The Schutzhund club that I really liked in town has abruptly voted to no longer accept new members this year. While I understand their reasons (ratio of new members to experienced dogs and handlers was getting out of whack), I'm still pretty down and disappointed.

Even more disappointing was, in the email I got letting me know, my dog's breed mix was brought up again and I was advised to think more about AKC events, like obedience and nosework there. Realistically, I know my dog won't be able to compete at the highest levels with full-blooded GSD's, but I had really been hoping to see how far he could go and was excited about training for a BH. Now, I'm kind of back wondering what I should be doing.

There are 2 other clubs in the area I can look at and there is the possibility that this club might accept new members next year. For now, I'm pretty down, but I took my dog in the backyard and played tug and went for a hike. He may not be perfect for anyone else, but I find him perfect as is. We'll just have to find a place that is perfect for us.

I understand your frustration, but you certainly don't need a club in order to trial for a BH. The amount of time it'll take to get your dog ready for it might be a bit longer without a TD to direct you.

AKC obedience clubs can help. I plan on joining the local OB club as well as becoming a member of the local Sch club.

 Quote: SamanthaTopper

I understand your frustration, but you certainly don't need a club in order to trial for a BH. The amount of time it'll take to get your dog ready for it might be a bit longer without a TD to direct you.

AKC obedience clubs can help. I plan on joining the local OB club as well as becoming a member of the local Sch club.

A friend had the idea of me training my dog towards the BH and trialing iwth him on my own, thinking that once the clubs saw that I really was dedicated and working on this that it might open some doors for us later on. So many people say they are interested and want to join and then aren't willing to do the work on their own that maybe doing the work on my own and showing it on the field might help me get over that initial disbelief. It also might help them see any potential that my dog might have.

So...it is a thought. In the meantime, I'd have to find a lot of resources to use since I wouldn't have the benefit of others who've done this before.

Karen;

You can continue to look for other Schutzhund clubs. They are independent from each other, and, as such, are not all as competitive as one another.

Don't let em get you down!!!!!


My herding dog is awful looking, fearful, reactive, people are not impressed. We have attended some herding things. We stay in the background.

Last year at an English Shepherd gathering, about 50 dogs + their owners, at the end of their herding, I asked if my dog could have a go. He did better than any of the English Shepherds, made them all look amateur.

Of course he does it every day, all day. Lots of these dogs don't live on farms. Anyway, my point is, it can be really really REALLY rewarding to bring along a dog that no one thinks has got much and draw out their best.
Find a group that's more open minded and work hard and show your stuff!

Big ditto to Betty and Duane! Some clubs are focused more on titles, and some are focused more on "everyone come and have a good time."

Ours is the second kind.

I don't at all blame the ones who have high-level material and aspirations, but I know the other kind of club does indeed exist.

 Quote: Karen Tunkel

We'll just have to find a place that is perfect for us.

'Zackly!

I just can't wrap my head around a club not taking new members.
*Every* one of us were beginners at one time and learned because someone else shared their knowledge.

If we don't welcome new people to the sport, it will wither away and die.

I vowed long ago to be as good of a mentor as I could to people new to the sport, and I also have never taken money for being a decoy or trainer at a club, now matter how much work it is - if those of us with the experience and a large knowledge base don't step up and help.....then why the h*ll are we on the field?
Sorry, just something I feel passionate about!

Will, it's a valid point that we all started as beginners, but it seems from the OP that the club has way too many beginners and not enough veterans to help them out. A trusted veteran is just as valuable to a green dog and handler as then TD himself is. I'd close my membership doors, too, if I felt the quality of training would drop if I brought any more people in. Reputation is everything with dog sports.

I visited a Sch club last Sunday and the TD told me I had a nice dog that could probably make it up to IPO1. A veteran at the club also told me 'She's going to make a really nice starter dog to learn with.' When I told everyone that we have other sports on the table to compete in they were more enthusiastic about USDAA agility and therapy work than Sch.

You'll find people who have done Sch. in the past in most OB clubs. They can help get you at least as far as a BH.