What seminar trainers do you suggest? - Page 1

A goal of mine this year is to get myself to every seminar I can afford. It's time to get out my bubble and expand myself, should have done it years ago.

Here's my honest question. I have show line dogs, this is no secret. It is also no secret that many trainers/decoys have an aversion for showlines and I don't want to work my dogs with anyone who might make an example of them. I've heard many horror stories over the years of seminars gone bad, but I know there are fabulous, open minded teachers as well.

I am excited about the upcoming Flinks seminar, I've been told he is outstanding and very safe for all dogs. Can anyone else recommend any other trainers who conduct seminars that will treat my dog as fairly as any other?

I absolutely positively do NOT want a bashfest of ANY trainer, so if you really feel you must warn me of anyone who will run my poor soft show dog off the field kindly give me a headsup in a PM only. 

Who do you recommend for which phases? Problem solving? Is anyone a master of particular excercises, like retrieves or articles? Please share!

You should check out Kelly from Zwinger Von Isengard.

For tracking I would LOVE to go to a Gottfried Dildei tracking seminar. I use his tracking methods and have had very good luck.
http://gdildei.com/aboutus.aspx

Another trainer I would look into is Ivan Balabanov. I have several of his DVDs and the one I like the most is the "retrieve" one. Very good technics and also easy to understand. My dog has a clear understanding of what is expected and does a nice fast, happy retrieve. He also has a nice calm grip on the dumbells, no munching or chewing at all.

I went to see mia skogster , for obedience , if you get a chance ,dont miss it

Bernhard is great, he is extremely talented, gracious and a real gentleman.  My other favorite is Debbie Zappia.  Debbie is probably one of the best trainers in the US.  She is fantastic with obedience and her tracking style is awesome.  Those are two that I know personally and would highly recommend.

Jim

I went to an Ivan Balabanov seminar a little over a year ago. I didn't have a dog at the time, so went as a spectator with a few people from our Schutzhund club. I really enjoyed it as did the people from our club who worked their dogs. I tend to learn more when I go and watch and not when I take a dog, so I tend to do that if I can.
Our club had Phil Hoelcher here last year as well. I still didn't have a dog so was spectating. I did work a bitch for another member, though, so that was doubly fun. We are planning on having Phil back this spring since everyone really thought it was a great seminar (that guy is a maniac, up tracking 2-3 dogs before anyone got there every morning!). My husband just went to Phil's week long seminar in Florida in December and really got a lot out of it.
I have a new pup that I'm picking up in a week or so, so can't wait to get back into seminars when I have a dog to take, but it is much cheaper as a spectator ;).

Annette

Please heck www.k9-experts.com Orlando is well known as the "dog man can" Very good trainer in Tampa. He has seminars schedule all over USA.

Annette...I love Phil as well! What a guy!
He has the talent to keep everyone interested while he speaks.
A+
Robin

I attended a Bernhard Flinks seminar last year.  He said about my showline, "If all the showlines I see worked the way this dog works, I wouldn't ever say the things I say about showlines."  There was another showline there (not mine) who was one of the strongest dogs there, definitely a better working dog than all but 2 of the working line dogs.

He will be fair to your dog. 

If you are in Chicago area.  I would recommend Debbie Zappia.  Her style works perfect for showline dogs.  You need to contact OGBS (Steve) if there is any space available for a March event.

For incredible on-going training, I would recommend Phil Behun.  The guy really knows how to read dogs very well.  He has trained some of the top show dogs in Chicago.  If you are looking to get better scores at a trial, he will see everything that can help you.

Mark