News Letter Spring 2020
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Tales of Lincolnwood News from Lincolnwood Training Club, Inc. for German Shepherd Dogs Coronavirus & Pets, Questions & Answers for Owners... Here are some answers to frequently Q. IS THERE A COVID-19 VACCINE asked questions about the risk to pets FOR DOGS AND CATS? from the new coronavirus by Ashley A. There is no vaccine for COVID-19 Mitek, DVM, University of Illinois College for people or animals at this time. of Veterinary Medicine: Q. WHAT ANIMAL DID COVID-19 Q. CAN DOGS GET THE NEW CORO- ORIGINATE FROM? NAVIRUS (COVID-19)? A. Current research suggests that A. At this time, the experts believe horseshoe bats are the reservoir spe- it is very unlikely. The World Health cies and the virus originated from Organization currently advises that that species as well. Previous human there is NO evidence to suggest that coronavirus outbreaks, SARS and MERS, dogs or cats can be infected with the originated in bats but passed through new coronavirus. The Centers for Disea- other species, such as the palm civet se Control and Prevention seconds that and camels. opinion. Q. IF I AM DIAGNOSED WITH Q. IF EXPERTS BELIEVE THAT IT IS COVID-19, HOW DO I PROTECT MY PET? UNLIKELY FOR A DOG TO GET COVID-19, A. Since your pet is at minimal HOW DID A DOG TEST “POSITIVE” IN risk of COVID-19 infection, there are to be available to veterinarians starting HONG KONG? no specific steps needed to protect it March 15. For further questions, contact A. Thls canine was in close contact from infection. However, pets can have the diagnostic laboratory, 217-333-1620. with an infected human, who was likely the virus ON THEM if they are in an Q. SHOULD MY PET WEAR A FACE shedding large quantities of the virus. environment with a large quantity of MASK IN PUBLIC? This led to the virus being in the dog’s the virus and could serve to be a source A. No. Face masks may not protect nose. There is no indication that the of the virus for other people, including your pet from disease transmission and dog is sick or showing any symptoms. family members. may cause other breathing difficulties. Authorities say they will continue to Therefore, to protect other people Q. SHOULD I WEAR A FACE MASK? quarantine and test the dog to evaluate and yourself, the CDC recommends that A. Wearing a surgical mask will not if the dog becomes ill. In short, there you restrict contact with pets if you are prevent anyone (human or animal) from was coronavirus on the dog just like sick with COVID-19, just as you would being exposed to the virus. A mask there was coronavirus on the floor in the restrict your contact with other people. should be used to prevent someone who room but the dog was not infected or Avoid snuggling, being kissed or is potentially infectious from spreading diseased. licked, and sharing food. If you must the virus to others via droplets through Hong Kong Health Authorities and the interact with your pet, wash your hands coughing, sneezing, or talking. World Organization for Animal Health before and after, and wear a face mask. Q. WHAT OTHER PRECAUTIONS DO continue to investigate. All pet mammals Q. CAN VETERINARIANS TEST FOR YOU RECOMMEND? from households with confirmed human COVID-19 IN PETS? A. Visits to nursing homes and long- cases of COVID-19 will be placed under A. Yes. The Veterinary Diagnostic term health facilities by service animals quarantine and veterinary surveillance Laboratory at the College of Veterinary and their handlers should be discouraged for 14 days in Hong Kong. There is no Medicine has recently purchased the at this time. (Source of article: University indication that pets can shed the virus or needed equipment to test for the new of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, get sick from the virus at this time. COVID-19 in pets. They expect the test vetmed.illinois.edu) Inside: Obedience Trial Photos....................pages 4, 5, 8 Uli Gets an Earful....................page 6 Shooing Canine Flu..........................page 6 The Shepherd Who Flew.........page 9 SPRING, Is a Coyote Following You?...............page 6 Club News, Legs......................page 10, 11 Your Shepherd’s Ears Not Up?..........page 7 GSDCA Application..................page 11 2020 .......................... ..... tales of lincolnwood ...is a quarterly newsletter published for members and friends of Lincoln- wood Training Club, Inc. for German Lincolnwood Training Club for German Shepherd Dogs Shepherd Dogs, Glenview, IL 2020 Outdoor Training Schedule 847-299-7273. Tales is the official ______________________________________________________________________________ publication of Lincolnwood Training Club. It is sent to all Club members and on an exchange basis with regional German Shepherd clubs. Opinions expressed in the articles are those of the writers and are not necessarily that of the Club’s. Dear Club members: After thoughtful consider- ation and out of an abundance of caution, Lincolnwood Train- PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT ing Club made the decision to Jane Eastman Lana Berger temporarily suspend training. While we are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, TREASURER HISTORIAN we feel we are making the best Sandy Tristano Wendy Israel decision for our members. We will be monitoring the pandemic of Covid-19 and TRUSTEES reassess as needed Richard Lane Cathy Stein --- Lincolnwood Training Club’s Patti Barra Karen Johnson Board of Directors Kathy Pairitz Mary Whalen 2. ............................................................ Semper Fi, Salty... Remember this. -- If you are trialing a dog you love, you have already won. -- @lifewithsportdogs Safety Tip Here's another good reason to take your pet's collar/harness off when you leave the house. The photo below shows how a dog's metal tags can easily get stuck in a heating vent. The dog could choke trying to get free. (Safety tip submitted Canines 4 Comfort recently graduated Canines 4 Comfort is a non-profit org- by Jane its first service dog, a German Shepherd anization that trains psychiatric service Eastman.) grandson of Ruth Black and Neda Tkalce- dogs for veterans, children, and others vik's celebrated champion dog, Odin. in the community who are afflicted with The GSD graduate, called Salty (short emotional and trauma syndromes. Hot Doggie! for salted caramel) was paired with a U.S. It was established to satisfy a growing Marine veteran called Sonny (both pictur- need for such dogs and emotional support When you're "hot," you're "hot" when ed above, top left of both photos). animals for those in the community who trialing your dog. Ruth; Neda (pictured in top right photo are in need. Ask Pat Behles about the really successful with Odin); Salty's "aunt," GSD Liesl; and Canines 4 Comfort's formal training site weekends she experienced when trialing her Odin himself attended the special gradua- is in Grayslake, IL, and its service area is GSD Fritzi last fall. tion ceremony held awhile back. within a 90-mile radius of Round Lake, IL. "Fritzi became the first dog from Lincoln- And it was said Odin threw to Salty a So, semper fidelis, Salty. wood Training Club to earn a Preferred proud doggo kiss. Hoo-rah, too. Utility title (PUTD) at Car-Dun-Al Dog Train- ing Club's obedience trial on October 9-10, when she earned her second and third legs and took second place. She’s a New CGC Evaluator (The PUTD is considered more difficult to obtain than Congratulations to the Club's Presi- the Utility dent Jane Eastman, recently certified as Dog title.) an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. "The next The honor adds to our Club's tradition weekend, of helping lead the way in a number of Fritzi earned dog activities, including Ralph Sneve, a fourth leg Donna KIrcher, and Bonnie Kircher with another as Tracking Judges; Anne Riba as an second place Agility Judge; and Cathy Stein and at Fox Valley Linda Witt, both Evaluators for the Dog Training AKC CGC program. Cathy is also an Club, for good Evaluator for therapy dog teams measure." for both AKC and Therapy Dogs Hot dog, International as well. Fritzi! The Club holds CGC and therapy dog certification training classes each year. 3. ............................................................ l Pat Behles’ Fritzi (bottom three photos) earns a first place in Versatility, presented by Judge Joseph Caputa, while Karen Melbinger’s Bruno (top three photos) completes Novice exercises to earn a third place in the class. (More photos on page 8.) 4. ............................................................ Lincolnwood Obedience, Rally Trial Memories An obedience trial, often combined with The Club's 79th annual Obedience Trial and Six Club members earned qualifying legs, a rally trial, is a showpiece event for a club, 15th annual Rally Trial, held last September, placements, and/or a title. and Lincolnwood Training Club completed offered 13 different classes in which to com- Enjoy the photos here, taken by Club one again in style. pete and show one's handling skills. member Sylvia Olechno. l Leah Swanquist’s Lexi (top two photos) goes through her paces to earn a first place in Beginning Novice, presented by Judge Joseph Caputa, while Stan Piotrowski’s Nora (bottom two photos) jumps her way to a first place in Open. 5. ............................................................ Health Corner Shooing the Flu in Dogs of eating. The virus is not known to infect Unlike human influenza, there is no required As pet owners protect themselves against flu this season, veterinarians say they should humans. centralized reporting of the illness, which makes also be thinking about their dogs. There's now a vaccine available for dogs, it difficult to track outbreaks. While canine flu, unlike the influenza that Marks said, which is effective and, unlike hu- However, animal hospitals can partner with infects humans, is a year-round virus, some man influenza vaccines, there are no guessing research centers to track any virus spreading veterinarians use the flu season to talk to pet games on which strains to include.