I decided to join the forum so I could get some training tips if I run into problems training in Schutzhund.

A little about myself,
I have been into American pit Bull Terriers (APBT's) for the last 15 years. I always have loved the breed and how truly versatile they are. I have working type APBT's not heavy bodied Am staffs.

I have been training dogs for over 10 years and started at a large local training center. I then moved and opened my own training business. I teach Obedience, Agility, Conformation, and Weight Pull. I currently have the #1 APBT in Agility (NADAC). Agility has been my passion but we also show in Conformation, Weigh Pull, Obedience, and soon Schutzhund. We have 17 dogs in our kennel and they are all APBT's except our Dutch Shepherd.

I started Schutzhund with my first working APBT about 8 years ago but was always too busy to get really serious. This past year I decided I want to dedicate more to training Schutzhund and get some titles on my dogs. I train with a local club and have a great Helper/Trainier, Kevin Sheldahl who has taught me a ton over the years. I also have had the pleasure of working with Bernhard Flinks on a couple of occasions.

I have started tracking and I may run into questions so I thought this would be a good place to get help!

I had a wonderful Seminar with Bernhard, He really got me excited about training in Schutzhund again.

This is Siren she is a 35lb APBT that is 12mo






Tempest is 3 years old and she is about 45lbs




Kaos is 11 year old and just went to "play" with Bernhard. After having Kaos I decided never to have that big of a dog again. He really broke down structurally and I could not get him over the 1m jump to get a SCH 1

Lisa, welcome. Love your photos! Looks like your dogs had as much fun as you did at the Bernhard Flinks seminar...

Hi Lisa. I like the 4th pic down of Siren swinging around on the sleeve while Bernhard casually explains something.

 Quote: steve strom

Hi Lisa. I like the 4th pic down of Siren swinging around on the sleeve while Bernhard casually explains something.

Yeah, that one is quite funny!

Welcome Lisa! Your dogs sound like they keep you nice and busy, and they're a beautiful bunch. Out of curiosity, you said your big male broke down on account of his structure and size - how big was he and was his "structure" incorrect in any way, or was he just on the heavy side? (he looks plenty fit and strong in the pics...)

I'm sure you'll get loads of training help here and I wish you the best of luck with all your future goals.

Cheers,
~Natalya

 Quote: natalya zahn

 Quote: steve strom

Hi Lisa. I like the 4th pic down of Siren swinging around on the sleeve while Bernhard casually explains something.

Yeah, that one is quite funny!

Welcome Lisa! Your dogs sound like they keep you nice and busy, and they're a beautiful bunch. Out of curiosity, you said your big male broke down on account of his structure and size - how big was he and was his "structure" incorrect in any way, or was he just on the heavy side? (he looks plenty fit and strong in the pics...)

I'm sure you'll get loads of training help here and I wish you the best of luck with all your future goals.

Cheers,
~Natalya

Kaos is about 23" at the shoulders (my males now are only 18" and weight about 45lbs) and he use to weight about 65-70lbs. I Jumped him too height in Agility at 26" and worked him too hard in bite work and all the years of doing that caused major back problems. He is way to heavy bodied to jump 26" and I should have known it. Now he has a weak rear with loss of muscle control and a bad roached back with arthritis. He tip toes around the house unless he sees a truck drive along the fence or hears the crack of the whip! Then he gets about 5 years younger real quick.
I have found that the leaner more Game style APBT's do much better in dog sports. Plus they have more drive; he only had drive in Schutzhund and did Agility and Obedience because I asked him too. He has been a great dog.

These are my favorite picture of Bernhard and Kevin. They like to catch her because she is so small!

Gotcha.

Sorry to hear he's got such problems now, but it sounds like you both had a lot of fun learning together in his youth.

~Natalya

I like the little dogs too. Easy on the back.

Welcome Lisa, love your dogs. I'm a bully guy myself so it's nice to see another bulldoger on the forum. Did you say you have 16 APBTs? Wow! what's that like? I now you've got your hands full...

Finally! I get to see your pics! (photobucket pics are blocked at my work).

Love your dogs Lisa. Now, THOSE are what I call Pitbulls!

Always great to see another person working hard with their dogs, especially Pits. I grew up with them my whole life, and if I didn't live in Denver, I'm sure I'd have one as well as my Boxer.

I am going to subvert Lisa's thread just a bit.

Here are some pics from our club New Mexico Hundesport.

We are a USA club but dabble in MR and of course a lot of police work.

http://www.friendsofk9.com/blog/mediagallery/album.php?aid=12&page=1