Getting Started - Page 1

Hi. I'm 17 years old, 18 at the end of July.
I have an AKC registerd female German Shepherd named Addie who will be one this coming Saturday. 
I would love to get into Conformation or herding, maybe even Schutzhund, but I have no idea how and I think I've waited too long to get started. 

If anyone has any advice, it would be greatly appreciated.

You have a broad area of interests.  Not a bad thing but you may want to look into what each takes and what you and your dog would enjoy and fit best.  Not saying you can't do multiple things but sometimes it helps get settled when you focus.  Here are some link to various national Schutzhund organizations.  Some are GSD oriented, some are all breed.  Take a look and see if there are any clubs near you.  You may need to visit a few to find the right fit, it took me some time and I found the perfect club.

http://www.germanshepherddog.com/
http://dvgamerica.com/
http://www.awdf.net/

Perhaps those that specialize in herding (Rezkat if you have time?) could post links to the herding venues.

In the meantime.  Read, soak up knowledge, study, watch.  And enjoy your dog.

Where are you located? If you do schutzhund, you travel. ANimules and I are members of the same club--63 miles each way from home for me and 100(?) each way for her. It's actually one of the shorter distances for me since I started in schutzhund. You will find that schutzhund people in general, and perhaps USA clubs in particular, are very supportive of our Youth members. :-)

Don't forget www.gsdca-wda.org

I mentioned USA because it set up a foundation specifically to benefit its youth members and has a scholarship program for Youth handlers. Of course other organizations have programs for their youth members,but USA seems to be more committed.

1- search your are for clubs and trainers.  
2-  go visit them without your dog
3- ask others about them

not too old to old to get started. 

remember, you can do anything you set your mind to.

good luck.

also if you hang out around here, you will find good and bad.    take the first, leave the rest.

john

 Thank you all so much. 

I'm located just south of Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas in a town called Mansfield.

Lots of dog clubs around you.
  Follow the links animules gave you.

Here's the list:
 
Austin SchH Club
Daniel Grayson
1107 Castile
Austin, TX 78733
512-263-5441
Buena Vista Working Dog Club
Adrian Ledda
904 South Market
Carthage, TX 75633
903-693-9649
Central Texas SchH Club
René Gelsomino
121 Ivy Lane
Luling, La. 70070
985-785-6506
Coastal Bend SchH Club
Alex Amonett
2936 1st Street
McAllen TX 78501
361-362-7415
DFW Working Dogs
Chris Bettin
6536 East Lovers Lane
Dallas, TX 75214
214-529-4750
Greater Dallas Working Dog Club
Kathy May
9743 South FM 148
Scurry, TX 75158
972-486-3167
Greater Houston SchH Club
Dr. Dena McGowan
1070 N Main
Vidor, TX 77662
409-769-7450
Lone Star SchH Club
Jessy Gabriel
505 County Road 197
Hutto, TX 78634
512-971-7243
O.G. North Texas Schutzhund Club
Jacob Spoerl
12205 FM 2728
Terrell, TX 75161-7268
214-662-7886
San Gabriel Hund Verein
David Kroyer
1350 County Road 130
Hutto, TX 78634-3139
512-868-5810
Texas Working Dogs
Laurie Tollifson
6654 W. Line Road
Gainesville, TX 76240
903-429-6278


No clue which is closest  to you, but if you are anywhere newar Austin, Danny and Julia Grayson are among the sport's truly "good people."  So is Dr. Dena McGowan ( gotta say that so she won't shoot me!!  All those Texas women seem to carry guns!!    You are fortunate to be in an area with a lot of good trainers and clubs and loads of people VERY supportive of our youth members..     Have a GREAT TIME!

Hallix ,
OG North Texas is a good club and the www.swdogclub.com   ,and also Ken White is not that far from you, but those are the best 3 nearest you. Welcome to Dog Sports and have fun with it! You are in a great region of the USA for Dog Sports of all types, and venues! We train in Benbrook in French Ring Sport.

Jerry