Mideast Regional Training Seminar
May 13, 2009
Helper Classification Group
Over fifty Mideastern Region members gathered for the Show and Helper Seminar held on May 1-3. Hosted by OG Buckeye, the seminar featured Jurgen and Katharina Oster. USA Teaching Helpers Mark Scarberry and Nick Blackford and Apprentice USA Teaching Helper Nate Harves worked with Jurgen on teaching various aspects of helper work.
Katharina demonstrating a gaiting exercise
Katharina taught the Show handling portion of the program. Friday evening she shared grooming and handling tips. One point she repeatedly made was that proper ring training and presentation can often make the difference in a rating grade — moving a dog from the 'G' group to the 'SG' group. The conformation judges expect the dogs to be prepared for this event just as the performance judges expect you to be ready on trial day.
On Saturday and Sunday, she helped the attendees with ring handling skills including the proper gaiting technique, stand for exams and other conformation handling skills.
Mark Scarberry and Nate Harves doing a Helper Critique
On Saturday, Jurgen, Mark, Nate, and Nick made several presentations on how to safely train and work the dogs. Jurgen had the helpers trade places and act as the dog in the exercise to give the helpers an idea of how the dog sees the presentation of the sleeve. In the afternoon, they all coached the helpers on proper technique and on trial skills.
On Sunday, Mark, Nate and Jurgen evaluated the helpers and assigned their classifications. Apprentice Teaching Helper Nate Harves presented the performance critiques.
Yvette Woodward doing a prey grip exercise
As a special thank-you to all those who attended, helped out and brought dogs to work, I've set up a gallery of photos of the event. I've disabled the copy protection on these images so you can right-click and save the ones you like.
Click here to view photos!
Charlie Snyder / MyTrialPhotos.com
2009 Youth Academic Award
April 23, 2009
USA President Nathaniel Roque presents award to Veronica Adams
Veronica Adams of OG West Penn is the 2009 recipient of
Academic Youth Award. USA President Lyle Roetemyer presented the
award at the 2009 USA Youth Championship -- an event held in conjunction with the USA Working Dog Championships.
Veronica is the daughter of Staci Adams and attends Claysville Elementary.
Regional Events
- 2009 Regional Championships are scheduled for September 25-27, 2009
The Mid-Ohio Schutzhund Club
will be the hosting club. Watch the Regional Trial Website for updates ... www.MidEastRegional.com
-
Regional Conformation Show is scheduled for October 24 & 25, 2009
Feuerlands Schutzhund Club (OH) will host the event.ConfShow.MidEastRegional.com
USA Judge Johannes Grewe
- Regional Training Seminar — Hosted by OG Buckeye (OH)
Jürgen Oster, SV Teaching Helper, along with Mark Scarberry and Nick Blackford, USA Teaching Helpers, will present a Helper Training Seminar and Helper Classification. Jürgen has been the back half helper
at the Bundesieger along with other regional and national events.
Katharina (Schlosser) Oster will present a seminar on preparation and handling for conformation
shows. Katharina, one of the top young handlers in Germany, had shown dogs to high placings on
nearly every continent.
Joey Bratt, a member of the USA Youth Committee
and a high school Guidance Counselor will
address the youth attendees on college
preparation. Q&A session is scheduled Saturday
evening prior to the cook out.
See Seminar Announcement
Conformation Seminar Free to all MER Clubs and members. A small charge for
USA members from outside the region and for non-USA members.
Falconhurst Helper Seminar
From left to right: Colin LaForest, Dan Williams, Dan Brigham,
Teaching Helper A. J. Slaughter, Matt Hopper, Matt Hycki and Mike McCarty.
July 12, 2008 in Saginaw, Michigan.
South Michigan Schutzhund and Police Club Helper Seminar
South Michigan Schutzhund and Police Club hosted a two day helper seminar and USA
helper classification on April 19 & 20, 2008 with Mid-East Regional Director and
teaching helper Mark Scarberry. The club’s goals were to not just have Mark demonstrate
proper trial work, but also to provide instruction on developing puppies, young
dogs and fine tuning the titled dogs.
