carol who had a Labrador. She said, “I’ve been to other training courses and they have been very regimented. Roland has children in his classes and we go to Trent Park. This way reality is brought into the classes.”
Diane from East Finchley said, “My dog Sheba has learned many new things in a fun, stress-free atmosphere.”
Roland’s classes take place on Saturday afternoons in New Barnet. Each six-week course, takes six to seven dogs and costs £50 plus £5 per class. Contact 020 7689 0630 or 07748 558782.

Six legs instead of four

Six legs instead of four
By Linda Soper

There were four dog agility competitions at the Muswell
Hill Festival, sponsored by Bond and White, all judged on
speed, but described by the organisers as “a bit of fun”.
All the dogs had to jump
through two hoops, walk along
a bench, sit on a stall, and then
go through some cones.
One Alsatian jumped
through the hoops but ran
along the side, his owner tripping,
nearly falling. At the stall
he lay down on the grass, looking
up at his owner for some
attention. Another dog did not
go through the hoops at all, but
made up for it by jumping on
and off the bench. The owners
used tempting treats as the dogs
threaded their way through the
cones. Agility was clearly a joint
effort, and shows that six legs
are better than four.
Overall, the money raised
by the dog agility competition
was £600, while the Festival as
a whole raised £4,000, which
will go to the Hornsey Trust for
equipment to help children with
cerebral palsy.

Night of a thousand lights

Night of a thousand lights

By Linda Soper

Alexandra Palace is to play host yet again to one of the

most spectacular firework displays in north London.

On 5 November from 4.30-11pm there will be ice rink

sessions and a beer festival with lots of warming food. You can
expect to see a few miles from the palace, iridescent
lights turning into chrysanthemum blooms transforming into
stars and spirals on their descent.

Sponsors Capital Radio will be there for the evening too.

The road through the park will shut at around 4.30pm

and reopen at 11pm. Entry will be £2.

Two days earlier on 3

November, Martin Schools, The

Green Man Community Centre

and the East Finchley Festival

Committee will be staging their

own dazzling firework display

on the Martin Schools field in

the High Road. This has become

a favourite annual event in East

Finchley. Gates open at 6pm

and the fireworks start at 7pm.

Refreshments will be available

and tickets will be available on

the door.