I've been getting lots of great ideas and opinions on different items, thanks to everyone!!
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Jeannette, I think you were really lucky to able to participate at the seminar with Flinks and Francesco. I was supposed to go but had some other issues to attend to that hindered me from going. I live in the NY area also. I have a 4 year old female and a 6 month old male pup. I've traveled to many clubs around the NY/NJ area but I've never felt comfortable anywhere for many reasons. Based on what you and Will and a few other people wrote about k9nation and Francesco I conviced myself to make an appointment and visit him on Sunday. He was exactly like you said and his facility was amazing. A very impressive trainer and an overall great guy. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> My female always had problems with the hold and bark in the blind. She was always sitting too far from the helper thanks to the wrong techniques I picked up along the way. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I tried so many things to correct the problem but nothing seemed to work. I kind of gave up working on it with her so as to not create any more problems. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> So, I explained to Francesco what problems I was having and he came up with a solution that fixed my dog's problem. By the end of the day my female was doing a perfect hold and bark and my puppy picked up some bacic obedience skills. I was really impressed with his skills and techniques. Thanks for the good advice Jeannette. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Vince, I'm glad you had such a good experience with K9 Nation.
Bernhard commented on Francesco's ability to be soft with one dog and then immediately was able to change to a "hard" style while he trained two dogs with different temperaments - it was nice to see a true pro in action. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Yes Will, it was a pleasure to see a real pro move on the field. He applied a few different techniques that I haven't seen anyone do before that worked really well. He rejuvinated my passion for schutzhund. I'll definitely be seeing Francesco again soon. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Vince,

I'm thrilled to hear that you had such a wonderful outcome and that you now have a renewed passion to train in Sch! I am also not surprised, going up to K9 Nation and training there has that infectious kind of effect <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Happy Training!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Hello to everbody!HOw is everybody progressing with the tips and techniques they learned at the seminar?Jeanette,how are you doing with your female?Anymore avoiding on the tracking field?Char,how are you doing with your two dogs?I'm looking forward to seeing you soon.Karen ,I think you have a beautiful female and the best attitude in the sport"you are just looking to having fun.Kyle,did you fix the hold and bark?GEOrge and Patrick,it was a pleasure to meet the both of you.Patrick,good luck with your young Malinois.George,it was beautiful to see you working with your dog,you two make a beautiful picture.Juan I'll see you tomorrow for your two days of training.You guys know if you need any advice with future training you can contact me via e-mail at K9nation1@aol.com or by telephone at 315-564-5459 .WIll,I know you probably don't need any advice but I'm always up for a good chat about training. Sincerely ,Francesco <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> )

Hi Francesco Thanks for the compliment on Rorie. Love getting compliments on her especially from a great trainer who has very nice dogs himself. Rorie makes it easy for me to have fun <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Enjoyed the seminar and hope to attend more at your facility in the future Thank you again

I have a question for you guys. When did you start to train your dog for the article in tracking? Do you think it's possible to start article at 6 months old with the dog having no knowledge about tracking? Thanks for the info. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

HI Francesco!

Livia is doing fine, thank you! I have not seen one bit of avoidance in her at all, not even a thought of it!! She seems to be very focused out on the field, calm and looking to work.

Perhaps she was tired of Holland and just wanted to go home!?! More likely, I was lied to and she never had any running off of the field to begin with! I'll never know the real answer....All I can say is that she is fine, I"M the weak link in the picture, <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I also had the wonderful opportunity to meet the good folks at Liberty Sch Club this past weekend. Bernhard had suggested that I find a good club, and they were highly recommended to me by a few people at the seminar.I was happy to see that they were all I had hoped for, and I look forward my next visit.

Do you have any plans to host any more seminars in the upcoming year? Do you have a website yet? I hope to be able to come up to your lovely training center again some day!!!

I am also happy to report that I have purchased appropriate boots for running around out in fields! ( and they are black...although I almost got the ones w/ the polka dots... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

I had so much info to process after that seminar that I think I'm still replaying stuff in my head.

WEll, thanks for asking about us <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Dear Jeanette, I'm sorry I have not been able to get back to you sooner.I was in Europe working a few dogs that are going to be shown at the 2006 WUSV World Championship.At the same time I brought one of my females with me to be bred with one of these dogs. That's what I do everytime before I breed any of my females,I like personally to work the male. If she has conceived I am expecting some really hard puppies,with real solid nerves like the ones you saw at my facility. Another reason I did not get back to you sooner , when I got back my computer was having problems.I'm glad to hear Livia is doing really good and I'm really happy for you that you found a good club. Livia for what she showed over here , she has alot of potential to have a good future in Schutzhund and I am sure with your drive for the sport you will bring her really far.In reference to your question about future seminars being held here. Yes we do have plans to hold at least 3 in the coming year with 3 different trainers, all world class renowned for their expertise in Schutzhund training .In addition I will also be holding my own seminars to offer my training skills as well. The website is still under construction and as soon as it is ready I will let you know. Like I told you before if you have any conflict with any future training and you need any advice or help please don't hesitate to contact me either by telephone at 315-564-5459 or e-mail me at K9nation1@aol.com . Sincerely, Francesco Carotenuto