noob: I am interested in schutzhund training, where do i start? - Page 1

My parents have a SchH2 trained GSD and I have always been interested in buying and training my own. 

What are the best resources I should check out first?  Would you guys recommend me going to a local club and talking to the owners there? Are there any books, dvd's or websites that you would recommend?

Basically what advice can you guys offer to someone new and interested in the sport?

I would check out local clubs and trials. You can find information about either at the USCA Website in the Events section.
Another organisation for working GSDs is WDA which lists local club trials and shows on their front page.

There are a good number of books and videos but before you spend your money why not visit clubs and trials and meet up with people? They are the best places to learn of trainers, breeders, and available dogs.

I agree 1000% with Aqua. Check out a few clubs in your area. DO NOT be discouraged ny the fact that you may have to drive an hour or so to each club. Remember: you do schutzhund, you TRAVEL. Period. A very, very few are lucky enough to have the club training field in their backyard (sometimes literally). The vast majority must travel to the trining field and to tracking. That is simply a reality of life regarding schutzhund in the USA and Canada. You will learn a vast amount each and every training session from your fellow club members and it is almost always things you cannot learn from a book and a most critical element of training: reading a dog. Another critical element: every training theory or method does not work for ALL dogs. Clubs help you learn what works for your dog and, if you have really good trainers in the club, you will learn how to figure out what is going to work for you and your dog, as well as methods that YOU are comfortable with. Do check out a few clubs to find the one where you are most comfortable with the training method(s) (the best clubs will have various training methods/styles used by different members), comfortable with the people, and where you will receive assistance and encouragement. JMHO

All good advice.
Schutzhund = mileage.
SS

I agree as well - pick the club and they will guide you on your dog if you are interested in the sport.....

Things to beware of when checking out a club: 1. Avoid clubs that are simply money-making extensions of someone's dog-training business. Clubs should NOT be businesses. 2. Avoid clubs that over-emphasize their connections to a couple of "top" competitors, versus the club where most/all the members are consistently trialing and titling year after year. That indicates a club with a real training program and support for ALL of its members. Those truly training clubs can tout the number of titles club members earn year after year, rather than point to one or two members who excell, while the rest of the club flounders. The better clubs will have "top" competitors and "almost pet folks," all of whom are training and titling with CLUB SUPPORT. 3. Avoid clubs that are such ego-extensions of one person that that person's life-style determines whether the club even trains. I know of one club that only trains half the year, because the club's Jabba the Hut lives in another part of the country half the year.. Why those people don't either join other clubs, OR train without him is beyond me. 4. Avoid clubs that charge outrageous dues/fees. This usually relates directly to #1. 5. Avoid a club that has one training method/style for all dogs. They aren't training the dog, just working somebody's "system." Such clubs are often intolerant of any training that is different on GP. 6. Avoid a club with a bunch of people you can't stand or tolerate. Training should be FUN and you are going to have to spend a lot of time with those people.

avoid a club that is too harsh in their training techniques.......and a club where people back bite and talk others down.

Geez I hope this newbie actually has a CHOICE of what club is within an affordable driving distance.  If only we could all be that lucky!  Yesterday I drove 3 hours each way to reach my club.  How far is your drive?  LOL. 

Seriously, find a good club BEFORE you get a dog and decide if you're going to mesh with that group and get input on a good dog to get.  I hope you really do have choices of where to train where you live.  Check all 3 of the major SchH organizations for nearby clubs:  USA, WDA, and DVG.  Good luck!

Yvette,

    I have been known to drive 3 1/2 hours each way on a regular basis. At one time, I trekked to 3 1/2 hours' drive, stayed the whole weekend training, then drove back 3 1/2 hours on Monday morning. That was brutal and expensive (gas, hotel, meals). I have driven 2 hours each way on a semi-regular basis, again staying overnight. That drive was sometimes longer than the 2 hours required to drive, because it involved aborder crossing that on a couple of occasions took 2 hours all by itself. :-(

    Now, I happily drive an hour and 15 minutes each way. I have never had less than an hour drive each way. One of my club members now regularly drives 4+ hours each way and stays the whole weekend to train. If you do schutzhund, you travel. It's just a question of how far. :-)

Nia, I hear ya sista!  The ol' Element is due for yet another oil change and a new set of tires.  Thank goodness for good gas mileage and a reliable Honda... and a good paying job that lets me afford it. 

But it's worth it.  I'd rather drive 3 hours for a good club with good people than roll out in my own backyard with a bunch of jerks.  LOL.  However, I am trying to get some local folks interested so we could have some mid-week training venues. 

One step at a time though... for now I'm just happy to be helping my dog friends in SW PA form a new USA club.  WV will be next year's project.  (whew)