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Hi. My name is Cam. I'm fifteen years old and have been fascinated by dogs since I was able to walk and talk. I only found out about schutzhund two years ago. I have a Border Collie mix, that I do agility and obedience with, but that's not really the dog sport I want to do. The German Shepherd Dog is the breed for me, and schutzhund is something I am very passionate about. I am fortunate enough to live near a schutzhund club, and since our family fosters GSDs for the local rescue (after tons of convincing from me) I've gotten to talk to some really knowledgable people and pick their brains. But see the thing is, my parents refuse to allow me to have a GSD of my own. I volunteer at the SPCA and am coming close to titling our Border Collie with AKC's Canine Partners. I've worked out any problems with our foster GSD's and I know I can do this. I want to do this. But that's the problem with being 15, you can't go forward in anything you're passionate about unless you have money and parent approval. 

Sorry for rambling... I watch this forum all the time and have learned a lot by reading the questions and answers. I saw the video someone posted of their 14 year old daughter doing schutzhund and thought I'd make an account on here. I guess I was wondering what, if anything, else can I be doing to learn more about schutzhund?  Is there any way I can participate in it any more?  

Thanks.

Maybe there is someone at the Schutzhund club who has a dog they are not working themselves that you can handle on club training days?

Margaret N-J

Cam77
Your best bet is to go to the ScH Club and show your interest, Help out where you can and if your guys are like ours over here when Dogs are working on the field there are about 8 or more other club members on the field whist the dogs are working watching and some forming a group for the Dog and Handler to use. It is very social and everyone helps each other
If your local club turns out like this it is a bonus, Ask your parents permission to go first and tell them you want to learn and take active part in the club they may well relent and let you have a dog or  better still a Puppy to train
Saying all this and i do not mean it unkindly towards your parents but you could use it as a hint to them
If my 15 year old Son or Daughter was interested in this Sport i would do everything i could to foster it, Why' simply i know they would be out of harms way not getting into trouble of any kind and also learning to handle a dog correctly as well as having a lot of fun and learning to be responsible in handling an animal it will stand you in good stead later in your life
They should jump at the chance of you going to this club
Steve1

 Cam:

             Your right at your age Mom and Dad rule the roost. If there okay with you hanging out at your local Schutzhund club and the T.D. is also okay with it go and watch you will learn alot by watching and seeing how the other dogs are handled and worked with don,t be afraid to ask a question if you have one(hoping the group is sociable). See if you can talk Mom or Dad into going to the club with you and watch if your passionate about it and you relay that passion to your parents maybe they will be more receptive to your new found interest.

Good luck and keep us posted on your experience, I hope it becomes a wonderful experience for you.


 


    

Hey Cam.....Why not become a helper:-) This way you can learn and be prepared when you get a dog to work. Seeing the dog in front of you is totally different than the view from behind:-)

Good Luck and listen to your parents:-)

Cam, you are a sensible girl and having discovered schutzhund and reading much about it for 2 years without jumping into get a dog is a good step forward.  If you had volunteered at the SPC, you could do the same in your local schutzhund club.  When you show your interest to the TD and help out at the SC, you will learn even more in getting to understand the temperament of the dogs there.  When you are ready and with your parents approval, do more research on where you are going to get your dog, the right sort of dog where you can be confident to handle and train.

Acquire more reading materials on schutzhund, a good start IMO is Ivan Balabanov and Michael Ellis.

Good luck and I am sure you will excel in your chosen sport.

Some of the best trainers I know started with fostering rescue dogs. They learned a lot about behavior and how to read a dog and figure out what motivates them. It gave them a tremendous background to begin training with a few years later. Take advantage of that opportunity while you have it.

I usually retire my females while they have enough life left in them to be an introductory dog to the sport. Maybe there is someone in your area that will give you a retired dog when you are ready.