SV-BSP results - Reality check - Page 1

Doesn't the results from this years SV-BSP, bring us to reality as too how difficult the sport of Schutzhund is?
You can one year be on top and then the next at the bottom.
Even the big names can't get it right, year after year.
It's very daunting knowing that they, with all their knowledge and experience still are not guaranteed a podium place. So what do we the 'beginners' have chance wise at making it to the top?
Well, we can think that every night/weekend training might get us there.
But the reality is that it wouldn't.
You need to surround yourself with people who have the knowledge (if they are willing to share) helpers that know what they are doing and the dog that can cope at that level.
You need to dedicate your life to the sport. Your family has to understand and willing to let you spend many hours dedicated to the sport.
And if you are fortunate to have all the above, you will still need a bit of luck on the day to get that podium place.
So is it worth it???
Yes, because when you finish on top and crowned No1 in the World, you and everyone involved in this sport knows, it wasn't by some chance.
We all know what it must have taken to get there, because reality is most of us will never make it!!!
I take my cap off to all those that have achieved it - well done!

I agree, and i think yours is an excellent post,  but then when I read so many detractors, who talk about how schutzhund is just  too easy for them,  then  I think I must be a simpleton!

Interesting observation.  Points and being number one are for us and our ego.  The dog has no clue, he just knows he got a big pat on the head and that you showed him you are pleased.  So if you want to sacrifice the time away from YOUR family, so that you fuel YOUR passion and YOU receive the accolades, is very much a personal decision.  Yeah, the planets need to align, you must be having a biorhythmic high and be part of a great team.  But in reality why would we think that being at the top of dog sport would be easier than being at the top of any "professional sport"? For the most part clubs are full of weekend hobbiest.  Those that stand out and see results are those that put in training outside of the group on a regular, consistant basis. Sometimes working smarter is better than working harder. Something about needing 10 thousand hours of time to be considered an expert in that field.  WIth hard work and dedication, you to can be on the podium on Any given Sunday.
JMO
Kyle

At any Sport you have to train and be dedicated be it a human effort or one with your Dog, No matter what some may say you do not get to the top of a sport without considerable effort and time. I for sure know that day in day out 5 to 6 times a week for years, and was it worth it too me it was and so it is the same with the very few who reach the dizzy heights of World level at the sport of Schutzund, they work hard and they know what they are doing, There are many who get to Club level Sch and then they are happy, it is the ones who look for higher goals who are the real dedicated trainers, Having watched Top ScH trials at country level you can see how much it means to the ones taking part,
I look at it this way you have an 8 week old Pup so for the first 4 months of its life you teach it the basices and you do it in a play mode but all along you are imprinting in the Pup what you want then on to the next 8 months of its life it begins to work as you hoped it would, slowly it starts to come together
Already the Handler should have a Goal set meaning what he or she has planned out for the Pup in the Sport of ScH, this is how i have gone about it, first a Show grade then a Social test to see how the Dog reacts among strange dogs, and this Prep would have been part of its training as it grew up, Then of course the BH followed by the AD by this time we have reached the age of 15 to 16 months old, then  working towards ScH1 which should be well in advance if everything has gone to plan, So for me although i have lost 4 months work training earlier on we have made up a certain amount of ground, So what i have got from Izzy is really with 12 months working with her from an 8 week old Puppy so i can be happy with her
Steve1

the enjoyment of your dog doesn't have to be some lonely journey! My family enjoys my involvement and isn't pressured to join me. I support what they like as they do me.......The pursuit of the podium is relevant to those that choose to pursue such....while I have no asperations to be on the world team...the enjoyment I have locally and regionally is fine by me. My dogs and I are enjoying ourselves and developing our relationship....isn't that what it's about...well for me it is anyway!  Happy training!

What makes dog sport - I believe to be more difficult than other 'professional sport' is the simple fact that we are working with a dog.

Just to balance the dog in all three phases is a big task. You might get 100-100-85 then by getting the high 90 for C you will find you will then get 93-92-96.
Getting high 90's for all three phases at high level is no simple task.
Just when you think that teaching the dog all the various disciplines to get to SchH3 is difficult enough, you then have to find a balance between all the phases.

Wouldn't it be great for someone, who has won at the WUSV, to write a book on the journey they have had.
Describing their highs and lows and what it was like to finally get it all right on the day.
 

Judron: Same here!  IF I can say at the end of the day I tried my hardest, was always fair to my dog, and my dog and I make a  great team, it doesn't matter if it's just local, it doesn't matter if I don't make the podium (though god knows I want to), I am happy.

My DH understands I need this specific thing (schutzhund and GSDs) about as much as I need air to breathe.  It makes me a better and more easy going  person when I am with him.  He has his own very passionate hobby too, he is a competitive skeet/five stand/ etc., shooter.  For the type of people we are, it's healthier  for our relationship for each to have a seperate hobby, rather than share the same one, because we tend to get a little too  competitive with each other!  But we know this about ourselves, so  in our situation it's best  to appreciate what the other is doing, and be each others cheerleaders, but from a distance, celebrate each others highs and commiserate in our lows.  I guess this might be a little different from most, but it has worked for us.  We have been together since high school, more than 35 years. 

I am so lucky to have such a wonderful and supportive DH, he is my very best friend.

There is a video documentary of Kevin Lanouette going to europe, training and looking for dogs.  Then comes back to the USA and trains for the nationals in like 2004 w/ Gizmo.  I have attended quite a number of seminars and use the breaks to ask the various world level trainers those questions.  Schutzhund training is very often like getting a secret recipe out of Grandma, or Aunt Jean, lol.  Sorry for the thread jack.

Marions,

"Wouldn't it be great for someone, who has won at the WUSV, to write a book on the journey they have had.
Describing their highs and lows and what it was like to finally get it all right on the day."


This looks promising.

http://interviewswithvit.blogspot.com/2009/09/q-at-bsp-with-schmiedegarten.html