GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

MINUTES

March 18, 2006 – 9:00 am

Membership Updates:................................................................................................. Sandy Norell

Recognition of Colette Muhlenkamp, the ODPA 500^th member!!!

Colette received a gift bag including a matching funds gift certificate donated by California Pets, a $50 gift card for PetCo donated by Board Member Cindy Reed, a day of doggie day care donated by Petopia, and other goodies for herself and her Great Dane puppy, Rupert. It was Colette’s first visit to Dog Park that she became the 500^th member. We are glad to have you!!

New Memberships: 02-17-06 – 03-17-06

There were a total of 16 new members for this reporting period and a current grand total of 505 members. Please note that, as suggested at last month’s meeting, the Board of Directors will be staffing a membership table each weekend at the Dog Park to answer questions and enroll new members. If you are interested in volunteering to help staff this table, please email us via the website.

Secretary’s Report:.................................................................................................... Sandy Sladen

02-18-06 Membership Meeting Minutes are posted on the website.

Treasurer Report:................................................................................................. Margaret Manson

Annual Budget distributed for member’s information.

The current checking account balance is $7,571.80. The ODPA took in slightly more than it spent during the past month with doggie waste bags remaining the greatest expense.

Old Business:................................................................................................................ Sandy Norell

Change of Contact Information Forms and Correct Email

Please keep us posted on any change in your contact information, especially email, using the form on the information table or via the website.

Park Maintenance and Improvements

New fence is now complete in the small dog area and it looks great. More dirt will be brought in to fill gaps along the fences. Please do not let your dog dig holes around the fencing as it could result in a dog escaping. The Board plans to experiment with Rye grass in the future. This will involve fencing off some sections so please respect the fenced areas during this process. City throws out old tennis balls on Wednesdays so please use the orange “ball” buckets hanging on the fences. Please also note the orange “Lost and Found” bucket and Comments boxes.

Signage

The Board is working with the City to allow for a flagging tape sign on the north fence in the large park that faces Chapman. The City will also be placing signs at the park with emergency numbers.

Fire Hydrant Donation Collection Devices

While initially not supportive, the City is now considering the placement of fire hydrants as donation collection devices. They are concerned about security issues. The ODPA Board is cautiously optimistic that we will be able to implement this idea. In the meantime, there are self-addressed envelopes for donations or comments in the Newsletter holders.
Alternate Doggie Waste Bags

Thanks to a member recommendation to locate less expensive doggie waste bags, we are working with a different vendor. The bags are significantly less expensive. We also want to thank the OC Register for donating bags that will be located in the stainless steel / plastic dispensers in each park area.

Committee Sign-Ups

A sign-up sheet is on the Information Table. Please sign up if you are interested in joining a Committee – we need your help and support! You may also let us know of your interest via the website. The committees include: Budget, Corporate Sponsor, Doggie Walk of Fame/Memorial Tribute, Fundraising, Grant Writing, Historical Pictures, Media Coverage, Orange Street Fair, Volunteer List.

Orange Street Fair

The Orange Dog Park Association will sponsor a booth. Please let us know if you are interested in working on this fun event.

Doggie Walk Bag Dispenser Sponsorships

We are STILL looking for sponsors. Please take a Sponsorship packet if you know of someone or a business that would be a potential sponsor for one of the dispensers. They are on the Information Table and on the web site. TALK IT UP!!!

Fund Raising Events......................................................................................... Sandy Sladen

The ODPA is now enrolled in the Ralph’s Community Partnership program. This is an easy way to raise funds for the park. Register your Ralph’s Club card at the information booth or email your name and Ralph’s Club card number via the website and we will enroll you. When you use your card at Ralph’s the ODPA will get 4% of sales for purchases under $400 and 5% for purchases over $400.

We are working with Rubios Grille to sponsor a dinner event in late April. The date and location are not confirmed so please watch for email and signs at the park. The ODPA will get 20% of sales for customers presenting an event flyer.

New Business:

Easter Event

During the next membership meeting on April 15^th, we will have a special Easter celebration including an Easter Parade and Easter Tennis Ball Hunt. Prizes will be given to the dogs with the most creative, cute, original, etc. Easter costumes / bonnets, and for the dogs that find the special tennis balls.

Guest Speaker:

Stephanie Houfek, Animal Behaviorist “Best Behaviors in the Dog Park”

Some key points from the presentation include:

Ø Coming to the dog park should not be your dog’s only form of exercise. Dogs that get other forms of exercise will not be as aroused at the dog park. Dogs that are highly aroused are more likely to get aggressive.

Ø When two dogs get into a “fight” or conflict, both dogs bear some responsibility even if one of the dogs seems to be the victim.

Ø Take choke chains and pronged collars off in the Dog Park to avoid injury to your dog. Create a “choke chain” effect using your leash when entering and leaving the park. (Slip the leash through the leash handle creating a loop that you place over your dog’s head up close at the base of its head.) This is easier to get on and off making entry safer and quicker. This technique is also useful in the park if you need to quickly get a dog under control.

Ø If your dog does berserk in the car when approaching the Dog Park, pull into the drive way and then leave, drive around the block and come back. Do this several times until your dog calms down. As soon as s/he is calm you want to park and get out of the car so the dog learns that s/he gets out when calm.

Ø Dog owners should always lead their dogs into the park rather than be pulled in by the dog. When the owner goes first, the dog gets the message that s/he is safe. If the dog goes first, s/he feels s/he has to protect the owner. If your dog pulls you towards the park, you should turn around and walk the other way and have your dog heel. Once under control turn and walk towards the park, turn around again, and repeat until the dog walks calmly into the park. When entering the park, walk straight in without lingering by the entry gate so your dog does not get trapped by other dogs coming to greet you.

Ø To break up a dogfight, each owner should grab the hind legs of their dogs and lift them up as if to stand them on their heads. This will force them to separate. Once apart, slip the leash over their heads as described above and move apart quickly. Another approach is to splash water on the dogs. DO NOT THROUGH OBJECTS AT FIGHTING DOGS. DO NOT GRAB THEIR COLLARS as this gives the message to fight harder.

Ø Growling is a good thing as it communicates to another dog “leave me alone, I have had enough”. DO NOT discipline your dog for growling. Showing teeth is a stronger warning to another dog and a precursor to a bite.

Ø When dogs are about to fight they usually stand nose to nose or nose to neck, tails erect and bodies tense. When seeing this, you should call your dog in a friendly, affectionate voice to get them away. Shouting aggressively tends to increase the tension and likelihood of a fight.

For more information from Stephanie Houfek, visit her website at TheDogLstner@aol.com

Next membership meeting will be Saturday, April 15, 2006 – 9:00 am. REMEMBER TO COME IN YOUR BEST EASTER FINERY!!