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helpers
Dec 19, 2003 23:09:18 GMT -5
Post by Nightshadows on Dec 19, 2003 23:09:18 GMT -5
There is a major shortage where I live and it sure would be nice to find someone who is interested in learning to become a helper. How do you actually go about finding interested people or even people that want to learn more about the sport/helper work? Do you advertise it in the paper? maybe with pictures and a definition? I remember when the trial was to be held here the club did a write up. Any ideas?
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helpers
Dec 20, 2003 0:34:26 GMT -5
Post by freundhund on Dec 20, 2003 0:34:26 GMT -5
Hi Nightshadows As you know this sport is not really permitted in Australia but I belong to a club where you have to be a helper. By being a helper, unless you are physical incapable of doing anything. As I don't do bite work but track, I lay tracks for other members and I help new people with their obedience work. With bite work all our handlers have to learn to suit up men and women, when the people first start they have to learn how to work the retired dogs, it can then be decided that the person doesn't have the ability or co-ordination to do this sort of work with the dogs, then they have to do another job in the club eg putting up and taking down of jumps and hides. ( Our club holds helper training classes separately which contain theory as well) The people who learn to be a helper basically first work another helpers dog first then a workers dog. All the helpers get their dogs worked first so that they continue coming to the club. As I will lay tracks for anyone and will some times have laid 6 tracks that I have mapped and put a time on so that we have tracks down, I always have someone lay a track for me quite often it will be a helper because they know that I will make sure there is a track available for them. So it basically is once a person has been a member for 6 weeks to 12 weeks they must do a job at the club, even if its making coffee. Helping in some form is required because it is a club its not making money other than to benefit its own members. People who do not want to abide by the rules don't get their dogs worked and are told that they are not welcome. We would lose maybe 1 person in 4 that didn't want to help but it works and works well for our club, currently we have 12 members that turn up reguarly. This club cannot advertise or bring notice to itself it can only work on word of mouth basis. Nightshadows, please feel free to pass on my comments to your club and I hope what our club does can help you.
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helpers
Feb 3, 2004 13:36:44 GMT -5
Post by judron5 on Feb 3, 2004 13:36:44 GMT -5
I have been the club helper for 12 or so yrs. I have done Nat'l trials! I am in the process of training my 13 yr old son. He loves it and that is the main component!
ron
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