Snow Day- Tawna

This is lovely Tawna, a female German Shepherd that I had in for training.  These photos were from our Christmas Day hike around the property.  The shaved piece on her front leg is from her spay and her belly hair hasn't grown in so it looks like she has a dramatic tuck. I sure wish vets didn't get so carried away with shaving!!   Still, the snow didn't bother her at all and she had a great time running through the snow.  My favorite photo is the one with just her ears showing, as she hunts mousies!  Such a sweet, funny girl!

Marco

I realized that I haven't yet told the story of Marco. He made his first appearance on our Christmas card this year and people are still wondering how a German Shepherd found his way into the mix.  Let me tell you this: it was fate.

If you follow my blog, you know that this has been a tough year for me, losing two of my best friends, Jinx and Digit.  When Digit died, circumstances had conspired to ensure I was home and found him, rather than a stranger. Tom was still away on his hunting trip when I received an eerie email.  The address was that of Sherri Bednarczyk, a well known schutzhund competitor in our region, who had passed away unexpectedly about a month earlier.  I was taken aback, but read on.  The message was actually from her daughter, Dawn, offering condolences for my loss of Digit and recalling how her mother had felt the loss of her dogs and how her new puppy, Marco, had brought such joy. She said that she wasn't sure if I was ready, or even interested, but that if so she would like to show me her mother's puppy. I cried on the phone as I told my husband about receiving the message, and how I felt the timing said it was meant to be. I had lost my dog and Marco had lost his master. 

I spoke with Dawn and arranged to meet Marco. A blizzard interrupted the initial plans. In the meantime, my logical brain was arguing with my emotional brain, which was convinced that I needed to see this puppy. I took my friend, Sam, the best puppy-tester in the world and cautioned him to look for faults (logical brain) and off we went to Chicago.  As we stood in the living room, Steve Z released Marco upstairs and down he raced... straight to me. uh-oh! So much remaining the detached observer! We took Marco to the back yard and he was stellar.  He had a natural, full grip on the rag. He wasn't startled by loud noises, or unnerved by body contact.  He had nice prey drive and equally balanced food drive.  The only thing he did not do was to retrieve, preferring to guard and possess objects.  I can work with that! And he was darned comical strutting around the yard carrying a giant branch that actually belonged to one of the other dogs.  Needless to say, he went home with me.

Since that time, he has been learning lots and I have discovered that, by default, I have an extended family in the Burr Oak schutzhund group.  Sherri had big dreams for Marco.  I have them, too.

SHERRI & MARCO

MARCO& ME

Ghost Doggies

Jinx visited me on December 30, 2010. I had expected her to come much sooner. But there she was, in my dreams.  I was at a seminar with Greg Doud and when I brought out a dog, it was Jinx. She was a younger version, healthy and without illness or injury, and very happy.  I couldn't believe it was her, and I asked Greg who he thought she was.  He said he couldn't be sure, that he would have to run some tests.  I couldn't believe that Jinx was back! There wasn't any more to it than that, and seeing that she was restored, which made me happy.
I don't know what prompted the visit.  Did she and Digit have work to do, to conspire to bring me Marco and finally know that all was well? Or are those just the signs that I wish to see? Eros and Sofie both visited me after their passing and I had wondered why Jinx had not, since we had been so close. But there she was and it was a peaceful and happy moment to know that she is well and running with the grace of her youth.  Crazy? Maybe. But it is a good kind of crazy, and I'm quite sure I have company.

2011 Goals

Is it that time of year already?  We're on the cusp of another new year. Sadly that means I have to recognize not only the things I accomplished but also the goals that were not reached.

The biggest dream in the world, to keep Jinx healthy to ring in 2011 with me was not possible.  The bottom fell out of my world when I lost her in May. I think I actually had myself convinced that the experimental medicine would work and Jinx would beat the cancer that they had pronounced terminal. Losing Jinx made me want to end the year at that point and just start over because everything that came later seemed anticlimatic at the time.

