1st Schutzhund training session?

[MissouriRots]

I took my boy Zeke to his first schutzhund session yesterday. The people there were very friendly even though they all own German Shepherd dogs. They seemed very knowledgeable, but does anyone have any recommended reading that I can do on my own. I am new to Schutzhund and very much want to give Zeke the best chance possible to be successful. The lead trainer at this session was very impressed with Zeke's performance, especially considering it is in the mid 90's here!
Many thanks,
Shawn

[BostonRott]

There aren't any great books out there. Most of them are quite out of date, there have been a lot of rules changes. The best thing to do for the rules is to contact either DVG or USA and get a rules book.

Ivan Balabanov has excellent videos and a book, but it's not basic....it doesn't go over the sport for the novice.

Armin Winkler has some good articles on his website: http://www.schutzhundvillage.com

The best way to learn about drives is to pay attention at training and ask questions about what is being done and specifically why. Also, helpers often talk about a dog after it comes off the field. Pay attention, listen to what is said to/about the handler.

[MissouriRots]

Gretchen,
Thanks for the reply. The group I am working with is a very small group. Eavesdropping would be extremely difficult. LOL
I have the Susan Harwig & Stewart Hilliard book. Its copyrighted from 1991. It has been quite helpful in understanding a lot of what you need to get started. But basing all your information from one book is definitely like putting all your eggs in one basket.
This dog has so many ScH lll's in is his pedigree I can't count that high! I am sure he has the right stuff, I just want to make sure that I do right by him on the training field. We have had Rottweilers for years and looked into the AKC show stuff and that just wasn't for me (no offense to you AKC showers). We are taking a new tack now and ended up with this youing dog that has such a great background in Schutzhund that I wanted to give him the chance to succeed. After attending this first session, I am excited to get started!
Thanks for the help,
Shawn

[damp]

As Gretchen said, watch, listen and ask questions. Hang out in the club and spend an hour or two after training in the clubhouse. It’s there you make friends and training fellows and where you learn lot of “theory”.

Good luck!!!

[BostonRott]

That book is about the only one that gives a complete picture of teh sport, but the rules are SOOO out of date that it's almost not worth suggesting any more. The protection routine is completely different, and now there isno more on-leash stuff at all beyond the BH, another huge change.

if you have that book, order the rule book, and then just spend time paying attention at club. Between the 3, you should be able to put it all together.

[pazzo]

How exciting! how old is your dog? I started my first class with my boy just over a year ago. Lucky for me I live close to my trainer and am able to "STALK" him! LOL! I got hooked real quick! It's an awesome sport, I NEVER thought I could do it once I saw what it took. But here I am on the road and I LOVE it. I too am with ALOT of gsd's but there is a few other rotii's and and a few Mal's too. It's good because you become a bit more well rounded that way. As far as listening like Gretchen suggested, I literally didn't care who was at the training field, I was at my trainers side (and still am!) I want to hear everything he says, I want to see what he see's (because I usually didn't see what he saw! )I want to learn from everyone's mistakes or what they do right and what makes them successful. I think seminars are good to. Good luck and happy training!

[MissouriRots]

Pazzo,
Zeke is 11 months old. We just got him a week ago. He has a tremendous working lineage. I have been interested in Schutzund for a few years now and this is the first one of the dogs we own that I had enough confidence in to give it a try. Looking back, a couple of the other dogs we own could have been good Schutzhund prospects, but this one left no doubt!
Shawn

[pazzo]

Good for you, your gonna have soooo much fun! Even on the bad days (and very cold nights ) I had fun. I would take the cold over this heat any day! I love the time we share together training. Keep us posted on your progress, it sounds liked the two of you are very lucky to have found eachother! good luck, and have fun!

[groupieindenial]

ITs actually good manners to pay close attention. WHen tracking, follow close behind the trainer and handler to hear what they say, and pay attention to the dog's indications.

I've started video taping the stuff on the feild lately. THe members are loving that too, cuz I show them after they do their heeling stuff what they look like, since they can't look down at their dog. It also gives ME a chance to ask questions later, if they can't be answered at that time i.e. the helper.

We've just started a few months ago. All I can say, and whats been told to me, is not to rush into progressing. A solid foundation will prove worthy down the road.

I like that Barwig and Hilliard book, and find a lot of the theory is incorporated into our club. I recently bought Plumb's tracking video, that Barwig and Hilliard are accredited for. There are a series of 2 tapes for tracking, 2 tapes for obedience. You can buy the whole set for a discount here (darn, why didn't I see that before!?)
http://www.caninetrainingsystems.com...V-OB-PLUMB-SET



Rules can be found here, including recent changes in /04
http://www.dvgamerica.com/rules.html

[pazzo]

Yes! Do tape! On the encoragement of my trainer, we also tape, its easier to SEE your mistakes and correct them. I think it's an invaluable training tool. Groupie's right on, I don't know how I forgot that!