ok, i would swear that will posted a cool thread about choosing a club, questions to ask, what to look for, etc., but i CANNOT find it, and i'm going to check out one (of 2) clubs within driving distance, tomorrow.

maybe i'm trippin' anyway, could someone help me out here? and if there isn't already a thread (somewhere--and i did try to use the "search" to find it), how about some input?

this is a DVG club, the only other one is a USA club (where they only train rotts according to the DVG club's TD), they're both 3 hrs (one way, btw) away.

HELP!!!! and thanks!

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ok, i would swear that will posted a cool thread about choosing a club, questions to ask, what to look for, etc., but i CANNOT find it, and i'm going to check out one (of 2) clubs within driving distance, tomorrow.

maybe i'm trippin' anyway, could someone help me out here? and if there isn't already a thread (somewhere--and i did try to use the "search" to find it), how about some input?

this is a DVG club, the only other one is a USA club (where they only train rotts according to the DVG club's TD), they're both 3 hrs (one way, btw) away.

HELP!!!! and thanks!

Is it this? It's about trainers, so maybe it's not what you mean.

http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/showf...rue#Post4166606

connie, i swear to god, you should get a medal for your tireless "librarian" work on this forum--yes that thread's the one i was thinking of. you're just SUCH a treasure, and i, for one, vote for the medal. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

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..... tireless "librarian" work on this forum--yes that thread's the one i was thinking of.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I wish I could take credit for tireless librarian work........but I admit upfront that it's just a saving-and-filing system. I save links I know I will want and I keep them in labeled web "folders," and I happened to have saved that one under "finding trainers."

So it's usually nothing more than the coincidence that something I saved is something someone else wants too! (Although I like the "tireless librarian" thing better....)

well, upon re-reading the thread, it doesn't address my questions, so perhaps i can get some feedback tonight. but connie--you still get the medal for reading my "mind" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

OK, let's try this:


Here's what *I* would look for in choosing a club ( and take this for what it's worth, it's entirely subject, my needs and desires may well be different from yours )

1) Within 1 1/2 hours driving distance of my home.

2) A mixture of dog breeds being trained ( different dog breeds require a different "touch" for training, and breed diversity in a club makes for better handlers, trainers, and decoys )

3) An organized Training Director ( someone that'll take charge and get dogs and their handlers on and off the field so as not to waste time )

4) A decent training decoy ( or two! ) that is able to train in both prey and defense ( I'd rather have a skilled training decoy that can work dogs than a good trial decoy that is not as good for training.. )

5) Club members that are interested in gaining titles and improving their dogs ( there are waaay too many "social" dog clubs that consist mainly of people sitting around and BS'ing. Not much training occurs in those type clubs )

6) A fair club dues set-up.

7) Club officers that are responsive to their members.

8) A training director with several titles to his credit, and the motivation to pass their knowledge to members new to the sport ( it's karma, folks - we all started out as beginners and *someone* took the time to train all of us. Do the Sport a favor and do the same for someone just starting out, ok? )

9) A club field owned by a member or the club ( training on city park fields is a big set-up for disaster )

10) A club that has liability insurance.

11) A club with a stocked and up-to-date first aid kit.


I'll add some "nice to have's" after dinner.....

Oh boy, #5 is important. No fun sitting around until midnight waiting to get your dog worked because folks decided there wasn't anything good on T.V. (even here in so. calif. it gets a little chilly at night)

thanks, will--that's helpful, especially for me as a newbie. now, questions, point by point.
1) forget it--3 hrs is the CLOSEST period (though it'd be nice to have the luxury....)
2)we'll see about the different breeds--so far it looks like different lines of GSD..
3)this trial may be a good test. if not, i'll check out some regular training sessions...
4)and how am i to judge this? it looks like members act as helpers, so....they do have seminars/trials with DVG judges/helpers. i assume this is a good thing? everyone learns?
5)well, i'll find out about this tomorrow.
6)seems fair, but how does one rate "fair"? $100 non-refundable fee, $125/yr, $20/mo. required training--attend 4 sessions w/in 3 months to be considered as "member". this seems reasonable to me...?
7)????
8)i can check this out, but so far it seems the members are in it for sport, not titles. find out tomorrow...
9)??? tomorrow
10) members sign a non-liability waiver...(??)
11) we'll see...

meanwhile, the TD says he's pretty particular about pups (as they can be screwed up so badly by newbies like me--but he didn't mean it arrogantly, he seemed really concerned), the club isn't "political". and i've been involved in enough groups to hate the "political" crap with a passion.

the TD is an attorney, who does it for the sport of it, but the trial this weekend is being judged by Ann Dolan, helper is Nick Reinhard. any thoughts on these guys' abilities? so i have something to "judge" on?

gotta go get the children, feel free to respond (!) while i'm gone. have to leave at 5:30 am tomorrow...

whatever it takes--you're priceless!!!

1) Yeah...you live in Neb., so you're kinda screwed there. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

4) Members can also be decoys, of course. But no, not "everyone" learns - some folks are not cut out to be decoy/ helpers. It's a skill, and the unskillful place your dog at risk with poor helper work.
How are you to judge good helper work? Well, watch and learn - but watch high level trials ( you might consider getting some of the Leerburg DVD's of the U.S. National trials or European trials and look at the helper work being done and use that "view" as the gold standard from which to judge club helper work )