One thing about having multiple dogs, however, is that you do not have the luxury to grieve and hibernate with loss.  True, you grieve but you have to do it on the run, and the other dogs are present and demanding your attention. I don't have experience in handling it any other way to know if this is preferred, but it works for me. I can honor the greatness of the dogs that came before by being a kind and patient trainer while teaching the dogs how to access their own potential.  My year ended with another tough loss, this one totally unexpected, when Digit passed away in his sleep. I guess this means I really have to work hard to pass on the love I had for them.

I said that I would earn an FH and a MR1 with Quinn this year.  Well, the FH is going to be moved to the "to do" list for 2011 but we did earn our MR1 in one weekend, back to back trials, even earning an award for the high score on the second day. Since I am not a member of a Mondioring Club and do not have access to that regular training, I was very proud to have accomplished that goal primarily with the assistance of my schutzhund club members and the occasional ring seminar.  An interesting thing happened along the way, though.  One of the reasons I had delved into ringsport to begin with was because Quinn had gotten so trial-wise in schutzhund and was almost to the point of not letting go of the sleeve at all.  He knew when he wore an e-collar, and he also worked perfectly in seminar... but in a trial I might get the first out quickly, the second more slowly (hmmm... nothing is happening? I think I'll just hang out here on the sleeve a little longer) and the last took repeated commands and promises to God.  In the ring trial, his "out" was immediate.  I considered what made the difference, and decided it was the long fight. When we did extended grips not only was he satisfied, but he was darned happy to finally let go and take a breather!  Now, when I take him out and give him sleeve bites, I am getting the same fast reaction. We've applied this method to other schutzhund dogs and it seems to be working. In fact, I am so encouraged by this that I intend to trial Quinn in 2011 for his AWD1,2,3 (AWDF titles) in addition to finally earning that FH!

He was not bred, and likely never will be. The dog that I thought would make a nice match is being being bred to a dog in an arrangement that will guarantee the sale of the pups.  Good for the owner; not so good for Quinn.  Oh well, I love him.  Just not in that way!!

I said Cooper would earn his BH, SchH1 and FSA and we fell short on that one, but not by much!  We traveled to CT to take the FSA and passed that. We even made a run at the Type1 the next day, since we were there and almost did it. Next time!  He has really turned into a great little dog.   Since Tom and I were gone most of August to Alaska on our trip of a lifetime, and I was also mentoring club members, I did not enter our fall trial. I had to find another trial for his BH and ended up doing that late in the season, at the Machtig Strom trial. No schutzhund1 for us this year, therefore.  But I did enter four conformation shows at Ixonia where Cooper earned his UCK Conformation Championship.  How cool is that?  In 2011 I will do Cooper's Type1/CE and earn at a minimum his SchH1.

It's time for Ridley to take her turn in the spotlight, too and in 2011 we will earn a BH.  

I have some pretty big plans for a dog that I don't even own!  Pre, a Belgian Malinois, owned by Sam L is a dog that I have here to trial this year. My goal for Pre is to compete in the AWDF Championship, the North Americans and the Malinois Nationals this year.  He is an awesome dog.

 I have a new German Shepherd Dog puppy, Marco.  His year will be spent learning tracking foundation and all the cool obedience methods that I have been privy to recently.  He is going to be a big boy and I have big plans for him.

I see that I said I would sell some dogs.  Bart and Enno found new homes.  Excel and Chica are still here.  Excel still needs a home but I am training Chica in HRD and also plan to try her out as a sled dog very soon! She has that coyote style body type of the Alaskan huskies and loves to run, so we'll see if she can't haul my big butt down the trail....

I may be conservative on some of my goals.  It is entirely possible that my training program will be on fire this year and I'll title dogs right and left.  We are fortunate to have a new club helper who will (crossing all my fingers) be available for more training, which will help tremendously! 2011 could be alot of fun!

