Youth in Schutzhund? - Page 3

I just have to add my two cents here... When I was very young (9 years old) I wanted a GSD more than anything, I worked my butt off, did everything I could think of to convince my parents to let me have a dog. We always had dogs growing up, but they were mostly strays, mutts (not that there is anything wrong with those, they can be the best!) but I wanted a GSD. So, on my birthday I got a "gift certificate" to pick out and purchase a GSD pup. At just barely 10 years old I started doing research, learned what OFA was and got the basics of the different bloodlines (ie, German vs. American) I finally found a nice German Showline male pup from a local breeder and picked him up. I had been saving money from my $5 per week allowince and used it all to buy a crate because I read that crate training was the best thing to do for a pup. As soon as he was old enough, I was at every obedience class I could go to. My family thought it was a little strange as they had never really been that into dogs but they knew it was what I wanted so they let me do it. To make a very long story short, I got a CDX on that dog by the time I was 12 years old, I was very lucky in finding a trainer who saw my passion for the dogs and didn't write me off as a kid going because her parents made her. She would let me work around the shop cleaning things etc in trade for more classes. Shane was an intact very large and powerful male but he listened to me like I was god, lol. I would take him for walks with me everywhere, he outweighed me but never ever challenged me, obeyed perfectly. I know this was a little off the subject, but there are kids out there who have more passion for the sport than some adults, working with Shane is something I will never forget as long as I live....

Cleford, I'm sorry you live or train in an area where instructors and parents allow children to behave in the ways you describe. I have and raise both dogs and horses and have competed extensively with my horses. I also have worked with children of all ages with the horses very successfully. My grandsons, ages 6 and 8, spend summers with me on my ranch, and ride retired show horses, help gentle mustangs, and work & play with the dogs daily. It's a joy to watch them learning to respect the lives of other living creatures. I suspect the problems you encounter have more to do with the adults in attendence than the kids.

VBK9-- KUDOS!!! You Go Girl!!! You ARE what it is all about-- PJDogs

One of the best trainers I have ever seen was a young man at about age 14. He had been training for 4-5 years. His parents trained police dogs and he was exposed from a very early age. Did excellent bite work, knew how to work every level of dog.