Basic Information for Prospective Members
IMPORTANT -- Read before you visit
For Your Safety & Comfort
1. Visitors must bring proof of rabies for adult dogs. Puppies under six months must have proof of at
least sets of DHLPP (or equivalent) vaccinations.
2. For your first visits to the club, you’ll need a prong or fur saver collar, flat collar, lightweight leash,
soft food treats, motivational toys, and a crate.
3. The handler is to be in control of the dog at all times.
4. Safety is our number one priority. Do not allow your dog to contact another dog without the
handler’s permission. If your dog is dog aggressive, do not approach at all.
5. Wear comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Pockets are useful. Shoes must be
closed-toed and have good traction.
6. Have water on hand for yourself and your dog. Ice is a plus.
7. During protection work, all dogs not on the field must be confined to a crate or other safe place
unless the training coordinator directs otherwise.
8. Bring your own folding chair, sunscreen, jackets, treat bags, rainwear, and bug spray.
9. Your dog should eliminate prior to training in the designated potty area, never on the Schutzhund
field. Handlers who allow their dogs to eliminate on the field must make a $5 donation to the
club. Please clean up after your dog.
Training Schedule
Schutzhund training consists of tracking, obedience and protection.
Our Training Field is: 16931 Shelby Lane, North Fort Myers, Florida, 33917
Our Tracking Field is just off NE 21st Avenue, one block east of Diplomat Wesleyan Church at 1833
Diplomat Parkway E, Cape Coral, Florida. Please click here for our current training schedule:
Prospective members and guests are requested to attend on Sundays only if you are attending with
your dog. You may attend other training days without your dog. We encourage guests to watch, listen,
pay attention and enjoy the training sessions. Quite often you will pick up much information by watching
other people train
You will be required to sign a Risk Waiver - click here to view.
Dear Prospective Member:
Thank you for inquiring about membership in the German Shepherd Schutzhund Club of Southwest Florida, Inc.
Our primary goal is to promote Schutzhund training.
Is Schutzhund For You?
Schutzhund is a fun and rewarding sport for you and your dog. However, it is very time consuming. Training a
dog from scratch to a Schutzhund 3 can take up to four years depending on ability (yours and your dog’s) and
the time you put into it. Few dogs excel in all three phases of the sport, and training problems always crop up.
The sport requires patience and good sportsmanship. We expect our members to treat their dogs fairly. Abusive
training methods will not be tolerated.
Success in Schutzhund comes through team effort. We expect our members to help one another and to respect
other club members, trainers and judges. We expect everyone to pitch in with club tasks, including helping with
club events. Since membership is limited, we will give preference to handlers who are serious about achieving
Schutzhund titles and who have dogs capable of obtaining these titles. Many people join Schutzhund clubs only
to drop out within their first year when they become discouraged over the amount of time required or their
perceived lack of progress. We want our investment of time and energy to be a wise one.
The First Four Visits
As a prospective new member you are asked to come with your dog at least four Sundays in a short period of
time, including at least one tracking session on Sunday morning. During these sessions you and club members
will get to know one another. Our trainers will evaluate your dog and you can observe from the sidelines,
socialize, and participate in some of the activities. Prospective members must show initiative and willingness to
work with the club. In addition, prospective members and their dogs must fit in with the other club members.
The fee for these initial four visits is $15 per session, which is non-refundable.
After four visits the training coordinator will determine the suitability of the dog for the sport by making one of
three conclusions:
1. The dog’s temperament is not suited to the sport, and/or the handler does not show willingness
to train or socialize the dog appropriately.
2. Suitable, at which time the applicant will be invited to continue to attend training sessions. If
membership is full, the applicant will be placed on a waiting list. We will contact you when slots
open up. In the meantime, we encourage you to continue training at some of the places listed
below.
3. Suitability undetermined. The dog may show promise but still be questionable. The training
coordinator will advise as to the time frame to re-evaluate the dog at no additional fee. The
evaluation will continue until the training coordinator reaches either conclusion 1 or 2 above.
Temperament Testing
We will make an honest assessment of your dog during the invitational sessions and tell you whether your dog
is suited for the sport. A stable temperament is foremost. Your dog will be evaluated for its reaction to people,
other dogs and its surroundings. This can be quite overwhelming, so please don’t write your dog off after one
session -- we don’t!
Schutzhund is not for dogs with weak nerves or very low drive. The training coordinator will observe and
evaluate your relationship with the dog and its drive. Does it enjoy playing tug-of-war? Does it love to chase a
ball? Please understand that these evaluations aren’t meant to hurt anyone’s feelings; they are an honest
appraisal of the potential of the dog in this sport. Sometimes this means that a young dog simply needs time to
grow up. Sometimes a dog doesn’t have the heart to participate. This doesn’t mean it isn’t a perfectly wonderful
companion.
Is your dog an ideal Schutzhund dog? Here are the traits of a budding star:
• Confidence. Approaches all new situations with curiosity rather than fear.
• Outgoing and friendly towards people. A more mature dog may exhibit some caution or
aloofness, but never shyness or unwarranted aggression.
• Indifferent or friendly toward other dogs. Some dog-aggression is tolerated, but a dog that
routinely picks fights or over-reacts to the presence of other dogs is not a good candidate for the
sport.
• Lots of prey drive. Prey drive means your dog loves to play tug or chase a ball. It does not mean
that he wants to attack other animals. Dogs with high prey drive are strong-willed and have
exceptional enthusiasm for activities like Schutzhund. All dogs are born with some degree of prey
drive; the challenge for handlers is to build that drive to its highest potential.
