Yukon Schutzhund Association

          Proud Member of the German Shepherd Schutzhund Club of Canada

What is Schutzhund

The Sport equally involves the evaluation of tracking skills, obedience training and protection, valuing the balance above all in the dogs capabilities. Schutzhund is intended to demonstrate the dog's intelligence and utility. As a working trial, Schutzhund measures the dog's mental stability, endurance, structural efficiency, ability to scent, willingness to work, courage and trainability. With this in mind, the spirit of Schutzhund could be described as "two working together as one". One of the attractions of Schutzhund is that it is an outdoor sport that is both physically and mentally challenging. It is good exercise, fun and full of rewards.

               Membership does have its Advantages

In the inaugural of the first ever Yukon Schutzhund Association, with club office located in Whitehorse, members will enjoy many benefits:

• Locally held Schutzhund Trials and Seminars:

Primarily the Yukon Schutzhund Association will endeavor to hold yearly Schutzhund trials in Whitehorse, Yukon. Thereby eliminating the need to train and compete outside the Territory. This in itself is economically more feasible and provides numerous advantages to the dog and handler team when preparing for their first Schutzhund Trial. We hope trainers who would have had to wait years in order to raise enough money to attend southern held Schutzhund trials will now be able to take advantage of this opportunity and compete yearly with their dog(s).

The YSA will host Schutzhund seminars with some of the best Canadian Schutzhund judges and competitors in Canada as well as bring IPO/Schutzhund competitors and helpers from overseas to Whitehorse for extensive training seminars focusing on, but not limited to, protection work.

• Regular Training Schedules with helper/dedicated assistants:

Weekly training schedules (in all three aspects; obedience, tracking and protection) designed to encourage social interaction between members and to provide support and encouragement to all its members.

• Training Resource Library:

The YSA will maintain and continually upgrade their resource library. The YSA currently hold numerous training books and videos from well-known Schutzhund competitors and judges that are available for loan. In addition the YSA will use video recording as a training tool for its members.

• Scheduled Social Activities:

The YSA will hold social events for its members, which are designed to foster a forum of open dialogue around the challenges and rewards of training the canine athlete. The YSA may also arrange special guest speakers focusing on Sport Dog Ownership: the challenges when living in the City of Whitehorse and the overall status of "Schutzhund" training in Canada

"This working dog sport offers an opportunity for dog owners to train their dog and compete with each other for recognition of both the handlers ability to train and the dogs ability to perform as required. It is a sport enjoyed by persons of varied professions, who join together in a camaraderie born of their common interest in working with their dogs. Persons of all ages and conditions of life--even those with significant disabilities--enjoy Schutzhund as a sport. Often, it is a family sport."

Training for this sport requires a special dog and very dedicated and disciplined handler.

"While dogs of other breeds are also admitted to Schutzhund trials, this breed evaluation test was developed specifically for the German Shepherd Dog. Schutzhund is intended to demonstrate the dogs intelligence and utility. As a working trial, Schutzhund measures the dog's mental stability, endurance, structual efficiencies, ability to scent, willingness to work, courage and trainability.

The Yukon Schutzhund Association is a newly formed dog training association. There are currently three types of yearly memberships, based on calendar year, single, family and affiliate. The current YSA President is Randy Mattson, YSA Vice president Terry Cooke, Treasurer is Terri Inglis, Member Susanne Treffler, Member  Cindy Cooke, Member Diane Andre, Member Laura Preistly..

The YSA meets two-three times a week to practice obedience, protection and/or tracking. Training sessions range from 1 to 4 hrs depending on the topic. Goal setting and training programs are established at the beginning of every year with progress reports every quarter.Members must abide by YSA Bylaws.