Post by Brittany on Nov 27, 2003 10:13:44 GMT -5
I wish i could of said more but i was given a limited amount to talk to the reporter ;/
www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/6025466.htm
Some serious canine training produces a lot of good feeling
BY ROBYN MEADOWS
Special to The Herald
Brittany Banus says her dog saved her life.
The 19-year-old Hollywood woman was out of control. Anger and depression filled her teen years -- until she found a devoted friend, a German shepherd named Jake.
''For some reason my temperament rose, and I had a happy attitude,'' Brittany said. By the time she started training him with the Broward Schutzhund Club, her depression had lifted.
Schutzhund, which means ''protection dog,'' is a sport that develops traits in dogs that make them more useful and better companions to their owners. It started in Germany in the 1800s with police dogs. Although other breeds were admitted, most were German shepherds. The shepherds that passed the test could be bred.
In keeping with tradition, the Broward Schutzhund Club trains dogs for tracking, obedience and protection on Sundays behind club president Miriam Barkus' Davie home.
Before it can try out for Schutzhund training, a dog must show good temperament and the ability to listen well to its master. After attaining Schutzhund status, a dog can work for additional titles.
For obedience, dogs must learn on-lead and off-lead commands and master heeling routines. In tracking, dogs search a U-shaped track of 360 paces. The handler lays two articles along the way beforehand. As learning intensifies, the dogs must track at 800 paces in an R-shaped track with three placed articles -- for example, a child's shoe.
All of these lead to protection work, which tests the dog's courage, strength and agility. A dog searches hiding places for the ''helper'' -- the bad guy. The dog holds and barks, but will not bite unless the helper attacks the handler.
This part looks ferocious, but at a recent Schutzhund meeting, the dogs leapt joyfully into the air, holding off the bad guy. They were also sociable, readily brushing against anyone willing to pet them. Trainer Dean Wittle of Hollywood likens Schutzhund to martial arts training for dogs.
Wittle has trained dogs for 25 years, and worked Schutzhund for seven. ''It keeps me sharp,'' he said. ``While some people go out drinking on the weekends, I'm out training my dogs.''
The Broward Schutzhund Club has more than 20 members and welcomes any dogs that can do the work, including collies and Belgian Malinois. There is a $50 application fee, and annual dues of $220. Call 954-966-2746
www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/6025466.htm
Some serious canine training produces a lot of good feeling
BY ROBYN MEADOWS
Special to The Herald
Brittany Banus says her dog saved her life.
The 19-year-old Hollywood woman was out of control. Anger and depression filled her teen years -- until she found a devoted friend, a German shepherd named Jake.
''For some reason my temperament rose, and I had a happy attitude,'' Brittany said. By the time she started training him with the Broward Schutzhund Club, her depression had lifted.
Schutzhund, which means ''protection dog,'' is a sport that develops traits in dogs that make them more useful and better companions to their owners. It started in Germany in the 1800s with police dogs. Although other breeds were admitted, most were German shepherds. The shepherds that passed the test could be bred.
In keeping with tradition, the Broward Schutzhund Club trains dogs for tracking, obedience and protection on Sundays behind club president Miriam Barkus' Davie home.
Before it can try out for Schutzhund training, a dog must show good temperament and the ability to listen well to its master. After attaining Schutzhund status, a dog can work for additional titles.
For obedience, dogs must learn on-lead and off-lead commands and master heeling routines. In tracking, dogs search a U-shaped track of 360 paces. The handler lays two articles along the way beforehand. As learning intensifies, the dogs must track at 800 paces in an R-shaped track with three placed articles -- for example, a child's shoe.
All of these lead to protection work, which tests the dog's courage, strength and agility. A dog searches hiding places for the ''helper'' -- the bad guy. The dog holds and barks, but will not bite unless the helper attacks the handler.
This part looks ferocious, but at a recent Schutzhund meeting, the dogs leapt joyfully into the air, holding off the bad guy. They were also sociable, readily brushing against anyone willing to pet them. Trainer Dean Wittle of Hollywood likens Schutzhund to martial arts training for dogs.
Wittle has trained dogs for 25 years, and worked Schutzhund for seven. ''It keeps me sharp,'' he said. ``While some people go out drinking on the weekends, I'm out training my dogs.''
The Broward Schutzhund Club has more than 20 members and welcomes any dogs that can do the work, including collies and Belgian Malinois. There is a $50 application fee, and annual dues of $220. Call 954-966-2746