• Neither too independent nor too dependent on his handler. Schutzhund requires the dog to be
obedient to his handler but also show initiative, make certain decisions on his own, and work
away from his handler.
• Full of energy. The sport requires this of both dog and handler. Not for couch potatoes. The ideal
Schutzhund dog may be a pain to live with because he always wants to do something.
• Robust appetite. Is not finicky about food.
• Is physically sound. Not for dogs with chronic conditions (such as hip dysplasia) that may interfere
with their ability to jump run, or engage a helper. Not for dogs whose physical structure would
render them unable to jump the required one-meter high jump.
• Natural athlete. Schutzhund requires a quick turn of foot, jumping ability, and endurance.
• Low reactivity to noise. Schutzhund dogs are tested for their reaction to gunfire.
Other LOCAL Places To Train Your Dog
AAS Von Tente Kennels
Veit & Anke Bachmann
Training & Boarding
10911 Sharon Drive
North Ft. Myers, FL 33917
Ph: 239-543-5608
Web Site: www.AASVTK.com
*Anke has experience in taping GSD ears.
K9’s Come 1st
Daycare, Boarding and Training Academy
Jennie Curtis & Sunny Lichtenberg
1828-C Evans Avenue
Ft. Myers, FL 33901
Ph: 239-337-3647
Web Site:www.k-9scome1st.com
Dog Obedience Club of Lee County
Shady Oaks Community Center
3280 Marion Street
Fort Myers, FL 33916
In season, there is a second location: Cape Coral City Hall, Cape Coral, FL
Ph: 239-995-7110
Email: doclc@doclc.com
Web Site: www.doclc.com
Companion Dog Training Center
(& Kennel)
13931 Sophomore Lane
Ft. Myers, FL 33912
Ph: 239-561-5995
Web Site: www.companiondogtrainingcenter.com
Full Membership
If you are approved to apply for membership, you will be asked to complete a GSSCSWFL membership
application and pay the annual dues of $150.00 individual or $ 200.00 family. In addition, you are required to
join the parent organization, the United Schutzhund Clubs of America (Schutzhund USA), whose annual dues
are $60.00 individual or $90.00 family. There is also a GSSCSWFL youth membership available for persons 21
and under for $10.00 plus $12.00 for Schutzhund USA.
Your application will be voted on at the next member meeting and if approved you will be a full member of the
GSSCSWFL. Annual dues thereafter are due January 1. If the vote is unfavorable, your annual dues will be
refunded.
You will be required to complete a GSSC Membership Application Form - click here to view.
You will be required to complete a USA SchH Clubs Member Application - click here to view.
Full membership offers several benefits, some of which are:
1. You’ll meet people who share your love of dogs and dog sports and who never tire of talking dog.
2. Instruction in BH traffic sureness, tracking, obedience, and protection. Help with training
problems.
3. Many lesson plans and tip sheets are online in the members-only section of this web site.
4. Your membership in the parent organization entitles you to a copy of the bi-monthly publication,
Schutzhund USA, which offers excellent articles on dogs and training as well as Schutzhund
news from around the country.
5. Fun club events such as parades and public outings.
Training Equipment
1. Suggested collars (varies from dog to dog. See obedience instructor).
Prong collar, size small for medium-sized dogs and medium for larger dogs. These are the best
training collars for most dogs. Warning: Avoid quick release prong collars! They often release
when you don’t want them to. Good quality prong collars (we recommend the Herm Sprenger
brand) are available online.
Fur saver: Necessary for trialing. These are available on K-9 or Schutzhund web sites. Buy the
lightest size. We recommend the Herm Sprenger brand.
2. 3- to 4-foot lead, lightweight, leather, fabric or synthetic. No chains. The leash should be thin and
pliable enough for you to gather it in your hand.
3. Harness: Non-restrictive design for protection work.
4. Long line: 10-15 feet for protection.
5. Tracking line: 10 meters (33 feet) for tracking.
6. A steady supply of soft, high value dog training treats. Many of us use Natural Balance rolls of
lamb, beef and turkey sold at pet supply stores. These are lower in sugar and salt than many
pre-packaged treats and can be cut into bite-sized pieces.
7. Motivational toys. We recommend a ball on a string or tug toy about 12 inches long.
8. Electric collars are not permitted except by permission of the training coordinator.
9. Crate. Your dog must be confined when not on the training field.
Training Tips
1. Handlers are encouraged to discuss any training questions or suggestions with the training
coordinator or assistant.
2. We recommend that you train with your dog three to five times a week, 10-30 minutes per
session depending on your dog's attention span and age and how fast you want to attain your
training goal. We can train you to train your dog, but you must be the dog trainer.
3. We encourage everyone to watch, listen, pay attention and enjoy the training sessions. Quite
often you will pick up much information by watching other people train.
4. Occasionally we organize outings such as parades, school functions, beach/lake days, weekend
training, camps, or community events. We encourage you to participate in these events, as they
are excellent opportunities for socialization. For added control, your dog should wear his prong
collar.
5. You may find some exercises too challenging for you or your dog. If so, please advise the
instructor if you would prefer to take a break or not participate at all.
United Schutzhund Clubs of America
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| Member's only |
What we do and what to expect
| German Shepherd Schutzhund Club of SW- Florida Inc. 16931 Shelby Lane, North Fort Myers, Florida, 33917 Phone: 239 823 9683 E Mail: info@gsscswfl.com |
