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BEGLEITHUND COURSES ENROLLING NOW

ANNOUNCING....

PACKWORKS' SPRING/SUMMER 2008 BEGLEITHUND (BH) COURSE! Friday, Saturday (19-23h) & Sunday (17-21h) sections!

We are offering a special Packworks group/seminar training course which we have designed around two goals. Our primary goal for this course is to give every participant the tools they need to prepare for and take, should they choose, the German "Begleithundprüfung" certification test which is based on REAL LIFE applications of obedience/handling skills.

The second goal we set for this course is more straightforward but equally important - everyone (including - ESPECIALLY - the dogs) is to have a good time.

PREREQUISITE FOR ENROLLMENT

All prospective BH students must have attended at least one Packworks
two-hour private training session priour to enrollment.

All admitted students will have shown dedication and commitment to building a proper relationship with their dogs.

All will have shown an appreciation for the recursive process and for the work that is the art and skill of training.

AND, all will be continuing to address at least one common/typical (with the herding, working, terrier and guarding breeds) management/handling "issue" such as on-lead dog aggression displays, age/experience related initial timidity/defensiveness, drive-control (impulsivity) concerns, etc. In other words, everyone will be in the same boat. Hence, we will all be making our share of mistakes and thereby providing plenty of learning opportunities for ourselves and others.

The spirit of the course, for handlers and for dogs, is cooperation, not competition.

What's a Begleithundprüfung?

The Begleithund certification test is recognized internationally and in this country it is typically referred to as the BH or B test. In Europe, a Begleithund certification is a prerequisite for entry into performance trials where working titles are earned; for example, a dog must have a Begleithund certification before it can be entered in a Schutzhund trial (same requirement in the US), a herding trial, or in an obedience trial.

To pass the Begleithund test your dog must demonstrate attentive heeling (both on/off leash including heeling through a group of strangers), a reliable recall, and a secure long down which must be held for 10-15 minutes in a distracting environment without you present. As well, your dog must remain calm when exposed to groups of strangers, joggers, bicyclists and other dogs.

A dog/handler team that is prepared to pass the Begleithund certification test will be trained beyond the requirements of the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test and beyond the challenges presented by AKC Novice Obedience competition as well as most of the challenges presented by the Therapy Dog International (TDI) test. Explore the links at the bottom of this message to see a full description of the test and other information about the Begleithund certification.

There are many reasons why dogs all over the world are trained for the Begleithund test; however, for our purposes, the test will serve primarily as a shared goal – a goal which is relevant to many of our clients and the everyday, real-world challenges they face with their dogs.

COURSE FORMAT

The training for the Sunday evening section of the Spring-Summer BH course

will take place every Sunday evening starting at 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm.. The course will run for sixteen weeks, each weekly session will run 4 hours. Every week we will begin with a training session at Packworks and end with a debriefing/instruction seminar at a nearby establishment which serves (very reasonably priced) food and drinks. (We are following the German tradition of "Stammtisch". < http://www.toytowngermany.com/wiki/Stammtisch >)

During this debriefing session we will answer questions and discuss what happened earlier that night. We view this weekly debriefing seminar as a valuable element of the course and we are planning to make it interesting and fun.

COST/ENROLLMENT:

The cost for the 16 week, four hour a night course will be 1,250$. Payment may be made in two installments, half (600$) at the start of the first nights class and half at the start of the fourth class.

Participation will be limited to the first 10 dogs enrolled.

We appreciate a response at your earliest possible convenience. Should you have any additional questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to ask.
Here are links to Pictures of Packworks Spring/Summer and Summer/Fall 2007 Begleithund Courses:

Packworks Spring/Summer BH Course 2007

http://www.flickr.com/photos/packworks-schumizoo/sets/72157601779927466/

Packworks Spring/Summer BH Course 2007

http://www.flickr.com/photos/packworks-schumizoo/sets/72157601786284791/

Packworks Summer/Fall BH Course 2007

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wseward/collections/72157602141753098/

Packworks at the 2007 Furry 5k

http://www.flickr.com/photos/packworks-schumizoo/sets/72157601779928474