{"id":143754,"date":"2017-02-10T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-02-10T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/143754\/its-a-dogs-life-2\/"},"modified":"2017-02-10T16:10:08","modified_gmt":"2017-02-10T14:10:08","slug":"its-a-dogs-life-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2017\/02\/10\/its-a-dogs-life-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Dogs, handlers have a barking good time"},"content":{"rendered":"

It was a great celebration of dogs, recently, when Dynamic Agility Academy (DAA) held its annual fun day and awards function at Ho\u00ebrskool Vryburger High School.<\/p>\n

The fun day comprised a fancy dress, themed 101 Dalmatians, and a race comprising of six events.<\/p>

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Handlers and their dogs were divided into four teams (red, blue, pink and red) and had to complete a series of challenges designed to test both handler and dog (and to provide entertainment for the spectators and judges).<\/p>\n

The first challenge involved setting up 20 cereal boxes in a horse-shoe and knocking them down domino fashion.<\/p>

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\"Ricardo<\/a>
Ricardo and Melanie Carvalho with their dogs, Aero and Taffy, have a great time at Dynamic Agility Academy\u2019s recent annual fun day and awards function.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The second challenge consisted of a frame with targets that needed to be knocked out by team members throwing a golf ball.<\/p>\n

The third challenge comprised a container of \u201cworms\u201d (actually boiled tapioca) and a human and dog treat that had to be fished out without the use of hands, arms or assistance from the dog.<\/p>\n

The fourth challenge was a balance beam that two handlers had to negotiate.<\/p>\n

The fifth challenge consisted of an obedience heel course with turns, slaloms and obstacles \u2013 the catch being that the handler was wearing a blindfold and the instructions were being read out by their team captain. At the end of the course, the dog had to perform a trick, for extra points.<\/p>\n

The final challenge was an agility course that had to be completed by every member of each team. The dog had one minute to complete as many obstacles as possible \u2013 each obstacle was given a \u201cpoints\u201d value known only to the judge.<\/p>\n

\"Raffles<\/a>
Raffles and his trainer, Maureen Ramon, enjoying themselves on the course.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Later, at the awards function, a number of dogs and their handlers were recognised for their hard work and perseverance during 2016.<\/p>\n

Kobus Minnaar and Cara (a Border collie) received the Wooden Spoon trophy for perseverance, the attendance certificate, the silver medal for the Most Improved Handler, joint silver for the Most Improved Team (shared with Caroline Howes and Roxy, a Border collie), as well as the Casper Trophy.<\/p>\n

The trophy for the Most Improved Dog went to Schubert, the Swiss shepherd, who, along with Petra Coetzee, also won the trophy for the Most Improved Team.<\/p>\n

Theunis Botha walked off with the Most Improved Handler trophy, as well as silver in the Wooden Spoon trophy for perseverance with Banjo (a cross-saluki).<\/p>\n

Other trophy winners included Nicolette Gammon (Oscar Trophy), Rosie the Border collie (Meidjie Trophy) and Tania Marshall (Puli Trio Trophy).<\/p>\n

Part of the fun at the dinner was a game of \u201cpick-a-box\u201d during which funds were raised to be donated to the Germiston SPCA.<\/p>\n

All in all, a great day was had with some 70 handlers, their dogs and guests attending.<\/p>\n