Recent News

Statement on COVID-19 from the Board

Brian Meyers

Updates March 17, 2020

The USRVDTC board has continued to monitor local and national reports on the evolving impact of COVID-19, and keeping everyone’s best interest in mind have made the following decisions.

We will be cancelling the remainder of all current classes (3/18 and 3/25). Your instructor should be contacting if you are currently enrolled.

At this point we plan to hold our next session of classes beginning in April as scheduled as we will be outside with plenty of room to keep our distance from each other.

We are cancelling our April Agility Trial in order to keep everyone safe.

We will not meet on April 2, 2020. Our next club meeting will be Thursday, April 16, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. We will be meeting at The Zone.

Please watch your email for additional updates and stay safe out there.

Original Statement:

We on the board of USRVDTC are committed to keeping the safety of our members and the public first.

We are closely monitoring local and national reports on the evolving impact of COVID-19, and will continue to make decisions with everyone’s best interest in mind.

At this time we will continue with Sunday practices for those that have paid as we normally have only 7 or 8 participants.  We will have hand sanitizer at the door and encourage all to use it.  If you are uncomfortable or not feeling well, please don’t attend.

We will be cancelling all classes on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. At this time we plan to resume classes on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 and move our CGC Testing to April 1, 2020.

We will postpone our March USRVDTC Meeting until April 2, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. The location is to be determined.

We are closely monitoring the situation and will make a final decision about our Agility Trial before the April 2nd meeting.  At this time, we are still planning to go forward but that is subject to change.

When we resume classes and meetings we will have hand sanitizer available and encourage everyone to use it.

Please watch your email for additional updates and stay safe out there.

Nicki 

March 2020 Newsletter

Brian Meyers

The March 2020 Newsletter is now available online

March 2020

Highlights

March Meeting
Thursday the 19th at 7:00 P.M. At the Zone

Obedience and Agility Classes begin in April Space is limited – sign up at USRVDTC.ORG

Volunteer Opportunities
*March 25th at 5:00 p.m. we need volunteers for CGC and Trick dog
testing at the 4-H building.

*April 10th, 11th, and 12th our Agility Trial will be held at Wind River
Arena- 70 North 4600 East – Rigby, ID

Fun Matches

The March 2020 Newsletter is now available online

March 8th Scentwork Fun Match

Brian Meyers

Sunday, March 8th

2 – 4pm 4H Building

Bonneville County Fairgrounds

1542 E 73rd St, Idaho Falls 83404 (South of Sandy Downs)

Come and work your team on Containers – Buried – Interior

We will set up all levels pre-signed up (drop-ins are welcome time allowing)

COST:  $3.00/search Active Members    $5.00/search Friends 

All Entrants will be providing ring support to ensure a great environment

You must with two searches for each search you enter – no exceptions

Ensure your spot by emailing with name of your dog and search(s) you want to enter to: lehill54@yahoo.com

Drop-ins and multiple runs are welcome – time allowing.

We will have an indoor ring and ring equipment for each class pre-registered. 

** All involved will take turns working the ring and with ring and site clean-up**

This is a fun new option being offered through the Upper Snake River Valley Dog Training Club.  As such the club’s code of conduct  and rules will be followed.  Each participant is responsible for their own dog(s) and any disputes for misconduct are to be directed to the Club’s Leadership.  All efforts will be made to provide a safe environment though there may still be a risk of injury.  Each participant is responsible for any injury which may occur.

Include in your email:  Your Name, Phone No., Email Address, Dog(s) name(s), Classes desired.

All emails received by Sat. 3-7-20 at noon will receive a return email with tentative running order.

NEEDED TO BUILD CLUB PRACTICE GEAR:

Please help us build  a set of practice equipment for Scent work.

  • We need containers of all types.  Bags, tins. small satchels or cases 
  • 5 small glass bottles with fitted lids
  • Package of q-tips
  • Package of cotton pads (makeup removal)
  • Plastic tubing used in aquarium 
  • Suchon cups  for fish tanks
  • 2 shoe box size containers with lids.
  • A medium plastic container and large container to store items. 
  • If anyone has scent oils to donate that would be great

PLEASE BRING DONATIONS TO SUNDAY PRACTICE OR TO CLASS MONDAY OR WEDNESDAY 

March 1st Obedience Fun Match

Brian Meyers

When: Sunday, March 1st, 2-4 pm

Location: 4H Building, Bonneville County Fairgrounds, 1542 E 73rd St, Idaho Falls 83404 (South of Sandy Downs)

Come and work your team on an Obedience course in an indoor ring environment. 

We will set up all levels pre-signed up (drop ins are welcome time allowing)

COST:  $3.00/run Active Members    $5.00/run Friends 

All Entrants will be providing ring support to ensure a great environment

You must work two classes for each class you enter – no exceptions

Ensure your spot by emailing with name of your dog and class(es) you want to enter to: lehill54@yahoo.com

Drop ins and multiple runs are welcome – time allowing.

We will have an indoor ring and ring equipment for each class pre-registered. 

**All involved will take turns working the ring and with ring and site clean-up.**

This is a fun new option being offered through the Upper Snake River Valley Dog Training Club.  As such the club’s code of conduct  and rules will be followed.  Each participant is responsible for their own dog(s) and any disputes for misconduct are to be directed to the Club’s Leadership.  All efforts will be made to provide a safe environment though there may still be a risk of injury.  Each participant is responsible for any injury which may occur.

Include in your email:  Your Name, Phone No., Email Address, Dog(s) name(s), Classes desired.

All emails received by Sat. 2-29-20 at noon will receive a return email with tentative running order.

February 2020 Newsletter

Brian Meyers

The February 2020 newsletter is now available online

February 2020

Highlights

  • February Meeting – Thursday the 20th at 7:00 P.M.
  • Obedience, Agility Foundation, & Scent Work – Classes begin this month.  If you are looking to fulfill your active membership, consider being an assistant teacher.
  • Scentwork Seminar – This seminar will be hosted by Mary Lehman of Essentially Fit K-9s.
  • Sunday Practices – Self-guided Sunday practices will begin on February 2nd from 11:00 A.M to 2:00 P.M  *if you would like to drop in for practices, the cost will be $15 per drop-in

2020 Fun Match Opportunities

Brian Meyers

The club will be offering a fun activity during 2020. We will provide a trial like environment where handler team can practice. The nominal cost per run will be charged to cover the cost of the facility and equipment only.

*** All people needed for the event will volunteer ***

Please let us know which event you might be interested in AND how you WILL help. Thanks!

Scentwork Seminar by Mary Lehman of Essentially Fit K-9s

Brian Meyers 9 Comments

February 7-9, 2020

Idaho Falls, ID This seminar is for dogs that already know odor, i.e. it isn’t for those just getting started (we offer great classes for that).  Each participant will be allowed to take 1 dog through seminar, rather than multiples for those that trial more than 1 dog. 

Friday 1 to 5 pm

Saturday/Sunday 8 am to 5 pm

Objective:  Solidifying foundational skills teaching a solid indication or what others call ‘obedience to odor’, applying a solid indication to searching – single/multiple hides.  My purpose for this is to eliminate, or at least reduce, the number of false alerts. We will also teach search strategy, the way to optimize the time you have for each search: Containers/Interior/Exterior/Buried

I highly recommend people video their dogs working, no video of classroom talks, however, folks are welcome to take notes in class.

A LITTLE ABOUT MARY LEHMAN:

Mary has been working detection dogs, in Search & Rescue for over 25 years and has been a general dog enthusiast all her life. She’s had the pleasure of instructing SAR detection seminars for over 16 years as well as evaluating SAR detection teams during that same time period.

Mary is a SAR Instructor/Assistant Evaluator with the International Police Work Dog Association as well as an Evaluator for the Tri-State K9 SAR organization. Over the years, she has participated in AKC obedience, Field Trialing, Schutzhund/IPO, Mondioring, SAR and Scentwork/Nosework.

There are many scent work organizations in the U.S. to choose from. Mary has been a UKC Nosework Judge since 2013, an AKC Scent Work judge since August 2017 and became affiliated as a member and judge with North American Canine Scent Work in October of 2018.

Mary has successfully earned the following titles on her German Shepherd, Leighton since January of 2019: AKC – SWN, SIA, SEA; UKC – NN, AN, SN, MC, MI; NACSW – NW1, NW2

The seminar will be located at the 4H buildings just south of Sandy Downs

NEW! Trick Dog Class Available in February

Brian Meyers

If you are looking to build a stronger relationship with your dog, want to have fun, and are feeling the winter blues, this trick dog class is for you! Teaching your dog tricks isn’t only an enjoyable pass time for you; it is great mental and physical exercise for your dog! Tricks learned in this class can be both entertaining and practical, and will make your dog the hit of any party with tricks like play dead, spin, shake, paws up, and many more. At the end of our six-week course, you will have learned the skills to earn an AKC trick dog title (either Novice or Intermediate). We can’t wait for you and your dog to join us! 

Click here for more details and registration