Farewell to my Sweet, Grey Boy. A-Digit vom Foxtal, 1998-2010

This has been a difficult year.  I thought losing Jinx back in May would be the most difficult thing I would face. I have not yet wrung all the tears from my heart over that loss.  I was quite unprepared for another this soon.  I was supposed to attend a seminar in Plant City, FL this weekend with World Champion competitor, Mia Skogster.  It was an expensive seminar and one that required additional planning as Tom was going to be away for his annual hunting trip and we needed to secure kennel help.  Last week, I came down with a bad cold, one that had all the earmarks of moving quickly to bronchitis if I didn't do something. I knew driving by myself, straight through to Florida would be taxing but I was going to tough it out. I got an antibiotic prescription in case things took a turn for the worse and packed to leave.

Scant hours before I was to leave, my plans were further interrupted by a freak accident in the kennel, requiring an emergency trip to the vet and a dog with a bandaged tail. As I considered whether the dog could make the trip with me, since constant supervision would be required, I got sicker and sicker and had to start the antibiotics. It was clear there was no way I could make that trip.  If being sick was the command, and the vet visit the punctuation mark. Okay, I get it! I'm not supposed to take this trip. I was still thinking perhaps I had avoided a serious accident in travel. I just didn't get it.

Tom left yesterday morning and I slept much of the day, still not feeling well. At 5 I bundled up to go to the kennel and feed before it got too late. As I worked my way down the line, I didn't see Digit waiting at his door as he normally did.  Immediately I was worried and thought he might be outside.  As I approached, I saw he was in his dog house, with his head resting outside.  He was dead.  I stroked his grey ears, as I loved to do. He had not been dead long and appeared to be in a resting position, reclining on his side. I talked to him, and petted his beautiful grey fur and told him over and over that I loved him. Why is there never enough time to do that, whether animal or human?  I worried that if I had only gone sooner, I might have been with him. I know from hospice readings that humans will sometimes wait for a moment when they are alone, to spare their loved ones the pain of being there; I don't know if animals process the same way but think they may.  Still, I would have wanted to hold him if I could. I hope he did not feel any pain.  I hope he didn't wonder where I was. 

Tom said Digit had been outside with him as he cleaned kennels the night before, and was laying in his dog house early on Saturday morning as Tom prepared to leave.  He talked to Digit and Digit acknowledged him but did not get up, which was not unusual for that time of day.  And now he is gone.  I had taken him out recently to attempt a blood track of a deer; it was very optimistic of me, as several years earlier I had stopped doing that when he just couldn't make it through the heavy cover.  This was an easy attempt and I thought he might enjoy the walk.  As soon as he left the kennel I saw that was not to be.  His narrow little old-dog rear end was wobbly.  At times he would simply fall, sitting down.  He did not appear to be in pain; he looked surprised.  Surprised that his body was not cooperating.  Instead of walking, I loaded him into the van and we drove nearer the track, which was on our property.  I put on his harness and he seemed excited and happy.  I remembered telling Jinx on her last day that we were "going to work."  I told Digit, through tears, that we were going to work that day. I knew it would be his last. He made a brief attempt to enter the woodline but stopped and I told him what a good, brave dog he was and gave him his tug toy.  He proudly carried it back to the van. He was a winner. His grey tail waved happily, even as I rained salty tears on his head.

I was thinking of how difficult it was to make that last farewell, and how much it hurt, knowing I had to make that decision.  I started adding Rimadyl to his meals and hoped to stave off the goodbye.  Digit chose the time for me and he left with the dignity with which he lived. On his own terms.  And if I had been in Florida, I would not have found him, been able to pet him while his spirit was still there, and say goodbye.

