Schutzhund training: Can we begin in an isolated area?

[John Salas]

I would like to know what type of books are good for someone who is just getting into Schutzhund. I live in rual part of New Mexico so all the trainning my dogs get are from me. I have a 3 month Rottweiler and I think I would enjoy this type of trainning with my dog. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[katheyt]

I'm a novice but I enjoyed "Schutzhund Theory and Training Methods" by Susan Barwig and Stewart Hilliard. I defer to the experts on training alone but I do know that you shouldn't have your dog bite you when training so you need someone to help. It's fun but there is a responsibility you assume when you start the training.

[German Vanegas]

Sorry to burst your hopes John, but living in a rural area of New Mexico will make it quite difficult to train your dogs in the demanding dog sport of schutzhund. The complexity of the schutzhund training requires lots of professional guidance and teamwork, provided by qualified people. Done without some expertise involved, it will do more harms than any good. See if there is a schH club near-by that you can afford to go to, or else it is not even worth to give it a try on your own alone.

[This message has been edited by German Vanegas (edited April 29, 1999).]

[katheyt]

German, Wouldn't it be OK to start the obedience and tracking parts of Schutzhund until a good group can be found? I've found these two areas to be the hardest and most time consuming (as a novice with a fairly aggressive dog). This would at least be a start and would initiate a working bond between the handler and dog. Your thoughts ?

[German Vanegas]

Well, a novice reading a schuzthund book is prone to misinterpretations (as any other human being), so it is a lot better to have qualified guidance around to prevent mistakes. Some of these may be minor and correctable, but major mistakes can ruin the dog's potential. John should do his best to find someone around his area with the neccessary knowledge to guiding through the complex training process demanded by schutzhund. If it were easy, everybody would be in it for the "fun of it"... By the way Katheyt, the book you recommended is a good one.

[katheyt]

John, I didn't want to confuse you with my question to German, I was looking for something for you to start with. I have a private trainer who works with me and it is very difficult. It would be easy to create a monster by poor training.