Helpers in America - Page 1

In a previous thread "No disrespect to the folks that work with me, but I think the problem is that while the guys really put everything into their work, there are only a handful of excellent training helpers in America. Then a few more very good helpers, still more good helpers.....etc." (Bullet) How can one expect to score in protection if you have a really good dog, an experienced handler, but only a "good" helper for training, ie. someone who is safe and able to understand and physically follow the handler's instructions in training, assuming that the handler knows what his or her dog needs? Should the helper always be expected to be more knowlegable than the handler in order to be able to get a positive result? In addition, what should be done to improve the quality of helpers over here? I know there are now helper certifications, and so on, but what skill or way of working seems to be most missing?

<<<>>> More seminars for TRAINING helpers. We have lots of trial helpers or club helpers following trial routine, but it's Good training helpers that I see many clubs having a shortage of. <<<,I know there are now helper certifications, and so on, but what skill or way of working seems to be most missing?>>>> What I see missing a lot is Helpers that don't understand animal behaviour, drives, drive development. Helpers that don't have a feel for the dog. We definitly need more helpers with this type of experience, not just helpers doing the trial routine. The other thing important is to work your finished dog with some National level helpers, you'd be surprised how many people go to Regionals or Nationals with a dog that has never been worked with anyone but the club helper. BAM! reality check :) Another thing people need to do is work their dogs with helpers at different clubs, get the dog used to someone other than the club helper. That may be hard for some as their training directors won't allow them out from under their control and venture into the real world.

Uwe has made some very good points. Few handlers also know how to read their dogs. Helpers seem to be a dying breed. Some Leerburg videos do not make a helper. But new helpers are usually given a hard time, get discouraged or picked on instead of encouraged. Definitely the wrong approach. Handlers need to give new helpers a chance. They are not born with that skill, it takes a while to learn and perfect. Dogs will also not always encounter the ideal trial helper at a different clubs, so training with a green helper teaches the dog to cope with such situations. Clubs should invest in helper seminars, sending helpers there or hosting one (if interested, contact me), helpers need to go to other clubs as well and work other unfamiliar dogs and see their helpers work, work dogs of different breeds, work weak or problem dogs as well as the strong or easy dogs, clubs need to invite other helpers over ie for a training weekend. Instead of paying into the helpers pocket, fees should be invested in the club helpers such as pay for seminars. Having more helpers at the club to give the dogs a variety of helpers to work with is also a good idea.

Uwe has made some very good points. Few handlers also know how to read their dogs. Helpers seem to be a dying breed. Some Leerburg videos do not make a helper. But new helpers are usually given a hard time, get discouraged or picked on instead of encouraged. Definitely the wrong approach. Handlers need to give new helpers a chance. They are not born with that skill, it takes a while to learn and perfect. Dogs will also not always encounter the ideal trial helper at a different clubs, so training with a green helper teaches the dog to cope with such situations. Clubs should invest in helper seminars, sending helpers there or hosting one (if interested, contact me), helpers need to go to other clubs as well and work other unfamiliar dogs and see their helpers work, work dogs of different breeds, work weak or problem dogs as well as the strong or easy dogs, clubs need to invite other helpers over ie for a training weekend. Instead of paying into the helpers pocket, fees should be invested in the club helpers such as pay for seminars. Having more helpers at the club to give the dogs a variety of helpers to work with is also a good idea.

"That may be hard for some as their training directors won't allow them out from under their control and venture into the real world." (UWE) "But new helpers are usually given a hard time, get discouraged or picked on instead of encouraged. Definitely the wrong approach." (DH) Very well said answers, and I have seen the attitudes mentioned in the above quotes way too often. How is the sport supposed to grow and continue into the future with either (or both) of those attitudes? It won't.

Another problem is, if each club only has one helper, who works the helper`s dog. No one. There is a definite need for clubs within a region to work together.

I agree - but clubs need to support the new helpers and give them dogs to work on so they can learn...as well as being able to visit other clubs without causing a scandal. In some cases (NOT ALL, but it does happen) helpers don't seem to want to help new people started, (but complain that there is no one to work their dog), and trash everyone else's training methods and clubs.

I believe the need is for more QUALIFIED training helpers. In my club we have 5 certified helpers and two are EXCELLENT training helpers with years of experience behind them. With out them we would not have 3 certified helpers one being a woman. Now that does not mean they are training helpers but they are learning from the best to become training helpers and that can take a long time to achieve. The problem with new certified helpers is once they become certified they think they are qualified to be a traning helper and that is were you see alot of problems. Just because you are certified it does not make you a training helper. New handlers may not understand the diff.between a certified helper and a helper who is qualified to be a training helper and they work their dogs not understanding the dog and what it needs. The main problem is helpers who have 20+ years of experience put alot of time and effort into teaching new people who want to become helpers, once they are certified they never see them again and they go on to train other peoples dogs with out having the experience to do so. Because of this experienced helpers do not want to put the time and effort into new people. It takes years and dedication to become a training helper.Qualified training helpers are a dying breed. I am very fortunate to work with a few of the best helpers in the midwest and they do it for the love of the sport, dogs and handlers.

And how are you going to make a test for qualifying "training" helpers if no one can agree on the same methods of training in the first place? Older helpers need to help and encourage younger helpers more, and handlers need to bring their old dogs out to train the new helpers. Many breeders have strings of breeding females that are sitting on their butts and would die for a couple bites from a newbie. It takes a club to train helpers. Also, helpers who have worked dogs for a year need to realize that they don't know it all and try to go off and start their own club. It's the normal Schutzhund thing, at three months you know nothing, at a year you know it all, and in five years you realize how much more you have to learn.

I agree that the clubs are a part of teaching new helpers. In our club we use the older more experienced dogs for the new helpers. We also use them for new handlers. We also use the experienced show dogs in teaching handlers how to show their dogs.