Top Ten SchH Trainers in America - Page 2

For me, a good trainer is someone that cannot only train a dog himself or herself, but is talented at helping others reach their goals as well. As Don mentioned, it is always the latest, greatest, and “What have you done for ME lately”.  The other thing about my list is that MOST everyone on this list is extremely approachable and polite. Here is my list of people that I have a great deal of respect for, and have helped me in one way or another along the way. Some have been a great deal of help with my own dogs, others with brilliant training techniques, some for fantastic sportsmanship, others that taught me how to mentor others.  In alphabetical order:

Ivan Balabanov, David Delesigues (sp), Gottfried Dildei, Michael Ellis, Gene England, T-Floyd, Jessy Gabriel, Gary Hanrahan, John Riboni, Martin and Thomas Vollrath, Ken White and Debbie Zappia.  Although, not an American, Mr. Frans Hannes from Belgium has had a huge impact on my training and life, and by far is a true mentor.

Rob Dunn

In no particular order...

Janice Laurent, John Riboni, Jim Lempner, Martin and Thomas Vollrath, T. Floyd, Dave Deleissegues, Tina Perriguey

All have touched my schutzhund life in some way :)

Darlene

Vom Herrenhaus German Shepherds

This is my Top Ten. Not in any order because the order can solely be subjective:

1. Gary Hanrahan

2. Martin Volrath

3. Ivan Balabanov

4. Wallace Payne

5. Debbie Zappia

6. T-Floyd

7. Dave Kroyer

8. Dean Calderon

9. Gottfried Dildei

10. Phil Hoelcher

These guys not only have accomplishments, they all have help other people gain loftly goals as well......and continue

Ivan Balabanov - No one else comes close IMHO - Chris

If you include North America, must include:

Lance Collins, Pat Brown-John, Joanne Fleming-Plumb

In no order.......... Ivan, D. Calderon, T. Floyd, Wallace , D. Zappia, P. Holcher, M. Vollrath, G. England, M.Pinksten and Kobel

#1 Obedience- Ivan-Debbie

#2 Tracking- G. England

#3 Protection- Dean-Pinksten

Best showing of a dog- G. Harahan

Best attention- GSD-Zappia  Malinois- Ivan

Best 3 phase-Wallace-Ivan

Best seminar for all 3- Dean

Claudia Romard.  Hosted her for a weekend and she is a definite repeat!

People I want to train with are Gabor, Mike Ellis, Dean Calderon, Ivan.

I  would have to say that Phil Hoelcher ranks up there in the top 10. Being from South Florida I have trained with him in the past .

How many of the people previously listed have trained their own dogs from puppy to world team????  I know of one man who has trained three dogs from puppy to world team, more than anyone else, Steve Robinson

Please, it would be nice if we don't reduce this to a pissing contest or a "my dogs better than your dog" thing!  The op asked for top ten, everyone has wisely said "in no particular order".   Each of these esteemed  trainers have trained many world class podium dogs.  They all have achieved great things in the sport.  Of course, if everyone wants to discuss the merits of these or other trainers I respect that too.