Show Handlers - Page 2

These are all nice tips. The point is; When we read a statement from USA that says we should handle our own dogs here, there should be some formal training available to accomplish this. Sorry guys, most of the Schutzhund clubs are into schutzhund. There are too few across the country to take you national competetor down to the local club and get yourself some training on handling and compete at the sieger show.

Exactly, Dog1. I'm all for it, but the nearest club that consistently hosts shows is about 1 1/2 hours away. And, if you're an auslander, people tend to be a little icy.

Randy, The only times I have seen any clubs start to practice/train handling (both USA and WDA) is when a show is in the near future.

Another note... I do not wait for some one or an organization - I took the initiative to set up training. Doing the same with Enzo - perfect time to train and show him, but this is not on the local show schedules.

Hi Sue, Do you mind sharing how you go about setting up training for yourself and your dog? Thanks.

OK Folks, Here's your chance!!!!!!!!!1 Looking for handlers to handle at the Canadian Sieger show. Let's see who's out there that can handle!!! The show is Aug 28-31.

A friend had bought tapes on show handling, taught herself, showed her dog a few times and koered him. We then worked with mine several times a week for about a month prior to the show...with the males picking up the idea pretty well, and the female ...well - she is a female... :) :) We went to different places, parks, tennis courts, yards with hedges for corners, etc...the dogs and I had a little bit of an idea what was expected. Unfortunately, a personal problem kept her from going to the show with me. So get the tapes and a few people together and do some training after regular schutzhund training, even a basic idea of what to do is better than not doing anything at all. As far as going to shows to watch - this one was nearly 600 miles from home - the next two I know of are 450 and 400 miles and months away - not really conducive to just dropping in to observe. I wanted my working female koered and this was the only possible show before her next cycle The "European" helping with my female was a volunteer, and a very experienced working person :), but not a professional show handler. But hey, he did a good job ;) - he had more experience than I did. I sure appreciated the help, even though I thought I was going to collapse a few times trying to "stay half a lap ahead: :) :)!! Sue and her husband, who did the conformation class handling for me, were very hospitable and helpful to an out of towner..as was the show chairman [?] whom Sue refers to. Athough not a European, he helped me through the koering as well as showing my young male, who at least had some training, and presented him *very* well to a judge who was very fair with the working lines. It is another facet of training that you just have to take initiative and train for - I believe that if you have a committment to the working lines, you need to take them out and koer them, and use the koered animals in your breeding programs. Ghost - I did try to get assistance from a "show" person and was rebuffed because I have working dogs...they weren't good enough..

oops - I started that one way, and didn't delete that last line...not trying to start the age old argument again.

Hi Sue, I know you've been busy on another thread, but will you tell me how you go about setting up training for yourself and your dog? I appreciate it. Thanks.

Sorry Kerry, Been a bit hectic with work as well. As I mentioned before, I am near someone who does the show training with his own dogs and had been in a club in CA that had experienced people as well. For the most recent show, we had asked Jeff to work with him on our working line dogs for the breed survey and show. We practiced things at home - the stand, measuring, some pulling. But then would go to Pat and Jeff's and work the dogs in the ring and the maze there. Both single and with other dogs - critiquing each other, etc. on the handling. stacking, measuring, commneting on what was good and need development in the structure, etc. Jeff would also work us on his experienced dogs to re-learn propoer handling. This is addition to the normal stuff with do and the conditioning. And Randy Tyson in CA would also make sure that everyone was part of the show and would show, whether in, double handling and/or prepping.