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Whether your training for sport, PPD or PSD I think it is safe to say that we all have certain expectations we want to meet before we trial, utilize the dog for personal protection or feel confident enough (in the dog and ourselves) to work the streets. I personally have seen dogs and handlers working in different venues and was left wondering - what the heck are they thinking ?...bringing that dog to a trial, thinking that dog will actually protect them or working that dog on the streets.
There were at least 3 dogs at the SchH regionals that I attended, that I personally would have never entered. It was not like they had an "off day", as I had seen the dogs at several club level trials and they (or their scores which were either at or below 70's) were not any better. In my opinion those dogs/handlers just wasted the judges, other competitors, and spectators time. I attended an ASR Seminar in VA, and the comments I have on film from trainers and "civilians" while my PSD and I were working on the field just amazed me. "Does that dog really work the streets and have "real bites"? "I have never seen a PSD that would out like that or listen to the first command". Then one of the trainers began commenting about how they were asked to train a PSD (that was already working the streets) because it "did not have a recall". Believe me my PSD was not "the sh*t" that day by any means - I've seen a whole lot better out of him and many other PSD's working the streets. Sadly, I've seen a whole lot worse as well. Which leaves me wondering is it "rose color glasses" that some handlers have on? Actually thinking that they (dog and handler) are good when in actuality they are barely marginal. Kinda like some people actually think they can sing - when in reality they can't (See tryouts for American Idol). Or are enough people (spectators and competitors) not able to see a really good working/sport dog in action, just the slugs, so their expectations and opinions (standards) are lower? Where are the TD's, Kennel Masters, "friends" etc that should be telling it like it is and requiring/demanding more from the team? I'm one of those people that will tell you my opinion not what you wanta hear and respect those who will do the same for me.
Do certain judges/trainers/evaluators really think that they are doing teams a "favor" by giving passing scores to handlers/dogs that obviously don't deserve them? I personally think they are doing a disservice to the them AND the other handlers/dogs out there that are training at and above the minimum requirements.
Sorry, just had to rant.....
There were at least 3 dogs at the SchH regionals that I attended, that I personally would have never entered. It was not like they had an "off day", as I had seen the dogs at several club level trials and they (or their scores which were either at or below 70's) were not any better. In my opinion those dogs/handlers just wasted the judges, other competitors, and spectators time. I attended an ASR Seminar in VA, and the comments I have on film from trainers and "civilians" while my PSD and I were working on the field just amazed me. "Does that dog really work the streets and have "real bites"? "I have never seen a PSD that would out like that or listen to the first command". Then one of the trainers began commenting about how they were asked to train a PSD (that was already working the streets) because it "did not have a recall". Believe me my PSD was not "the sh*t" that day by any means - I've seen a whole lot better out of him and many other PSD's working the streets. Sadly, I've seen a whole lot worse as well. Which leaves me wondering is it "rose color glasses" that some handlers have on? Actually thinking that they (dog and handler) are good when in actuality they are barely marginal. Kinda like some people actually think they can sing - when in reality they can't (See tryouts for American Idol). Or are enough people (spectators and competitors) not able to see a really good working/sport dog in action, just the slugs, so their expectations and opinions (standards) are lower? Where are the TD's, Kennel Masters, "friends" etc that should be telling it like it is and requiring/demanding more from the team? I'm one of those people that will tell you my opinion not what you wanta hear and respect those who will do the same for me.
Do certain judges/trainers/evaluators really think that they are doing teams a "favor" by giving passing scores to handlers/dogs that obviously don't deserve them? I personally think they are doing a disservice to the them AND the other handlers/dogs out there that are training at and above the minimum requirements.
Sorry, just had to rant.....