Experience when looking for training place...

[ellie@ny]

Ok,so I was looking for SCH training in my area,so I e-mailed some of them...I coudn't find a breed trainer,so these were all GSD,or Dobbie..etc trainers.
Responds: None,or they have NO INTEREST IN MY BREED.....
Without seeing any of my dog...
How nice!!!
Sorry,I just had enough....

[katiek0417]

Ok,so I was looking for SCH training in my area,so I e-mailed some of them...I coudn't find a breed trainer,so these were all GSD,or Dobbie..etc trainers.
Responds: None,or they have NO INTEREST IN MY BREED.....
Without seeing any of my dog...
How nice!!!
Sorry,I just had enough....

Where did you look? DVG America is an ALL-BREED Schutzhund org in the US (in fact, memberships, etc still need to be sent to Germany for approval). I have had a lot of luck with the clubs down here. They were both MORE than willing to evaluate Sacha (my lab)....

If you're interested:

http://www.dvgamerica.com

[mnp13]

I would not suggest going to a trainer who has no experience with Bull breeds and is not willing to learn about them before training your dog.

You can not train a bully like a herder. Unfortunately many trainers are set in the "my way is the right way and the only way" and refuse to look into alternate methods for different breeds.

After my personal (and admittedly limited) experience with a few of these trainers, it's better to not train for the sport than train wrong.

[katiek0417]

You can not train a bully like a herder. Unfortunately many trainers are set in the "my way is the right way and the only way" and refuse to look into alternate methods for different breeds.

After my personal (and admittedly limited) experience with a few of these trainers, it's better to not train for the sport than train wrong.

Many of the DVG clubs in the US have bully breeds...and many of the training directors and helpers are experienced working many different breeds...that is one of the things I love about DVG...

[mnp13]

You can not train a bully like a herder. Unfortunately many trainers are set in the "my way is the right way and the only way" and refuse to look into alternate methods for different breeds.

After my personal (and admittedly limited) experience with a few of these trainers, it's better to not train for the sport than train wrong.

Many of the DVG clubs in the US have bully breeds...and many of the training directors and helpers are experienced working many different breeds...that is one of the things I love about DVG...

That's cool, but I just wanted her to make sure it's something she looks for. That trainer should have worked a few bullies to titles as well, not just trained them.

I'm not trying to be a downer, but I'd like you to benefit from my bad experiences!

[katiek0417]

You can not train a bully like a herder. Unfortunately many trainers are set in the "my way is the right way and the only way" and refuse to look into alternate methods for different breeds.

After my personal (and admittedly limited) experience with a few of these trainers, it's better to not train for the sport than train wrong.

Many of the DVG clubs in the US have bully breeds...and many of the training directors and helpers are experienced working many different breeds...that is one of the things I love about DVG...

That's cool, but I just wanted her to make sure it's something she looks for. That trainer should have worked a few bullies to titles as well, not just trained them.

I don't know if I agree with that. Every trainer can't possibly title EVERY dog. It could be that the trainer doesn't own that kind of dog, and never has. From experience, I also know that a dog performs as well as the handler. If the handler/owner isn't working the dog as it should be worked, then whose fault is that?

My trainer has titled more dogs in PSA than any other handler. If I go out and trial Sacha, and she doesn't title, is that HIS fault, or MINE? It's my fault. I always say that Sacha's biggest downfall is me. Despite knowing this fact AND knowing that it is very likely that my trainer would title Sacha on his first try if he were handling, I still don't want him to do it.

I'm not an owner that, despite my inconsistencies as a handler, wants someone else to handle my dog. There are many out there like me. So, saying that a trainer should've worked bullies to titles isn't fair. It's not entirely up to the trainer....if the dog has potential, but the handler musses it up....well....

[mnp13]

I was not clear - the trainer or someone who has trained under him should have titled a dog. (what I meant, not what I said).

If you title Sasha, having trained under him, I would consider him to have "trained" her to a title. Yes, if she doesn't title that could be entirely your fault, but there is also a level of responsibility of the trainer in my opinion. You are a unique case, as there are very very very few labs doing bitework and I doubt 99% of protection trainers have ever trained one in protection.

We had an Australian Shepherd in our club that has done very well in bite work, and has won hardest hitting compititions. So our trainer had trained an Aussie, but could hardly be called "experienced" with Aussies.

However, there are a good number of Bull breeds doing protection work, so I would expect a trainer who is "experienced" in training Bull breeds to have at least one dog titled, be it his own or a client's dog.

You can not train a Bull breed like you train a herder, and I'd venture a guess that most trainers have only trained/worked GSD's, Malinois, Dutch Shepherds and Rottweillers. Yes, trainers have to start somewhere, but I don't think a first time handler with a green should be the learning tool.

There is a training club near me that is all breed, and though they don't have many Pit Bulls who train there, there is a HUGE variety of breeds who do - I have seen well over 20 different breeds there. Those trainers, even though not specifically experienced with bull breeds, would be ok with me because they obviously know who to adapt to many many different breeds.