I was there when Digit was born. He was a the most beautiful, shimmering silver and my friend said, "oh look! It's Digit!" No matter that I was about to name him after an ill-fated silverback gorilla, it seemed to fit. And so, A-Digit vom Foxtal entered the world and my life. He was the son of my best girl, Sofie, whom I adored and as I huddled around the whelping box I immediately knew that this would be my dog. Digit's sire was Atos, Dianne San Lorenzo's well-known male. Unfortunately, Digit was dysplastic and was never bred, but he showed no sign of being handicapped by it and loved to work.  When we were in Florida when Digi was a youngster, a man offered me $5000 for him. I knew that he would never love him as I did, and wanted him only because of his gorgeous steel-grey color and I did not sell. I never would.

Digit was somewhat slow to mature, a trait I also observe in Cooper, though they are not related. Knowing what a great dog Digit evolved into, with patience, has helped me to keep Cooper in perspective and let him grow up in his own time.

Digit was such a stable dog mentally, and one of my fondest memory is having him come off the field after a V-rated protection routine and being petted and hugged by a little girl from the crowd as the critique was made.  This was at Al Govednik's club, and the field was lit with vehicle headlights in the darkness, a circumstance that would have made many dogs a little tweaky and suspicious.  A little girl came from the crowd, threw her arms around him and proclaimed "I just love this dog!" Having done many demonstrations with him, I knew him to be very sound and safe. When we  used to visit my elderly father in law, Digit would sit quietly next to him to be petted. He seemed to innately sense how to adjust his behavior to the circumstance.

Out on the competition field, he was anything but gentle! He had a tremendous launch for the grip and loved protection work. Still, I could always see the impish glint in his eyes.  He taught many a helper in our club. Sometimes it was hard for them to reconcile that this dog who was sitting so quietly and patiently would then spring into action. Every club needs veterans to teach the young helpers, and Digit filled that role with enthusiasm, even after his formal retirement from the sport.

He lived through my own stupid handler errors and taught me many lessons.  I decided we should try our hand at personal protection sports.  Digit proved he could handle that type of defensive, multi-attacker work but when we returned to schutzhund, he was confused by the call-backs and left the man! I was embarrassed because I knew that he was not a weak dog, and I had created this problem.  Digit taught me to admit my own role in those mistakes, to think more carefully about sport conflicts and training, and most of all, to love my dog through it all.  It was not his fault.  He was willing to try anything I asked of him, so long as I was patient and clear.  He taught me a big lesson in tracking: the power of a hungry dog! I loved Digit, but he could be a stubborn bugger!  When he was a SchH2 or maybe even SchH3, early on, he decided to disagree with the pressure I had put on him in tracking and refused to track.  Oh, he couldn't have made it any clearer!  I said "such" and he stuck his nose straight up in he air!  I realized that I had two options for action. I could either force the issue and be stuck forever with that choice, or motivate him to want to perform. I chose the latter.  The next day, I layed a heavily baited track so that if he put his nose down there would be reward.  I held his food dish in one hand and said "such".  Again, he stuck his nose up in the air, daring me to do something about it.  I said (in as nonchalant a voice as I could muster) "nope! too bad!" and put him back in his crate.  This continued for four days, with Digit getting only a partial meal to remind him of a rumbling tummy and the option for food IF he tracked each day.  It was a war of wills. On the fifth day, Digit surrendered and attacked the track with gusto.  After that, no matter how he struggled on a track, he continued to work it out to fruition, even earning an FH.

Digit was retired after our Spring 2006 schutzhund trial, where he earned High SchH 3 and High in Trial Honors. I could see that he had lost some of the "lift" that he used to have and it was more important that he retire without injury and with his dignity than to trial him to serve my own ego. He continued to spend his time teaching new helpers, being the neutral dog for puppy training and mentoring the young ones.   He had a post-retirement career that included blood tracking deer and relished the idea of following scent through conditions I couldn't imagine he could still be following something.  He amazed me with his ability.  Then, in 2008 he came out of retirement to earn an STP1, the article search title.  He was happy to be joining me for training and using his nose again.  He was even used as a "demo" dog in the trial and came off the field that day, tugging on the leather leash like a puppy, just as he had done in the old days. 

