Schtzhund Nationals

[MonElite]

On the long weekend I went to the Gold Coast to visit jbbb and to spactate the Sch Nationals.

Despite the fact that it rained the whole 4 days I had an absolute ball!!!!

Met several wonderfull people and countless great dogs.

My friend with his GSD passed the BH and another friend of mine, whom I train with, had the most spectacular fail in the BH, when her dog in the heel off lead when the gun shots were fired decided its great fun, took off looking for a decoy, found noone went over to the A frame, tried knocking it down with no success, than knocked the stand with the dumbells picked one up and did a nice retrieve to the owner

The dogs that competed were GSDs and BSDs, with several litter mates to the boy that failed the BH. Its a shame there were no dobes nor rotties

First place for H.O.T went to Alison Kollenberg with Norden Stamm Hanna SchIII and oh what a performance!!! It was pouring rain during the trial but neither the dog nor the handler cared.

There was a wonderfull black GSD that was competing in SchII and it was all going really well but the dog broke the long down stay, just crawled to the owner, cant blame him really it was wet, cold and he was in a drop in the mud.

After the nationals we had two days of workshops with the judge.

She is clicker trainer and it was great to see what and how she does thing, how she fixes the chewing of the dumbell with the clicker as an example.

She wasnt affraid to pick up other tools such as the prong or the ecollar, said that she doesnt like corrections, but when they are needed than they have to be issued.

Also one of the things that made me laugh was the raffle. A girl came to me and jbbb asking if we want to purchase tickets, so we asked whats the price?

Without a blink in the eye she said - its an ecollar.

Another thing that was worth noticing was the critiques. They are lenghy as is, but they were in German and than were being translated. Competitors with dog standing in the rain listening to what the judge had to say to them. While they were being critiqued many took and umbrella and held it over the dog, while getting soaked themselves.

If you ever get an opportunity to see a competition at that level, go and see it, its breathtaking! And take a look at the people that compete, some with SchIII dogs could well be singning in a churh choir, by looking at most you would never expect them to be into this at all.

anyway.... all that clicker talk and here I am freeshaping..... something that I dont like doing as its boring and is like watching grass grow, well so I thought!

We are on day 3-4 of the dumbell and Divani can actually fetch it, bring it back and hold it her mouth I bet Im going too fast or she is so damn smart

Edited June 16, 2008 by Monelite

[Echo]

I am sooooo jealous. Sounds like you all had a blast, despite the rain.

I really wanted to go to this event, but just couldn't fit it in.

As much as I hate to see any dog fail, the BH competitor sure did it in style and would have given the crowd a bit of a laugh.

Is Alison's bitch the Belgian? If so, I have seen her work and she is a joy to watch. The teamwork between the two is really something.

The workshops also sounded like they would be good value. Sorry that I had to miss them as well.

The critiquing is one of the best aspects of any trial or specialist show. They can be quite lengthy at times, but also very educational. Shame you all had to stand in the rain to hear them though.

I'm glad you had a good time up there, just wish I could have joined in.

Julie

[Guest Clover]

That would have been great to see, what a weekend that would have been . Did managae to get any photos or video's?

[Kavik]

That sounds like lots of fun! Too bad the weather didn't cooperate - it rained last time I went too! I hope the weather is better for the Sydney comp!

Glad it got you free shaping

How did the judge stop dumbell chewing with the clicker? I sometimes have this problem with Diesel. So far I have just stopped using the clicker for this part, and used calm pats.

[Seita]

I had planned on going to that seminar with Uta but work got in the way. Sounds like you had a great time, wish I could have gone!

[MonElite]

The trials were at night and in the rain. I filmed obedience but the quality is shocking. I took some photos of an import dobe (not competing) and thats about it. During protection the rain was bad, we were all sitting/standing under jbbb cabana it just wasnt practical to film.

There was a photographer there all days so when I get the photos or a link to them Ill post some up.

Is Alison's bitch the Belgian?

Yes. Bred by her, trained by her, handled by her.

There also was a litter brother Norden Stamm Hassan (Ozzie) that Alison was handling - oh what a dog!! He got the highest score on the day.

How did the judge stop dumbell chewing with the clicker?

Its a bit complicated to explain in words on the net, if you want to find out you will have to see me

I had planned on going to that seminar with Uta

I get to see her in Sydney next week

Edited June 16, 2008 by Monelite

[Jessca]

im so jealous!! i would have lovd to go, even with the rain it would have been worth it!!

sounds like,despite the weather, everyone had a great time.

is vic having one?? if so has it already been or is it coming up??

i'd love to go

[MonElite]

Jessca - from what I understand there are two sch organisations in Australia.

This was Schutzhund Australia Nationals.

The other org AUSC are having theirs in Sydney this year.

I belive these National competitions happen once a year in some city.

But the clubs have their own little trials, usually once or twice a year.

Id say both orgs have the details on their websites.

This is SA http://www.schutzhundaustralia.com/

and this is AUSC http://www.sportdogaustralia.com/clubs/clubs.htm

this is resume of Alison (the winner) http://nordenstamm.com/history/akollenberg_resume.pdf

[arawnhaus]

Oh what a GREAT DAY! Lucky you.

Great story of the spectacular fail. Would of loved to watch the antics.

[Just Midol]

Damn. I'd have come if I knew it was on

Sounded like fun though.

[MonElite]

Here are some pics from the event

http://www.schutzhundaustralia.com/photoga...onal_story1.pdf

http://www.rivid.com/sportdogs/

[jbbb]

I only just found this thread.

Yes, those dogs and handlers are amazing! I was blown away. It was cold, it was pouring rain, and it was great! The attention those dogs have is just phenomenal! It made me realise that my backyard attempts of teaching Flame to speak etc are really pathetic!

Unfortunately I missed the tracking, as I was at dog shows, but the rest of it was amazing! If you ever get the chance to see something like this, it's well worth going!

EFS

Edited June 23, 2008 by jbbb