Quote: randy allen

Anne I was never impressed with AKC ob criteria. On the tracking though?
They are as tough as any org., especially at the upper levels. A TDX or VST is a worthy and difficult goal for any trainer/dog team if you ask me.

Having competed in both AKC obedience and SchH obedience I personally think that one is no less impressive than the other Particularly when you get to SchH III obedience routine versus Utility. SchH is nowhere close to being as difficult in my book and that is not even taking into account that heeling down a schutzhund field you can get away with alot out of the hearing range of the judge

Different criteria and challenges in both but I would not hold AKC obedience, particularly the upper levels, as inferior to SchH obedience.

Ooh whoo,
Let me see, have I missed any other org. fan I can tee off in this thread?

I'm going have to work really hard from now if I'm going to get my foot any further into my mouth gang.

Give me time, I'm sure I can accomplish it if given enough rope.

It was not my intent to demean AKC conmpetition in any way. I know that the upper levels are demanding. I only had mentioned AKC OB & tracking thinking that they might have lower easier levels with which to start out then the SchH trials.

I have not done any AKC in eons...only as a junior with my collie...many, many, years ago. Just thought that it might bear mentioning as another avenue to explore when 'protection work' was not in the cards.

 Quote: randy allen

Ooh whoo,
Let me see, have I missed any other org. fan I can tee off in this thread?

I'm going have to work really hard from now if I'm going to get my foot any further into my mouth gang.

Give me time, I'm sure I can accomplish it if given enough rope.

Did not tee off me :-). Just giving an opposing opinion :-p

 Quote: Ingrid Rosenquist

Having competed in both AKC obedience and SchH obedience I personally think that one is no less impressive than the other Particularly when you get to SchH III obedience routine versus Utility. SchH is nowhere close to being as difficult in my book and that is not even taking into account that heeling down a schutzhund field you can get away with alot out of the hearing range of the judge

Different criteria and challenges in both but I would not hold AKC obedience, particularly the upper levels, as inferior to SchH obedience.

It's good to hear from someone who has experience in both venues. I hope this isn't steering the thread off track, but since the subject has come up, there is a new non-regular AKC class called Obedience Advanced Teamwork, meant to offer some new challenges to the advanced competitors. Hopefully, it will be a titling class soon.

http://clubs.akc.org/saints/Archives/Obedience%20Advanced%20Teamwork.pdf

Cheri, don't worry about "steering off track", I'm learning a heck of a lot from this thread and I appreciate all of the information.

If I can't find a Shutzhund club that will let me in, I'll try some of the other avenues mentioned.

I just would like to work with what he's got and make them a positive and I'm certainly not going to find that at some PetSmart training class. (Which, I would not have attended anyway.)

I want something that goes further, that really works with the dog, that really brings out all his qualities, that makes him learn and focus and be top notch in obedience. Tracking is something I think he would do well in even if he is a lab mix, (getting a DNA test to find out what the mix is), and protection...believe it or not, while he may not be like a GSD or Mal, I think he might actually benefit from learning it. Know when to do it and when not to do it.

Anyway, thanks everyone for the replies, I appreciate them. I wasn't expecting all of this knowledge when I started the post but I'm certainly appreciating it.

 Quote: valerie munk

Cheri, don't worry about "steering off track", I'm learning a heck of a lot from this thread and I appreciate all of the information.

If I can't find a Shutzhund club that will let me in, I'll try some of the other avenues mentioned.

I just would like to work with what he's got and make them a positive and I'm certainly not going to find that at some PetSmart training class. (Which, I would not have attended anyway.)

I want something that goes further, that really works with the dog, that really brings out all his qualities, that makes him learn and focus and be top notch in obedience. Tracking is something I think he would do well in even if he is a lab mix, (getting a DNA test to find out what the mix is), and protection...believe it or not, while he may not be like a GSD or Mal, I think he might actually benefit from learning it. Know when to do it and when not to do it.

Anyway, thanks everyone for the replies, I appreciate them. I wasn't expecting all of this knowledge when I started the post but I'm certainly appreciating it.

I'd ask Betty Waldron here for advice, she had a new and interesting way of getting into a closed SchH club.....

Simple. You find the Training Director and just stalk them.

Yep. Stalking done properly can be very effective.

ROFL

Oh and don't forget to just show up on training days and ask if you can watch. Of course you have your dog with you for socialization.....


AND don't take it personally when the dog is accepted with full membership but you are on a 6 month probation!

 Quote: betty waldron

Oh and don't forget to just show up on training days and ask if you can watch. Of course you have your dog with you for socialization.....


AND don't take it personally when the dog is accepted with full membership but you are on a 6 month probation!

Our club voting Betty in went something like this:

Me:
"ok, are we all in favor of Betty getting full membership?"

One of the other members:
"Yeah, sure....it's less paperwork than taking out a restraining order on her........