The Schutzhund Shepherds

04/03/2022

Andi and I actually started our dog training journey in 2011 with our family dogs. We took them to Petsmart training for like 6 weeks. Did the dogs learn much? Honestly, probably not but that planted the seeds.

Little did we know in another 7-8 short years later we would be training and competing with German shepherds in Schutzhund.

We also didn’t know we would be teaching others how to train their dogs in basic obedience and having our students go on and compete in obedience trials and win high in class ribbons more often than not.
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21/12/2021

Snuffle mat success! Do I know why other people use snuffle mats? No. I just wanted to spend some time with my puppy, plus I think it’s funny when she picks it up. Or when she kicks it.

17/12/2021

This little puppy has been working hard on her left turns and they are looking 🔥🔥. We want our dogs to really move their hindquarters so the left turn looks sharp and Pfizer is killing it!

19/11/2021

More puppy training.💥

PJ and Pfi started dumbbell foundations this week. (This is their 3rd session). Both of them have a pretty good understanding of marker words by now, so it’s going pretty well.

Both pups started with a reward for just looking at the dumbbell and we progressed from there.

It took Pfizer almost no time at all to start taking the dumbbell in her mouth. 1) because she always wants to hold something. 2) because she’s very impatient and therefore quick to offer new behaviours and 3) she’s a very smart puppy (takes after her mother) 🤓

It took PJ a bit longer to get it. Today was actually the first time he took it in his mouth. Probably because he’s the exact opposite of Pfi. Not prone to carrying things around, very patient, and just between us, and not quite as smart as Pfi 🤫😅

Next step: working on both puppies taking the dumbbell right away and then working on a calm hold.

06/11/2021

Man, look how nicely those go to heels are getting. The enthusiasm and position are 👌🏻👌🏻

I think it’s safe to say PJ prefers the flip finish while Pfi likes the go behind better.

03/11/2021

We’ve got some weird puppies! Q, PJ, and Pfi- we hope they do as good or better than their parents!

02/11/2021

We’ve been practicing our dog sport photography, still a long way to go but I think we’ve been improving, though I don’t have any pictures from previous years to compare to.
Our club trial, two weeks ago, had about 20 dogs entered in it which allowed us to practice a ton 😂.

20/10/2021

Trial season for 2021 has come and gone, so now it’s time to start preparing and setting goals for the winter and next trial season.

For Chase I plan on putting a 3 on him I’m the spring and with any luck take him to regionals and maybe even nationals. Along with breed surveying him.

I had my club video my critiques from the judge at the October trial so I know what I need to work on.

In tracking Chase just needs to be more committed to the corners and stop circling.

In obedience I just need to get him sitting straighter in front and increase his drive to the dumbbell.

Lastly, in protection he needs to work on his out and his transports.

I can’t wait to trial him again, he and I make a good team. And hopefully if all goes to plan he will be my very first B to 3 dog ❤️❤️❤️

16/10/2021

Pfizer and PJ love showing off their tricks at meal time.

Whether it’s just a quick command or two or a whole training session these pups work for almost every meal they eat.

Why? For two reasons. 1) it keeps their food drive high. Dogs who have to work for their food appreciate the reward more so than dogs who free feed. And 2) it builds their engagement and focus with me. They learn that if they want something the best way to get it is to ignore distractions and pay attention to what I’m asking them to do.

As you can see, both puppies are quite eager to work and even start offering behaviours before I even tell them what I want. (Pfi especially, she’s such a show off 😂).

We’ll keep working on speed and position and in the end will have two fast and correct dogs who are happy to be working.

10/10/2021

And it’s over. Great results for me, unfortunately Andi didn’t have the same luck. V***n and Caper had mishaps on the protection field causing them to not title.
In obedience however Chase AND Caper scored 90, taking high in obedience! We could not be more proud of our C dogs.
Good ol Gambit even managed to squeak a pass for BH. She has a lot of work to go before presenting for a 1.

10/10/2021

Day 1 of 2 complete. I could not be more proud of the performance Chase put on in obedience! We took the field and nailed it despite some handler errors and some minor issues and ended up scoring a 90. He did the worst track of his life this morning though but we squeaked by with a 75. And in protection he decided outing on the first commander wasn’t the way to go but we still walked out with a 77 and an IGP 2 title.
V***n this morning managed to pass tracking this morning with a 72, which we were expecting and we were just pleased she indicated all three articles. Unfortunately the schutzhund gods weren’t with Andi today and V***n ended up DQing in protection.
Caper scored an 80 in tracking this morning but she really does not like t stop for that second article. Due to being in heat she will do obedience wand protection tomorrow after the BH dogs.
Tomorrow the wild child Gambit will also be on the field presenting for her BH so hopefully that goes as well as Chase’s obedience but we will settle for a pass 😂.

09/10/2021

Aaaaaand it’s trial day tomorrow morning! Had the judge’s dinner, our guests from Alberta have made it safely, the whiteboard is finished. Last thing to do is get a good sleep and not miss the 0600 alarm for tracking tomorrow morning.
Good luck to my teammates and everyone competing!

07/10/2021

Show dog is getting better! T-3 days until trial when V***n (Tawni v Bullinger) presents for her IGP1.
The trial nerves are starting to kick in.

05/10/2021

T-4 days until a bunch of us from hit the trial field. We’ve got Bs to 3s from our club ready to present.

27/09/2021

We just spend all our free time training. Tracking, obedience, and protection, three phases almost every day as we inch closer to trial day.

24/09/2021

That show dog though 🔥🔥
V***n is preparing for her IGP 1 which she will be attempting at October trial.
It’s been a long time in the making but all the pieces are coming together.

24/09/2021

Working on the whole editing side of photography. What do you think?

20/09/2021

Genetics, amirite? Flips (top) and his two daughters in the club. Star on the left and Arsyn on the right.

19/09/2021

Life’s more fun when you do the bitey things!

14/09/2021

06/09/2021

Run! He’s gonna get ya!
Chase is kinda sorta finally getting the hang of the blind search.

20/08/2021

Look at my little man PJ go! Not too shabby for a 14 week old puppy. ❤️

18/08/2021

Getting this kid ready for trial in October. My goal is too beat his scores that we got for his IGP 1 title.
Tracking was his weakest phase last time but so far he’s been tracking brilliantly!
The obedience I think we will do quite well in as long as if he nails the out of motions like he has been in training.
And lastly protection well he should out so I’m not worried.
📸 Melissa Waters
bitelife

16/08/2021

What can I say my dogs deserve nice things

16/08/2021

That face you make when you’re off to ruin your handler’s and helper’s day!
I swear I’m not mad at Mr Chase I just have an rbf when training apparently 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️
Photo cress to Melissa Waters. She takes lovely pictures every times she comes to train with us.

10/08/2021

Woden is ready for training tomorrow, are you?

22/07/2021

We traded in our leashes for reins last night.
As it turns out we are much better dog handlers than horse riders but hey we didn’t fall off!

18/07/2021

Was out practicing my photography skills at club the other day. Gretel is such a pretty model and a lovely worker 🐕