Schutzhund - Page 2

Really? The closest I can find is 1-1/2 to 2 hours away with good traffic, can you tell me where you've heard of any that are closer?

I'm actually really interested in looking into it. So far I've only been able to find a place that does tracking close to me.

How far do you guys travel to train, and how often?

lol............. dogs?  Really?  

As far as equipment goes - if you are starting the club - you need to figure out how to get  equipment...whether is it second hand or brand new - equipment needs to be there when you start training.    You can't expect anyone to want to belong to a club and not have the necessary tools to train.     So donations would be nice -after you get up and running - but what about in the meantime for those "new" members that are looking you over?

It is always nice if the members that you recruit have equipment that they bring with them.......but it sounds to me that you have decided on this venture yourself.....correct me if I am wrong...

Do you not have any buddies that will be helping you start this club..........or are you one person that decided he/she wanted to start a club?  If the last question is a "yes" - then it is up to you to get the equipment and not wait around to someone to just give it to you.......

The person creating a club from the ground up is the one that will have to have all the ducks in a row before people will want to come to that club........   No members - no club.....

Best of luck in your quest.

Yogie

Biggest obstacle will be a good qualified helper. One that has experience bring young dogs up through their development. Do not just put a sleeve on a club member and start shaking it around. Helper work is an art and the future of your clubs dogs depend on the helper's skills. Don't laugh, there have been clubs that have done this.

The helper is your most important asset. You have something with a good one, nothing without one. All of the qualified helpers are known. To become a qualified helper, you have to have certain accomplishments, therefore all are known. If your helper is not known, proven, etc., you have little to offer more than a social club where any serious person will spend 6 months fixing their dog with a qualified helper at a later date.

The helper is the key. Get a good one and the rest falls into place.

If you do not have a helper but a person who is driven to learn...that is what keeps it going.  The drive to learn the art of the training helper.  If you are motivated to start a club and have someone willing to go out and mentor under quality training helpers....it is possible to grow your own pulled up from your own bootstraps.  The dedication to learning and working hard will pay off several years down the road.  Cannot go out and expect to have a club magically pop up with everything on day one.  IMO the core of the club is the most valuable in the early forming years of the club.  Starting a club is a commitment.  Kudos to you and I wish you well in your efforts.   

Hedi ; Thanks so much for the kind and inspiring thoughts. By the way , Great looking dog ...

Baretta - I just found this. I'm from Canada, so I'm not sure if the rules are different, but on Ontario Schutzhund website, tehy actually have a link about starting a club, thought it might help a bit!  :)

http://ontarioschutzhund.weebly.com/starting-a-club.html

Baretta, thanks for the compliment.  She might be for sale.  lol.  I meant what I said, I wish you well with your endeavors.