Q. Do
you train competition agility as well as Fun agility?
A. We train Fun agility for those who do not have the time or
inclination to compete but still wish to have some fun and exercise
with their dog. Some of our trainers and members do compete, however in the main
our members just want to have some fun with their dog. If you get the agility
bug we will be pleased to advise on the next steps.
Q. Do
you train obedience?
A. Yes we train towards the Kennel Club Puppy Foundation Certificate
and the Good Citizen Awards of Bronze, Silver and Gold. We also have
our own Gold Plus class for those who achieve Gold and wish to stay
with us.
Q. How
much does it cost to take the Kennel Club Award tests?
A. Not a single Penny! We encourage the examination of our club dogs by
impartial judges. Currently our examiner is Police Sgt Paul Whittaker of the Thames Valley Police Dog
Handler Unit.. Please see our charges.
Q. How
come your charges are so reasonable?
A. UNO is a Heyford Park Community Project aided by The North
Oxfordshire Consortium (NOXC). No one at UNO receives a wage or any
form of payment. We simply want to help owners with what they perceive
as problem dogs and prevent them ending up in rescue.
Q. I
would like to bring my dog but I am embarrassed at the thought of how
he might behave.
A. We would be pleased to give you a free private assessment of your
dog by appointment. If we don't think that we can help then we
will suggest possible alternatives. Don't worry if your dog
misbehaves. No one at UNO will judge.
Q. Who were the founders of UNO?
A. UNO was established by nine friends who for some year had worked to
raise funds for dog rescue. By setting up the Club the founders hoped
to prevent what owners perceived as problem dogs ending up in rescue. The founders Sue & Dave Baker, Alison
Hook, Stella Porter, Mickey Woodcock, Kathy Fletcher, Shona and Tony,
Jenny Fairweather.
Q. How many weeks do your courses cover?
A. We appreciate that not all our members can attend every week.
Consequently we do not run fixed length courses. You come when you
can, however you must appreciate that the process takes a little
longer. Why pay for sessions you cannot attend?
Q. How many members do you have?
A. A true estimate of our membership can only be calculated each
September when the annual memberships become due. Last renewal the
membership stood at 120 persons. Usually 50 or so dogs are present
each Sunday.
Q. I am afraid to let my dog off lead as he will not come back when
called. Can I still attend?
A. Certainly you can. Our training field is surrounded by a 12 foot
chain link fence and is double gated. No escapees here!
Q. Do I need to bring anything with me?
A. You should ensure that your dog is wearing a strong
collar even if you use a noose or slip lead. We prefer a standard lead
of leather or nylon. Your dog may initially wear a Halti if pulling or
walking to heel is a problem. Check chains (we prefer half check) may
be used in the obedience sessions provided they are used correctly.
They must not be worn during agility training. Please bring a bag of
small treat rewards or a small squeaky toy.
Q.
I am thinking of getting a dog. Is there any advice you can give me?
A. Owning a dog is a lifetime commitment. Why not offer to dog sit a
friends dog for a week or two to see how you get along? In this way
you can discover the lifestyle changes you will need to make. Do give
careful consideration to the breed you choose to find the right dog
for you. We suggest you visit Discover Dogs where you can meet all the
breeds and talk with the owners. Their website is here - http://www.discover-dogs.org.uk
.Early socialisation and training will prevent many problems that
occur in adult dogs. Don't forget to give a rescue dog a chance. Many
end up in rescue simply because the owners fail to follow the above
advice. http://www.wiccaweys.co.uk
Further
FAQ's will be added to this page as they arise - Please don't hesitate
to ask if you have
any questions.