Happy belated birthday! Glad your dog did well and that you found your trip to The Village productive!

Now you need to come on a Sunday morning and get started in tracking!

My plan IS to go next Sunday to start learning the tracking phase. As easily as Falcon can find any little scrap of gross stuff in the woods - he should quickly get the hang of tracking!!

awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sometimes it's bad form to resurrect really old threads. However, since I just had my first day at Schutzhund village it seemed proper. Really enjoyed watching the dogs work, and getting some pointers from members on resources to help us in looking for a dog. Great group of people.

(And just noticed that this is my 200th post in about 8 years. Wow time flies.)

Yeh, wow, it' 2 years old!

I was very impressed with Armin (he says what he means and means what he says - I like that in a person) as well as some of the folks there. They are a serious group of trainers and I'm sure you will learn alot. Best of luck and happy training.

Dear Barbara, I just got a hold on this post, and as always I'm wishing you the very best. Happy Belated Birthday, plus glad you and Falcon took the plunge in the Schutzhund World. He will do just fine, and so will you. Dan

 Quote: danilo a. nelson

Dear Barbara, I just got a hold on this post, and as always I'm wishing you the very best. Happy Belated Birthday, plus glad you and Falcon took the plunge in the Schutzhund World. He will do just fine, and so will you. Dan

Unfortunately, we are not involved at this time. I visited Schutzhund Village by myself first and then took Falcon to be evaluated by Armin, their trainer (Falcon was about 6 - 7 months old). Armin was helpful and very encouraging to me as a complete "neophite" to Schutzhund. He felt that if I worked at it, Falcon would probably do great on the local / state level, but most likely not on the national level. (Since I was still trying to spell Schutzhund correctly at the time, it was pretty safe to say we had never considered national titles...)

This is not said to be negative in any way, just an honest assessment of my experience:

In spite of Armin's evaluation, or perhaps, because of it, the fact that Falcon is a German showline dog was not well received by many of the club members (and this was clearly articulated). It was made clear to me that they were a "serious" club and that although they wanted folks to have a good time, they were there to win titles (which I completely understand).

After a bit of soul searching, I determined we weren't a good match. Part of this decision was based on my total lack of experience in the sport and lack of confidence at the time in my training abilities, combined with what I perceived as a cool reception by many club members. Had I had prior experience in the sport and wasn't a complete and total "noob" - the cool reception may not have had the effect it did.

I would expect that new members with working line dogs would be warmly welcomed and would receive the encouragment and support helpful to an individual new to the sport.

Not to fret Dan... you still have plenty of time to plan the celebration! My BD is in February, so start planning the festivities immediately!!!!

Many of the top clubs only want people that are VERY serious about competing to the higher levels & with dogs that are capable of reaching that potential.

They also limit the number of members that join. Too many dogs limits the amnount of individual attention & time each handler/dog gets to work their dog. Some of them will have a waiting lists to join. These are the clubs who's members are standing on the podium at the Nationls & are in international competition.

That sucks someone would get treated like that..i dont care if you bring a chihuahua.. if you wanna do the sport, and your serious, and you wanna have a good time..then welcome..

dont fret though. i got a poor reception with my pit bull as well, and is exactly why im trying to recruit for a club right here in my own town.