working dogs
where champions are born
the Podium schutzhund club
Training::
Owning a dog is a life-time commitment. It is your commitment to your dogs training that will make both of you happy. If you decide Schutzhund is the sport you would like to try, this is what you need to know!
The sport of Schutzhund originated in Germany and is a lot of fun for you and your dog, but it is very time consuming. It requires years of training to perfect and combine the best attributes of man/woman and dog.
THIS IS A VERY SPECIALIZED DOG SPORT!!
It is currently know as IGP, previously IPO or Schutzhund Sport. It's evaluates if a dog has the appropriate traits and characteristics of a good working dog!
Schutzhund sport has 3 category's: Tracking, Obedience, and Protection. All 3 phases require commitment, time and discipline!
In Schutzhund they are many different training methods.
Our goal here at Podium Schutzhund Club is to build a positive relationship between handler and dog and give everyone guidance to complete their goals.
Our motivational dog training is done through positive reinforcement by rewarding the correct behavior with verbal praise, toys, treats or play.
Tracking
Tracking tests the dog's scenting ability. But it also test the dogs mental soundness, and physical endurance. Once you start showing your dog at trials you or a "track layer" walks across a field dropping several small articles along the way (there a different patterns you can choose from). After a period of time, the dog is directed to follow the track while being followed by its handler on a 10 meters (33 ft) leash. When the dog finds each article, he indicates it, usually by lying down with the article between his front paws. The dog is scored on how intently and carefully it follows the track and indicates the articles. The length, complexity, number of articles, and age of the track varies for each title. Each dog team starts with 100 points. Each mistakes the dog team makes will be deducted from 100 points. You have to have 70 points in order to pass your trial!
.jpg)
Obedience
This takes place in a large field, with two dogs on the field at a time. One dog is placed in a down position on the side of the field and its handler leaves it while the other dog works in the field. After completion of the field routine from the first dog the dogs switch places. The one who worked on the field first is now going into the down position on the side of the field. In the field, there are several exercises - heeling, sit, down, stand, retrieve and go out. Heeling is one of them. It includes heeling through a group of people. There are two gunshots during the heeling as well, to test the dog's reaction to loud noises. Each exercise starts with heeling. There are one or two recalls (depending which title you are entered for), three retrieves (flat, jump and A-frame), and a "send out", in which the dog is directed to run away from the handler. The dog has to go straight and fast and then lie down on command during the exercise "Go Out". Obedience is judged on the dog's accuracy and attitude. The dog must show enthusiasm. A dog that is uninterested or cowering scores poorly. Each dog team starts with 100 points. Each mistakes the dog team makes will be deducted from 100 points. You have to have 70 points in order to pass your trial!
Protection
The judge has an assistant, called the "helper/decoy". The helper helps to test the dog's courage to protect itself and its handler. Also it test the dogs ability to be controlled while doing so. The helper wears a heavily padded sleeve on one arm, wears a scratch pants as well as a protective jacket. There are 6 "blinds" on the field. How many blinds your dog have to run depends on the title you are entered in. The helper is always in blind # 6, hidden away. The dog is directed to search all the blinds for the helper (search for the helper). The order goes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and then # 6. When the dog finds the helper, it indicates by barking (bark and hold). The dog must guard the helper to prevent them from moving until recalled by the handler. This is followed by a series of exercises - prevention of an attempted escape on the helper, defense against an attack during the guarding phase, back transport, attack on the dog out of back transport, attack on the dog out of motion, defense against an attack during the guarding phase. The handler searches the helper after 2 of the exercises and transports them to the judge. At specified points, the helper either attacks the dog or the handler, or attempts to escape. The dog must stop the attack or the escape by biting the padded sleeve. When the attack or escape stops, the dog is commanded to "out", or release the sleeve. The dog must out or it is dismissed. At all times the dog must show courage to engage the helper and the temperament to obey the handler while in this high state of drive. The dog must show enthusiasm. A dog that shows fear, has complete lack of control, or inappropriate aggression is dismissed. Each dog team starts with 100 points. Each mistakes the dog team makes will be deducted from 100 points. You have to have 70 points in order to pass your trial!
.jpg)
.jpg)
B U T
If the true measure of a master trainer is his ability to teach, to motivate, to raise the standards and expectations of the dog, the teams, and the individuals, and to work with a wide variety of breeds and handlers in all aspects, then we are truly very lucky that our master trainer is
Mr. Hardy Ernsting"
For more information please call
Sabine at 571.643.1213 Hardy at 571.643.2107
or find us on Facebook and send us an message!