Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)There aren't many books about Schutzhund available in bookstores or on the Web, and so Barwig & Hilliard's excellent volume must often function both as a manual for serious trainers and an introduction to the sport for the curious. It is in the latter regard that "Schutzhund: Theory and Training Methods" leaves something to be desired. There is no real overview of Schutzhund as a recreational activity, nor is there any well-reasoned explanation of why anyone would want to pursue a Schutzhund career with their dog. A curious non-participant who reads the book would probably decide that Schutzhund is much too arduous and complex to be any fun at all. While Schutzhund certainly is demanding, the rewards of training and owning a Schutzhund-titled dog--the "process", one might say--is where the joy lies. The authors could have made a much better case in this regard.
On the other hand, this book is a gold mine for the serious trainer. While different training directors espouse different methods for schooling dogs in Schutzhund, Barwig and Hilliard consistently advocate time-honored methods in all three Schutzhund disciplines (tracking, obedience, protection) that are neither too trendy nor too harsh. A dog (and handler!) with the basic "equipment" to compete in the sport would not likely go wrong by following any of the advice given here. Considering the bewildering array of training methods that already exist in the Schutzhund world, this is a remarkable accomplishment in itself. And when coupled with the authors' accessible prose style, this is an important book that should not be overlooked by any Schutzhund trainer--or any curious reader willing to read between the lines.
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An outstanding analysis of why and how protection, Obedience, and Tracking all play an integral part in Schutzhund training, with emphasis on selecting and raising a dog to suit the owner's needs.
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