German Shepherd dog

Diane wrote: "Has any trainer had a chance to go through the 100 page revised rule insert and compare for changes?"

Lisa

Brad,

The rule changes are not listed, they are hidden.  The last thing anyone showing a dog on trial day wants to hear is..."THE NEXT TIME YOU SHOW" you show you need to report in for tracking with the leash over here, under there, or up the dogs *#@!!.  "But today, I take no points".  It sets the tone of an overpowering situation between the judge and the handler.  Ahhh Haaa you can't win because only I know the rules.

By the way, this change is not listed in the new revised rules. It states. "The dog must be taken calmly to the track."

A public forum is exactly where this should be viewed.  Rule Changes are for ALL trial participants.

Diane Madigan

Why don't you explain the rule change.  I don't understand what your talking about.  Are you talking about the tracking line?

I think it would better if you explained what happened at the trial and let others know about what the judge said instead of going off on the DOJ's and cost of meetings.

I have always used blind 1, and have not seen at a trial or video of BSP or WUSV anyone doing anything else.  If a clubmember has logged thousands of hours working there dog and traveling to shows and other clubs they would know this.  I don't believe the secret handshake etc.  I think it is a matter of communicating the rule changes in a better way to make it easier to understand, but it is more than one persons responsibility it is the whole organization including you and me to pass the info along.

It is a matter of common sense in the business  and organizational world that, when "rule" or procedural changes are made, ALL people affected are informed by any and every way possible.  It is not helpful for people who are inexperienced in the first place to find out on trial day that what they did was not correct.

Further, rule changes should be summarized and placed on-line on the web site and in the magazine months BEFORE they take effect. This means someone who can clearly communicate those rule changes in English, should be writing the summary. One of the saddest parts of this entire organization is how few of those in official positions can write a complete and clear sentence. The organization continues to shoot itself in the foot.

I think it is absolutely worth asking what does the organization do for us, especially when we pay dues and get little or nothing in return. The reason USA continues to shoot itself in the foot is EXACTLY because it is not run as a business.  There is little accountability and most people cannot go to meetings across the country just because they have a family, work, a business, or, in some cases, simply are not interested in the politics. Neither does the organization have a realistic way for all members to have their say. Simply saying send ones club rep to some meeting is inadequate and fosters a smaller group running the organization. Everyone should have a say and a VOTE. Continually doing all they can to reduce the numbers of participants only hurts the organization in the end.

As for reading rule books, yes, it is always a good idea and of course, I have read it and will read it again. Rather than keeping records of who bought rule books in the past, people have to see a notice to see that there are updates available and request them. I have done this. A set should be sent automatically to everyone who ever bought a rulebook.  I am willing to bet many have not even realized this update is available. Further, in my experience, most people who are new are so overwhelmed when they realize what all is entailed in learning to train their dog for Schutzhund that they are further turned off by being handed a book of rules which, so often, are not clear to begin with. They are better now than in the past. But for someone new, they are not crystal clear.  Tthere are better ways of keeping the membership informed. 

As for what I do personally for USA? I sponsor a club. We pay dues. We hold events. And I comport myself (as does every single member of my club) and my dogs always as a good representative of the breed and the sport. What do we get from the organization? Other than a magazine that is being remade into a MUCH improved publication, thanks to the hard work of Kathy M. and others, we receive nothing. Not much of a fair exchange if you ask us.

I have nothing personal against the DOJ and I am not saying it is simply his responsibility to clarify rule changes. But it seems to fall within the purview of his position. In any case, someone should be doing it. 

As for saying someone has a personal beef with someone just because they bring up an important issue? Well, that too is problematic. People are so defensive when anyone brings problems to the fore and that is another reason nothing improves. I do not know Diane personally, but I know she too has made many, many contributions to the organization, and to the sport. She, and anyone else who has an issue has a right to bring it up in whatever forum. One reason this forum is used might be because there is a growing sense that simply writing to the organization does nothing. For example, when letters about issues are sent and no one can even bother respond, well, then I guess I would find it entirely reasonable to take a complaint elsewhere and make it public.

