Dutch Shepherd Forum

I am pleased to say that all my research is starting to pay off. I contacted the "Mid-Island Schutzhund Club" over here in NY and they recommended me a trainer who lives close to me to assist me in training Cola in Schutzhund! I already have a first session tentatively scheduled for wednesday or thursday of the week after next, giving her a couple of days to take in the new surroundings. (i pick her up Sunday the 9th) I am excited about getting Cola working!

Do you think it is advisable to give her a few days to aclimate sans training? have you ever heard anything about the Mid Island Schutzhund Club? I know not all trainers are created equal. I would hate to end up with somebody doesn't know what he or she is doing. That being said I am approaching this as training for me as well. ideally I really dont want to rely on classes or other trainers forever. I want to have the knowledge and the discipline to train and keep training Cola on my own. it is written somewhere on this forum, (Perhaps by Christie M. forgive me this is only an approximation) that having the help of an experienced trainer can be indispensable.This sounds about right.
However it all feels a like a bit of a leap of faith. How did you all find your first trainers? What was your process when looking for a trainer? Were your decisions made for you primarily by geography? Is it ok to be shown the ropes by someone you dont know and then take the reins later on? Can you tell by the neurotic nature of my questioning that I am from NY? Just kidding. But seriously I would love to hear what any of you good folks have to say on the subject. Thanks a mil!

I am no expert, but I would think yes, give her lots of time with you guys before training. Others on here are better equipped to answer.

I bet you cannot wait - it's going to be a longggggggg week for you

Nico, nothing wrong with taking her to meet the trainer you may use, and there are things you can do at the baby puppy level that he can show you. However, your initial time together should be for bonding and establishing engagement with her. Keep in mind that she won't know anything when you get her home.

It's hard for someone who hasn't had a baby puppy to really grok this The first several days should just be getting to know each other, giving her an idea of what life is gonna look like right now (are you going to have her on some kind of crate/Xpen schedule, for example?). Whatever her schedule is going to be with you, she needs to find that out. Where to pee. When (a lot ). On and on and on.

If you find a trainer you like and whose training philosophy works for you, by all means, work with a trainer. You will be training your own dog, have no fear, you are just getting help and advice from someone who knows what s/he's doing (ideally ), who can show you what to do and how to do it, and explain things, and give you feedback about how you're doing. It's always better to train something right the first time rather than to have to retrain.

There are so many great training books out there. Let me suggest just one to you, that has tons of puppy games (which of course, are training), called Shaping Success by Susan Garrett. It doesn't matter that her sport is agilily while yours may be Schutzhund.

I can feel your excitement thru the screen and am very happy for you! Sunday's not too far away now...

Crate Games DVD by Susan Garrett is awesome too!

Can you go and watch the trainer teach classes or something to get a feel for how they work and if they teach in a way that you are comfortable with and that fits with you and makes sense. Same thing with the Schutzhund club - go out and just watch without any plans to work your puppy. If you don't like something then keep looking for another trainer.

Congrats on the new baby!

"Grok!" Wow, Leih, I haven't heard anyone use a "Stranger in a Strange Land" reference for many many years! Awesome.

Nico, I agree with everyone here. Bond, play, (and there's nothing that says some basic "training" word/command associations, etc... can't be folded in with the play...) and by all means play "get to know you" with your trainer... But you don't need to go at it hammers and tongs for a little bit, yet.

The woman I first started training with years ago, I first met because we both worked part-time at a Pet Supply store for the same reasons. We both had other jobs but had multiple animals and loved our employee discount! (And who I still plan to do some classes with, with my new lil guy, even though technically I know enough to do basic training without a class. It's good socializing opportunity, no matter how much you think you know you can always learn more, and I also think it will help my son to hear someone other than "mom" saying how to do things, he's too young to do the in-class handling, I'll be primary trainer, but want him there and learning, too... so when it comes to consistency at home I can remind him, "Remember, Maria said...")

Her dog Worf was the reason I wanted to train with her. He was amazing. Magnificent Rottie. Dignified, robo-dog obedience wise, therapy dog, Schutzhund, he had it all.

She'd been training dogs almost longer than I'd been alive and has been training people how to train dogs (an important distinction!) for about 20 years as well. (And when not training dogs or working retail she's a middle-school teacher!)

Neither of us work at the store anymore (though we still shop there! ) but she's still a teacher and dog trainer.

I enjoyed training with her so much with my rescued, blind, rottie/pit, that I wanted to train with her again when I got Maiyou, and as I said, will be doing some classes with her again for Moko.

You'll know after watching a few sessions and interacting with them for a while whether it's a good fit for you.

I so sympathize with your eagerness and anticipation! I was on pins and needles waiting for my puppy, and his arrival had to delay a week because he'd gotten an abcess on his foreleg where a littermate had bitten him and he couldn't fly until it had at least scabbed over, and when it was healed enough, it was Thanksgiving week and there was no room on any flights to book him on! Gah!

The wait will all be worth it once Cola's in your lap, though!