schutzhund for beginners. - Page 1

I would recommend any newbie to find a private group trainer rather than a club.  Unless of course you can find a really good club.  Reason being a newbie with a pup needs ALOT of help and nurturing...many clubs are not willing to put in the time you need...Some clubs won't even take a newbie with a pup/novice dog.  Every so often, however, a club will have a very dedicated and nurturing TD...so it's not impossible to find.

Using a private group trainer you will get alot more personal attention and help that a newbie really needs.  You will progress much faster in this environment.

Very good GSDfan.  Exactly what I would of said from my personal experience also.  But would add one thing.  Whether a private person or training club....you know your own dog.  If something does not "feel" right, by all means, speak up.  Bad training makes Bad dogs!!! :)

Christine

My recommendation will contradict the previous ones. I started out with a couple of private trainers while i went on the search for the perfect club. What I found in private trainers, didn't meet my needs nor the needs of my dog when I started. I was the MOST FORTUNATE of newbies when I started, I found the perfect club, with the perfect members, who were all so very willing to share information and answer my thousands of questions. For me, being able to see others in various stages of training, from puppy imprinting, to green dogs, to seasoned handlers and dogs made my quest for knowledge fruitful. I could watch, observe, and ask questions. In the private trainings, I had nothing to compare to, limited time, and I didn't get the benefit of seeing WHY it was so important to take training slow and build foundation. In club training, I could see all stages of dogs being trained by several stages of knowledgeable handlers and trainers. That was more beneficial to me than anything I had previously.

To this day, I am still amazed that the club I wanted to join accepted my application and voted me in. I must have been the MOST annoying newbie they ever encountered. I am probably still very annoying as I still have questions for many of them on a daily basis.

Oh, I forgot, my favorite part of being at a club vs a private trainer,......the advantage of having several people who have several ideas for each dog. The information, thoughts and ideas that are shared amoungst that kind of a group, often helps. Then there are the additional eyes that can help point out what you are doing correctly and what you are doing incorrectly. This is more valuable than you will know.

Your success revolves around the helper. Find an experienced helper that has a track record imprinting young dogs. It's that simple.

if you can find a club that is willing to help a new person that would be great, but you will get more 1 on 1 attention from a private trainer.  as a club member and helper i know that most folks dont stilck w/ schutzhund, show up consistantly, or start reading articles on the internet and think they have it figured out. which makes it a bit frustrating for me as a helper if you miss several sessions and we have to start over again.

IMO a private trainer would be better for someone brand new.  although you have to be carelful abou the trainer training the dog for you. Ive seen many people who mistake thier ability to train a dog w/ thier ability to do what the trainer says do.

its hard for beginners...  best of luck to you

Deeswolf you are very lucky to find a club like that, that is very good for you.

In my experience...after many inquiries to other clubs with no response (no one had time for a newbie), the first club I did get into was very welcomming...it didn't have alot of members but the pres. was very helpful with tracking and had a genuine interest in my progress and success.  The helper was very patient with me learning the ropes in protection and was also very helpful in OB. 

My second club was not a good environment for newbies...but since I was fairly experienced and my dog already had a SchH1 I did get a warm reception.  The newbies that visited the club while I was there weren't exactly showed the door but IMO were given an overcritical "evaluation"...enough to never see them again.  This club seemed to want their new members to be expeirenced with and experienced dog...it was more of an everybody get together and practice environment, rather than let's train hard in each phase to get some titles.  The young dogs in this club did not progress very quickly...the older dogs did fine but practiced the "routine" too much IMO.  The TD helped in protection but was not there every week.  I could not imagine a newbie comming in to this club with a pup or novice dog really getting anywhere.

I had a friend who had interest in the sport but was very intimidated by it too.  She was not confidnet in her ability to train and handle a dog especially to a schH 1...it seemed like a very tall task to her to say the least.  She had a nice drivey showline pup that I wanted to see her try with and have fun with it....I was worried about sending her just anywhere.  Knowing how much personal attention she'd need....and we all know what alot of SchH folks think of showlines.  I decided to send her to a private group trainer that wasn't far from her.  I prepared her for how she might be recieved with a showdog, but I was pleasently surprised :-)  She entered in with a good attitude to have fun and learn the sport...she is extremely happy with the experience, the quality of training and everything she has learned.   This trainer is one of the best in the area with a very good reputation.

I also want to add that I do not think people should train SchH on a 1on 1 basis.  It is very important to watch other dogs train at different levels to learn about the sport and the dogs.  I'd say that I have gained just as much, if not more knowledge by watching other dogs and handlers than I have learned from doing the sport with my dog.

Regards,

Melanie

I'd be very careful of the "fun club". The one where people with dogs just get together to train. These can be very nice if someof the people have a lot of experience to share. Make sure that the guy who is supposed to be main trainer is what he claims. If you can't varify what he says he's accomplished I'd not let him help train my dog. He may not no how to bring out the best in every dog at every age. I was recently aquainted with such a club. The others in the club were good people and also wanting to learn more. Unfortunately the "main guy" couldn't be varified and wasn't doing my young male any good. So I  decided to go with a real trainer. My young dog is doing incredible.

Remember that practice doesn't make perfect. PERFECT PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT. If you have someone that is showing you and your dog the wrong way your creating problems that may not be able to be fixed very easily down the road.