I'm gonna start my own dog sport and call it SchuGility and have a cute tricks section

I have trained with many guys that are older then 53.

 Quote: Jason Sidener

I have trained with many guys that are older then 53.

Me too! *wink*

Cindy, Are we still talking about DOG training??? LOL!

Sure, sure! pick on the old guy......again!
Just cause I titled Mathusela's cat is no reason to pick on me.
Physically, Schutzhund is a piece of cake! I quit digging terriers out of the ground just a couple of yrs ago. Wasn't that I couldn't dig a 4 ft hole in the ground anymore, I kept forgetting how I got in the middle of the woods.

Well if you want to drive 1 1/2 hours to Palmyra, VA you can train at Schutzhund Village. Let's see we have an 80 year lady,3-4 in their 60's, 4 of us at least in our 50's, 6-7 in their 40's, a couple of 30 and 20 year olds. Most of us that train are on some type of meds!

OMG we're friggin old....

Welcome to the world of mature Schutzhund Barbara. I am 50 and have recently drafted my father in assisting me in getting control of our male in protection.........

He does pretty good with a bite pillow, knee replacement and all!

I was describing the exercises we were doing on the phone to Will of this board, (I consider him my mentor but he *Did* recently move across the country to get away from me) when I realized there was a very heavy silence on the other end. I'm thinking "Oh crap, I've really done it this time......." I can not begin to describe how relieved I was when he burst out laughing and said I love it.

He has requested it on video but I think that is for entertainment purposes.............He did mention popcorn.

And you would really have to know Doc to appreciate this, he has been a bit of a challange............Control wise. Last year I was described frequently and publically as looking like I was on roller skates when he saw a decoy and much to my chagrin it was a pretty apt description.

Last week I even had my mother on the outside of the fence line kicking a sleeve around while I did ob with him. The only reason I had her on the other side of the fence is because he is bigger then she is, and she is scheduled for knee surgery.

And amazingly it is working........We are getting control in protection work with a "real" decoy. A bite for ob and the ultimate punishment of dropping the sleeve and walking away is working much better then all the force, compulsion, and the battle of wills that I never won. It did however give me a dog that was becoming increasingly handler aggressive.

My point being that you do not need physical strength to train. Trust me I don't have any. <VBG> .

"Well if you want to drive 1 1/2 hours to Palmyra, VA you can train at Schutzhund Village."

I've already contacted them and am going to visit tomorrow! My husband is "babysitting" the dog for me so I can go alone and just chat with folks and get a good idea what it is all about. I'm REALLY looking forward to it!!

Thanks everyone for the encouragement and chuckles... I'll keep you posted on my day at Schutzhund Village! ;-)

Well hopefully you'll still be there tomorrow when I get there. I have to work dogs down around Durham, NC for an upcoming trial then drive back up to Palmyra to get my dogs worked so I won't be there until around 2:30 or so. Either way enjoy the visit!

Age has nothing to do with your ability to handle a working dog. My husband is your age and has been working with dogs for years. The only thing that might be an issue is your conditioning. If you have a 6 mos old, I am guessing your not a couch potato. We have friends who are older than you and are very active in training dogs. Get out there and have fun.