I started in dogsport in South Africa with my German shepherd, Ajax, where we competed successfully in European-style Working Trials with an emphasis on tracking.
I also was chairman for three years of the largest obedience training club in Johannesburg before relocating to Canada.
In 2000, I bought a showline Belgian Tervuren, Credo, with the intention of competing in CKC obedience. We ended up training in Schutzhund instead. Credo gained his SchH 1, 2 and 3 – becoming the first Tervuren in Canada with a Schutzhund 3. He turned in his best performance at a trial in Buffalo where this “fluffball” went High in Trial over several very earnest police dogs.
Credo is now retired and I am working Sprite’s Fresca, a female Tervuren from working lines. She is very responsive and fun to train and received her BH (High Score) at 17 months of age, with her Schutzhund 1 (High in Trial), followed by SchH 2 and SchH 3 shortly after. In 2009 she competed at the Ontario Regional Championships and ended tied for 6th place out of 24 competitors with a score of 85/90/92. Our next aim is the DVG Nationals in the US in 2010.
Member of DVG America and GSSCC.
I started training in the sport of Schutzhund in 2004 with my GSD pup, Jaeger. Jaeger earned High BH in 2005.
In October 2006 we continued on to get his SchH 1 with a High Obedience, tied for High Protection, High SchH 1 and High in Trial. He earned his SchH 2 in 2007 and then he was semi-retired that fall due to an injury. Now in good health and as enthusiastic as ever, Jaeger will be returning to training and hopefully earn his SchH 3 in 2010.
Member of DVG America and GSSCC.
I started doing Schutzhund in 2002 with my male Doberman, Voodoo. The poor dog was too sweet for the sport. He did get his BH and then I found him a new, loving home.
In 2005, I switched to the GSD and worked Arlie. She is so willing to please and has such a love for the work that she makes the sport easy for me to enjoy. We’ve done our BH, AD, SchH1 (96-83-96 HS Protection) TD and a CD.
I then started to train another GSD, Grando, in the winter of 2005. We earned High BH at the Ontario Regionals in 2006. Sadly I had to retire him due to injury.
Working at Olympus for many years, I learned a lot about dogs and worked with over 30 different dogs each week doing obedience, protection, behaviour problem-solving, and drug and bomb searches. I also worked with dogs for the movie "P2" (2007), and assisted Pando in a dog bite prevention seminar.
Prior to that, I retrained over 20 dogs with major behavioral problems for the Orangeville-based rescue, Tears of Joy.
Currently I am excited to be working my newest addition, German Shepherd Dagger.
Member of DVG America and GSSCC.
Christopher began his training with a Belgian Tervuren named Jeda. Jeda was an extraordinarily gifted tracker, getting his TD at nine months of age. He also did well in obedience trials and had his CDX by the age of three. Sadly, he succumbed to bone cancer at a relatively young age.
Christopher then bought Diva from Sprite Working Tervuren in San Francisco, which is currently producing some of the best working Tervurens in North America. Diva secured her BH in 2005, Schutzhund 1 in 2006, Schutzhund 2 & 3 in 2007. Christopher and Diva also completed their FH and are now tackling the sport of agility together.
Member of DVG America and GSSCC.
I started Schutzhund with my pet GSD Meika in 2003 as a hobby and got hooked! Meika is my first dog and we got her BH and is enjoying her time now tracking, doing obedience and just plain having fun with me.
I am currently working "Sprite's Farrah – Farrah". Farrah is a working Belgian Tervuren from Sprite Belgians.
Farrah soared through her training and earned her titles quickly and with many High in Trials.
Member of DVG America and GSSCC.
I started training in 2002 because of Anick. I saw what a dog could be trained to do, and I just loved it. At that time, I was working with my female GSD, Blade but due to her temperament it was a lot of work for me and the club. We helped her overcome her fear of people and got some drive out of her. All that work paid off when we earned High SchH1 at the Ontario Regional Championship in 2006.
In 2005, I began to do some helper work. Not easy! It’s a good thing that Pando and George at the Saugeen Schutzhund Club were patient – they really know what they’re doing. I could never thank them enough. Since then I've been the decoy at many club trials, two Regional trials and the 2007 GSSCC Nationals.
Recently I started working with Bam and am excited about our future.
I just love the sport.
Member of DVG America and GSSCC.
I started Schutzhund in earnest with my Giant Schnauzer "Covenant's Run to the Battle – Bullet" in 2006. We got our BH in 2006 and our IPO 1 in 2007. We are now currently training for his IPO 2 & 3.
I truly love being hands-on with an animal, improving communication through training and creating a trusting relationship. My work with rescue dogs has challenged me to better read body language and develop my problem solving abilities with a number of breeds. It’s also given me the opportunity to work with owners who need help understanding their dogs, giving them tips on how to deal with training or behavioural issues.
Raising puppies for Lion's Foundation Dog Guides (Seeing Eye) and National Service Dogs (Helping Autistic Children) has given me hands-on practice building foundations on breeds I wouldn't normally have myself, teaching them strong social skills and solid obedience. Each dog that comes through my home teaches me something new.
With past dogs I've dabbled in conformation, obedience, tracking, agility and drafting, but nothing is as exciting as the sport of Schutzhund, especially when you have a dog at your side that loves it as much as you do! ~ K9-CRAZY
Member of DVG America and GSSCC.
FRONTIER Working Dog Club is a