Hello Beth,

I have a good friend who's really into SchH work, that travels to Joliet from time to time to visit his parents. I've passed your phone number along to him. I think you would enjoy his work.

Gretta Welsh

Hi Gretta. I spoke to you friend. My husband and I actually met him before a few years ago when we went to watch our very first trial. We will probably be hooking up sometime soon when he is in Joliet.

I should add to my initial post that we train on Saturdays.

Thanks,
Beth

Why doesn't any of this good stuff happen in NJ <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />.

BTW, that was meant to be rhetorical in nature, however, if there really is an answer to that, I'm all ears <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> .

LOL Judy! I've got the perfect solution. Move to Joliet cuz great stuff is happening here!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I've gotten a couple of great calls that came through Leerburg. A couple interesting questions came up that might be worth sharing.

One gentlemen mentioned the frustration he has experienced in larger club environments - lots of dogs, hours of waiting, for limited time on the protection field. We are trying to avoid this frustration in a couple of key ways. 1) limiting the size of the group to maximize the value of training for all. 2) working with people who might be on a tight schedule so you have an approximate training time in advance if you need that.

Some of us beginner types are also doing tracking and OB. However one gentleman I spoke with is more advanced, and is looking strictly to work with Dave on protection. Either scenario will work.

It might also be worth mentioning that Dave's home club (Stateline) has 5 WDA certified helpers including Dave. So there are occassions when we are able to access additional helpers where situations call for that.

Thanks!!

Beth

A large club can run at a fast pace, as long as all the members are experienced. From what I've seen on many club fields, it's the number of beginners in a club that slows down the pace of training. Handlers in the early stages of their career require a lot more field time to get their training done.
So for me it's less a numbers game and more dependant on the overall experience of the club's members.

 Quote:

A large club can run at a fast pace, as long as all the members are experienced. From what I've seen on many club fields, it's the number of beginners in a club that slows down the pace of training. Handlers in the early stages of their career require a lot more field time to get their training done.
So for me it's less a numbers game and more dependant on the overall experience of the club's members.

Hi Will. I think you go right to my point. I'm guessing you are able to train with a club or group that is all very experienced, with an experienced helper. For highly experienced people, I can imagine that scenario has high value.

Our scenario is different. We have a number of beginners, and a few who are more advanced, AND a highly qualified teaching helper who based on personality and experience, can work effectively with this broad range.

We are trying to consider the needs and schedule considerations for all - regardless of experience level.

I can appreciate your point that a group of highly experienced people (handlers, dogs and helpers) can move very quickly through training. Beginners have different needs. And even the experienced folks sometimes realize there is more to learn - even on a limited schedule. We all have something to learn. There is nothing more frustrating from my beginner POV than checking out clubs where beginners are clearly not welcome. We all have to start somewhere.

From my very limited experience, it is an awesome opportunity for dogs/handlers of all experience levels to have access to learning from Dave Blank. Our goal is to structure a weekly training program to meet these sorts of differing needs and goals. It ain't the dog food that everyone will want to eat - that's for sure. I don't think THAT dog food (that everyone wants to eat) exists.

We hope to offer a slightly different training opportunity than any status quo.

Respectfully,
Beth

Beth,
My club is beginner friendly, depending on the "beginner" of course.

I can't count the number of times that myself and other club members from various clubs have dumped a ton of time and very real effort to help someone just starting the sport, only to have them drop out without a word of explanation. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

Nowadays I'm a lot more choosey on who I spend the time to instruct for many hours ( Betty Waldron from this forum comes to mind - if more beginners were like her, I'd say that SchH has a good future ahead of it )

Will's club is *very* beginner friendly AND willing to spend the time that is necessary with beginners. Of course I had to do some serious stalking to get in since they tried telling me the membership was closed......... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Anyone of the guys could train my dog. It pretty much takes all of them to train me....Just think in addition to all the time Will spends with me on the field he still manages to answer my emails and so far hasn't blocked my phone number. (Did I mention stalking?)