Does anyone have ASR competition videos available for purchase? I am considering joining to see if my dog and I can pass the entry level part of ASR. And I'd like to be able to actually see what it is we would have to do.

By the way, when is ASR going to get its own category here on the board along with KNPV, French Ring, etc.?

Thanks Orly. By the way, I see you're here in Orlando too. I'll PM you. Maybe we can work our dogs together?

 Quote:

By the way, when is ASR going to get its own category here on the board along with KNPV, French Ring, etc.?

Ed you hear that roar from the public, LOL <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Patrick,
Now thats a topic I love to see <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Man your in prime territory for ASR, what's taking you so long to get onboard to the best program around? We have a trial coming up Dec 2-4th, I believe the 4th which should be a saturday is the actual trial. This one will be quite a nice show. You don't want to miss this one. It's going to be in Augusta, GA. So get a friend or two to ride with you and what you say we see you at the trial, competing or spectating, you'll enjoy it either way. I really have a feeling you won't be disappointed. We also are having a trial in West Palm Beach in the end of January. So if you get down to the Augusta trial, and you can see it first hand, Meet some other florida folks that you can get down to train with, depending on where your dog is in his OB and bitework, maybe come out in January for your entry level. There will be alot more trials coming up in 2006 theres just alot of hashing to do behind the scenes right now with clubs forming right now and decoy certs trying to be scheduled, but I plan to host a trial in NC (moving there in 2006) there will probably most likely be a trial in Virginia (a really great club there is converting to ASR) Plus probably 2 more florida clubs to host one each. We also have some folks up in NY trying to form a club and we will have a club forming later in the year in Northern California so there will be plenty for you to do and play with, whether it be attending trials close to you, or if you want to travel to support ASR it will all be available to you. You really could't ask for a better group of guys like all the folks involved in ASR, We're a tight knit organization, everyone gets along, and you won't see a set up with more integrity from the members, the BoD's and just the entire program as the likes of ASR. Funny business does not exist here. you'll love it. Let me get higher on my soap box for a second and tell you a story about how much integrity runs through this program.
I train with one of the ASR decoys every weekend, for a little while now. He was to be decoying in a past trial, one that I was looking at entering. The dog I was looking at entering was pretty young, and one day at training he said, Chris, I think he'd pass but barely, he won't show strong, because he really is not ready for this level yet (as you probably know a great decoy can see things from his end the handler doesn't or can't see). Now this guy and I hit it off right away, and I feel we are very fond of each other, we have tons of background in common we're from the same hometown back in louisiana, and he knows my family and what not, and a bunch of other stuff. With just he and I right there he said, I'm going to be the decoy for this trial and I can't cut any corners decoying for him, he'd have to get the same pressure and said had so much potential that he thought it'd be best to wait so that he will mature more and that he'd have a really strong showing in that level if we waited. Tell me thats not integrity, I absolutely loved him telling me that. It really raised the fire under me about ASR. He could have easily helped me out and decoyed him a little special undercover to make him look stronger than he was at that time, but he told me one on one, I can't do him any differently you know, so I suggest waiting. That rocked in my book <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> We continued working and my boy is maturing into the dog he invisioned he could be. Everyones happy and integrity was preserved. And I swear by that story. Come on board it'll be one of the best moves you could do in dog programs.
~CHRIS DUHON

 Quote:

Man your in prime territory for ASR, what's taking you so long to get onboard to the best program around?

Well let me tell you Chris. I've looked high and low in and around Orlando and there ain't much here. I could tell you some stories but that's sort of beside the point.

I just got done e-mailing Scott about coming up to Jacksonville in order that he can help me and my dog get ready for the entry level portion. I've never met Scott but he's been super hospitable to me as has Will, Ken and yourself. Thank you.

My understanding of ASR is that it's as realistic as it gets. That's what I want. With all due respect to other dog sports, it doesn't appear to me that any of them resemble the reality of a real-world situation as does ASR. My dog is a ppd and ASR gives us a chance to go out and do ppd type exercises.

Most importantly, it gives me an opportunity to learn where my training is lacking so that we can get better. At the end of the day the certifications, ribbons, trophies, etc. don't mean as much to me as knowing that my dog is fully trained and trained very, very well. But, being recognized and certified by ASR is, to me, a true accomplishment. Again, no disrespect intended, but an ASR titled dog and a Schutzhund titled dog may indeed be as different as night and day. If my opinion offends anyone, please, disregard it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Mike Schoonbrood and I have been getting together a couple of times a week for the past month and have been working our dogs. I'm the hapless "helper" that's been working with his dog Cujo. I suggested to Mike that he too come to the trial and to the practice the day before and that perhaps some of you guys could evaluate his dog and give him your opinions and advice. Mike and I are just doing what we can and probably making plenty of mistakes along the way trying to help each other with our dogs. And we're looking for others with which to train, but not having a lot of success. But I've got to hand it to Mike. He's been coming out and taking some pretty good bites from my dog. He's a good guy and is going to be a hell of a handler with some experience.

Anyway, I'll plan on seeing you in Augusta (or perhaps before). Now I need to go sign up for ASR and pay my dues. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Patrick,
I must say I to have explored other venues, and others place imphasis on all the scenarios, while that is important, all those nice exercises means nothing without a truely great standard for decoying. IMO the decoying in ASR is the best you can get. ASR will truely test your dog, not just in one or two drives but in all. I don't see any other program that decoys the way ASR does, it really is unique. ASR uses a few objects here and there to test the enviromental soundess of dogs, but you don't need all those bells and whistles to test a dog, IMO it detracts from the man, ASR like I said will test your dog enviromentally also, but it is limited to seeing what you need to see enviromentally then the rest is focused on as true a fight between the decoy and the dog as you can get while utilizing a suit. The decoying is very balanced. The decoy will not move so much that it will keep the dog in prey, but he will not be so posted and immobile as to let the dog think he can just have his way with him. It's balanced just perfectly while testing your dog through various skills the decoys are taught to make your dog feel like this is for real and the decoy is not his buddy but quite the hostile adversary. IMO the pressure from an ASR decoy in the level 1 on up is tremendous. Glad to hear you'll be coming down, can't wait to meet you guys. If Scott will welcome you down for training, man, take it you will learn alot, and you'll get great ASR training.

 Quote:

It's balanced just perfectly while testing your dog through various skills the decoys are taught to make your dog feel like this is for real and the decoy is not his buddy but quite the hostile adversary.

That's what I like. I had a Schutzhund decoy my dog and was trying to soothe my dog as he felt my dog wanted to KILL him. I told him my dog was doing his job and that he should do his. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> Needless to say the relationship didn't last past the 3rd session when, in a momentary lapse of memory (he knew my dog was ppd and didn't give a darn about a sleeve), he slipped the sleeve on my dog on a send away and my dog spit out the sleeve and bit him in the ribs. I outed and recalled my dog. I never heard from the decoy again. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

 Quote:

and others place imphasis on all the scenarios

Before Will kills me for my Louisiana education (which happens to be french dominated <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />, I meant, "Emphasis".

What were the three hardest years in Chris's life?
The fifth grade........ <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />


Seriously, what Chris said about the integrity of ASR is what attracted me to it in the first place ( along with the leveling of testing of the dogs, nothing else approaches it here in the U.S. ). Yes, we're small ( make read tiny... ) but it's a kick to work in. I hope we continue our new pattern of growth and expand out of the South East before too long.

Hopefully we can get something going in Orlando. I just wish one of you guys lived down here.