Area judges to take part in national dog show competition

Get ready to watch the champions compete in Madison Square Garden next Monday and Tuesday. The show will be televised, but not all of the show hours, so check the TV schedules. Among the numerous judges will be Dana Cline of Loves Park and Jay Richardson of Elgin.

Specialties: Central States Collie Club will hold Specialties Feb. 16 and 17 at Alden's Kennels, 6810 Barnard Mill Road, Ringwood. Included will be conformation, junior showmanship, obedience and sweepstakes. Beth Elliott of Elgin is show secretary, and Michael Carlucci of Barrington will be one of the obedience judges.

• The Australian Shepherd Club of America will hold a Specialty Feb. 16 at B.C. Training, 920 Turret Court, Mundelein.

Health clinic: Appointments must be made by Feb. 15 to take advantage of Northern Illinois Samoyed Assistance's annual health clinic March 1. There will be tests and vaccinations between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Various products, including prescription drugs, will also be available. To make an appointment, call (847) 255-4815.

Run-Thrus: Northwest Obedience Club will have the next Agility and Rally Run-Thrus Feb. 17. Agility for dogs between 8 and 16 inches start at 1:30 p.m., with those 20 and 24 inches at 3 p.m. Rally starting time is 1 p.m. These are held in the training center, 735 Industrial Drive, Cary. For details about the agility sessions, e-mail rottenmom2@yahoo.com or call Shari at (847) 639-2952. For the rally, call Patti at (847) 515-1560 or e-mail shamusetal@comcast.net.

New classes: Alex Brooks Midwest Canine Center, 1300 E. Rand Road, Des Plaines, has new classes starting Feb. 19 with Good Citizenship. It is a six-week session that will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The Kids class for those ages 9 to 13 starts Feb. 20 and continues for four Wednesdays.

Retrieving class begins at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 for eight Thursdays, and Basic Obedience class will be from 7 to 8 p.m. beginning Feb. 28 for six weeks. Registration is required for all of the above.

There is also a pay as you go drop-in class from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays. This is the distraction class for which your dog must know basic obedience.

For details or to register, e-mail absdt@sbcglobal.net or call (847) 299-3647.

• Leash and Collar Dog Training, 238 Saunders Road, Riverwoods, has new classes starting Feb. 25. Puppy class is at 6:30 p.m., Basic Obedience at 7:45 p.m. and Advanced Obedience, which includes an introduction to Rally, at 8:45 p.m.

There is also a novice drop-in class at 8:45 p.m. Tuesdays for AKC Companion dog (CD) obedience competition.

For details, call (847) 945-4544.

• Cheryl Peterson, a licensed judge and author, is teaching a class at 7:30 p.m. Mondays at Car-Dun-Al Obedience Club's facility, Wolf and Algonquin roads, Huntley. It is a teaching class to learn to handle and problem solve. For details, e-mail nordic22@earthlink.net.

On network show: If you have Comcast Cable, tune in to the Contempo show between 7 and 8 p.m. Thursday. Alex Brook is on the network show.

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