Well the guy that was going to help me train Levi has fallen off the face of the earth...I've tried calling him a million times and he doesn't answer. I need to get going on training this dog. He's 9 months old and the clock is ticking! Aside from doing prey drive work with him, which he does fantastic on I want to start working to train him on protection but I don't want some yahoo to screw up my dog. Does anyone know of anyone or know of anyone who knows of anyone in the Phoenix, Arizona area that might be worth a darn??? I'd ask Ed but I think he's busy I don't know what to do at this point...any advice would be appreciated.

There are several good posts written during the last year or so discussing how to tell a good trainer from a not-so-good one, it'd be worth your time to rumage through those..........

Wow! that would be a great thing for Ed to put together. 10 things you want a trainer to say and 10 you don't, lol!! Man would that save a lot of dogs from yahoo trainers!!

Here is a link to a listing of 4 clubs that could be possibilities for you http://www.southwestschutzhund.com/sw_clubs.htm. Have you been out to any of these yet? The main thing you will want to do is go watch the clubs train. Are the dogs having fun on the field? Do the handlers have to drag young dogs off the field because they dog not want to leave (good), or are the dogs wanting to leave the field ASAP (bad)? Is the helper explaining what he was trying to get out of a dog, or what the purpose of working the dog a certain way was (good), or is he just working them and does not want to explain anything (bad)? Does it seem as if the club is open to beginners, and glad you are there to check it out (good) or can you tell on your first visit that the atmosphere is very political(bad). Go see, and see how you fit in and what goals the club has in training.

Here's another couple things to look for:

1. Can the Training Director show you current or past dogs he/she has trained that demonstrate his training methods are effective?

2. Is the Training Director aware that the Schutzhund trial rules changed significantly 3 years ago, or does he have to be told this by rookie handlers?

(Vent, vent....)

I would recommend Will, but I hear he's given up his leash in favor of a whisk!

Yep, sadly I still have a year to go in the Culinary program.
My next class is "Advanced Pastry and Desserts"...Yumm!


I always have a standing invitation for folks from the forum to come visit during our club training, but we're a bit far from Arizona, I'd say.
Not to mention that we're all melting in the 98 degree heat..

So Will, are you thinking about going to Carol Boche's in SD next spring? We want to have a picnic/seminar/training with the big boys and gals.

Robbin and I were going to check out the same trainer, but he's not returned my calls either. It seems I keep bombing out. Hopefully not at the expense of my dog, but already had to stop with one trainer here. Didn't like the way he yanked him around during a heel.

Nothing like the decoy/bad guy treating a beginning and as yet only prey driven dog harshly and with yanking force. A true sight to behold.

Hey Will,

I hear you might make it down to my new club's affiliation trial in a couple weeks. Feel free to bring your homework .

Seriously, I do hope you'll come. I think Betty and I will be vying for "Most original performance by newbie handlers".

Okay, here's the deal...and I don't want to sound judgemental here, if it weren't for a few other people that I have talked to in order to back me up on this, I wouldn't want to voice it. As I understand it, the Sch club out here is considered below average, at best. I have been out to watch and no one seems all that enthusiastic about anything. People talk about other's behind their backs and everyone argues how to deal with issues. A few other trainers that know of this club have told me to go elsewhere for training. This leaves me with nothing to work with. I am all alone as is Sandy on her side of town. It is very frustrating to know that you live in an area where there is nothing to be offered. There are few trainers that will work in protection and excuse the judgement but they all seem like dominance fanatics that just want to beat your dog into submission. I don't want to crush my dogs spirit, nor do I want him to fear anyone. We have a great bond and there is a lot of trust between us. His confidence is growing and I can see that teenager attitude starting to peek it's head out. He's actually been challenging my lab when he goes towards his kennel because he knows he's going to eat his food. (LOL) Anyhow, what I'm trying to say here is, I'm alone in this game and so is Sandy. We buy Eds videos and then have no one to help us with the practical end of it. Well Sandy has her son but I only have me. So unless I find a trainer with some brains, I'm treading dangerous waters on my own. The only thing I can think of is to turn to the forum for help. Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to go cry! Whah!!!!