Schutzhund Club of Orlando

Training

Schutzhund is a sport and a competition for dogs trained in tracking, obedience and protection. Individuals interested in this type of competition will accept a challenge second to none in dog training. WE DO NOT TRAIN DOGS FOR PERSONAL PROTECTION. It is our belief that a well trained "Schutzhund" dog will have the foundation, confidence and abilities to serve his owner in this capacity if the need should arise, but never during his training will he be geared for this purpose. Schutzhund training can be compared to a youngster in training to become a "Boxer". He is taught the skills and the rules of the game, he is then polished and confident to enter a fight of this nature. He is not taught to be aggressive to all humans, he is taught to be an athlete . . . to enter into combat and to handle himself.

Over the years, we have had many come with the intention of gaining a personal protection dog or a "Man Dog". No one has succeeded yet, and the reason is very simple. The demands on you as a member are great, both as a trainer of your own dog and as a member of this club. Schutzhund is a long and slow process. It will take at least one year to put a very capable Schutzhund dog together in all phases.

FIRST, YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS A HANDLER/TRAINER:

If you have never trained a dog before and are beginning with a your puppy, you are the "Ideal" prospective member. You will be able to grow with your puppy in the Schutzhund program. You will learn to work independently in your obedience responsibilities bur only as directed by our program. We do offer group instruction as an obedience class. We do direct you in a manner that will bring our doe along step by step towards a final goal of the Schutzhund 1 obedience requirements. Your training director will advise you individually according to your dog's age and proficiency in all areas. We do not want you to try and keep up with the other dogs on the field. EACH DOG MUST DEVELOP WHEN HE IS READY TO DEVELOP and we are qualified to determine "What comes next". When taught "What comes next" you are then expected to work on this by yourself until you accomplish the exercise.

If you are an accomplished trainer in obedience (CD Level or Higher). You will have to be willing to change your ways somewhat and you will have to take instruction from the training program with no exceptions. Once you set your sights on a Schutzhund degree we will ask you to not partake in any AKC title until we have your dog at a certain level. There are different exercises for the two and the dog can become confused and you will become frustrated, as well as your training director. You will learn a different concept of training to give you a performance of naturalness with a happy working dog.

You will learn different commands to use and a different way to use commands. If you have done AKC tracking , again we will ask that you not mix the two for a period of time. After such time you will se the reason for yourself and you can make the decision for yourself.

In short, as a new member, you are making the decision to dedicate yourself to a Schutzhund title - 100%. If this is what you want to do, we can help you. Your dog's training then becomes our responsibility. WE WILL BE AS SERIOUS ABOUT HIS TRAINING AS YOU ARE.

Club Training Times

Effective Sunday, October 28, 2007 our primary training time will be:

Sunday afternoon/evening. The start time varies as Obedience should be completed before the sun sets so that protection training can begin and end at a reasonable time and not too late as most members have to go to work in the morning. Our second evening is:

Tuesday evening approx 7:00 pm as members need time to get home from work and get their dog(s).

MEMBERSHIPS:

Application to the membership of the corporation shall be made to the Secretary, in writing, upon forms provided by the corporation. Honorary members shall be appointed by a majority of the Board of Directors.

The five steps to become a member are:

Application submitted to Secretary.
Probation period (is not specified and can be a different length of time for each individual application).
Applicant will receive invitation to join if club accepts application.
Applicant must accept the invitation to join membership.
Applicant submits dues to the Treasurer according to current schedule.

Limited Membership:

With this membership you are not working a dog. These members are entitled to vote and hold office and may participate in limited training sessions. Dues are $120.00 per year paid either quarterly ($30.00) or annually and the dues are paid in advance of the intended term. In addition to the SCO dues your are responsible to pay the DVG dues and fees. DVG dues and fees are paid annually.

Full membership:

With this membership you are working a dog. These members shall be entitled to vote hold office and benefit in all the advantages of this corporation. Dues are $200.00 per year paid either quarterly ($50.00 per Quarter) or annually the dues are paid in advanced of the intended term. In addition to the SCO dues your are responsible to pay the DVG dues and fees. DVG dues and fees are paid annually.

All members commit to participating in property maintenance, club projects, fund raising, social events and trials hosted by the club. All members must be current on their dues in order to have a dog on the training field. Please see the club treasurer about the dues system or anytime you feel there has been a miscalculation in your dues.

