Just a superficial question, is there any young schutzhund enthusiasts out there (17-25)? Simply asking since sometimes i feel like im the only 18 year old interested in dog sport and working GSD's <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
Molly Graf Webboard User Reg: 06-11-2004
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Watch for T Floyd's daughter Daio competing at the USCA National Championships this coming weekend in Nashville - she gives a new meaning to "young enthusiast" - she is only 8 years old! She loves handling the dogs, and does a great job!
Will Rambeau Moderator Reg: 01-25-2003
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Loc: Idaho
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I think teenager's can be good handlers and I wish we were seeing more of them in clubs.
However, not to rain on anyone's parade, but I don't think that young children should be handling a dog in a sport that has bitework, period. You're dealing with a potentially dangerous situation, and a child does not have the strength, reflexes, or judgment to control a dog in a situation that goes bad. And dog training by it's very nature is unpredictable - weird situations come up that are sometimes beyond anyone's control.
Child handlers at events are just dumb publicity stunts. it still places the children ( and others ) at a level of risk that should be seen as unacceptable.
A bad situation only has to happen *once*, and the bad press from it will haunt SchH for years to come.
Molly Graf Webboard User Reg: 06-11-2004
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No, thanks for asking Karmen. The trip to France for "vacation" completely strapped me financially (Karmen knows what I'm talking about when I say some of us do pay for this dog-sport hobby from working "real" jobs to pay for it!). I couldn't afford the entry/travel/hotel/time off work to go to Regionals. Regional entry was required for National entry - and so no National entry for us! Eagle qualified 3 times for Nationals, he is fit and ready to go, but this time we will both be on the side-lines - rooting for Karmen and some others (including one of my own breeding there) - go HOT dog/handler teams!!!! I will also be attending GBM as club delegate.
I do plan on entering Eagle in most if not all National-level events next year, hoping to make one of the World-level teams again. Eagle can certainly do it, the question is if I can do him justice as his handler.
Best of Luck Karmen!
I agree with you Will, young children not doing bitework but i think junior obedience handling is a good thing. I started training my first GSD bitch when i was 9 (in a prong cos she was so stubborn!)
Its good to hear that there are other young ppl out there competing in dogsport as well <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Will Rambeau Moderator Reg: 01-25-2003
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Loc: Idaho
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I think junior handling in OB rocks, and I wish we saw it more in AKC ob and SchH.
Charles, I didn't know that you were that young, but I still hope we see you someday in American Street Ring - there will be trials out west pretty soon, and I hope to see you there! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
I got Auster at 16 with the intention of doing SchH, but it never happened (trainer ruined her + made her afraid of large men, and she was showlines to begin with). Who knows what the future will hold (21 now, almost 22 and it seems sooo old to haven't started dogsport yet). I miss her so much most days <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> .
"Dog breeding must always be done by a dog lover, it can not be a profession." -Max v Stephanitz
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