Eastern Shore Dog Club

23/11/2025

Oh, one last very big thank you for the trial support. How could I forget 😟 ? Sorry, Crombie. Sincere apologies. Maree ran her dog in 4 Starter trials with 4 lovely passes and gaining Kodi’s Starter title. But then she spent most of the rest of her time in the crowded little office collating data and printing out quallie cards for all the passes achieved over the 2 days. Amazing work and much appreciated, Maree. 🐾❤️ 🌟

23/11/2025

Another group of people to thank for the weekend trials (sorry, but exhaustion overtook me last night and I had brain fade) is the great people who supported our judges as scribe stewards.

Triallers, both from our club and others, put up their hands. Not an easy task to do when you are running dogs as well. Huge thanks to Liv Jordan, Gilda Taurian, Sonia Scott, Shara Perkins and Ali Herbert who slotted in and out to fill the gaps when needed.

Also thanks to Trish Brown from HDTC who came along for the full day. And also to Dan Duajardo who not only helped with set up and pull down each day, but also stewarded and stepped in wherever there was a need.

And to our club members, some of whom have had nothing to do with tricks up to now, but stepped up to support the club, thank you. Del Cuthbertson, April Tinker, Carol Briscoe, Di Cowen and Latarna Bourke, giving up parts of your weekend is much appreciated.

Mangling an old saying, and at risk of sounding glib, it takes a village to run a trial and we really appreciated our ‘village’ on the weekend.

23/11/2025

Our club proudly completed the organisation and running of our first ever Tricks trials this weekend and it was a resounding success. It’s a complex organisational task. We had 5 judges adjudicating across the two days, three locals and two mainland Judges. Many thanks to Janette Wilson and Sarah Trembath from the big island to our north, and also to our local judges, Mel Ell and Lani Smith from the north of the state and Denise Finlay from the south.

Our club was ably represented by 12 members and 17 dogs. Many of these handlers have built up their skills through our Tricks class which was initiated by Sarah Banks and carried on through this year by Debbie Mackenlay and Di Cowen. It’s a fun class where participants are supported to learn tricks at all levels, have fun with their dogs and possibly start trialling as they gain confidence. Congratulations to Andrea Cousens (Emmy and Flynn), Ali Herbert (Minnie and Nala), Marnie McNicol (Harris), Di Barry (Cas and Storm), Maree Crombie (Kodi), Rosanne McDade (Collie and Monty), Denise Ashcroft (Wylie), Debbie Mackenlay (Montana), Maree Tomes (Oscar), Sonia Scott (Mia and Ace), Nikki Hartnett (Hunter) and Julie Watts (Hugo).

Everyone did well, but two standout performances warrant a mention. Huge congratulations to Debbie and Montana. Competing at the highest level (Advanced) they gained 3 first places and a second place. Also congratulations to Ali and Minnie. Upon gaining their Novice title on Saturday, they upgraded to Intermediate on Sunday and gained a first and second place.

Many thanks to everyone, club members and trial entrants, who assisted in supporting our trials. I’d like to acknowledge Debbie who did so much towards getting this trial going and was the ring architect and so many other things. Many thanks also to Di Cowen for providing our judges with a lovely lunch on Sunday. Andrea Cousens arrived very early on Saturday to assist with the ring set up. Caroline Saint was her usual quietly efficient self, setting up the gate opening/locking, attending to the things that others forget need to be done and preparing the club room for the onslaught. Also, thanks to members of other clubs who came early in the mornings to help get the rings built and equipment shifted out and those who packed up so efficiently and quickly at the end of the trials. I’d like to particularly mention Angie and Dan from HDTC. Despite having a major travelling distance they arrived fairly soon after Deb and I started each day and quietly went around doing anything that needed to be done.

All up we had 57 dogs entered in the competition and they created 187 entries for the trial. It was a complex event to prepare for, but in the end we got through, our dogs and we had fun and we all went home with the best dog.

22/11/2025

Our photographer excelled herself last week, look at all these fab photos! (thanks Sarah C)

19/11/2025

Good news for our ESDC trick stars who are entered in our weekend trials. The catalogue is finally uploaded, after considerable work, frustration and angst and support from Alison Muddle who owns this program.

13/11/2025

Are you interested in learning more about trialling, tricks or trick trialling specifically, our club is running 2 days of trick trials next weekend (22nd and 23rd November). Trials will start around 9 and run for most of the day. Come along and watch what has become a very popular dog sport for all breeds of dogs. Quite a number of your fellow members are entered. Don’t bring your dog along.

If you are really keen, or would be interested in helping out and stewarding for one or more trials we would love for you to volunteer your help. You don’t need to have any prior knowledge - it involves either recording results or making sure people are where they need to be to move into the rings. There are three rings operating at any one time so we need 3 pairs of ‘stewards’ for each set of trials. You will be briefed about what you have to do and will get a front row seat for a particular level. If you could spare your club some time over the weekend, let me know either through email ([email protected]), message us through this page or text me on 0417 780 775.

Just a heads up too, that most classes are cancelled as there will be limited room to run them on the day. Basic Skills, Foundation and Puppies are still available for booking.

12/11/2025

Some lovely examples of the engagement we support our members to build with their dogs. Thanks again Sarah C!

30/10/2025

Update 2: looks like Lulu may have found a wonderful new home. Thanks everyone.
Update: there is someone contacting the owner. Will edit again if that person adopts little Lulu.

The little beauty in this photo is Lulu. She is a pedigreed American Staffie, registered with Dogs Victoria. Lulu was born on 4th April this year, is not desexed, is house trained and good with other dogs. Sadly, due to a family break up, Lulu needs a new home. She has done both puppy class and foundation tricks and training in my business classes and is a very quick learner. She does have a chicken allergy, so requires special food.

She is a special and beautiful little dog, so if you are thinking about adding to your family, she would be a great companion and mainly over those puppy behaviours that can be stressful with a very young puppy. I would be happy to provide 4 training lessons through my business free of charge. Please contact me on 0417780775 if interested and I’ll pass on owner details.

29/10/2025

Hi Everyone,

Rallly Grading and Grade 1 Assessments are on this weekend coming. Don't forget to register online!

Thanks for the photos again Sarah C!

23/10/2025

Lots of photos of our members and dogs having fun at classes over the last two weeks. Big thanks to our photographer Sarah C!

17/10/2025

Hi to all our members!

Final reminder, our AGM is on tomorrow at 10.45am.

All members welcome. 😊

13/10/2025

Hi Everyone,

Just a reminder that our AGM meeting is on this Sunday 19/10 at 10.45am.

Ten o'clock classes will finish early and eleven o'clock classes will start 15 minutes later than usual.

Come along if you can! And if you want to help our club, nominate and join our committee, we'd love to have you onboard!

Send a message to learn more