My sweet, grey boy is gone. He gave everything to me that I asked, except more time. There is never enough time.  He will be in my heart forever.  Someone wrote that our dogs don't outlive us so they don't have to wonder why we left them.


I found this writing, and the author speaks eloquently of the fact that dogs have to all their love in fewer years, so in fact they do not outlive us because that outLOVE us.  May all my dog friends find comfort in this.



packhttp://lindaellis.net/wp/2010/04/just-a-dog/



Farewell, Digi-mon! I love you always.

CH A-Digit vom Foxtal, CGC, therapy dog,UCDX, STP1, 13x SchH3/IPO3, FH, DPO2
Born July 12, 1998
Died December 4, 2010
Loved Forever.

That's CHAMPION COOPER to you!

This past weekend, Tom and I took Chica and Cooper to the Western Waukesha Dog Training Club in Ixonia, Wisconsin for a series of UKC shows. Over the two days there were four shows, under four judges; two per day.  Of course, Pre rode along, even though he wasn't entered! I think I've spoiled him, as he thinks that he must be in the van if it is going somewhere! Actually, first he looks in and steals a toy or bite pillow and runs around with it, but if the crate is open he will just jump in. I think if he could start the car himself, he would!

So, off we went.  From past experience, we know to get there very early, as soon as same-day registrations open, so that we can find a spot to park our chairs and crates for the day.  Things fill up very rapidly and early. If you have never attended such a show, it is hard to imagine how close the quarters are. You hope that sensible people will leave at least a small aisle to weave through from chairs to ringside, but this is often not the case.  On Day 2, Cooper jumped on a softsided crate trying to follow me through the maze and likely scared the crap out of the small dog inside. oops.  A dog has to be very stable and not aggressive to humans or other dogs to be in this environment.  I was very pleased with both Chica and Cooper, who settled into their soft-sided crates and went to sleep.

We camped next to the Northern Breeds, and there were quite a few Alaskan Klee Kai's there.  They are cute little dogs that look like miniature huskies.  Someone else likened their unusual noises to the sound of "an alien being run through a wood chipper!"  We weren't treated to that, but one made a noise that sound just like a baby crying!  They are a wash and wear breed and were quite cute!  The people exhibiting them were clearly experienced and so I asked them quite a few questions and they were very friendly folks.

I was surprised to see another Dutch Shepherd entered! This was a lighter colored brindle female, imported from Holland. I chatted with the owner, whom I know.  In the ring, this female beat Chica in both shows on Saturday. I so rarely compete in conformation that it is like coming out for the first time, every time! I run the wrong direction, I don't stop when I'm supposed to... I'm a complete klutz.  In the second show, I let my friend, Tammy, handle Chica, figuring she couldn't do any worse than I did! Ha! I was wrong! (sorry, Tammy!)  But still, it wasn't a big deal as Tammy had never done this, either, and everyone has to start somewhere.  Chica truly didn't show herself as well as we were all working out the kinks in our handling, and the other competitor is an experienced show handler and did a much better job. I just considered that, and that the judge perhaps felt Chica was too small or just wasn't moving well enough to judge.  There was nothing to be angry over, that's just the way show judging goes.

Next Cooper competed against the winning female.  In both shows, he beat the female.  I am prejudiced, of course, but Cooper is a good looking dog, very full of expression and correct according to standard.  The other gal left immediately after the second win. Cooper continued to Group, where he took 4th in Group in the second show. I was so surprised and thrilled!

I did hear a very nice thing as I was waiting near the registration table. An exhibitor, who is also a judge, was cautioning a woman with a small child about certain dogs there to steer clear of and I said "but not the Dutch Shepherds!"  The woman said that she loves Dutch Shepherds and that she didn't know who it was, but she had seen one years ago here that was just wonderful. I asked it that was here, and whether it was a grey dog. It was my Digit!  It just made me smile to think he had made such an impression.

