I kinda like the idea of that $1/work going to the club fund. It wouldn't hurt anybody's pocketbook, but eventually would add up to a lot.

I guess we're the lowest <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> We just raised for the first time...$35.00 year plus $50 initiation fee, $10/mo training fee to cover equipment and building rental in winter. But then, we are in the middle of nowhere also *G*

Sue

$200 a year OR $50 quarterly = that covers up to 2 dogs, extra dogs are $60 a year, OR $15 quarterly.. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

All goes towards equiptment.

At our club we charge 150.00 a year. Also every so often we put out a fee can. Members and visiting clubs can pitch in a few bucks. Our helpers are club members, not out to make a fast buck on club members.

http://www.germanshepherddog.com

check out clubs page

the club that is holding the GSD Championships is in your area, also a club in Lynchburg.

Or
http://www.gsdca-wda.org

There are a few things to know about costs associated with dog training clubs. Do they pay for the field they train on and what is the cost. Do they have national and regional dues and what do they pay for those costs. Additional costs add up also, like Regional directors funds, Regional championship funds, INSURANCE, as well as equipment. Trails usually cost a club to sponser so how many trials a year do they put on? I find a lot of people wonder where $$ goes to in club operations. It doesn't take long to spend some pretty significant money on equipment. Just add up a set of blinds, a set of dumbells, jump and scaling wall, a small variety of sleeves (puppy, intermediate, bite bar, and keep a nice one around for trials, plus a couple tugs as a bare minimum), a blank pistol or two, a couple pair of scratch pants, whips and sticks, some back ties, and a couple long lines. Extra sleeve covers at 35-40 bucks a pop as well. This just represents part of the expenses. Clubs might also feel that they should sponser a representative to the National and regional meetings, or send their helpers off to seminars for education. Purchase rule books and videos and books for a club library. This list is pretty much minimal stuff for a functioning club.
Some clubs feel the need to pay their helpers (professional helpers in the sport field are like #$%$%$# leaches if you ask me) but still people do this. {Being a helper is part of the sport... get involved and learn the work, throw out the pro's for your club work. It is better for the sport if the pro's are kept at arms length.}

Some Clubs aren't really clubs at all but private training programs disguised as clubs where the owner is a private professional trainer and instructor. I don't have a problem with this but if it isn't a club then don't call it a club. Call it so-and-so's Schutzhund Training Course.
But often the club disguise is good for business so they do it this way. Only a decision by the national organizations to police this would change it. Too many active people would stand to loose if this happened to it won't.

Our USA club charges $120/year plus $20 per obed session and $20/helper session. But then again, the guy is very well known.

Our WDA club in Athens, GA charges a yearly fee of $150. We are expected to help with field and equipment upkeep and work the trials/seminars if we are not working our dogs at that time. Very fair, I think. Main training helper has his dues waived out of respect for the additional work that he does.
And pay a helper for working the dogs? Not in my book...

Hay V.C. The $2 go's to the dog in that case, right?

For the family of the deceased helper.

Just kidding.

The buck is cool because you can use that to buy prizes for fun competitions, gifts for members that need to be recognized for extra work. . .all kinds of stuff.

Kevin, I agree with your opinions of the "clubs" that are really money machines for trainers, BUT. . .

I have no problem with paying very experienced helpers to help train your own guys, or come help to prep high quality dogs. Those people should be paid for their time. How are young clubs going to learn unless they can get some help like that? Paying room/board and salary for a "pro" to come work with your club for a few months a year shouldn't be looked at in a negative light. How else does one learn? A few days of seminars a year? I don't think so.