Schutzhund clubs - Page 1

I know this has probably been asked before, but I can really use some help in locating one that is near me. I am between Holland Michigan and South Haven MI and would be willing to go in either direction, and might even drive 2 hours one way.   I would prefer to have one that is not going to rip you off or is high price to suite their needs and not your dog's. I will have anywhere from 2-4 dog's that I would be taking. The one that I was going to start at ended up with some health issues, so any help would be appreciated.

Thank You in advance!!!

Kelly,

The web pages for all the SchH organizations have lists of clubs by region.  USA, WDA, DVG, etc.

Once you've located clubs in your area, finding one where you fit in - you're on your own on that one I'm afraid.  Each club has its own politics, characters, and melodramas.

Be kind in your assessments - we're all just human after all.  Pity that we can't all be more like our dogs.  Best wishes in your search!

Yvette

Kelly

There is a club in Grand Rapids.

I highly doubt any club is going to let you train 2-4 dogs with them.  Especially if you are a novice.

Maybe I read your post wrong, but that is a bit much for a beginner.   Most clubs barely have room for one new member.  Essentially you could be considered 4 new members.  You will require 4 spots on the obedience field and 4 spots on the protection.  During the week, you will need a minimum of one hour a day, every other day for tracking for each individual dog.  You will need a minimum of 1/2 hr a day for obedience almost every day for each dog. 

I'm not saying it can't be done, but finding the time and a club that will accept this is a rare find.

I don't know what your aspirations are, but sometimes it is better to lighten the load and concentrate on just one, possibly two dogs.  Even two dogs are a lot to swallow for someone new to a sport.  I'm not trying to discourage you in any way.  I just know most people have to reorginize their lives just to accomodate one dog.  If you have been in a club for a while, you will see numerous people come and go.  Many, and I mean most, people stay with the club for about 2 to 3 weeks.  They realize that these sports require a great amount of time just to be mediocre.

I wish you and your dogs all the best and I hope you enjoy the sport.  Sometimes it can be a headache(inside joke with Kelly)

Kelly we train in the Grand Rapids area and for a very reasonable fee.  Like Don said though, you may want to start out with just one dog just to see how the rhythm of the club goes along.  We don't rush people along in their obedience work or set times for them to be done.  I've seen dogs on the field as long as a half hour and that can make for a long day for members.

If your interested shoot me an email and I'll give you the gory details.

Well said Don!!

2-4 dogs is too much esepcially for a newbie.  Don Broke down the time needed to invest per dog very well.  You might say... I don't care about titles... I just want to work my dogs....well many clubs don't want people who don't care about titles, they want their members to be working towards a goal with interest in learning all three phases of the sport.

If you still don't care and want to work all your dogs I suggest you pay for private training, that way you are paying your way for each individual dog per lesson. 

 It is not easy to break into this sport as a newbie with a newbie dog, and to expect to be recieved well when spreading yourself thin with more than one dog is not going to happen. 

 I would, however, take each dog to be evaluated, so the trainer's can give you their advice as to which dog is most promising or most likely to succeed.

 Good luck,

Melanie

I would call in advnace and ask if the club has the time to evaluate all 4 dogs at one session. that's a lot of dogs to drop on a busy club at one time, even for an experienced handler. Don't forget to tip the helper. If he won't accept a tip (rare) offer it as a donation to the club.

Good luck!

SS