When I thought I wanted to try Schutzhund with my pup, I visited clubs in my area. I visited one that I refer to now as 'The Dog Abuse Club' and one that I think of as a real Schutzhund club (DVG). The 'real' club is associated with Gottfried Dildei, is mostly based on reward-based training with minor corrections as needed. They had a lot of Leerburg products. The 'dog-abuse' club was just that--it was actually disgusting to watch. The members got angry with dogs that didn't do what was expected, I'm talking about dragging dogs across a field by the cheeks, shouting, cuffing, screaming, little pupppies with e-collars, the whole nine yards of idiocy. There was even one guy in a wheelchair (you'd think this guy would have some compassion, but no) that punched his dog for not watching him in a heel. His dog obviously looked like he'd rather be doing anything, anywhere, than being by his owner. I'm no Ms PETA but Jiminy Cricket I would have liked to laser these people into non-existence.

My question is, is this common, in your experiences?

Boy, I needed to get that off my chest.

More common then most will admit to. You'll see the same at many AKC OB clubs also.

 Quote: Bob Scott

More common then most will admit to. You'll see the same at many AKC OB clubs also.

Actually, I would say the exact opposite extreme is more predominant at AKC clubs in this day and age ;-) You see the folks who don't understand marker training trying to do purely positive and come away with out of control dogs. Neither extreme is good IMO.

With that said, clubs are only as good as the people whom the club is comprised of. If you have *truly* knowledgeable people who look at their dogs as partners and not just a tool to boost their ego, you are likely to find a good club. Find a club derived of ego driven people, you are likely (IMO) to find the opposite. This is my experience across the board with different dog clubs (no matter the activity).

You did the right thing to go out and watch a club before bringing your dog :-)