On Sunday, the woman did not reappear.  The judges offered handling tips and I was very appreciative and thanked them.  Tom handled Chica and he did such a good job that she beat Cooper in the second show of the day!!  I was very impressed, watching her move around the ring. She was beautiful and moved so smoothly. At the moment, I thought the win prevented Cooper from earning his Championship and Tom apologized.  I said "what for? you did a GREAT job!"  There is no way I would diminish his effort and how well they did together, by being upset with that.  I later discovered that Cooper had enough points anyway.

An unusual thing happened, though.  In the second ring, the judge had stopped and said she wanted to say something. I thought she was going to share more handling tips and waited.  Instead, she said she had received an email complaining about the judging and alleging that the judges did not know what they were doing, and that my dog, Cooper, had a "gay tail" and was a poor representative of the breed!   I couldn't believe it!  The judge was clearly insulted and upset and referred to the many years she had been judging and that she had examined the tails and that our dogs were excellent breed specimens.  My mouth was probably hanging wide open, as I just could not imagine another exhibitor doing such a thing!  wow! Then the judge added that they were discussing the fact that the other dog in the class yesterday had been DYED!!  Tom had neglected to tell me that the day before, after the judge examined the dogs she was looking at her hands and said "I have dye on my hands!!"( For the record, that handler has since protested that she did not dye the dog.) For the life of me, I don't know why you would do that, as it had nothing to do with structure.

It was an interesting end to the weekend, for sure.  I had talked at length to the other exhibitor who smiled and chatted, only to have to pull a knife out of my back the next day!  The good part is that the other folks we encountered there were friendly and helpful,  and I really had a good time.  It's only a silly, cheap ribbon and two initials before the dog's name.  It is not the end of the world, nor the beginning, and at the end of the day, you should still love the dog you arrived with.  I fear this is not true about this other woman, and that is a very sad thing.

I was proud of my dogs because they showed stability and confidence in a very strange environment and they did something foreign to them because I asked them to.  If neither had won, I would still have been proud of them.  I might decide conformation showing just wasn't their cup of tea, but it would not have made me angry or disappointed in the dogs themselves. If you feel differently, please spare us all and just go buy your own ribbon!

Where did Schutzhund Go?

I read the new rules for IPO and it made me sad.  We have wandered so far away from the foundation of our sport that it is almost unrecognizable. The governing organizations are a reflection of our unfortunate times of political correctness and offer a similar re-write of history.  I wonder how many people involved in the sport still remember its proud heritage?  Do they know that the sport of schutzhund was formed as a breed worthiness test for the German Shepherd Dog after breeders watched the police dog training, and adopted those exercises?


There was a motion at the 2010 General Board Meeting of the United Schutzhund Clubs of America to change the name to" United Schaeferhunde Clubs of America.”  The author of the amendment wrote, "Unfortunately, to the general public, governmental officials, and activist agencies, the word “Schutzhund” is primarily associated with the protection phase of our sport. That
image can be detrimental to our organization. In today’s highly scrutinized and litigious world we must be conscientious of our image. “  I would imagine he has friends among the Swiss, who banned stick hits and as a result, the new rules now advise that we have "stick pressure." The physical action is the same, only the name has changed. Are we fooling anyone?  Might I suggest, if that works, we henceforth refer to waterboarding as "a warm shower".


Our sport began as Schutzhund. Translated, it means "protection dog". What we do has a proud heritage.  Our work produces dogs for the police and military, and makes well-behaved companions of family dogs. The breeders who adhere to these standards create dogs who have the stability and drive for Search and Rescue and scent detection work  They are the backbone of our working dog community.  Why must we run from this reality?  If we believe that we have to deny the word "protection" in our name and history, our public relations efforts are failing.  We must do better.


