Formal obedience and PSA/ring trainer in Sacramento, CA?

[Superhero]

I've searched the forums and found several listings for pet obedience trainers etc. in my area but none for formal obedience and PSA and/or ring training.

I'd prefer to have the same trainer from beginning to end to keep things consistent and haven't found anyone I trust yet.

I did have a trainer lined up but he turned out to be a . He was offering his services free and he has excellent qualifications but his personality was lacking and I'd rather just pay someone else.

I am looking to start full training ASAP.

Any recommendations are most welcome!

[W.Oliver]

Originally Posted by Superhero

I've searched the forums and found several listings for pet obedience trainers etc. in my area but none for formal obedience and PSA and/or ring training.

I'd prefer to have the same trainer from beginning to end to keep things consistent and haven't found anyone I trust yet.

I did have a trainer lined up but he turned out to be a . He was offering his services free and he has excellent qualifications but his personality was lacking and I'd rather just pay someone else.

I am looking to start full training ASAP.

Any recommendations are most welcome!

By "formal" obedience you mean AKC or UKC style training....that is something completely different from obedience in protection sports like PSA/Ring or SchH. It would be less than ideal to start your dog in "formal" obedience and then try to move to PSA.

The protection sport folks will have obedience as an aspect of the training. If you're serious about protection sport, then get to a club before you start too much with your puppy.

[Superhero]

Well, the trainer I had used formal obedience before he started ring. I just figured most trainers did that. He's nationally and regionally titled several dogs so I thought what he did was pretty standard.

I've looked for clubs around here but haven't found one. There are a couple of small groups who do ring but they function on a referral basis only and I don't have an in with them.

All I've done so far is teach the puppy a down and sit. I've also worked on her recall. I have not and will not allow anyone else to train her futher because I don't want it to interfere with whatever professional training she gets later.

I'm not looking for a ring 3 dog. I'd be happy if she made brevet honestly.

Thanks for the heads up on the separation of formal obedience from the protection! I wasn't aware there was that much of a distinction.

Originally Posted by W.Oliver

By "formal" obedience you mean AKC or UKC style training....that is something completely different from obedience in protection sports like PSA/Ring or SchH. It would be less than ideal to start your dog in "formal" obedience and then try to move to PSA.

The protection sport folks will have obedience as an aspect of the training. If you're serious about protection sport, then get to a club before you start too much with your puppy.

[Superhero]

A friend recommended a PSA trainer that's a bit far from me but I may check it out.

If it works out well I'll put up a reference here for others.

[W.Oliver]

The fundamental difference to me is this;

AKC/UKC Obedience is a dog that is dependent - team

Dog Sport requires an independent dog - partner

[Superhero]

That makes a lot of sense actually.

Originally Posted by W.Oliver

The fundamental difference to me is this;

AKC/UKC Obedience is a dog that is dependent - team

Dog Sport requires an independent dog - partner

[BlkCzechGSD]

Have you checked out Bay Area Ring Club in Ryde,Ca Felix Sunga runs and owns that place I heard good about him I was interested in him when I had my malinois..but decided to stay with shepherds and try out schuthund...

[Guardyan]

If I were in central California, I would love to go to Michael Ellis' school. I love his training philosophy!

The Michael Ellis School for Dog Trainers

[Superhero]

Yeah, I've looked at that club a few times but am leaning a bit more towards PSA... I think it might be a bit more practical for my particular use.

That said, I plan on visiting and watching a class or two before I decide.

Originally Posted by BlkCzechGSD

Have you checked out Bay Area Ring Club in Ryde,Ca Felix Sunga runs and owns that place I heard good about him I was interested in him when I had my malinois..but decided to stay with shepherds and try out schuthund...

[Superhero]

Wow, very expensive. I might consider it if I were going to go into training professionally. Right now I have my hands full just training one puppy.

Originally Posted by Guardyan

If I were in central California, I would love to go to Michael Ellis' school. I love his training philosophy!

The Michael Ellis School for Dog Trainers