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Ed,

I liked the seminar a lot. I was very pleased to find that Bernhard and the other attendees did not hold my inexperience against me. I was most fearful of this happening.

I am sad that I couldn't stay for tracking. I guess if i could change one thing, it would have been to do a day of drive building, then do tracking the next day. For those of us who were limited to the first two days, it would have been super cool to do both things.

A beer and sausage tent would have been a nice addition and nod to Bernhard's (and all of our good GSD dogs) German heritage.

I had a great time, met some incredibly nice people, and am practicing what I learned with my little guy. I would definitely do it again!

Alex Mankowich
Newpory News, VA
2003 Tallahasse, FL Seminar

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ED;

One of the absolute best damn seminars...on anything...I have ever
attended! More than worth the time and money to attend! Bernhard has
excellent command of the English language and is both knowledgable on
his subject matter and technique, and, maybe more importantly, in
transferring that knowledge to others. (That he does this so well in a
second language is even more impressive). There were, however, a few
times when your explanation of what he needed some of to do was
appreciated! (I have a sneaky suspicion that he just may have a little
German "redneck" blood in his background...HA!) If people were paying
attention, the advice on waiting to start/stress a puppy/young dog...and
the consequences if you don't... was worth the price of that one day's
admission alone. Ditto for calming the "short nerved" .dog before
starting the tracking work.

I liked the format where we tracked on the third day...good for
everyone, including Bernhard...and enough protection to see things such
as nerve issues. problem solving, etc. I would keep this same format / 5
day set-up if it were me, however, it may be more difficult for people
to get away for 5 days, thus making for smaller groups. (Which I like,
but don't know what it takes for you to "break even" on your costs.)

I have taught many, many classes and some seminars in other disciplines,
and two suggestions come to mind that might help keep things moving more
smoothly: 1) Ask everyone to write questions down, or keep them in mind,
as he does his lecture, and wait until the end of a section to ask
questions. I have found that many questions will be answered as the
lecture progresses, it keeps me, at least, "on track" better, and it
saves valuable time spent covering the same issue two or three times. 2)
Put someone else in charge of ordering weather...whoever did it for this
one really sucks! :-)

I would add my voice to those who would like to see a seminar or at
least a DVD on helper work from Bernhard...the man is GOOD!!! I would
also like to see you do a DVD...or at least a series of articles on the
website...on GSD bloodlines, studs/bitches, goals, what your preferences
are and why/why not, (You know...E.German / W.German / Czech / Dutch /
Belgian [yeah, I know they don't really have lines, but they do tend to
like small, fast, frantic-drive type dogs]etc. structure, health,
history of genetics within lines (Greif, Mink, Fero, etc.) yadda, yadda.
I am not trying to be condescending when I say that you have a
tremendous amount of knowledge and experience gained from hard work and
lots of $$$ and time spent in the endeavor to breed good GSD's that are
capable of doing serious PSD work, and I, for one, would be willing to
pay for one ... or even better, two or three...DVD's that would allow me
to "pick your brain" on these topics. It would be certain to make you
even more popular in some circles, also. ;-)

Short answer: Very satisfied with content; not much I can think of would
have made it any better, but thanks for putting it on and giving us the
opportunity to learn from a trainer of this caliber! Julia may want to
send her own response, but I know she has been on a "high" since the
seminar started and has not come down yet!

Mike Taylor & Franki
Julia Adams & Iko
Tallahassee, FL
2003 Tallahasse, FL Seminar

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Dear Ed,
I would like to thank you and Bernard for running the best canine training seminar that I have ever attended. I truely can not think of one thing that would have improved it- the content was relevent and well explained by Bernard, all the dogs got adequate attention and training time, and all the *little things* that go on behind the scene to make a seminar run well had obviously been taken care of. I look forward to the next Leerburg seminar!

Thanks again,
Will Rambeau
Athens, GA
2003 Tallahasse, FL Seminar

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Ed: The seminar was SUPER. B. Flinks is so intense and such a workaholic us old folks could have stood a little more break time but maybe I was just feeling overwhelmed because I have been away from the sport for 20+ years.

I am re-inspired to train dogs and I had a great time and look forward to attending more seminars in the next few months. I am not a highly competitive person so winning is not a big deal but learning is great fun. Again Bernhard's drive to WIN "All the points to me" is what it takes to achieve perfection but is a bit intense for a "recreational" trainer.