Molly, I think she did.

This country and UScA is obviously not ready to be run by a lady.  Oddly enough, men are ruled by women everyday.

 This is nothing but another symptom of a ill organization.

                                This is nothing but business as usually, It is the responsibility of the member to know what the rules are when trialling,It is the responsibility of the Training director to be up on the latest versions of rules and impart that to there club members, It is the responsibility of the elected officials to make this information readily available to the general membership this organization is like the tail wagging the dog all thru history any endeavorer involving the elected official has been the few lead the many I think it was Benjamen Franklin(I could be wrong)  who said democracy is the worst form of government except for all others.  

 I,ve always wondered why the national meeting is held on Thursday before the nationals, so only the truly concerned would make the journey? or only those whose financial stability allowed time off work and  airfare ? I know for my self I,d like to see it on a weekend where some logistics are a little easier.

Until the all the political pissing matches and turf wars and ego,s subside this organization will fail to provide a clear cut path for it,s membership to rally around .

Until this organization has a agenda that concerns the welfare of the organization it,s self and the goals that the membership hold true it will never get out of the shadow of the European organization that it bows down to.

A smaller governing body truly responsive to it,s core membership, A rules committee concerned about rules application at our most national events as well as the local protocols, And a base membership who wont run to a s.v. judge for a trial judge   every time epically for our regional and national events. 

Until we can look at our organization proudly and back it we will flounder. 

This is a volunteer organization if you want change make sure those you elect to it,s governing position have YOUR concerns at heart and not follow there own agenda after elected or remind them they can be voted out of said office.

When was the last time you called your Regional Director with concern and talked to him about it? or called the elected officials and let them know how you feel? If we hold them accountable we may see a difference. If they won,t be held accountable then don,t reelect them.

Shelly,

Even though, "It's Not My Job", I'll get on it after this weekend's trial.  Having Belgium's President of the FCI working program officiating might help me understand how you are now able to down the dog for disarming the helper. When the new rules came out in 2004 stating you can disarm however you like.  I thought you could tell the dog sit, helper step back and turn around, then walk straight in for a side transport.  Silly me, I guess this was too creative. Telling the dog to down seems alot like an Aus/platz. which has been taboo but might not be now.

Another change that is hiding in the 100 page document is the callout from the H&B.  NOW the command is "Fuss"  ,  Maybe I'll show for IPO, as far as I know they haven't massacred them.  This isn't right folks and our leadership isn't leading.

Diane Madigan 

Wow I need to read through these changes, I did not realize there was such a change to the disarm, what is this down all about?!?!?  I have the new rules, but not had a chance to read them yet.

I am the Asst. RD for our region and I have asked our Regional Training Director to write up a memo of the rule changes and what the old rule was etc.  He can clarify any questions that seem unclear before we  then pass this along to all club training directors.

I know everyone should read their own rule books, but this is a good way to get the word out to clubs and ensure that we are all training to the new rules!  Perhaps all regional training directors should do the same thing!

Kari

Page 68 New Rules

Commands: (completion) "Fuss"/"Heel", "Platz/Down".  I've heard from members that have competed that the command "Hier" is gone.

Having the Regional Training Directors or even the apprentice judges provide changes is a great idea.  Maybe they could divide the document and put something together for all members? Kari, please forward me anything you receive.

Thanks.  Diane

Go to page 69, new rules and read under Call out of the blind.  It still says "here fuss"/"come heel"  And I have heard from others that it has not changed.  :)

You are right, we do need some clarification of the new rules so we don't go into trials blindly. 

It gets even better. While the USA is already enforcing change the actual rules they have not been fully implemented in Germany as of yet. If you trial in DVG here the changes have not been implemented yet.