We have lost so much already.  When I began in the sport, in the early mid-80's, the protection routine closely resembled the behaviors required by a police service dog. The blind search simulates the search of an area or building, and requires the dog check left and right as the handler moves forward through the area, making the way safe.  The dog knows that the suspect is concealed in the last hiding place but it would be unsafe for the handler to move forward to that location without having the dog search before him.  Thus, it is also an obedience exercise. Once the dog locates the suspect, he must bark to alert the handler, who can then approach tactically.  Even as a police officer cannot strike a suspect who has surrendered and is not aggressive, so the dog cannot bite him.  He must hold the person in place with strong guarding until his handler takes control of the scene.  In the early days of the sport, we would order the suspect (decoy) from the blind and then return to search the hiding place while the dog lay in wait and guarded him.  We actually searched for "weapons" as an officer would.  As that was occurring, the suspect would attempt to flee and, without command,  the dog would pursue and bite the sleeve.  The handler would command the dog to release and approach, ordering the suspect to step back and frisking him for weapons.  In those days, the weapon was a reed stick, not a thickly padded stick.


I miss this. It has become a stylized affair that even the participants do not recognize as similar to police work.  There is no search of the hiding place, or the suspect.  It makes me wonder if people would understand what we do and support it if we were able to make this comparison. Instead, we are left with a ballet of biting dogs.  Oops! I'm sorry! We cannot say that the dogs "bite".  According to the rules, they "grip." (once again, is anyone deceived? Who looks stupid in this picture? The fool or the fooler?)  We have lost the courage test, as well.  In this, the handler would call to the suspect to stop and he would ignore the warning, at which point the dog would be released to pursue and stop him.  Yes, by biting.  Apparently courage is something that is not honorable because that was tossed aside in favor of the "long grip".  The odd part is that we no longer yell a warning for the man to stop; instead, the dog is released.  It seems to be in conflict, but perhaps the ultimate goal is to have the dog run down the field and give the decoy a hug.  Check with the Swiss. They would know.

What happened to the proud Germans, the fathers of our sport?  Why have they lost their voice?  They lead the WUSV and SV meetings.  They, more than anyone, are familiar with the famous statement attributed to Pastor Martin Niemöller about the inactivity of German intellectuals following the Nazi rise to power and the purging of their chosen targets, group after group.
[wikipedia]    The quotation begins, " They came first for the Communists
 and I didn't speak up because I was not a Communist."  Piece by piece, our sport has been picked apart until only the bones remain.

The Germans waved the white flag of defeat in 2004 when they caved to political forces and the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV) and the Deutscher Hundesportverein (DHV) made substantial changes to Schutzhund, and adopted the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) rules that govern IPO titles.  By doing so, they gave up control of the sport to the FCI. The DHV changed the name of the titles from "SchH" (Schutzhund) to "VPG" (Vielseitigkeitsprüfung für Gebrauchshunde) which roughly translates "Versatility Examination for Working Dogs".  Our parent organization, the United Schutzhund Clubs of America, had retained the word schutzhund in their name, though we had lovely "versatile working dogs" under the terms of surrender.  And now, in 2010, there were people who wanted to complete our emasculation by removing the protection work as we now compete for IPO titles.  Where did Schutzhund go?   When I read the 2010 rule changes, I saw how far we have moved from our past. I am fearful to read new revisions for fear there will be reference to tunnels and pause boxes.  In the future the dogs will only guard, never bite.

 Where will we find our working dogs?  While I remain hopeful that our leadership will recognize the path we are on and make an abrupt halt, it seems unlikely.  Clearly, we cannot look to Germany for a solution. With the protection sport organizations under the same umbrella of the FCI, and competing under the same rules, it ensures that we will drink the koolaid together.  The dogs that pass under the embarrassingly weak rules and low score requirements of the new rules will be the same from USA to DVG to WDA. Sea to Shining Sea.  I am optimistic that the AWDF will provide a haven for those who still value a working dog, with titles that rank courage and hardness and bring back the attack out of the blind.  We are Americans and we should not run and hide.  Our sport is nothing to be ashamed of.  Stand up for it.

If not, will the last one out of Schutzhund please turn out the lights?