Thanks for organizing it.
Dick Kearley
Hawthorne, FL
2003 Tallahasse, FL Seminar

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Ed, thanks for bringing the Bernard Flinks Seminar to the United States. His passion for dog-training was evident as his presentation was enthusiastic from beginning to end. This helped keep my attention as well as the humor he sprinkled in throughout the seminar. The material was presented logically and his English was very good.

As I'm new to the sport I can't speak for advanced attendees but I was interested in everything he talked about. I enjoyed learning about Schutzhund clubs in Germany, compulsion vs. motivational training, police dog training, signals, drive building, puppy selection, suicide rabbits and "All the points to me".

Bernard treated everyone with dignity whether novice or advanced, young or old and tried to make students comfortable even if they made mistakes. I was impressed with his openness to questions during the seminar as well as his invitation to call or e-mail him afterwards.

The only suggestion I can think of is to augment the outlines of the tracking
and obedience handouts. Oh, and also, a big pot of grits would have been
nice to take the edge off the frigid air! :-)

I would like to add that I really appreciate the Leerburg website and of course the videotapes. They are invaluable resources for someone like me who knew NOTHING about German Shepherds and schutzhund. Now, I know a little but I still want to learn more. Keep up the great job!

Regards
Mike Morgan
Stone Mountain, GA
2003 Tallahasse, FL Seminar

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I was pleased with the seminar and the way it was handled. Bernhard said this was the first 5 day seminar he had done but no one would have known that if he had not mentioned it. I attend workshops and seminars for work about 6 times a year and there are usually things that are changed at last minute, things that were left out, forgotten etc. So I thought the format was fine . I am really, really glad it was a 5 day seminar. I believe that people were just getting to feel comfortable and really enjoy not only the seminar but each other[ and not feel so intimidated or maybe it was just the women who felt that way ha] . Also I must tell you that I thought the fee was extremely reasonable . Bernhard went from daylight to dark and I heard him remark more than once that "no, I don't leave til we are finished "or "No, I don't need to go I have nothing to do at the motel" This is unheard of from most americans if you understand my meaning. and If you could only come for fewer than 5 days you got more than your moneys worth also. I am very glad it started on a Friday I did not have to take quite as much time off from work, and Monday was a holiday for me. Believe me if you come close to atlanta again I will be there. You might want to consider telling people that there will be theory taught as well as working with the dog so people would come prepared to take notes. I did go get a small note book for this Of course I know I did not get one fourth of what he taught so I am relying on your dvd ,ha. A big THANKYOU for the heater on Sat, that made the difference for that day. I don't think I could have put on enough clothes to stay warm while sitting. Also I am glad that there were not to many people there. I don't really know how many were there but it was not to many[ for answering questions or working their dogs tracking etc] . It was a thoroughly enjoyable learning experience for me. It has to be a labor of love for you as I know much effort went into it.

CE
Conyers, GA
2003 Tallahasse, FL Seminar

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As far as the seminar, excellent. Content was very good, I don't think Bernhard could have cramed any more in. I don't see much room for improvement. Maybe an optional "Dinner with Bernhard" or something. I know its a long day for him though. The few times I did get to talk to Bernhard, I was more intrested in his life at home, life in Germany ect. Just a rare opportunity to talk with someone from a totally different
culture, with the same love for dogs. If you could pass along a big "Thank you" to Joe for me, I would appreciate it. To have a tent, coffee, then to get a propane heater for us was unbeleiveable. We owe him, he was a great host. Of course "Thank you" for bringing Bernhard over here. I have only been training Schutzhund for 6 months. Your web site and videos have beeen invaluable to me and my dog "Kallie". I love Kallie to death and could NEVER do hard compulsion with her. I don't have the heart. So thanks to you and Bernhard for giving me a very positive motivational method to hopefully compete in Schutzhund one day Anyway thanks again, and the next Bernhard seminar in the states, you'll see me again.

Jeff Predmore
Canton, GA
2003 Tallahasse, FL Seminar

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Hi Ed from Northeast Texas,

Just wanted to remark on the Flinks seminar. It was great 5 days, information packed and lots of dog work to. I have been to several seminars as a police officer but none as good as this. Many times an instructor only knows one way to train but not Flinks he gives you the total picture and the pros and cons of each style of training. Anyone who only nows one method of training is not a trainer anyway. I refreshed myself on a lot of things I already knew but also picked up several new things to try,especially in tracking. He proved that to train for schutzhund you have to do more than train the routine and go past what people in schutzhund clubs think you need to be doing. That is if you want to compete and have a really good dog. I am glad that he explained that table training is Shit training about time someone stepped up to the plate on that issue. All in all a great week and I would enjoy another 5 day seminar with you guys.

