What to do when there are no local clubs.. - Page 1

The title really says it all. There are no working dog clubs near where I live. I literally live in the black-hole of dog training opportunities. So, what are my options? I want very much to work with my dogs but have no experience training so I don't even know where to start without someone teaching me.

The main goal for me is to simply work with them doing "something" that will allow me to spend time with them and gain an even greater bond. I don't have to have titles. They would be nice but aren't required.

Any chance of you starting a club? Do you have any friends with similar interests who would start a club with you?
What part of the country are you in?

Mike

Plenty of Michael Ellis and other instructional materials on Leerburg. Depends on what sports you are interested in and what fits your dog's tool set. Any form of tracking, agility, or obedience does not require much more than you and your dog. The first order of business is building a relationship and clear communication ( without conflict ) with your dog. There are great streaming and other video resources on Leerburg as to training and relationship building. I like Ivan Balabanov and Michael Ellis as teachers as there are none better and they all have video instruction available. Michael Ellis is my favorite and he has a lot on Leerburg available. The relationship between you and your dog is the key and a club is not necessary as it is a relationship between you and other people and can actually get in the way. Even bite work on a sleeve or suit can be taught without a helper if that is a personal goal. Basic bite work can be taught easily if the dog has the tool set. If competition and points are the goal then a trained helper will be required at some point but much of what gets "points" is more about style than substance. Depends on your goals primarily and the dog could care less so long as you give time and attention to your dog.

Online dog academies. Leerburg, Fenzi Dog Sports Academy, Michael Ellis....
Vonrivera

Kmh - what do you consider "near" where you live, and what area are you in? My training buddy/helper is 1.5 hrs drive from me, nearby in this area, and the closest club is 3.5 hrs drive away. I found my training buddy when he made a thread on here asking about anyone in his area interested in training. He also posted in his local newspaper/bulletin, and also an online classifieds site. Maybe if you do the same, providing some information of your location (you don't have to give specifics, just general area), then people close to you can PM/email you.

Better that watching videos sign up for an interactive school. Gives you a community, a focus, an instructor you can talk to, folks you can talk to, and you get feedback on yr progress thru video uploads.

Right now registration has opened for relationship games with either micke or Keating, can't remember which.

Wish they had that when I started, in some ways better than real life.

I have access to the Leerburg video's through Bowwowflix.com. I like them a lot and figured I'd probably work with the videos. I'm located in Timpson, Tx. The closest club to me is the DFW working dog club and is approximately 2 hours 45 minutes away.

I'm thinking of starting with obedience and going to tracking. There is an AKC club about 1 hour 15 minutes away that is supposed to do Rally training - provided there are enough people interested to make it worth the while of giving the class. But from what I understand the classes are on Tuesday or Thursday nights and I can't be sure I can get off work, go home to pick up a dog, and get to class anywhere close to the start time.

Where there is a will there is a way. If you have enough folks to start a club you can pay for a trainer to come in and help you get started. I personally would find seminars and have traveled up to 8hrs each way and stayed overnight. Most of the early seminars I went to I did not bring my dog. Took plenty of notes and often they allowed me to video tape the seminar for personal use. I know Dean Calderone would have people stay in hotels near him and train for the week. Sometimes you have to burn some vacation time to get the education. If you are going to do the video thing. Make sure you video yourself trying the techniques to compare to what you learned. If you want it bad enough, you will find a way.

If you build it, they will come. Start a group with the goal of ''getting'' better at training. Go train with established groups or instructors and pledge to each other to train dogs at an increasingly higher level.

Have you considered looking to see if there are any UKC clubs in your area, or PSA? Or maybe even a local group training at one of the county parks? There are often small groups training just under the radar.
I live in Tampa Fl, belong to an all breed dog training club (AKC affiliated) and i never show AKC, there are at least 4 different clubs that teach different types of obedience, rally and agility within at least a hour's drive of my home. And i currently drive about an hour to do any sort of IPO, barn hunt or other type of training.
But i'm going to tell you to go talk to the folks at that obedience club an hour away. You will often find they know other people training in the sports you are interested in. They have the connections, even if they are not competing in the venue. Go pick their brains and see what they can lead you too. Plus never hurts to hunt through facebook or the web for training groups.
I wish you much success in your search.
Fry