GSDCA Qualified Helper List - Page 9

It has a low retention rate because it is difficult.  Period.  It takes a lot of time and dedication to be mildly successful.  Once people figure that out, they're usually gone.  They don't want to put in that time and it doesn't matter where their dog came from.

@zdog - I have to agree with you on this one... This is not a sport that most can enter and achieve a meaningful title in within their first year. Heck i have seen a ton of people struggle to get their BH and then realize they have a huge hill in front of them and say screw it. IMO ShchH is a very demanding sport that will humble you, one has to put a lot of time in training and building a working relationship with their dog. I know I am going to catch a lot of flack for this but I do not believe a lot of "young" people have the time resource it takes to do this or any other demanding dog sport (Ring for example). Most young people have to try and balance their time with establishing a career, developing a family and trying to plot out their roadmap in life out. The resources (Time, Money, Energy and ability to travel) are often spread to thin to devote what it takes to do this sport. I know that some people want to water down this sport out of empathy, however THIS will be what kills the sport! 

the other thing i really don't get <Not being sarcastic, i really don't comprehend it> is why so many people want to look at the Organization from the National down to the local club as a Business?!?!? I have watched so many fights over this concept. First and foremost, the focus needs to be on the DOG, then the sport and then club. You would never have this in a successful Business, you just wouldn't. 

I got involved with the GSD many years ago and started to ''show'' my dogs soon after that. I met so many people who offered advice and expertise thru organized sport. I remember thinking the politics was crazy and i would never get involved. Well, that is a lazy, pampered, and selfish attitude. I give as much time and effort as I can afford to the politics. It looks to me that good people are running the national clubs and there is some effort to bring the extremes together. The national clubs had better be run like a business! and that biz plan better not be one for a brothel. The Helper List is an attempt to help the sport help the breed. There is legal issues as to why one is "classified'' rather than "Certified''. I listened to the logic of all these rules and regulations,  many years ago, and surrender to the realities of the modern world. I have watched the process of bringing helpers together for seminars and classifcation and a wonderful thing happens every time. people learn from each other. People network with each other and the sport grows by a degree. Rather than ask why, get involved locally and evolve.

Momos

we will agree to disagree on your version of the demographics...in fact I am at the Seiger show this weekend and just today I was talking to a 23 year old handler, her father is a going to the bsp and is big into training and competing in IPO. I asked her if she trained or just did the show ring stuff...... Her answer ? I just do the show stuff, I don't want to get up at 6:00 to track and don't have enough time to train a dog in obedience every day.

It is conversations like this that lead me to my opinion..... 

And as for your comment "Of course, you have seen more clubs than me, you are a board member of a national club and I assume you also make some money, working here and there, in the dog business.  I'm not going to argue that point because its obvious. "

Again, you are guessing and completely wrong, I make no money at all in dogs and have nothing what so ever to do with any dog business.....so apparently what is "obvious" to you is again completely wrong.

Dog1

as for the whole breakdown of who voted for what each way, I don't have that with me.... But I do know 2 years ago when it was brought up there was over 120 voting cards out, there are only 20 EB members, so the vast majority of the votes were cast by club delegates.

Frank,

Thanks for your response. Where do you see the dual membership issue now?

As for right now it is still in effect. I believe there will not be a need for it in the not too distant future but until the USCA membership sees that and agrees , there is nothing that can be done about it....

Frank,

Here's where I'm confused. I realize it's in effect. Yet, the pledge of allegiance is gone and USCA is accepting membership from GSDCA members. Is this a transitional period? Is there a don't ask,don't tell policy in effect?

It's win/win for everyone if the division goes away. Every single detail of the JA has been circumvented to the point that no one can piont out a single thing it does. There's not one example of one thing the JA does peroid. It's been circumvented over the years. Why not circumvent the last little bit which is perception and declare or define the other WUSV member a non competing organization. Consider the WUSV affiliation a partnership as the WUSV Constitution strives to achieve.

I know it's sticky. How close are we?

How was the sieger show? Will we be seeing you outside the ring double handling in May? Maybe not yet....

Randy,

There were many reasons that I believe the JA amendment was in the best interests of the USCA; and club delegates overwhelmingly agreed.   Foremost for me in voting were two fold; a viable partner with the requisite integrity/character was lacking (demonstrably) in the "other" club; and, the legality of the GSDCA/WDA membership under the WUSV bylaws was lacking.  Only the "relationships" of some in the SV with the show line centric membership in the WDA allowed it to exist through USCA's legitimate challenge of that status (read: JA and scorebook challenge).

Dynamics are changing and while Mr. Fasano and the GSDCA still represent and promote a segment of the shepherd world which the USCA and (supposedly) the SV do not, they do bring  character and trust to the equation that is far more palatable (IMO).

I trust fully in Jim and Frank's leadership through this transition period and we may well be on our way to a completely changed landscape.

Best to you,

Kevin

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Kevin

I think that's about as good a summary as the current situatiion allows. Here's to moving forward.

 I,m glad there are more options for people to play with there dogs. Frisbee,Show ring, Agility, Dock diving, Play dates, It all sounds good but Schutzhund(IPO) isn,t easy! It should,nt be easy! It  takes alot of time dedication and sweat  to get the dogs to the level it takes the commitment to say this is important to me and my life!.

Just the names in my opinion declares the difference The United Schutzhund Clubs of America it states our main and 1st  purpose the traing in Schutzhund!  The German Shepherd Dog club of America It,s a dog club so yes it would not strike me as odd that it has more "Play" scenieros available on a web page. 

Why is it bad to have a orginization Dedicated to the German Shepherd dogs working heritage ? Is it easier to align with the AKC where everyone wins mentallity prevails? sure I get it it,s about Money. I,d rather pay twice the dues I do to a orginization that backs me in my endevour and is serious about the workling dog.  I,d rather see a smaller more focused orginization then the "Wal-Mart" approach there is something for everybody!.

As to the 1 helper list does the WDA and the GSDCA have equilevent training and testing programs available that USA does?