About Us WHO WE ARE Founded in 1987, THE GOOD GUYS is a small group of dedicated dog owners who, in addition to participating in many other “doggie” disciplines, take time out to support worthwhile community services by way of fundraising events. These fundraising events help to show that dogs with responsible owners can be contributing members of a community. The committed members donate their time, talents, travel expenses and equipment (not to mention their dogs.) to make these successful events happen. THE GOOD GUYS come in all sizes, all breeds and mixes of breeds. Some of the breeds participating in our events are Newfoundlands, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Leonbergers, Bouviers, Labrador Retrievers, Collies, Border Collies, Rottweilers, Akitas, Bulldogs, Irish Water Spaniels, Papillons, Samoyeds, Beagles, Belgian Tervurens, Australian Shepherds, Shetland Sheepdogs, Cockapoos, Labradoodles, Goldendoodles, Miniature Schnauzers, Alaskan Malamutes, American Eskimos, Siberian Huskies as well as big and small mixed breeds. Most dogs work as singles but we also have some teams. For example, a team of Beagles and a team of Cockapoos in addition to some large teams such as Newfoundlands and Bernese Mountain Dogs.
WHAT WE DO By asking our well trained carting dogs to give cart/sled rides to children at various events and locations throughout the year, we raise funds for the community service selected by the organization inviting us to participate. We also do carting demonstrations that introduce our training methods as well as some of the fun things you can do with a trained carting dog. We charge $2.00 per ride and all funds go to the community service. If you are planning an event you think we might be a part of, please contact us.
HOW WE DO IT Participating dogs are properly trained to harness by way of draft/carting classes, have excellent temperments and must be extremely well socialized. We ask that our dogs have a Canine Good Neighbour Test and/or Therapy Dog certification. Our puppies and our retirees along with new dogs still in their training process take part in our events as “petting dogs”, a very popular part of our events..
COMMUNITY SERVICES THAT WE HAVE SUPPORTED (Lions Foundation) Canine Vision, Camp Quality (a camp for kids with cancer), Childrens' Wish Foundation, Variety Village, the Alliston, Toronto, North York and Oakville Humane Societies, Orangeville Childrens' Festival, United Way, Tiffen Conservation Area, Toronto Department of Heath (Animal Welfare Division), Federated Health Campaign and many more.
When we participate in a fund raising event without a committed charity, we often support the Farley Foundation.
SOME OF OUR 'SHOWBIZ' EVENTS We have had a lot of fun over our years of service taking part in the Superdog shows, the Dina Petty Show, Breakfast TV and the Cable 10 Telethon, “All For The Animals”. We are also known for our exciting carting demonstrations at the “All About Pets” show, the Toronto Sportsmens' Show as well as at various fairs throughout the province.
CLASSES To assure quality draft training, the group's founders offer (the first and only) eight-week training course to share the fun, responsibilities and usefulness of dogs in harness. Carting dogs take part in parades (parade organizers love 'em...) children's parties, hauling the family Christmas trees out of the woods, visiting senior homes and hospitals/rehab facilities and - if you and your dog are real “show-offs”- you can prepare for various Draft Tests including the Canadian Kennel Club Draft Dog Test. The classes are held in Schomberg (Hwys 9 & 27) each Spring starting about the first week of May. In addition to being long time draft trainers, the instructors are both Draft Judges for the Canadian Kennel Club as well as for various other draft testing groups. Please contact us for more information. |