Anyone know of any Schutzhund Clubs in my area? I am in San Francisco California area (bay area).

Does anyone know what the typical requirements are to join a Schutzhund/ringsport club? (ex: age of dog/amount of training dog has had/cost involved).

Thanks in advance

I was thinking the same thing myself, explorer. Surely one doesn't just show-up one day with an untrained dog and say "Ok, let's start."

Based on my limited experience I would say don't be surprised if you get a chilly reception from most clubs. If you show up with a working dog that is ready to chew the bumper off the closest car-you may get a warmer reception.
Training at a club level is a very big commitment of time. Most new people that approach a club are not aware of this or are not willing to commit to that kind of time. It really helps if you can bring something to the table. If you can help the club with moving equipment or doing other less glamorous club chores, it will show your willingness to learn.
If you have read up on the sport that your interested in, this will help. I found it easier to chat with a club when I said "I have know experience but I've read these ten books on the subject and purchased these ten videos. I know who won the championships last year and am getting familiar with the bloodlines that excel in this sport"
This will let people know that your interest is more than a whim.
There are clubs that you just won't fit into personality wise. There's alot of strong charactors in the dog world, some you won't like and many won't like you. Unfortunately, there is not a club on every block so you need to bend to fit in otherwise forget about training at a club level, let alone a trial. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

That's certainly something to look forward to.

But more specifically, what degree of prerequisite training/imprinting must there already be in the dog? Are there those who already know how to train their dogs to do the skills, but use the club venue as proofing? Or is it a place where people learn HOW to train? Or both? What is the majority...typically?

Depends on the club...

I know you want answers, but there are no two clubs alike, no two decoys alike, and no two TD's that are going to agree on what they want to see in a dog...

Best way is to club shop before you get a dog, talk to the members, LISTEN a lot, and don't assume because a person talks a lot that they know what they are talking about.

Find out what dogs have titles, and scores will tell you a lot. Just because a dog got a 2 or three doesn't mean the dog is good. You can pass with a lot of errors.

Good prey drive development is always a good prerequiste, and good socialization is important as well. If you don't do anything else, PLAY WITH YOUR DOG. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> If you need to know how to play with your dog Ed sells some great videos with Bernhard Flinks that will show you how.

Some people come from AKC backgrounds to SchH, some are in Law Enforcement.... All are dog nuts. The larger the group the more "camps" you will have within it.

Clubs are both a place to proof the skills you've trained at home AND a place to learn how to train your dog from those who are more experienced. It isn't necessary that your dog have any formal training prior to joining, although he should be social, safe around others, and under control. But even those problems can sometimes be dealt with at the club, depending on the training skills in the club.

The main reason that you sometimes run into a "cool" welcome is because for every 15 people who show up to join the club, only 1 typically is still in it a year later. And after a while, the club members get a little cynical about spending a lot of their training time explaining every detail to new people, only to have them disappear after the 5th training session. I know that's not good, but it's human nature. If you hang in there and show up regularly, the members will warm up.

Deanna,

I figgerd as much. I've visited one club so far, but it had no official affiliation to any titling organization. Many motions of Schutzhund were gone through, but it was all very friendly and social (in terms of the humans). But I guess there's a bit of elitist in me, cuz I love to say I've DONE something official, ya know?

And a few of Ed's tapes are indeed on my Xmas list this year.

It isn't necessary that your dog have any formal training prior to joining, That's exactly what I wanted to know. Thank you.

Originally posted by explorer1046:
Anyone know of any Schutzhund Clubs in my area? I am in San Francisco California area (bay area). try this link
http://www.germanshepherddog.com/regions_clubs.htm

for just information on the sport of Schutzhund try http://www.germanshepherddog.com

hope this helps
dso