Hi Everyone,

Thanks to everyone on this site for all their great information. It's been very helpful to me. I recently got a GSD puppy from German Show/Working lines. He's been great so far, very intelligent, outgoing, seemingly fearless, lots of prey drive from what I can tell. Very mouthy, but I'm working on directing that to his toys.

I've purchased the 8 weeks to 8 months video and the Bernhardt Flicks video, but realize that I'll need the guidance of a good trainer as my puppy grows up.

Can anyone give me a recommendation on a good trainer/club in Chicago? Given all the horror stories that I've read about trainers who don't know what they are doing, I'd rather not go somewhere without a good reference.

Thanks for your help!

--Alan...

Alan,

There are a couple places I have been to in the Chicago area, although my dog has not trained at either (he's not quite ready yet <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> ).

Adrian Moreno is the owner/trainer at all phases training (www.all-phases.com). I've seen some of his dogs (mostly Mals), and have taken bites from two of them under his close supervision. He trains mostly toward French Ring, and has trained and titled several dogs (not sure how many/what titles).

I've also seen him working with some of his clients and their dogs (again mostly Mals, and a couple American Bulldogs). He evaluated my dog, and was very honest in his opinion that Konig wasn't ready, and gave me some pointers. He wasn't interested in my money, even though he let me attend several other sessions just to get a look at his methods. I consider that a high mark. His club is in the city (2500 block of West Lawrence).

Also, there's a place outside the city called TOPS. (http://tops-k9.com/). They do alot more with working K9 officers, and have a pretty big operation. On any given day, you'll see several cruisers in their parking lot. They also offer certification programs for officers to become handlers. I think that's a big plus for them.

My parents board their Rotts there (they keep a clean kennel), and I have seen their head trainer working a young GSD in OB.

Both of these places are sure to have their ups and downs. You should check them both out if you're looking around Chicago. Word to the wise-from what I've seen, both of these trainers have a relatively short fuse when it comes to handlers not paying attention. I think this is a good thing-reminds you that you're not just there to train the DOG.

Good luck.

Thanks Iain,

I'll definitely talk to those places. It will be a while before he can start any serious training as he's very young now, but I want to take time to check out any trainer I work with. I suppose I'm being a lot like an over-protective parent! I figure I have this great puppy with a lot of drive and intelligence - I just don't want to screw things up for him!

How is your dog doing? How old is he? Do you know when you might start serious training with him?

Thanks again!

--Alan...

There is also at least one Schutzhund club in metro Chicago, but I'm not familiar with its location or general membership. I have met one member who's readying his dog for the SchI, and he's got a good lookin' dog. He's also a member on this board.

My dog Konig is about 18 months, but has other issues (being a rescue and all). His main job was never to be a protection dog-merely a well-trained companion. He's doing pretty well with that part, and is very easy to train and enthusiastic in his OB. If it becomes clear that he's got the confidence and temperament to do more intense work, I'll take him into it. But the education I've gotten on this board has convinced me that trying to push a substandard animal into work he can't do is asking for TONS of trouble in many colors.

I'm still working on confidence and drive building, and we're starting to transfer some of his ball drive to tugs and other items. I've also been doing lots of focus stuff with him, in addition to encouraging fuller, calmer grips on training items. He's also got a good feeling for the OUT command, as far as his training toy is concerned. (We still get a little re-bite now and then <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> ).

I'll probably start him on bitework in 6-8 months (I have limitations on my schedule due to reassignment to active duty USMC, and won't be available to train him consistently until then. When this happens, it will be somewhere other than Chicago, and you can bet I'll be back on this board looking for recommendations just like you are <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ).

Sounds like you're on the right track with those two videos. You may also want to poke around on some of the other threads in this board for tips on working with your pup. There's a great deal of knowledge locked up in the members here. I sure wish I had access to my dog's youth-he'd be ALOT further down the road in terms of development. I've only had 6 months to undo a year's worth of trash. Take advantage of the time you've got.

Best of luck.

For a training club near Chicago contact Bob Linn.

Here is his email address: blinn@voyager.net

Hay allen there are many trainers in the chicagoland area. tom richie is in marsalles which an hour 1/2 south west of the city. he trains shutzhund .indian creek shutz club is in mapel park rear dekalb. adrain is a great trainer. it all depends on what you want to train for. there is a message board for chicagoland trainers,i dont know the exact adress but if you type chicagoland working dogs you should find it.

For schutzhund training in the Chicago area I highly recommend Bill Kulla. You can PM me or email me for details. Excellent training grounds and really nice people at his club.

I have worked with Bill on and off since the mid-80's and recently started working my young dog with him. I drive 3 hours each way to train with him and would not have let anyone else (except maybe Bernhard Flinks) start my promising young male. He understands protection work better than most helpers and is great at explaining what he sees in your dog...both positives and negatives which I believe is important to get the most out of your dog.

If you want to do high caliber sport work, Bill will give you 100%.

Bill is an excellent trainer. He did the foundation work on my dog Dante. Anyone in that area wanting a helper I would highly recommend Bill.

Alan,

Did you ever find a club near Chicago?? I am west of Aurora which is about 50 miles west of Chicago. Does anyone know of any clubs out here in the sticks??

Jim and Allen,

There is a new USA club in Peoria and also a club in the Quad cities. We get people from your area to our training club on a regular basis and the drive is not that bad, especially when you train with some knowlegdeable peolple. Also check out a USA magazine for more info.

Brad