USA Memberships - Page 2

As the chair of the Schutzhund USA Magazine Committee I can tell you that the number of magazines we've printed over the last three years (the period of time I've been involved with the magazine) has gone up and down a little at a time. In the end, it's just about even.  So I would say that the naysayers don't have correct information when they say the membership is dwindling.

I would also say, this is an election year for USA, and if there is ANY WAY you can get a delegate to the meeting in Hutto, Texas, do so.  Have a fund raiser, take up a collection, do something.  This is an important election.

Kathy

Kathy

I look forward to seeing your picture every other month.

 I agree that economics, and gas prices, has a great deal to do with people's decisions to pursue the sport, and therefore, continued membership in USA.   Personally, I am at a point where I must decide whether I want to purchase a new vehicle in order to continue.   My Forester cannot accommodate two large crates.  My Sch 3 male is 9, and has a constricted leg muscle, but still loves to work (he doesn't even know he is gimping funny).  But, I have an obnoxious bitch puppy  ( 7 mos) who is a work in progress.  I have to leave one or the other at home on training days, now.  It is not fair to the male and it would be counter-productive with the bitch to leave either at home.  So......   off I go to the dealerships to have another car payment strapped to my neck...for schutzhund and only for schutzhund.   UGH!!

Mystere, are you sure you can't find crates to fit?  I have a Honda Element which I wouldn't think would be much bigger than a Forester.  I cannot fit two 500 series crates in the back, but digging around on-line my hubby found a pair of wire crates that are a few inches narrower than the standard plastic 500 crate, and they both fit side-to-side.  Just barely, but they fit!  Both our dogs have adequate room in these crates.

Have you checked ALL your options before plunking down the cash for a new vehicle???  I hope this helps!

Yvette

Nia check in to getting some custom ones built .. I can fit 2 dogs in my saturn  I made mine out of 1/2 metal tubing theye are bigger than a 400 but smaller than 1 500 dogs fit fine

Nia check in to getting some custom ones built .. I can fit 2 dogs in my saturn  I made mine out of 1/2 metal tubing theye are bigger than a 400 but smaller than 1 500 dogs fit fine

 Girl,   I have done everything to avoid a car payment!!

The problem is that the stupid rear seat in the Forester does not fold down flat.  That is why I had to stop taking my first bitch to training and for years only transported the male.   I am convinced that being left alone, when she knew we were going to training, contributed to the bitch going down-hill.  Absolutely convinced.  So much so that I do NOT want the same thing to happen to my male.  He is 9, looks and acts 4 and is still a powerful, over-the-top drive dog.   But, he has a constricted muscle in a rear leg, so  he gets to mostly track and "train" the new helpers at club training.  He is not in pain, just "gimpy."   I do have  a letter from the vet clearing him to trial, which a couple of judges have accepted and allowed him to trial in the past year.  

I looked into having the rear seats removed.  Apparently, there is a hole in the back, if I do, and water from the street could come in.     I looked into a trailer.   The Forester is so low that I could not see out the back at all--the triler was only a couple of inches shorter.   I am one of those drivers who has always looked over the shoulder quickly, as well as used the mirrors.  I cannot drive with just the mirrors alone. 

I checked out the narrow crates, but the non-flat seat defeats that, too.  My dogs spent too much time in the crate during training to have one on an uneven surface for an extended period of time.  And NOBODY wants my dogs in crates outside the car--the male is an expert at taking a wire crate apart and "appearing" on trial fields.  (He LOVES retrieving over the jump!!).   This obnoxous bitch puppy is like having a monkey or chimp in a canine body.   She will get out of a crate, too.

Mind you,  Ms. Nia is also notoriously inept at parking a car.   I have entertained hundreds  iof pedestrians over the years, who crcked up just watching me attempt to parallel park a car.  Any car--CRX, Forester, Jeep.  A full-size SUV and I would be a laugh-fest. 

I looked into used vehicles, but I want a "certified pre-owned." Well, that is only in luxury SUVs and if I am going to get a used one of those, I might as well be a brand new one lacking the fancy name.   So, I am thinking of a Nitro or Jeep.  A van would be more practical, but I cannot stand driving a "soccor-mom" vehicle. 

Ha!  I've seen Nia's male, he is a serious SOB, and  if that hitch in his giddyup  slows him down in the least,  I sure as hell couldn't see it, it just makes his gait "unique".  By the way, one of the most endearing things I've ever seen is Miss Nia and her monster "talking" to each other when she puts him up after sleeve work and right before she gets him out.

 And my non-believing ass is PRAYING that he does not  teach this obnoxious puppy to be as vocal as he is!!   Hmmm That's a good reason NOT to have them both in the same vehicle.  Can you imagine two of them????  YIKES!!

 He still loves to work and the only thing I do not want him doing because of the leg is jumping in obedience because of the strength imbalance and the fact that he seems totally unaware that there is an issue.  I had planned to enter him in the AWMA Championship because it is the last time non-Mals will be allowed, but we simply have not trained for the past several months, because I was devoting the time (and vehicle space) to the puppy.   He was so determined to go to training Sunday that I had to literally drag him outside to his kennel.  I never had to manhandle him before, and he has never flat-out physically resisted me.  It broke my heart so  much to see his face after kenneling him that I left the puppy at home, too!!!  Yep, I went to training all by myself!!   THAT is when I decided I had to get a new SUV.   We cannot continue like this.

Thought about a trailer??  doesn't have to be a custom job, much cheaper than a car payment!