National Schutzhund Helper Certification Seminar
I was looking forward to continuing my training as a helper. I attended the Eastern Certification Seminar two years ago organized by the Fundy Schutzhund Club.
The weekend (Feb. 23-26, 2007) was the first National Accreditation Seminar to be held in Canada, a must attend for those wanting to do any helper work from club level and up within the German Shepherd Schutzhund Club of Canada (GSSCC)
The entire weekend was focused on training the helper. From classroom to hands on, all aspects of training were covered with in depth theory to dry training. Once that was completed helpers were then working with dogs. Working with the dogs was a totally different experience than dry classroom theory. Nothing beats actually working the different dogs.
During the weekend the class was very fortunate to have the privilege to work with trainers/handlers and dogs that have competed in all levels of the sport up to and including the Worlds and the German BSP.I worked a dog that attended the German BSP. Wow!!!
Most of us fell, tumbled, slipped, rolled on the ground, and got tossed around like rag dolls by some of the dogs. However it was all part of the learning process. I am sure there was a spike in sales of Rub A535 and Lakota. Comparing the training from two years ago, we saw improvements in all presentation levels of instruction, theory and dry training.
In the group, we had two helpers that certified for club levels trials and one helper, with three more dogs, will be able to work at regional level trials.
The rest of us, with more practice, will be able to certify for club level in the near future.
Hats off to Darin Clarke and Raino Fluegge for their excellent presentation.
A special thank you is extended to the members of the Fundy Schutzhund Club for not only hosting the event but more importantly allowing this group of helpers in training to work with their world-class dogs. Without the well-trained dogs the seminar would have lacked that extra punch.
For anyone thinking of becoming a helper or even seasoned helpers, this seminar was well worth attending to learn the skills required or to improve on the skills you currently use. Watch for the next one and don’t miss it.
For the GSSCC to have this level of training to bring helper work to a truly national level is a great step for helpers and clubs to raise the level of expertise in helper work.
We will all enjoy seeing this consistency from club trials up to our national events. It will be great for the sport, the dogs and spectators.
Of course we all like to be different so I choose to wear a right hand sleeve as you can see by the group shot all the others wear their sleeve on the left arm. It's neat when a dog comes into the blind you can actually some of the dogs do a double take as it's not what they see all the time.
