In celebration of having been running for well over 30 years the Glasgow Dog Training Club held a huge open day in Rouken Glen Park on Saturday 22nd called “Paws In The Park”. This was far more than simply a local club event - it drew in demonstrations, presentations and activities from all over Scotland.
The show itself ran from noon to 4pm, but for the committee members and the many club members who offered to help out, the day started much, much earlier. Park regulations required that everything be erected and removed on the day, so even with a 7am start, it was a race against time. By 8.30am all the areas for the stalls and arenas had been marked out and barriers and gazebos were just starting to go up. By 11.30 the transformation was complete; stalls selling all things doggy-related had sprung up everywhere, enclosures were fenced off and ready to go and visitors were already starting to gather.
The show kicked off bang on time with a demonstration by the Lomond Flyball Club. Based in Dunbarton, the LFC brought two teams to the show - a beginners team that included two of our club members Beanie & Biggles, and a team of seasoned pros that regularly compete throughout the UK. The beginners were up first and acquitted themselves well despite a couple of little hiccups involving an unplanned raid on a stash of dog biscuits that brought chuckles from the crowd of spectators.
This was followed by the “pro” team who showed everyone how it should be done:
A group of talented youngsters called “JAM” wowed the crowds with their cheerleading skills while the main ring was cleared, then the Greyhound Awareness League took the spotlight. Their presentation not only drew attention to the plight of dogs callously discarded once their racing days are over, but also highlighted just what great pets ex-racing Greyhounds can be for busy families. Sometimes referred to as 45-mile-an-hour couch potatoes, they don’t need big backyards or lots of exercise. They’re easygoing, happy and affectionate dogs who learn quickly and readily adapt to their new owner’s lifestyle.
Next up was an event that many visitors had specifically come to watch and take part in - the Paws In The Park Dog Show. Sponsored by Creature Comforts and Burns Pet Nutrition, this first round included the best Puppy, Best Junior and Best Senior categories. The winners and runners up came away with rosettes, certificates and top notch Burns dog food, but even the less successful participants got something to sink their teeth into!
The unexpectedly large number of entrants left the judge (Dogs Trust’s Victoria Kelly) with a lot of tough decisions to make.
The first round of shows was followed by an entertaining heelwork to music display..
The Glasgow Dog Training Club has long had a close relationship with Dogs Trust and so it was fitting that they should give a presentation on their great work in Glasgow and the UK as a whole. Needless to say they brought along a few of their current four legged guests to greet the crowds.
Another round of of the dog show followed, this time for the Junior Handler, Best Pedigree and Best Crossbreed categories. Once again the judge had the unenviable task of choosing the winners, and it was a tense time for some of the contestants too!
Best in show - Golden Retriever Gus with owner Jacqueline Stewart
The winners barely had time to get their breath before they were asked to line out one more time to compete for the ultimate title - Best in Show.
As the dog show concluded a red carpet was unfurled in the main ring and Kraftwerk’s “The Model” heralded the start of the Pooch Parade - a fashion show featuring doggy garments provided by The Pet Stop. Given that all the models were of the canine persuasion they seemed remarkably sanguine about parading along the catwalk!
The main ring may have had plenty to draw the crowds, but there many other attractions running elsewhere throughout the afternoon. For starters there was the club’s own “Dogstacle Course”. Open to dogs of all ages, shapes and sizes this was filled with apparatus inspired by the agility world (suitably scaled down to be safe even for pups). It gave participants a fun challenge while affording them the chance to practice core obedience. The club holds smaller “dogstacle” sessions at Overlee Pavillion once every month. It’s popular with members, and it was a big hit with Paws In The Park visitors too.
Glasgow Dog Training Club also gave visitors an opportunity to test at the basic level of their “Pawsitive Paws Award” scheme. The aim of the scheme is to provide a framework that will help motivate owners to ensure that their dogs become good canine citizens. About 20 visitors passed the test and were awarded rosettes and certificates.
Dogs with a healthy prey drive were able to try their paw at lure coursing. Sue and Kevin Rose run a monthly lure coursing session on their farm at Rumbling Bridge. It grew out of a desire to satisfy the instincts of their lovely Scottish Deer Hounds, but now its open to all dogs who enjoy a good romp after a lure. They brought their equipment down to Paws In The Park and set up a small course free for all visitors to try.
It was great fun for dogs and owners alike, and Glasgow Dog Training club regulars Cuillin and Tess did rather well at it!
Lomond Flyball hosted a “have-a-go” session open to all visitors. This proved very popular and though some dogs took a little longer than others to get the hang of things, everyone came away with the sweet taste of success!
Those still feeling the need for speed could enter their dogs into the Doggy Dash run by Dogs Trust: a timed restrained recall with a certificate for all participants and handsome prizes for the fastest contestants.
Youngsters preferring a slower pace were able to have a gentle ride on a pony..
and particularly furry pooches had the chance of a luxurious grooming session..
On top of that there scores of stalls to browse selling hand-drawn portraits, personalised cards and just about every kind of dog-related item you could think of!
As always, the Glasgow Dog Training club tombolla and lucky dip was a big success.
Incredibly within three hours of the show finishing, everything had been dismantled, picked up and taken away leaving the park as spotless as it had been when the day started. The committee and all members of the club who helped to make Paws In The Park happen should be thoroughly proud of their accomplishment. It was a stunning success, and as a result there have been calls to make it an annual event.
High resolution copies of all of these photographs can be downloaded here for printing.
Photographs by Paul Roberts.
