how to pick a trainer or training facility

[Yoschi's_Pet_Human]

Me and my dog have a Shutzhund future, but for now I just want to find a place to get the basics. I was warned, once, to be careful to not train out of Yoschi what it is he'll need for schutzhund.... when calling places, what specifically should I ask... I'm looking for a basic beginner group class for now. Are there different styles of training? Is there a specific training type I need?

Thanks
Joe

[llombardo]

May I ask what you can train out of your dog that it will need for schutzhund? The only thing that I thought would be a problem was that in regular training my dog was taught to check in with me. When she was being evaluated for schutzhund she did check in with me quite a bit at first, but after a minute or two she really got into it. How old is your dog?

[Yoschi's_Pet_Human]

Originally Posted by llombardo

May I ask what you can train out of your dog that it will need for schutzhund? The only thing that I thought would be a problem was that in regular training my dog was taught to check in with me. When she was being evaluated for schutzhund she did check in with me quite a bit at first, but after a minute or two she really got into it. How old is your dog?

I'm not sure what they were talking about.. maybe, just guessing, teaching to not bite at all or some such,, taught not to bark etc.. again, just guessing
Yoschi is 4.5 months old

[onyx'girl]

You can do general obedience classes, but I'd train with a club now....because positioning and focus is important.
If you aren't starting with it now, it'll make it more difficult as your dog gets older. The training techniques may be very different. Plus you'll learn so much watching others handling their dogs in the IPO club, that you'd never get with a pet obedience class.

I'd rather put my time into my end goals and not just go to a pet class because I wanted to get the basics.

[Yoschi's_Pet_Human]

Originally Posted by onyx'girl

You can do general obedience classes, but I'd train with a club now....because positioning and focus is important.
If you aren't starting with it now, it'll make it more difficult as your dog gets older. The training techniques may be very different. Plus you'll learn so much watching others handling their dogs in the IPO club, that you'd never get with a pet obedience class.

I'd rather put my time into my end goals and not just go to a pet class because I wanted to get the basics.

There are two clubs in my area,, lonestar is not accepting new members and Austin schutzhund has never gotten back with me, despite several attempts..

[llombardo]

Originally Posted by Yoschi's_Pet_Human

I'm not sure what they were talking about.. maybe, just guessing, teaching to not bite at all or some such,, taught not to bark etc.. again, just guessing
Yoschi is 4.5 months old

Your basic training classes will probably be done with positive training. The classes will teach you how to train your dog. You will need obedience to go into the schutzhund. You need obedience for any sport. Basic classes will teach you basic commands, recall, etc. A puppy should be taught not to bite and no one wants a barker either. There is lots of training with the schutzhund, BUT all the training in the world will not qualify your dog if the temperament isn't right. There is nothing you can do about that, it's in the genes. They will look for a VERY stable temperament(with people/dogs) and prey drive. Your dog will have to have a on/off switch that is reliable.

[Gharrissc]

llombardo has Robyn been back after her evaluation?

[llombardo]

Originally Posted by onyx'girl

You can do general obedience classes, but I'd train with a club now....because positioning and focus is important.
If you aren't starting with it now, it'll make it more difficult as your dog gets older. The training techniques may be very different. Plus you'll learn so much watching others handling their dogs in the IPO club, that you'd never get with a pet obedience class.

I'd rather put my time into my end goals and not just go to a pet class because I wanted to get the basics.

I disagree with this and I feel that before one decides to go through a club, they should check it out. I was very disappointed in my local club. My dog at 8 months was better trained, less reactive, and all around a better dog then every other GSD there and they were all mature GSD's. The teacher felt so bad that she put us on the other side of the room away from the aggressive dogs(all of them were aggressive) I learned much more and so did my dog with the general obedience classes. I will say that the training techniques were very similar with the local club and all other classes I took.

[huntergreen]

i would visit some training centers and see how they train.

[llombardo]

Originally Posted by Gharrissc

llombardo has Robyn been back after her evaluation?

No, I put her in agility instead. I've been in contact with them and I've continued working with her prey drive and obedience in case I change my mind. She loved it then and I think she would love it even more now, I'm just not sure I have as much time that is needed for that sport.