New to schutzhund and questions - Page 1

We're brand new to schutzhund. We've been searching for a club for the last 6 months. We were willing to travel the 2+ hours to train but could never get trainers/clubs to call us or email us back with information. We have a new schutzhund club which has just formed and is less than an hour from us. I've spoken with the trainer and it seems like this is just the type of club we've been looking for. We'll be taking both our dogs to be evaluated this weekend and to check out the club.

Our almost 10 month old puppy has already received his VP rating and will be going in April to try for his SG.  I know it's important to get this rating before 24 months of age if we want to have an easier time getting a breed survey and V rating in the future. He is WGSL. 

My female is 28 months old has her CGC and is training for rally but hasn't done any type of schutzhund training. She is 75% WL and 25% ASL. She's done awesome all through obedience and rally training, has great drive, loves to work, good nerve, great focus and picks up everything quickly. I know we're getting a late start with her but this dog always enjoys learning new things. I  never taught her to bark for what she wants and taught her to do so in just 10 minutes last week. The only reason she doesn't have her RN or OB titles yet is because up until now, I was a chicken to step in the ring.  I think she would really enjoy schutzhund. We'll be trying for her BH first.

Now for a couple of questions:

Will it be possible for my female to ever get a breed survey since she never received an SG before 24 months of age? What kind of hoops am I going to have to jump through for this? Wasn't planning on schutzhund when we bought her. We were just planning on AKC obedience and rally titles.

At what age do you start training your dogs for the AD and what's the best way to start?

If this is in the wrong forum, I apologize and please feel free to move it.

Thanks

"Will it be possible for my female to ever get a breed survey since she never received an SG before 24 months of age? What kind of hoops am I going to have to jump through for this?"

To get a breed survey, the dog must have a show rating, IPO1 (or equivalent), an AD, Elbows certified by the SV, and hips certified by the SV or OFA.  Now that she is over 24 months, she will have to get a working title like IPO1 in order to get a show rating.  You can do the AD at any time with her.



"At what age do you start training your dogs for the AD and what's the best way to start?"

I cant really answer the first part, since the dogs I am training for the AD are over 3 years old.  But our first bike distance was around 5 miles, and the dogs seemed like they still had energy after.  This website may be a good start for you on how to train for the AD:
http://siriusdog.com/ausdauerprufung-ad.htm

Thanks for the info and the link. I really appreciate. it.