Saturday dawned with beautiful weather after a week long forecast of rain. 14 helpers,
from Michigan and surrounding states, varying from total beginners to the well seasoned
participated in this part of the seminar. Several puppies, young dogs and mature
titled dogs were worked from various breeds giving participants a good taste of
the challenges of helper work. Trial technique was also practiced with excellent
insights by Mark into both club, regional and national helper work.
Sunday was the day for trial work and the USA classification seminar. 12 helpers
participated ranging from We would like to thank Mark Scarberry for taking the time
to come up and work with the region’s helpers. Also thank you to all of the handlers
that worked their dogs and puppies and the spectators that came to support the club.
And a final thank you to our seminar/classification secretary Donna Trouten and
her assistant Marcia Cavan. entry level to those working towards their club and regional
levels. Excellent progress was made by all the helpers especially those that participated
both days. The most notable improvements were made by the one and only female helper,
SMSPC member Alysia Mefford.
Is your club using a properly classified helper?
The Mideastern Region is a leader in promoting helper training. This helps to ensure that the dogs are worked safely and correctly. For a list of Helper Seminars and Evaluations, see the Trial Calendar on the menu to the left.
This is a reminder from the USA Helper Committee regarding the proper use of Helpers
in all authorized USA Events. There has been some confusion regarding the level
of helpers to work events.
The guidelines are:
- All helpers working a USA Event must be current USA members and have a Helper Book
with a classification noted in the book of Basic or higher.
- Entry level helpers may not work events. These are helpers that are
USA Members and have purchased a book, but not attended and passed a seminar/classification.
- Basic level helpers may only work club level events — not regional
championships or nationals.
- Club level helpers may work club level events and be considered for
selection at regional level events.
- Regional level Helpers may work club and regional events and be considered
for national events.
- National level helpers may work any event.
- Teaching helpers may teach as well as work any level of event that
they are selected to work.
The current helper classifications are listed on the USA website. Click here to view the
helper classification list. However, the most recent classification noted
in the helper's book will be the determining one when selecting a helper for trial
work.
In the event that a club does not have a "classified" helper available to work an
event they should contact the Helper Program Director to request
a special circumstances waiver to allow the event to proceed.
It is the Trial Secretary and, secondly, it is the judge's job to verify that the
helper is properly "Classified" to work the event. It is also the helper's responsibility
to know what level event they are allowed to work.
Failure to follow the program rules may lead to unsportsmanlike conduct charges,
revocation of the Helper's book or charges against the club.
The goal and mission of the helper program is to improve the quality , education
and performance of trial helper work at all levels of events. Our committee is here
to help and we will support helpers and clubs in any way to promote the proper progress
of the scheduled event.
Thanks for your continued support of the Helper Program
Nathaniel Roque
Chair of National Helper Committee
Club Reports
We have added a section for club trial reports. This is a brief description of your trial. It's an excellent place to spotlight new members, titles, or other special achievements. Roger Hertz of Der Michigan Schutzhund und Polizei opens this section with a nice account of their spring trial. Thanks, Roger!
SV release protocol
In accordance with the resolution of WUSV-General Assembly, the application for the SV judge’s release must be submitted four weeks prior to the scheduled date of the event. Submissions later than four weeks will automatically be rejected by the SV. This also applies to clubs sharing a judge. (both clubs must have their release submitted 4wk prior) Clubs must always pay the 100.00 EUR for the SV processing fee. There is no refund or credit of the fee, even if the event is cancelled.
Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV)
In short, make certain the SV release is completed at least four weeks prior to your trial. This applies even if the original judge can not make the trial or if your trial date has been changed.
Clarification of elbow certifications for breed surveys
There is currently no requirement with USA to have elbows certified
For a dog breed surveyed under a USA breed warden, there is no requirement certification for elbows. We are awaiting clarification from the SV regarding elbow requirements for USA dogs breed surveyed under SV Judges
Michele Scarberry
Mid East Region Breed Warden
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