About Tidewater Schutzhund Club

Tidewater Schutzhund Club is not a business and goes out of its way to say so. If you are looking for someone to fix your dog's leash pulling, this is the wrong entry; if you want to train a sport dog properly, it may be the best one in the region.

What it is

"As the longest standing and oldest DVG member club in Hampton Roads, we offer basic obedience training, schutzhund training, and puppy training." Schutzhund – now often called IGP – has three phases, and the club's FAQ explains how each one starts: "A dog can begin to learn how to track extremely early. Tracking for a 8 week old puppy may not look the same as a 8 month old or 2 year old, but dogs are born able to use their noses. Training a schutzhund dog for obedience begins with proper early-socialization and drive building. Once mentally mature with enough "drive" or willingness to work, we can begin teaching commands. Protection begins with drive building as a puppy, but until a dog has its adult canine teeth, we will not engage in any hard bite work to protect the dog."

What it costs, and why

"We are not a for-profit organization and the training director donates his time to the club. In other words, TSC is NOT a business. No one profits from the club or gets paid by the club. Annual member dues pay for club equipment, field rental, field maintenance, trial expenses, etc. Annual club membership for an individual with one dog is currently $500. It's more for 2 adults, 2 dogs, junior members, etc."

The commitment

Stated without softening: "We meet at 8:30am Saturday mornings and are typically finished with all the dogs by 1:30ish. Overall, schutzhund is a sport that takes many hours of training and dedication for both the dog and the handler. We joke that the dogs are easy to train, the owners are more difficult! What you put into training your dog is what you will get out of it." And on expectations: "The average age of a National or World Champion dog is about 6 years old and those dogs have been trained nearly everyday for their entire lives."

Breeds, and honesty about outcomes

"We are an all breed organization. If you are willing to put the work in with your dog, we are willing to help. Some breeds are easier to train than others, some dogs require a longer foundation phase than others. Just because your breeder said the parents or grand parents were "champions" or "titled" does not mean your dog will be capable of competing." Weekend posts show the sessions themselves – "Tracking and Protection at 8:30am".

How to visit

The advice for a first visit is sensible and free: "We recommend you come the first time without your dog and simply observe. This way you can decide if the sport is right for you and your dog." When you do bring the dog, the list is long and specific – "a chair, dog's crate, pack of hotdogs (cheap kind), the dog's favorite toys and balls – ideally 2 of his/her most favorite toy, sunblock, water for you and your dog, insect repellant, every leash and collar you own, and boots (for tracking)."

Where

"4400 Peach Rd", Chesapeake, on the Suffolk side of the city.