Stephan,
Those are valid points!
However, any SchH handler competing in AKC Ob tends to call attention to themselves ( unwanted or not ) since we are using commands in German ( some of us, anyway ) and we do not give the dogs name as a preparatory command.

Of course, since SchH scores became more important to me than AKC Ob, I make the point sacrifices in AKC to mantain my SchH routine. Depending on someones priority, they could train to maximize points in AKC but their SchH score would suffer - I'm thinking of the moving Stand and Examination exercise in Utility and the Long Sit and the Long Down exercises in Novice and Open.

Dang, I thought it was just that sch "about" that gave you away!

I'm pretty much out of AKC obed since the 90's. Before then it was fun, there were more breeds competing, and I don't think most judge's "perfect image" dog was a golden heeling with all it's weight on it's rear <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Got tired of making dobies do that <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

That said (and I've had a some 200's in my day) I'm really, really looking forward to doing schutzhund with my evil girl. A whole new thing for me, and lots of new stuff to acquire <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Will wrote:

"since we are using commands in German ( some of us, anyway ) and we do not give the dogs name as a preparatory command."

Not to mention that we actually move our arms when we walk, and aren't walking around like we have a hernia.

Jackie,
We had an excellent AKC trainer at the Bernhard Flinks seminar last year in Tallahassee. She did her heeling routine using the typical AKC posture.
Bernhard actually asked the crowd if she was handicapped - we literally howled with laughter about that comment. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

And Bernhard did something that really impressed us - that handler had a neat trick to get a dog to stand up from a sitting position - and have no doubt, Bernhard adopted that method into his training.
A smart trainer doesn't dismiss a good idea, no matter where it comes from.

What was the trick?

Charlie,
From a sit, the trainer stepped lightly between the front paws of the dog with one foot - the dog stood up straight and went four square, with little or no movement of it's front legs.
Obviously, you have to train this with the dog on leash so it can not back up - but the end result looked very slick, let me tell ya.

The trainers name was LuAnn, a nice lady. She said she had learned it from some German trainer long ago.

I trained my GSD bitch using the method, it's handy sometimes. It took about two weeks of repetitions to make it solid. I started to teach my male but he bit me in the groin during it ( he didn't like backing up, apparently...Ouch! ), so I've placed that exercise on hold. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Poor Will!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> The dangers of training!!

 Quote:

Originally posted by Will Rambeau:

However, any SchH handler competing in AKC Ob tends to call attention to themselves ( unwanted or not ) since we are using commands in German ( some of us, anyway ) and we do not give the dogs name as a preparatory command.

Of course, since SchH scores became more important to me than AKC Ob, I make the point sacrifices in AKC to mantain my SchH routine.

I do AKC with my dogs as well...for many reasons but 2 very important ones...promoting the German dog to the public, and for mass population recognized "AKC" credentials - all my dogs have CGCs, 3 have CDs, and working on CDX and Utility..the German import young female will go for CD-CDX as well...with neighbors who don't like dogs and harassment over them starting, the credentials may well be needed legally.

As far as losing points - one AKC judge at a GSD specialty told me he never had a handler lose so many points for the dog German or half and half about turns, commands at pace changes and arm positions <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> LOL Still won his class and only missed HIT by 1.5 points! Even with one German about turn and an excited male who jumped on me 3 times because someone's female - probably coming in heat -soiled the ring, he still performed nicely enough to get 3rd in a class of 18 and finish his CD in 3 shows! The AKC instructor I occassionaly work with argues with me that I will get pointed for using "steh" for stand, but no judge has ever pointed me on that exercise at all...just the German about turns <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Call me dumb, but why do they care what commands you use? Does it really make a difference?
I have never competed AKC, but plan to try my hand at it this summer. We'll see what they think of my big guy :-) He's know ACK ASS dog that's for sure!

Elizabeth
They dont care.
But they dont want double commands. If you say Schtay for stand, they might think you saied ,Stand and then stay.
All AKC about turns (accept some in rallys) are done to the right, not left as in SchH.
On the change of pace you are not allowed to give the command at the change as you do in Sch.
I have no problems with AKC. If your dog will do a SchH right turn he will do a rt about. Beyond that they do a long SIT a broud jump in Utility and a stand for exam were the judge touches the dog with you away. Now the exam I DO have a problem with.
Ron