swizbender@cox.net

Constitution and Bylaws of the Irish Setter Club of San Diego. Section 2. The objectives of the Club shall be:

1. to encourage and promote quality in the purebred Irish Setter and to do all possible to bring their natural attributes to perfection;
2. to urge members and breeders to accept the standard of the breed as approved

by The American Kennel Club as the only standard of excellence by which Irish Setters shall be judged;

3. to do all in its power to protect and advance the interest of all breeds of

pure-bred dogs and to encourage sportsmanlike competition at dog shows

and obedience trials;

4. to conduct sanctioned matches, dog shows and obedience trials under the

So stated in our constitution and bylaws. Are we performing adequately? We have two shows a year, we follow the rules, so are we doing our part?

I don't know.

I have owned three Irish Setters. None of them were show dogs ... the first was a wonderful setter, purchased from a pet shop by my stepchildren, who had hip dysplasia and we were fortunate to have her for 14 years. The second was a rescue dog, which I only had for three years. The third is my Shena, whom I have had for 11 wonderful years, have shared my many stories and pictures, who is definitely a "monster dog" with whom I am in love, regardless of her shortcomings. I take her to the St. Patrick's Day parade, and she loves it ... chasing squirrels in the park, meeting people along the sidelines, having a wonderful, busy day.

Is it enough?

The Club had its annual awards dinner on May 15. Although I (and Shena) don't qualify for the club's awards, we have always been told it is a very important affair, which recognizes our members for their (and their dogs') achievements. We were there, and had a wonderful time. Less than 30 percent of our members attended. I'm frustrated.

Is it not an issue? I think it is. Why do we belong to this club? Teresa Velasquez spent a lot of time researching sites for the dinner, wanting to make it a great affair for those who won the club's awards. Twelve people sent in reservations. Isn't it important? Doesn't it matter? Why do people who don't breed, don't show, care about the breed? Why do those who do breed, who do show, not take part? I don't get it.

Times are changing. There are no longer a lot of young people clamoring to get into the club, to breed and show their dogs. The same is true with other clubs. Is this the beginning of the end? Hopefully not, but it is time to evaluate and regroup. What is the ISCSD ... what do you want it to be? Without your input and participation, it's nothing.

If you are attending the National in Seattle this month, have a wonderful time. But please come back to San Diego with ideas, anticipation, participation for your local club. We need your input. It's important ... for the club, for our Irish Setters.

Susan Bender

Awards and presentations are offered at the Irish Setter Club of San Diego Annual Awards Banquet each May for the purpose of promoting the Irish Setter breed and to encourage club member achievements relative to the Irish Setter. Congratulations to all the winners!

Junior Hunter Title - Heartsong's Serenade to Fire, JH - Sue Mertens

The following is a list of Perpetual and Special trophies which were presented at the Annual Awards Banquet of the Irish Setter Club of San Diego for the 2003 Year of Achievement.

Hello everyone,

This year at North American Veterinary Convention I went to several of the animal behavior lectures. In one of them, on interdog aggression, they said one of the best things to have handy in a household where dogs have fought is to buy a Foghorn. You can buy a foghorn in the boating section of Walmart or at any boat supply store. Some people use them at football games too. They are small, portable, sometimes are one time use cans, so you can keep a few handy in different rooms. Anyway they said the sound is SO loud that most dogs will break apart they are so startled, and of course you will go as near to the fight as you can get without injuring yourself, so you are right in their vicinity when you set it off. (Of course your ears will be blasted too) They also said that if you were concerned that dogs MIGHT get at each other and try to fight again, on occasion, they have suggested that people use basket muzzles (what greyhounds wear when they are racing) when the dogs are re-introduced, so that IF one gets aggressive, they can't hurt the other one, nor can that one fight back. .

This may be a time when consulting with a behaviorist is a good idea. There are success stories of dogs being reintroduced and doing well.

It also helps when you do obedience with all the dogs in the household so that when you give a command, they respond. Practicing down-stays with dogs who may be starting to be dominant (one of the first signs is one dog pushing their muzzle under your arm away from the dog you are currently petting, believe it or not!) can pattern the dog into responding to the word "relax" which means lie down, on your side, and chill out. You can better achieve this sometimes, by using a Gentle Leader or Halti collar, putting the dog on a down stay while you are watching TV or on the computer, and keep your foot on the lead so that you know if they are getting up. Quietly tell them "relax" if they try to get up, and praise them while they are in a relaxed position. It will take time, but they said almost everyone watches TV or sits at a computer in their day, so they can do this easily! The more dogs in the household, the more important it is for each dog to know down stay, and to be sure that the owner is in charge and not the herd! Down is a submissive pose and often times just reinforcing that command can really help.

You also may have to see what triggers the aggression, and if it's something simple like toys or bones, then no more toys/bones in the house can make a difference. Removing toys worked in our house many years ago when we had a visiting dog in the house who just could not learn to share. When he went home, the toys could come back out! When he was there, all toys were

collected and put away.

Anne Marie Kubacz

Ramblin' Red Irish setters

There will be a lot of traveling during the summer months for humans and dogs -- This article and what you might need for a First Aid Kit for your dog was written by Pat Boldt, ISCSC, and reprinted with her permission. If you have any items you think would be important and should be included, email or send to me and we'll include your suggestions in the next newsletter.

A friend has asked me to put together a list of first aid items that should be put into a doggie first aid kit. I was going to email her with what I put in my first aid kit and find of value. I don't think the "commercially" bought kits are all that great-certainly better than nothing but personally(JMO) prefer to put a customized kit together.

I found a nice size plastic carrying box at the 99 cent store that is about 14 inches long and 2 inches deep, 8-10 inches wide-it works very well.

Separate from kit-but I try to keep ice available for ice pack if needed

Arnica Montana/homeopathy(for sprains, muscle soreness)

Coenzyme CQ10 (for dental cleaning/gums)

A few other basics which could be included on consultation with your vet: Flagyl, Arnica gel, Thuja occidentalis, and some other homeopathies.