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by ONLINE on 08 January 2008 - 00:01
JUST WANTING TO GET EVERY ONES THOUGHTS ON SDA

by jletcher18 on 08 January 2008 - 01:01
what is sda
john

by TDC on 08 January 2008 - 01:01
It's a great orginization, the training is some of the best. The obedience is very similar to schutzund and the protection requires dogs with very strong nerve. Helpers put real pressure and treats on dogs to see if they will stand their ground.
Service Dogs of America clubs are starting to pop up around the country as people learn more about the oginization, the trials are very enjoyable and the members try hard to make everyone welcome.
At their last trial there were a number of indiviuals who are in schutzund came and participated, also noticed how several K9 officers participate and I assume this because their dogs are really tested in SDA trials. Dogs must really prove how they can turn it on then turn it back off when asked by their handlers.
Check out their web site Service Dogs of America.
by ONLINE on 08 January 2008 - 03:01

by GSDfan on 08 January 2008 - 11:01
I think it is great to have this alternative protection sports venue to compete and title in. I am looking foreward to checking it out this year.
Regards,
Melanie
by roxie on 08 January 2008 - 12:01
I attended my first SDA event last fall in Athens, TN. I found the club members to be extremely helpful, friendly and welcoming. The dogs really have to perform to obtain their titles. I plan to hopefully get a GSD of my own and start competing and titling my dog in SDA - my husband is already heavily involved with this group. Check out the website, it is very informative. Appears Service Dogs of America is beginning to take off! I'm excited about this venue.
Take care . . .
by Gustav on 08 January 2008 - 13:01
I think this organization (SDA) is an excellent opportunity for the breed to demonstrate its utitliy and excellence. I often notice a little reluctance from the Sch elitest to condone/encourage this program almost as if Sch is the only definite way to evaluate a working dog. (Not saying this was said but what is unsaid speaks voumes). But...I think for Working dog enthusiasts I think this represents a lot of what we want the GS to be able to do. Especially in practical terms. Please nobody say that Sch is the breed test for GS, WE all know that but the dog is a working dog first(IMO), and these type of training excercises are closer to what many people did when the overall temperament of this breed (in this country) was much better overall. This should be strongly endorsed by any true GS person as a good means to evaluate the state of condition of the GS as a working dog. I know it is sport also, but it is less sport oriented than some other activites. Finally, Any good GS would probably LOVE these excercises, so is it about the dog or our egos?????JMO
I am not trying to compare Sch, this thread is about SDA, I just think based on what is desired in their program this is great for the dog!!!
by vom ost see on 08 January 2008 - 13:01
i've trialed with SDA,JACK RAYL is probably one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet...great facility!they have expercienced helpers and fair judging...as compared to schutzhund....in my opinion,you don't have to have the "ultimate heeling/super high level obedience dog",yet the O/B exercises are "REAL-WORLD" type, the things that the average owner/handler(of a capable dog)would encounter daily...i've been to two trials at JACK'S place and enjoyed myself....my older dog"ENZO VOM DUNHILL-BH/WH/ASR-EL/SDA-F.O./P-1" has "SDA TITLES"....this organization test for "family compatability and true protection".it may well be that SCHUTZHUND is the goal that most will aspire to,and thought by many to be the most legitimate...but i have no problem with "SDA" as an alternate organization,or even the "PRIMARY" venue to test and title a dog..and believe me...it gets harder as you progress thru the different degrees....if a person went thru all of the titles,from"F.O." to the higher degrees,i wouldn't hesitate to say that they would be a capable and bonafied team in any personal protection situation....plus they are scantioned by "UKC"(WHICH MAY BE THE REASON AKC IS SCRAMBLING TOWARD WORKING TITLES)...i would advise...go to a trial,meet the people and decide for yourself...maybe you'll like SDA,maybe you'll prefer SCHUTZHUND,or both.....enjoy your dogs.....

by shasta on 08 January 2008 - 13:01
I have been involved in starting one of the first clubs on the west coast (California) and spoke quite a few times with Jack Rayl and Bill Seltzer and found them both to be extremely helpful. We had a bit of a glitch with the paperwork and need to re-submit which I will do soon, we've also had a rough time getting on a regular schedule, but we've been working on some of the exercises for a bit here and I for one am having a blast with them. The majority of our club members are also schutzhund club members as well as some clients who just want the family protection dog, there's something in it for everyone.
Granted I have not been able to travel to any events yet, the events are mostly several states away for me, but just in talking with the people there doesn't seem to be quite the ego...maybe later as more people grow interested, but I haven't seen that from the heads of the organization and it's a breath of fresh air. Don't get me wrong, I still do schutzhund:-) that's another one of the beauties of it. They seem to compliment each other nicely....

by Ceph on 08 January 2008 - 13:01
I recently just joined the SDA and I am very glad I did :) I dont have a club nearby -- but our helper is certified to do helper work with the SDA - and we've had a couple of Maly's come up here to breed to a stud that have worked SDA in Tn - they came to a training session and I got to see how it worked.
lol - I dont think there is quite as much ego in this group - I think partially because it has lower level titles that are aimed at family dogs as well as upper level titles for working breeds. Our helper trained a Boston Terrier in bitework at Premiere in 05 - I didnt see it happen - but i have seen the pictures - it was something else!
I think that it is one of those organizations that is slowly growing - and so far I have alot of respect for the people in it (if you go to their website you will see a guy named Damien working is pitty - I have a HUGE amount of respect for that guy). Our helper has been great, and the judge we have in the area is also a pretty cool guy.,..and the videos and pictures I have seen have all impressed me.
Like Shasta said - I think it compliments SchH nicely - and I am going to do both - but I think in the end I will probably end up being more heavily involved in the SDA because in general I am more heavily involved with the UKC.
~Cate
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