Rule Changes - Page 2

When I first started in Schutzhund in 1993 someone told me to read the rulebook.  I think all newbies should do it.  Any questions on rule changes ask your training director or regional director.  In a trial ask the judge.  I found over the years this is the best way find out info.

Going on a public forum and talking politics is not my dog training.  Sounds like something personal between Diane and the DOJ.

Hodie USA is not a business, the officers are voted in and are not paid.  Many of the people that go to the meetings are taking time off work away from families.  They miss training days etc.   It is easy to critize, but we need to ask ourselves what have we done for our organization, besides paying our club dues?

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.

 

Thank you Diane!!!

I've said it before - you should run for USCA President - the organization needs the changes you bring to the front, and someone who realizes what is important for the membership.

molly

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.

My club voted for her :)

 

molly

 

 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.

 

     

Bob McGowan wrote:"If we hold them accountable we may see a difference. If they won,t be held accountable then don,t reelect them."

Exactly why I brought up the topic of rule changes. To hold them accountable. Even with a copy of the new rule changes there is still the problem with continuity at our events.  At our recent North American, handlers were not allowed to tell the helper to step back for disarming.  Yet the new rules state: The handler tells the helper to step back ONE pace. If the dog is sitting, the handler commands the dog to "down" and disarms the helper.  This rule was from one of our judges that DID participate at the Judges College.  This is nothing personal against Mr. DOJ or any other USA judge. However, this is personal to myself, my training, my club, and my dogs.  This is a sport and you tell me what other sport a competitior shows up not being made aware of rule changes until the start.

Please note, the DOJ is elected by his peers, not the General Board....which really should be evaluated as to his position on the Executive Board because he is not elected by the General Board.

Back to training, we have a trial next week. Showing 2 dogs and hope I remember the secret handshake at tracking.

Diane Madigan

 

Hmmmm maybe this would not be such an issue, if more of the USA judges actually trialed themselves...as required by the RULES of the judgesl program? They are required to actively train ans show (trial) a dog while judges. How many of them do? How many haven't had a leash in their hand since the last century? As I recall, Bill Fields was damn near bludgeoned about the fact that he had not shown a dog in 5 years at the Madison GBM.

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

Yeah, sure... I'll get right on that. LOL  ...but if I don't get to it this year for some reason,  feel free to go ahead and publish the Reader's Digest version.

SS

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