Thanks,
David Dockens and Blitz
2003 Tallahasse, FL Seminar

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Hi Ed,

I had a GREAT time at the seminar and learned so much. Bernhard did an AWESOME job. He made everything so simple and easy to understand - it was all so practical and even personal as he worked with us each individually. And he never failed to find SOMETHING to encourage each of us with (even when we did so poorly). I really hope that some day I will have the opportunity to attend another of his seminars... please let me know the next time he comes to the states for one.

Thanks so much for everything! Take care, and keep on keeping on!!!!!!

( : Debbi : )
2003 Tallahasse, FL Seminar

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Hi Ed,

As far as the seminar was concerned, one word--Excellent. There wasn't one day that I was not only able to take something home with me that will have a very positive influence on myself and my dog, but also not one day that I wasn't thoroughly impressed by Bernhard's skills as a trainer and a teacher.

I would like to see Bernhard conduct some sort of helper seminar. The part he did regarding the different drives that a dog goes through in the protection exercises, (prey vs. defense), would be a revelation to many helpers and handlers as well. It would also be nice to be able to spend a little more time on proper protection handling. Everything I was shown made such perfect sense, but was so opposite from what I had been taught to date, it was a bit much to absorb all at once. I'd like to learn some more of that. Speaking as a beginner in the sport--I only wish I could have started w/ Bernhard. Lots of old garbage to clear out!

All in all, great seminar, wonderful people and a lot of fun. Next time though--let's have it in Florida so we can be warm!

Enjoyed the chance to meet you, and I hope we can train together again.

Julia
2003 Tallahasse, FL Seminar

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Ed-

I need to thank you and your staff for the excellect seminar Leerburg hosted last month at Tallahasse, FL. The seminar was first rate. Benhard is a good teacher-he does take the time to make sure you understand, this is element of teaching is missed by some.

Thanks again for everything and your on going support to the sport.

Regards
Charlie
2003 Tallahasse, FL Seminar

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Ed, my name is Randy Kern, I was at the seminar in Albuquerque. I was the one wearing the cowboy hat. I thought the seminar was incredible. I was amazed at how fast and thorough Bernard Flinks could read a dog. This was unbelievable. I would strongly recommend anyone interested in the sport of Schutzhund should certainly attend his seminar. I will attend his next seminar in the United States as the amount of information covered is over the top. I would also like to say thanks to everyone in Albuquerque. The people there were very friendly and did much to make myself and my family at home. Kevin, Joe, and yourself were very kind and courteous to us. The people at the Howard Johnson motel charged us less as our dog did nothing to the room and there were no complaints of barking. My family rented a car for a day and half and Enterprise leasing only charged us a one day rate--this is simply unheard of. I will definitely attend another Bernard Flinks seminar.

Randy Kern
Berryton, KS
2003 Albuquerque, NM seminar

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Mr. Frawley,

Thank you very much for an excellent Flinks seminar in Albuquerque. I learned a lot and had a great time. I have been very impressed with all Leerburg products and always received great customer service. I look forward to enjoying more great seminars, videos and equipment in the future.

Again, thanks for making a newcomer feel welcome at your great seminar.

Sincerely,
Paul Therkildsen
Albuquerque, NM
2003 Albuquerque, NM seminar

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Dear Ed,

Thank you very much for all the work you did in bringing Bernhard to Albuquerque this last week. It was a real surprise to me to meet you and see all the work you did and care you took of everyone. I was very impressed with your son and his participation too. Obviously you have done many things right in the most important areas of your life!

Thank you also for encouraging me on the last day by saying I had a nice dog. However silly it is, the knowledge that you dislike his breeding was an added challenge for me during the seminar. One of my personal goals is to get better at trialing and training in public. Bernhard's tips on handling were especially important for me to give me added confidence once we are on the trial field.

I also enjoyed the format of the seminar with it's different emphasis on separate days. The DVD, name tags, and printed outline were all signs of an organized seminar. This seminar was the most organized one I have been to. Many are more like private training sessions which is fine. But Bernhard is organized and presents a plan that everyone can use. It was well supported by your organized approach.

I hope to see another seminar from Bernhard out here in the West advertised soon. I hope that I can be more gracious and relaxed next time we meet now that I know what a gentleman you are.

Darla Welty and Jimmy
Manchs, CO
2003 Albuquerque, NM seminar