Hi everyone. I have a dilema that I am hoping that someone can help me with. I live in the middle of no-where basically and am getting my malinois puppy this weekend. I want to train him for schutzhund. The dilema I am facing is the nearest club that I could find is 4 hours from me and they meet at 8am every Sunday morning. This is my first time training a schutzhund dog and so I know that I am going to need some help...a lot of help. How am I going to train this puppy for schutzhund when I've never done this before? I want desperately to move but not just because of this but because I can't stand this town any way. But alas, we are not able to move at this time unfortunately. Any suggestions will be great! Thanks so much.

Get as many videos as you can. The Flinks and the bite training puppies is a good start. Read everything you can. Go to the club at least once a month to check up how you are progressing. Last but not least...MOVE!!!

Believe me I want to move...desperately. I feel so "out of the loop" living out here. I will look into getting video's as soon as I can. Thank you.

You might be suprized to find there are others in or close to you that are also interested, sometimes even informal training groups, so don't give up just yet.

I second the recommendation of the Bite training puppies and Flinks Drive, focus, and grip tapes. Both are well worth the money.

Oh I'm not giving up! I'm not a quitter. I have put the word out at the vet offices and where ever else I can think of and thus far I have not heard a word. I'm not giving up though. There HAS to be at least one other person!

April, Try checking with the local LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY's in your area, if they have a K-9 Unit you may find some help. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

appart of looking at videos and reading books you should also at first try to create a bonding between you and your pup. And socialize him very wel by going to lots of different place and different situations. Go to zoo or places with lots of animanls (for this dog has to have had his vaccinations first), go to a bar or other places with lots of people, take a train, bus taxi etc. let you pup play with kids, learn him different sounds etc, learn him to pick up and check ears mounth paws (balls) etc. Do all kind of things to socialize him wel and at the meantime you create a bond with your pup.
Then if he is already little associate to you learn him basic commands like sit etc. (all by playing NO FORCE)if you need help with these you should go to a club.
Also it´s important that you pick a good club, for the basic things it´s not so important but if you want to start doing protection part it´s important you have a good experience helper. Maybe first IF YOU CAN go take a look at different clubs first that you see what the differences are. But because you are so far away of everything I think it´s best you look at good kwality videos like the ones here to see and know how it should be done.

Read books, but since your so pressed for time get more videos if you can. They cover things much faster and it shows you things better. Many times I thought I knew what the author was talking about but a visual example is sometimes much easier and explainable. The main thing is watching the videos simply are faster.

April, Have any luck with the local K-9 Unit? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />