Melissa,
I would have been a little kinder in my thoughts towards that handler if she'd had a different ( read "better" ) attitude and kept her trap shut a bit more at the seminar. She spent a lot of time bad mouthing Schutzhund, when it was obvious that she had no idea what the h*ll she was talking about, and she ate up a lot of valuable seminar time arguing with Bernhard ( or anybody else that she could engage in conversation ) about her dog - she was very resistant to being given the truth about her dog.
I know that if I went to a seminar about something that I knew zip about, I wouldn't be bad mouthing the subject and revealing the depth of my ignorance.

I did a Police agitation seminar at http://www.adlerhorst.com. I don't know how board members feel about this facility, but they import alot of dogs and do alot of Police K9 training. I enjoyed my time there and would do the seminar again.
Anyway, it's just another So. Cal. contact to consider.

Thank you so much everyone, this is so much mor info. than i could have found in another 6 month of searching, and its all backed by your personal criticism and experiences... i will look closely into each and every one of these.

Will, thank you for your concerns and reasuring my plan as the corect one!

one question now that i would like just a thought on.... Standard Schnauzer? anyone see any good St. Schn in competition? I'm thinking about one posably in the future but havent desided on the breed yet.

A Standard Schnauzer? Are we talking SchH? We have a few Giant Schnauzer folks on this board, and some have done very well in DVG competition, but I haven't seen a standard compete in SchH, nor heard of one doing so, either.

Now, in AKC OB, I've seen some *great* ones - it just depends on what you expect out of the dog and what it's capable of, from a genetic standpoint.

ya, i know giant's are used quite a bit but its just too big of a breed for my life for a while. standards are just the right size and are suposed to be rather sturdy. I'm prepared to shell out the money for a sound working dog and i'm not going to rush my picking of a breeder, just as i'm not rushing into a trainer(though i take much more intrest in the ones refered by you guys than the ones i'v found on searches). but i guess that just means i'll have to search all the harder for the perfect dog.

Heather If you want a near Standard size dog proven to work well in the SchH and other ring sport, have you looked at the Malinois?

This dog is rocking the dog sport world, of course this not new News. I've heard some say the Standard just doesn't have the heart for man work.
Its thought to a tough midsize dog would lead you to think it can do anything. The Arieldale would be another near look alike to this about.

Though a small male or female GSD or Mal would help make you more competitive and successful in attain a SchH II -III titled dog. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Having trained and handled an Aireldale to a SchH II many years ago, may I recommend *NOT* trying them as a breed? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
I could have titled four GSD's in the time it took to title one Airedale....

How about an Australian Cattle Dog? Compact, sturdy, and great drives, if you research the lines. That breed is definately on my "to do" list for future dogs.....

I'm also looking for a reliable trainer/training facility for our 8 month male dobie. I checked the Falco web site listed above, and it looked very promising. My question to everyone out there is.... what should you expect to pay for training?
The first trainer I interviewed charges $900 for 3 weeks, that is with you leaving the dog at his kennel and participating in the dogs training once a week. This fee covered basic obedience on a 8 month old. The trainer is the owner of a local Schutzhund Club. Is leaving the dog recommended? Help!

Haven't been here in a while, and was browsing through.

Someone mentioned Adlerhorst. I am kinda curious on Ed's feelings, or other board members here. I have heard good and bad things about all the trainers listed here (even Ed), and I choose to make my own choices...but what is the opinion of Reaver and Adlerhorst?

My dog is an Adlerhorst dog, and he is just fantastic...but I've also heard of not so goods. The Adlerhorst trainer that comes down and evaluates our dogs (throughout NM, we have 14 dog teams thoroughout six cities that train together) spoke highly of Frawley when I asked. He mentioned some differences (in training and dogs), but it wasn't bad. To be honest, I didn't expect that.

And then I learned that Kevin Sheldahl (sp)in in NM. Didn't know that. And if I can remember right, he is liked by this forum...right? (can't remember) But what is odd is that one agency in NM REFUSES to buy Adlerhorst when a city very close will ONLY buy Adlerhorst.

I would just like to think that all trainers are in in for the preservation of awesome working dogs and the protection of fellow officers, and not being I-am-better-than-you kinda people just in it for a quick buck.
(And I am not implying anyone is!)