Welcome to the United Schutzhund Clubs of America - Page 7

I've met some of the Hegins people and they seem really nice.  Wouldn't it be worth it to join, even if just for a year, to get yourself and your dog involved and get some training?  It'd give you and your dog opportunities you don't yet have, and also maybe you'd meet people from other areas/clubs and might find another club better suited for you that way.

BabyEagle, that is unfortunate and disturbing they would not allow you to handle your own dog.  I'm not defending those clubs b/c I don't know them, but in some places you kind of have to stick it out to prove your commitment and some seem to have a thicker shell than others.  Even our club which is brand new has seen dozens of people come insisting they are in it for the long haul only to create tension among the group or just stop showing up one day and never be seen or heard from again.  So when someone says they are committed to the sport and to training dogs, we do our best to be welcoming but we also need that person to prove it.  Unfortunately you just can't take anyone's word for it.  For every ten people that contact me, maybe, MAYBE one person actually comes out to training and just maybe that person sticks around.  It's the 80/20 rule...the few newbies actually take the majority of the effort from the club and the TD to work and train how to train, so the club is not going to put in that effort until we are sure that person is committed and meshes well with our group.  We will also get people that only want to work one or two phases, or only want to come once or twice a month and we simply can't allow that because that person gets behind and then everyone else has to help them catch up.  Too bad you are not closer, you'd be welcome at our club!

I think between USA and WDA there are maybe 6 or 7 clubs in PA?  I would also check DVG America, see if there are any DVG clubs that may be near enough for you to check out.  The  best advise I know of for new people is to go to all the clubs in your area, go a few times to each one, see what each group is like, whether or not they are a good fit for you and your dog.  The fact that they all crowded around and asked you about your experience and your dog is pretty normal, and most likely whomever you spoke to on the phone didn't pass on the information you provided. 

Bosen Kinder Hundesport is alive and well and training regularly in Fredrick, MD.
S