As a newcomer to our sport, we welcome you to come as often as you like. However, once the training director or an officer of the club asks you to make a decision, you will not be able to bring your dog on the field anymore. As for yourself, you are welcome to come and watch any training session as often and as long as you like while you are making a decision for membership. We encourage everyone to take a good long look at Schutzhund and especially at our club dogs and our training methods. Please feel free to ask questions of other members. The more you understand the commitment to Schutzhund, the better you can make a decision as to whether this is for you and your dog.

Training Equipment

You will need to have the following training equipment:

	Tennis ball or small toy (for motivation in Obedience).
	A 6 foot (5/8 " wide) web or leather lead with snap bolt clasp.
	Snug fitting choker collar or fur saver collar.
	Small leather grab lead.
	Small link pinch collar with about 4 extra links.
	Wide leather or nylon collar for use during agitation.
	A 30 foot web tracking lead (for tracking and agitation work)
	Set of six leather tracking articles about the size of a wallet.
	Set of at least 12 aluminum archery arrows or similar product for tracking stakes (markers).

FOR YOUR COMFORT DURING TRAINING:

Please bring your lawn chair, bug spray and tennis type shoes for your safety at training. For tracking you may want a pair of rubber waterproof boots or combat boots.

FIELD EQUIPMENT:

On this subject we will be very blunt. Every member pays dues the same as you do. They do not receive a salary to drag out all the equipment for your dog. Please offer your assistance in getting the field ready to work for all the dogs. Many hands make light work.

AGITATORS:

In our club, the agitators and the training director work as a unit. They also do not receive a salary and they pay the same amount of dues as your do. The only privilege they receive is that their dogs are worked first.

THE UNIT WORKS IN THE FOLLOWING WAY:

The training director is in full charge of your dog's protection, no one else. The helpers may advise the director of a problem or situation, but the final decision is made by the training director. DO NOT DECIDE TO SINGLE OUT ONE HELPER FOR YOUR OWN PERSONAL USE. THIS WILL BE MORE TROUBLE THAN YOU WILL WANT TO HANDLE. These agitators are dedicated to one thing... to work your dog in a manner that will build his confidence and skills towards the ultimate goal of successfully achieving his titles to the best of his and your abilities. These agitators do not need your abuse or your games. A member who is successful in our club is:

	Dedicated 100%
	Has a dog that is capable of doing the work
	Allows the club's program to bring his dog along and does not interfere.

If you are concerned about a problem with your dog, feel free to discuss this with the training director or with the club president. Do not take the director's time on the field. Find the time when he is free or call him during the week at home. All things that are done with your dog are done for a specific reason for his process of learning. As a novice in this portion, you will not be able to evaluate this process. Leave that in the hands o those who DO know what they are doing.

FIELD SAFETY RULES:

	All dogs are to be secured at your vehicle in a crate so that he does not get out loose. Being loose in you car with the car closed is not safe for your dog and is not acceptable.
	All dogs must be on leash at all times unless working in "off lead" obedience or protection.
	Have the proper equipment.
	All dogs that come on the field must be current in their inoculations and be in good health. Please be considerate. The most expensive dogs you have probably encountered are on this field each training night. Do not jeopardize ay dogs well-being by bringing a sick dog to club or events. If your dog is sick, leave him at home, but you should come to training anyhow. WHY?? Suppose an agitator's dog was sick and he stayed home!!! You come because you are part of the club, a unit that works together. Being "involved" makes that theme work. Staying home does not.
	With the exception of very young puppies, do not let your dog sniff or approach another dog. This can easily lead to dog fights and it is totally unnecessary. These dogs are here to work and learn, not to play with other dogs. If you have a strong urge for your dog to have this type of companionship, buy another dog for him at home.
	Safety means to "THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE DOING" and using a good quantity of common sense.

COURTESY RULES:

Clean up after yourself and your dog. Drive slowly within the parking area and be considerate of others and their dogs.

Having read through this presentation to help you understand our club and your commitment to Schutzhund and the Schutzhund Club of Orlando, we do hope you will choose to accept the challenge. We have tried to tell it like it is, right up front. We run a tight ship for a select group of very dedicated and wonderful members. They have earned the right to their membership and to the finest training facility in Schutzhund.

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