What would you change? - Page 1

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by LaPorte on 22 July 2006 - 13:07

From a previous thread "...USA registry. It is an example of a duplication of service that is unnecessary and, is, in fact, one reason why money is not being spent on things which really are important to the organization as a whole. For example, there are NOT enough new members joining and there are few new helpers coming along. The organization and region takes large dues from members and clubs and does nothing for the little club or the individual." What would you like to see done with money generated from membership and registrations?

djc

by djc on 22 July 2006 - 19:07

I like your train of thought LaPorte. I would like to see money going to train and encourage new helpers in each club. Even if it means sending them to regional seminars with expert trainer/helpers at no cost. I think it should also go for sending the management to every club once or twice a year for surprise "inspections". In general observing the training technics methods and ethics of the club. This would include talking to individual members and asking what their view of the club is and if they see any problems. Then helping to resolve or solve problems. Maybe even having unknown people come in and appear to be visiting. I have seen far too many clubs where the "training director" has a little "gestapo" (sp?) together with abusive technics that should not be tolerated. So many people have only one club to choose from and have to put up with whatever instruction that club chooses. It is those type of clubs that will get Schutzhund banned in the USA! Then what will we do? JMHO Debby

by LaPorte on 28 July 2006 - 00:07

Almost a week goes by, and no other ideas? Lots of complaining on here about USA. By the way, on page 54 of the July/August Schutzhund USA magazine there is a box at the bottom about the National Events committee. They are taking bids for 2007 and 2008 national events (Seiger Show, North Americans, HOT, and Nat'ls). There is contact info as well. Rather than complain after things are settled, get your bid in now, if you think your club would be up for hosting a national event.

by LaPorte on 11 November 2006 - 06:11

OK, this was posted back in July. Granted, it won't change or influence any official decisions, but lots of people complain about not having a 'voice', and yet there weren't many thoughts presented here. Sometimes I think the majority of people in USA don't see or care about anything outside their own club. Go to club training days, do their homework, trial on their own field, and start the cycle over. I wish the GBM had better representation from clubs, but it seems there is quite a bit of apathy in the sport.

VomFelsenHof

by VomFelsenHof on 11 November 2006 - 15:11

I'm really not too concerned with what the money is spent on. The thing that bothers me the most about some clubs is their lack of instruction for newcomers. The derision of showlines when there are mostly working dogs is also not pleasant to deal with. (I've never heard a showline person at Schutzhund club tell the working line owners anything but positive, but that is not the case for the other way around. "why did you waste your money on THAT?" was a common theme, however... I am not pro showlines or anti workinglines. I would just like a club that treats ALL of it's members the same way, and for God's sake, SOMEONE step up and help the new people!!! Doesn't anyone wonder why so many newbies never come back after they get derided, or WORSE YET, yelled at in front of everyone, including an SV judge there for a trial? (That's the reason I have not gone back to the club here locally--I was brand new to Schutzhund, and had NO CLUE what I was doing, got yelled at by the helper in front of everyone (my dog was lunging during the helper's experimentation with bitework and my arm was moving forward....if he had explained what the he wanted, I am not dense, and would have happily done so, instead, he screamed at me that he was going to sue me if my (showline) dog bit him!) including a judge that was there for a trial. Talk about highly embarassing.....and I'm sure they never thought twice about the reason I never went back after that day!!!!) Not everyone who shows up wanting to do Schutzhund KNOWS everything!! Exact opposite is probably the case. Someone needs to be the one to step up and show the new people how to work with their dog! Not just leave them be to do whatever it is they THINK they ought to do. OKay, I am done rambling and venting..... LOL

by LaPorte on 12 November 2006 - 06:11

People get all worked up about how much registration costs, how old the HOT age is, and so on, but ignore the biggest problem out there. People are absolutely leaving the sport - never looking back - because of what you describe. I have seen it too, in multiple clubs. Other dog sports are THRIVING. People work 4 and 5 dogs in MULTIPLE venues, titling all the dogs in all the sports, many times. There's no shortage of dog crazy, maniacally dedicated people who will spend any amount of money on training, trials, travel, equipment......you name it. But guess what - you start, and you get welcomed and you get help. Nobody bothers to ask your dog's bloodlines - got a dog? you're dedicated? Let's see what we can do! Sure, no sport is perfect, but those thousands and thousands of people are having FUN. Crab about the AKC all day, but guess what. They have a nice little booklet that is devoted to misconduct. It clearly spells out offenses, minimum, standard, and maximum penalties, and everything else you can think of...Why can't USA and the WDA have something like that? The behavior of many of the people in this sport is absolutely deplorable. That's what drives good people away. So, yes, VomFelsenHof, I agree. Also, I would change the papers process. The breeders have too much power. Granted, if the breeder is honest and ethical, there won't be a problem. But how many times do we hear stories of breeders not providing papers? The AKC does nothing, but neither does USA or the WDA - yet many of these breeders use those organizations in their advertising, claiming to be 'proud members of' everything under the sun, boosting their legitimacy for newbies. In my opinion, USA needs to implement some policy, penalties, fees, publication of names - SOMETHING - for breeders who use USA in their advertising, yet fail to provide proper papers for their pups.

