Club dues and annual club cost? - Page 2

They have around 20-30 people that have paid to be in the club, and not all judges come from Germany. I think that the club I was in the trainer/handler is charging way to much, at least for me. I am in the Michigan area, and I would like to know if any other clubs charge this amount. Otherwise I guess I have to move to where Makosh and Joyce Nichols live.

Kelly, it sounds more like a training group than a club. At my club the dues are $300 for the 1st yr and $250 after that. If you decide not to pay the $350 or $150, will you not get help from the training director or the helper? can you still use the training field or tracking field?

I personally like SV/SVF OR FCI certified judges. If all of your dogs titles are not earned under a judge recognized by the SV, the titles are not valid for international competition. WDA and USA judges are not recognized internationally. The cost of a ticket from Chicago to New York is $300. There are some trainers in and around NY/NJ/PA that charge $40 per dog for 2 phases daily. Do the math for training twice a week for one month. I don't fault anyone for making a living. The problem is that the lines have become blurred between clubs and private trainers that run clubs. Kyle

I'm sure you can use the training field, but you won't have the help of the trainer/helper. You have to pay the trainer/helper the $350 if you want obedience and bite work per dog and for tracking you have to pay an additional $150 per dog. I guess the question for me is, is there any club groups in my area? and if so, do they have to pay these prices? I hope no one thinks I'm taking over this thread, because I'm not by any means. I guess I can start another thread.

Kelly I started the thread and have no problem with your input. What is the cost of insurance for your clubs and what companies are you using? Kyle

I honestly have No idea. I guess from wscottOO last statement that was made it does sound more like a group than a club. I don't remember paying anything for insurance. The club does have it's name up on the USA website if that makes a difference? I really don't want to put their name on here, but feel free to email me. They really did some damage to my 2 dogs, that is another reason why I don't go there anymore.

Our club charges 200.00 a year and we have a training field right on the TD property, 5 certified helpers and Plenty of room for tracking too. Club days are twice a week and if you want more you pay extra. We are a small club and that is how we like it. Can't think of a better deal then that.Also all members are required to be members of either WDA or USA.

That sounds like an awesome deal to me too! I do need to find a club around my area, because I have pups to train, so if anyone know's of a club in Michigan around the Holland/Grand Rapids area I would very much appreciate it. Otherwise I would have to send them away and I was already priced at $4,000 for 4 months. Really don't want that, because I want to learn as much as possible. I've already been in trials, but I will never stop learning.

Our club insurance costs about $600./yr. WDA club dues add $100. I do not get compensated for maintaining the training field, which is on my property, although my tractor-mower drinks gas like it was free and is always needing some kind of repair or maintenance... :((( My hubby fixes the poor old '74 International Cob Lo-Boy with its 400# 6' mower deck. Personally, I'd like to use its loader to dig it a hole big enough for itself and kick the dirt in on top of it. LOL The cost for bringing a German or Canadian SV judge is little or no higher than using a US judge if you purchase the ticket far enough in advance and look for airfare "deals". The BH MUST now be performed under an SV judge to qualify for the Korung... We have been "passing the hat" after each training session for gas & equipment for our helper, (Kyle) who drives about 90 min. to get here (proabably at break-neck speed in that Durango Hemi with the badge in his wallet;). I usually train 3 dogs in protection, sometimes 2, sometimes 4 (counting puppies) and put in about $20. per session. I encourage others to do the same, but I'm thinking we may have to increase that to $10./dog, maybe less for the little guys. The "template" by-laws I got from the WDA suggests a $200. one-time application fee and $250. yr. for 1 handler with up to 3 dogs, $300. for a family membership (up to 3 members), and $150 apiece for each family member over 3. At first I thought that was a little steep, but looking back at the amount of money the charter members have coughed up to buy equipment and make events go it seems cheap to me now. :) I know some clubs charge training fees per dog, by the month, from $20 to, uh... SKY HIGH. I think Andres Aportela's and Gary Hanrahan's clubs probably get the Gold-Digger awards for the East Coast, but there are a couple of others that are fast on their heels in this respect. Last I heard South County SC in Northern CA was up to $1,000. yr. + training session fees. Menlo Park is right there too. Both clubs have high membership numbers. No wonder they have such nice fields and club houses. LOL Sure is fun to visit them and go in their events! I admit I am definately (sp?)covetous of their facilities every time I visit. Other clubs have nice facilities because member donate time, materials and sweat equity, (case in point: Hegins Valley) and a few have deep-pockets land-owners I guess I had better contact a few more clubs and see what their dues and fees are up to these days, what limitations they have on number of dogs in training per handler, daily training fees, "assessments" (ahem!) etc. We don't want to buy a gold mine here, or run good prospective members off for lack of disposable income, but we don't want to be the poor kids on the block because we under-estimate the value of belonging to our club, either. Input appreciated. Thanks, Shelley

Shelly: South County club fees are $600 the first year and $250 after that and $1 per training session way, $10 for non members,always has been this way and not bad of a deal when you have Martin and Thomas Vollrath and Dave Delessigues as your helpers. The field is not the best in our region but its most famous field in Sch as far as the US and suits the needs of those that train on it. Regards, Mario Fernandez