Need Info on youth's wanting to do SCH.... - Page 1

Is anyone's young child involved in the sport that can tell me a little about the youth program with SCH USA?

My 10 yr old daughter is really interested in learning.  She sees us training every week when the trainer comes and watches me all week long in the backyard working with Agar and now she's asked me when she can do it too.  I've been considering getting her her own dog to start with and thought this would be a nice thing for her and I to do "together".

A friend of mine told me they heard that there were actual Shutzhund summer camps for youths where they take their dog with them and it's a fun thing for them but yet also learning the sport.  He didn't know the details though so I wondered if anyone heard of such a thing, where it was at and who I'd contact for more info?  If there is such a thing I know she'd absolutely LOVE it and want to go next summer.  Hell, I'd want to go. lol 

Do clubs take in young kids that are wanting to get started in the sport?  Do they compete at trials using the same routine as the adults do?

Any info is appreciated. 

Schutzhund USA has a Youth program. I am unaware of a summer camp but maybe they do offer one. Does your trainer work with a local club? If so speak to him/her about it.

Good Luck

Schjunkie-  My trainer does not work with a club; he used to but got out of it a long time ago.  I thought if such a thing existed it sounded like a neat idea.

http://germanshepherddog.com/youth_program.htm

not a whole lot there.  but there is a contact name.  good for your daughter.

Rezkat5- Thanks for the link.  I did contact her for information.  I hope she gets back to me.  I just thought someone here may have a little one already in the youth program that could have given me some ideas.

We have some young folks at my club that come and participate. We have a 13 year old young man who's dad is our club helper and he does a pretty good job with the sleeve on too- the kid has the moves...

I would check with your club and make sure they are ok with young people coming. A lot of them are not.

Also youll have to be pretty particular about the dog for her so it wont be too much for her size-wise.

Jehannum-  She's only 10 and already told me that although she likes to see the dogs doing bitework and realizes it's controlled she said she doesn't think she'd want to do that part for a while until she knows how to do all the rest like the obedience.  I think this was music to my ears.lol  Eventually I feel if she stuck with it, really enjoyed it she'd gain enough confidence that in a couple more years she'd like to go to that next level.  But I thought she could gain some experience with obedience, tracking and put a BH on a dog until she got to that level.

We have 2 options right now.  I have a 5 months old pup that we're working with right now and she seems to be able to handle him no problem.  But I was intending to do possibly some sport with him myself as I'm still new also.  The other option I had in mind was there's a very nice 3 yr old I'm considering for her since she's been trained by a 14 yr old; leading me to believe this dog may be ideal for my daughter.  The dog is not titled yet but she is ready as far as her obedience goes.  I just don't know if I want a third dog right now.  This is becoming an addiction and my husband is beginning to lose his patience with me. lol

This is becoming an addiction and my husband is beginning to lose his patience with me. lol

It doesn't take long does it?

My hubby did once tell me that we won't ever have more than 4 dogs. 

That's enough for me to work with. 

You know what they say..."Husbands come and go, Dogs are forever"  Oh maybe they don't say that, but I do.

4pack- I've already told him if I had to make a choice who'd have to go Agar or him....boy I'd sure miss my hubby. lol  And yes husbands do come and go- this aint my first rodeo! lol 

I think the addiction came on pretty fast....kinda like a crackheads first hit. lol  My first GSD was Agar and he was the perfect dog from the moment he came out of his crate we instantly bonded and I knew this was gonna be the dog that would break my heart when he passed on years down the road.  I don't even want to ever think of that day.  So now I want all my GSD's to be just like him. lol  Probably not gonna happen but it's wishful thinking.  3 is my absolute limit and right now I'm a 2. lol  Still room to grow but I'm not giving my husband a chance to "adjust" to my illness. lol  He's looking into therapy for me currently. lol 

When I convinced him to let me buy Agar I gave up our vacation to buy him.  Then at X-mas he sat Agar under the tree and said "Merry Christmas, Kwanza, Haunika, Happy birthday and Anniversary... for the next 5 years." lol  I said "that's ok, he's worth it!"  He never did stict to what he said.  He knew better.  I'd go on strike faster than the Teamsters!