Okay, I've done TD, TDX and SAR, however I'm finding this Schutzhund tracking, "footstep" tracking quite.... hmm, how shall I put it... bewildering, frustrating, and for the most part, I'm not enjoying it! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

So, I would like to attend or organize a tracking seminar to better understand and enjoy Schutzhund tracking.
I would like to know who your favourite is for tracking seminars, and why!

I don't want this to turn into a pi$$ing match about who is the best trainer, I want to know who's seminars you've attended, and the positives of them.

For instance, who is pleasant and humorous as opposed to arrogant and insulting? Personally I don't learn well from the latter!
Who had techniques that you found instantly rewarding?
Who had a nicely laid out plan/program?
Who was reasonably priced, accomodating and social?
Any other insights would be appreciated, however if you have really negative stuff to say about anyone... please PM me if you feel it's really necessary.

Thanks! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Tammy.

I found it so boring I went to ringsport! I would probably have a better chance of helping if I knew what was specifically going awry.

You're missing the point Jeff. I'm not trying to have this board solve my tracking problems, I'm trying to find a good seminar to attend/organize.

Thanks for the effort though! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Enjoy your sport.
Tammy.

For the money, I still think Bernhard Flinks does the best job of teaching tracking for SchH, and I've been to a lot of seminars through the years taught by a lot of different trainers.
He has a good personality and his method works over a period of time *if* you do your part.
Also...Bernhard teaches a lot of dogs from scratch, which is something the big-name SchH handlers usually don't do, especially in the U.S. ( getting a finished SchH III dog and tweaking a few points out of it for high level competition is very different from training a dog from a puppy ).

I hosted a Flinks seminar and I was able to charge a reasonable price, because Bernhard charged me a reasonable price. And he was both accommodating and social.

I would certainly try to attend a "Tracking Only" seminar taught by Bernhard if it was close enough to drive to for me.

Bernard is very good. We also held one with Raino Fluegge who is up in New Brunswick. He has working weekends as well. He'll can go from newbies to national level pointers. Very good and knowledgeable man. We did a one day with him after our trial in April, we're bringing him back for 3 days in December <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

OH I also highly recommend Raino - he is absolutely excellent - in all phases but tracking especially, I think. He is also very nice and well-spoken, very clear about his opinions - doesn't beat around the bush - I like that.

molly

schutzhund tracking, not enjoying it? Nahhh, your kidding <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
I find Teus T. from Holland to be excellent in this field, among all others. The only problem here is he is more police and real world tracking than sport schutzhund, however, he has taught tracking in a schutzhund capacity. He is a guru when it comes to tracking and doesn't really matter what style you want he knows them all. He is reasonably priced. Loves America (genuinly) funny, and definatly not arrogant or an A-hole. As I once heard him say, people don't pay me to belittle them, they pay me to train them and their dogs, any derogatory comments is absolutely unprofessional, unnecessary, and unwanted. So his heads on straight. I have seen him give his all, with a couple of absolutely worthless dogs, but he gave them the same energy he gave the other dogs, because it was his place to do what he could for that dog that had been paid for to attend his seminar, not say get another dog, sorry you wasted your money, thats for you and your club to decide.

Thanks everyone! Now we're getting somewhere! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Does anyone have contact info for Bernhard Flinks or Teus T.? Raino is only an hour and a half away from us. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Would like to hear more input before we make any decisions.

Tammy.

Bernhards contact points:
B.Flinks@t-online.de
( he's slow to answer e-mails )

His phone number:
0171-7028186
( seven hours ahead of EST time )

Mailing address:
Bernhard Flinks
Albersdorferfeld 4
25767 Albersdorf Germany