Observations of the WUSV quali - Page 1

I had the opportunity to attend and observe a great group of dog handler teams at this very important event.  With that said there are several observations I have made (all fact based).  I would like to generate a list of some of those.

*UScA responsible for this years qualification
*based on direct questioning of local public no knowledge of event.  The change of time was not made common knowledge to the public.  At the location there were no signs to indicate to the public that the decision was made to move the start time to 7pm (versus 10 am) or any other means to indicate this.
The website for the UScA was never updated to reflect these changes (even as of 6/6/11).
*Dieter Dust was one of the judges for the event, incorrect information remains on the website.
*Event tee shirt only displayed part of the organizations partaking in this event (the local host club, UScA was on the shirt. GSDCA-WDA was not represented on the event shirt)
*Two junior handlers participated in this years quali


This one bothers me the most, but this is another fact.

*There was no award ceremony, no trophies, no certificate, no podium.

This is my opinion.  I am disappointed in that there were several comments that were made that this is supposed to be a "non event."  I do not know what that means, but I know that some people have worked years to be at this level of competition and to brush this off is vain.  I observed (during the event) a dummy dog whose handler rewarded with a toy and food on the field, wore an e-collar, and also bopped the dog on the head with the dumbbell....all on the competition field as the entered dog was on the long down.....during the trial.  It is my opinion that such behavior not be tolerated on the trial field on the local let alone national level.

Who is sponsoring the team uniforms??   

I am the competitor who was on the long down during the "dummy dog". I want to THANK the handler who showed his dummy dog in that heat.We needed a dummy dog at the last minute because someone pulled at the stadium!! I want to THANK this same handler who VOLUNTEERED to be Tracking Coordinator for this event. I want to THANK this same handler who took his dog out and allowed BOTH helpers to tryout on his dog! He did NOT want to use his dog as a dummy dog but did so when NO ONE else stepped up! As for his using a toy.... so what! It is called Down during distraction! If my dog broke the long down, shame on me! He wasn't trained right and I deserve to lose the points! This was the first year for this event and many mistakes were made, but hopefully we all learned from them and next year will be better. It's easy to sit in the stands and bash away!! That person who showed his dummy dog stepped up big time! He should be thanked not bashed! Thanks Mike for all you did for every competitor!! 

John Horan
w/ Cholo

John,

Thank you, sir for you reply.  You are demonstrably a true competitor and sportsman.

Kevin Nance

I would also like to add that the "dummy dog" is being trained with the intentions of being a world level competitor. So why would the handler bring the dog out into a Stadium and let him make mistakes? This is why you saw the e-collar, ball, rewards and corrections. I also would like to thank Mike for all the hard work he put in.

He did do a lot of work with the tracking coordination.  These are all things that the public does not know.  No idea that the "dummy dog" was not planned to fill that role nor that the dog was not a finished dog.  Also, had no idea that is who that was.  Thank you for sharing such information helps to keep the public informed.

 

Wearing and using e collar or prong is forbidden for me if Im showing, from when I arrive at the host hotel until I leave the trial grounds, yet every time I go to a trial I see this going on.Im not willing to take the chance of getting DQed from the trial, so since I follow the rules (which I dont support) Im at a dis advantage...I guess it all depends on who you are and who you know/ hang out with. And hitting the dog on the head with the dumbell at an event? Poor taste and sportsmenship, dummy dog or not.
I do appreciate using your dog as the try out victim; thats a good way to ruin a good dog.

Sumer: First off, I see you just joined the PDB so you are already suspect in my book. Second, you CAN use electric and prong in the stadium during practice! Third, he didn't hit the dog with the dumbbell. It's people like you........the BSP of Internet Training that get on line and bash!! If you have a problem, SIGN your name! I did! And I will say again, Mike has done more for people in this sport without any fan fare or recognition than anyone else I can think of. If in the future you see such injustices and problems, by all means, get off line and help out. Or as Jack Nicholson would say... I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of  schutzhund training that Mike provides, and then questions the manner in which he provides it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a leash, and train a dog. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to. 

Again!! Thanks Mike !!!

Any other reactions or comments.....

I posted on the other thread about the youth handlers being there and supporting each other and the majority (not all) of the competitors (both orgs) supporting and encouraging them.  Kudos for most of the adults setting an example on how to act. 

As John H said, most people were jumping in and helping.  Dummy dog was needed due to a last minute pull.  Everyone had coolers with water for all people and dogs (no concessions there) and everyone was offering to everyone else.  Competitors asked other/coaches to jump in and help warm up dogs, help with going on field.

Yes, competition, but nice to see.  Most of the group know each other, watch each other and yes, support each other (while competing against each other)

Sue

I stand corrected, the rule on prong collars was changed by Mark Prablanski ( who was possibly one of the worst dog trainers and most arrogant judges and in the sport) and the board in 2008. I have only trialed once since 2008 and an currently showing my new dog.  I have been in the sport since 1989 and dont remember seeing you back then, John. (Ive trained 2 puppys to Sch 3, one to sch 1 ( 2 and 3 to come), and have trained 4 to the "b" that didnt work out, and have helped 15+- people get to sch 3. I do train, not just complain). Generally speaking, Schutzhund people are some of the worst and most selfish people Ive ever hung around. If it were not for the awesome dogs and My love of training, I would have been out of this sport long ago. Oh, by the way, I heard you dog is awesome!