Attended my first Schutzhund Seminar

[jas'smom]

All I can say is WOW!!!! Jas and I had a blast this weekend at our first, of many I hope, Schutzhund training seminars. We did not embarass ourselves too much I am pleased to say Jas did pretty well in the obedience session, her attention stayed on me in spite of the distractions. The instructor gave me several valuable suggestions to help me sharpen her and my skills. Tracking was fun, Jas followed the track very well, good drive etc. I was told that she was ready to start turns now. Scary thought!!!! The bite work on Sunday was increadibly interesting to watch. Especially as there were several Sch III dogs there. Jas has not had any bite work to date so we worked her and some of the younger dogs with their prey drives. I had to laugh at Jas, during one of the exercises a ball was placed in a pop machine. The machine was poped and the dogs were allowed to chase or catch it. Jas chased down the ball and then marched right up to the machine and checked it out. Some of the dogs ignored the machine and just went after the ball, one left the ball and attacked the machine. Then another dog, strangly enough another female, did the same as Jas, grabbed the ball and then checked out the machine. We all noted that it was really only the girrls who were curious enough about the machine to check it out.

It was really interesting to see the different training methods people use, our instructor was an advocate of clicker training and I found it very helpful with Jas, as she came to know exactly what behavior she was being rewarded for and would repeat that correct behavior a bit quicker each time. It was like a light bulb went on in both our heads

Thanks for letting me ramble on, I am still on a buzz from the whole thing!!!!

[BostonRott]

Pam,

Glad to hear you had so much fun!! SchH truly is a blast, it shows you so much about all aspects of the dog. You'll also begin to learn how stress in one part of life affects performance in another part.

I must say, I'm surprised to hear that the presenter is using a clicker. Did you happen to inquire how many dogs he's taken from 0 to title using the clicker? I personally am a big fan of clicker work, I know that most in SchH scoff at it. I'm always curious to see if people really use the methods they espouse.

[jas'smom]

Originally Posted by BostonRott

Pam,

Glad to hear you had so much fun!! SchH truly is a blast, it shows you so much about all aspects of the dog. You'll also begin to learn how stress in one part of life affects performance in another part.

I must say, I'm surprised to hear that the presenter is using a clicker. Did you happen to inquire how many dogs he's taken from 0 to title using the clicker? I personally am a big fan of clicker work, I know that most in SchH scoff at it. I'm always curious to see if people really use the methods they espouse.

I didn't ask him about his titled dogs I should have. There were several people who went away from the seminar with a new apprecation of clicker work. I think the light bulb is going on!!!!!

[spidey]

Yay Pam! Glad you both had a good time. Sounds like it was a very interesting seminar.

[spoteet]

Sounds like you had a great time! Can you tell us who this instructor was?

[GenHannibal]

It was Andreas Mueller.

Also, the clicker training in Schutzhund has been catching on, especially on the East Coast. Unfortunately, since I've moved west, I've missed out on attending the seminars. There is also a Schutzhund trainer in either Belgium or Germany, I believe, that has also been doing seminars with the clicker. I'll have to find out his name.

[jas'smom]

Originally Posted by GenHannibal

It was Andreas Mueller.

Also, the clicker training in Schutzhund has been catching on, especially on the East Coast. Unfortunately, since I've moved west, I've missed out on attending the seminars. There is also a Schutzhund trainer in either Belgium or Germany, I believe, that has also been doing seminars with the clicker. I'll have to find out his name.

oh do, I would be interested in what ever I can get ahold of with regards to clicker work.

[Luvs]

I am glad you had such a good experience!! Schutzhund is so much fun!!
We attended our first Schutzhind seminar this summer as well. We met some wonderful people, learned a great deal, and had ALOT of fun!

[Mick Trainer]

Glad it all went well.

I don't think there would be many areas of dog training that a clicker (at least markers, successful aproximation etc) is not becoming a tool that is used by many of the top trainers in that field. I think few would be clicker only but many would use it as a tool just like any other tool they have.

Mick.

[BostonRott]

I think that if one wants to learn about clicker training, one needs to find instructors who use it on their own dogs, their client's dogs, and who have titled dogs using it. I'll say no more than that.

I do happen to love using the clicker. I have also read all the ridicule on another forum where the supposed "working people" are. There are many who talk a game to collect $$, there are others who happen to use what they speak of.

If you want good clicker seminars, look for Gary White or Susan Garrett. Also, grab a few good books on operant conditioning and get a solid grip on what it is truly about (it's NOT pure positive as many promote). Truly getting into a dog's head is fascinating, just know the history of those whom you're learning from.

[lblax]

Originally Posted by BostonRott

Pam,

Did you happen to inquire how many dogs he's taken from 0 to title using the clicker? :

i did a search and the best i can tell he had a ninth place show in a world police trial out of 100 dogs ...

[BostonRott]

Right, but HOW were those dogs trained???

[lblax]

Originally Posted by BostonRott

Right, but HOW were those dogs trained???

i have no idea that is his one accomplishmant i just checked because his name didnt ring a bell. it came from a training facility site that he is affiliated with so if there were more they would probably list them

[blackandtan]

Originally Posted by lblax

i have no idea that is his one accomplishmant i just checked because his name didnt ring a bell. it came from a training facility site that he is affiliated with so if there were more they would probably list them

Ya, there is a lot about Andreas you dont know.

Andreas has probably titled more dogs HIMSELF than any single trainer in the US He has titled over 100 dogs in the last 10 years.

He is also president of the USRC

His website is Please do not post links to websites with puppies or dogs for sale

I am not saying Andreas is the end all be all for all trainers, but he certainly has done more than a lot of people and he certainly has my respect as a trainer.

[blackandtan]

Originally Posted by lblax

i did a search and the best i can tell he had a ninth place show in a world police trial out of 100 dogs ...

you need to search harder, especially when posting something like this publically about someone's reputation. I'm not saying you malaciously are out there to discredit him, but I think people should get all of their facts on anything before posting stuff like this.