by ProudShepherdPoppa on 12 November 2006 - 09:11

Would agree with most of what you say LaPorte. but before anyone casually reading this gets the idea that all clubs are like this I would like to interject that there really are a LOT of great clubs out there. You may have to search a little but don't stop until you find one that suits you. It's worth the effort. Vom Felsenhof. As far as the helper threatening to sue you? Hmmm, lets see. We have someone who's job it is to stand in front of a German Shepherd, tease it, hit it with a stick, and do every other thing he can think of to provoke it and he is going to sue when the dog bites? I can hear Judge Judy laughing already. I think about the time he screamed my leash would have "slipped" out of my hands....OOOPS!

by EchoMeadows on 12 November 2006 - 12:11

LaPorte, OK after reading this over a week ago I have given it much consideration. first I don't think our dues are all that expensive, but that's just me. second I would love to see helpers encouraged and sent to trainings with great instructors from upper levels. third Our training directors we are lucky to have, we are the only club on the east side of our state we live 45 minutes from training, sometimes it's difficult and even impossible to attend, but we do when we can. which is usually every training however lately family member is hospital with stroke, and work, and taking care of his place has put us on hold for now. I would love to see this sport really "catch on" in the US, I think it has but in our area a handful of club members is really poor given our population area demographically. and I find that quite typical all over the US. I have yet to see a US club with more than 20 members, but have only looked within about 4 states, so that could be my own shortcoming in research. LOL. Part of the low membership, In my opinion is that "most clubs" don't advertise, it's really tough to find a club and most people have not a clue what your saying when you say the word schutzhund, they've never heard of it, owned dogs all they're lives and never heard of schutzhund, much less have a clue where to find a club to train. Low membership = low helper participation, some folks just don't have the nerve it takes to be a good decoy, some don't have the physical capacity to decoy, and others simply don't have the desire or want to. 1 of 5 members will decoy is about the average I think. well when you have only 8 members or so, that's 1.5 decoys if yourlucky others will step in seeing the need for extra help, But if they're physically incapable well what's left ? Love your thoughts on this LaPorte, Hope it generates some "interest" in the clubs to promote helpers in the future. I know I will be mentioning it to our club.

by LaPorte on 12 November 2006 - 17:11

Yes, I agree, Proud Shep Poppa, there are very good clubs out there, and sometimes it does take some searching. At times tho, all it takes is one extremely bad experience to sour ones opinion of the sport - or visits to several clubs that are not welcoming and even worse, scoff at you as a newbie and your dog out of lines they are not familiar with. I tend to rant on that topic, I know, but these people who behave like that do terrible damage to the sport. I wish people would speak up when they see it happening. Training new helpers is vital. I also think people need to be willing to let new helpers give their dogs some bites, so that they can get more experience. No, I'm not talking about sending a rocket down the field for a new helper to make a long catch, but club members need to actively support people who are willing to suit up and learn. Even if USA expands the helper program, there still needs to be club support for the new helpers. Primary training can be done by the more experienced guys, but a less than perfect sleeve presentation once in a while isn't going to wreck a dog. Let's face it, not all sleeve presentations, locks ups, and drives are going to be perfect in a trial, so better that your dog learns to deal with it on occasion in training. You can't learn to be a helper unless you get to work dogs, over and over. I think more people would be willing to jump in and get started if they knew they'd be given a fair chance.

by FCSC on 13 November 2006 - 17:11

Would love to see an annual club report (running on the same time period for every club) something like this, and have it published in USA magazine OG #1 Number of members Number of dogs Number of helpers Number of new titles - new B's - new 1's, - new 2's ETC, also including the TRs and OBs, SchH A's etc Number of repeat titles - again, a listing Number of 'other' titles and certifications (eg. SAR, drug certifications, or AKC obedience titles, etc etc) Number of members that competed at regionals Number of members who qualified for nationals and regarding the club trial itself Number of club entrants Number of club passes Number of outside entrants Number of outside passes this might help keep tabs on what is going on at a local level.





 


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