Dutch Shepherd Forum

We finally found THE Schutzhund trainer!

I tried to find a club or trainer locally but they were either only training police K9 and didn't want to mess with the general public, or were only interested in dog handlers who want to compete on a national or international level, or called themselves 'Master Trainer' without any credentials, i.e. titled a dog.

Marco is my pet and I just want to train him to the best of his abilities. If we can get a SCH I/IPO I great, if we can do a BH (like a CGC) it's okay too.

I drew the circle farther and contacted the South Florida Schutzhund Club (DVG). They are training in Homestead (a 2 hour + drive from Jupiter). But since it is on Saturday, we can make it a whole day event with tracking, obedience and bite work, no big deal.

And the trainer who is willing to work with us is Phil Hoelcher (8x National DVG Champion)!!!!!
http://www.dvgamerica.com/champion.html
http://www.hoelcher.com/index.html

He has a nice group of people. Some of them have rescues too. AND the decoys are trained by him too, the one on Saturday was a decoy at a National Championship. An absolute joy to watch how he worked the dogs.

I am so glad I found this club which shares my philosophy of Schutzhund training as a sport and fun activity for both, dog and handler. A lot of work, and driving, lays ahead of us, but I am confident with Phil's help and advise, Marco and I will be the best we can be.

WOOHOO< that is fantastic! Its a great feeling when you find the right trainer!

yay!! go git him Marco!!

Schlussdibusti wrote: And the trainer who is willing to work with us is Phil Hoelcher (8x National DVG Champion)!!!!!

Awesome! And I have heard very good things about Phil! Good luck and can't wait to hear about progress!!

60 seconds or less into obedience he already knew what the main issue is: focus and showed us how to work on it with results. Consistent success over more than 30 years is no accident!

I hope we can attend his seminar in January, Camp Weed. Looks like a lot of fun. Here is a link to the 2010 Camp Weed Protection video which also shows a handler in a wheel chair with a DS:
http://www.hoelcher.com/philnewpage4e.html

Best of luck with your training, so nice to find someone you have confidence in!

Oh man, finding the right trainer is so much of the battle! So happy for you!

Have fun!

Schlussdibusti wrote: I hope we can attend his seminar in January, Camp Weed. Looks like a lot of fun. Here is a link to the 2010 Camp Weed Protection video which also shows a handler in a wheel chair with a DS:
http://www.hoelcher.com/philnewpage4e.html

That's Dameon Berry, here in TN. The dog is Tommy. http://easttnk9.com/Tommy%20pictures.htm
Currently an IPO1, but hoping to complete his 3 before winter. Really, really nice dog and Dameon and his wife Jamie couldn't be nicer people!! We were lucky to find them here in TN!

Thanks for posting the link. Tommy's grandfather is Rocky Van Leeuwen

Schlussdibusti wrote:Thanks for posting the link. Tommy's grandfather is Rocky Van Leeuwen

And there is Tommy Luiken and Nicky Verlee back there - some of my favorites!! I'm kinda a fan.

Christie M wrote:Awesome! And I have heard very good things about Phil! Good luck and can't wait to hear about progress!!

Yeah, I thing we are in good hands.......

When talking about training DS, Phil mentioned the other weekend that he trained a DS named Timo to SCH III. This is what I remember he said about him:
"looked like a tank, i.e. big, compact and all muscles, a bit of a handful , but very smart, trained him to SCH III within 6 months or so, Timo took every decoy down"
I "googled" Timo and he is a Rudie Pegge son "Timo is a Rudie Pegge, PH1 son and he is an import from Holland from the KNPV- Royal Dutch Police Program, titled to Schutzhund 3 by Phil Hoelcher" quote is from this website http://www.vandaliadutchshepherds.com/dutchpups.htm

Lol, i kind of dig rocky too

Selena wrote:Lol, i kind of dig rocky too

I dig Rocky too He dug deep into limbs too I guess

Selena wrote:Lol, i kind of dig rocky too

I sure hope so! Have heard really great things!!
I pointed out the others because I had just bred to Tommy Lots of greatness there!