USA Member News & Info

Sieger Show

The San Jose Schutzhund Club did a marvelous job of mounting the 2008 USA Sieger Show. Look for a detailed article in the Schutzhund USA magazine.

For now, here are a shot of the Sieger and Siegerin.

Photo by Roanna Banducci

2008 Siegerin - Vegas vom Mittelwest
Shown with her owner, Julie Martinez and her two children - Tessa & Dylan. On Julie's left are Ed Calderon and Vegas' handler, Gina Kastrup.

Photo by Roanna Banducci

2008 Sieger - Teejay von Wilhendorf
John Hinkle is on the top with Teejay. Klaus Gothe, the working class judge is to the left. On the right is Teejay's handler, Carsten Hoenig.

HOT Helpers Selected!

Nathanial Roque, Chair of the USA Helper Committee, announced the results of the helper selection for the 2008 HOT/Obedience and Youth Championships.

• Lionel Madden
• John Bochenek
• Josh Zapparolli

The 2008 HOT Championships are being hosted by the OG Buckeye Club at the historic Akron Rubber Bowl -- the third largest university football stadium in Ohio. The event will be held starting June 19 and runs through Sunday, June 22. For more information about the 2008 HOT/Obedience and Youth Championships, see the event website at www.2008HOTUSA.com.

Judge's Inquiry Not Sustained, RE: Carla Griffith

On December 7, 2007, USA Member Chris Bettin filed a complaint regarding the conduct of USA Judge Carla Griffith at a USA trial held on November 18 and 19, 2006. He alleged the judge was not present at the AD. Additionally, he claimed a Schutzhund 1 dog should not have been passed because the handler gave the dog a 'Platz' command in order to regain control of the dog at the transistion from the bark and hold to the helper escape. Bettin also claimed the out on the courage test was faulty. Mr. Bettin had no direct knowledge of the AD incident. He was an observer at the SchH1 test.

Director of Judges, Mark Przybylski and committee member, Mark Gardner contacted the witnesses and participants of the November 2006 trial.

• Regarding the AD, there was no evidence to support this allegation.
• Regarding the SchH1, the Judge's and Helper's responses were in accordance with each other. This was a local club trial and the judge exercised her discretion in evaluating the dog. According to the report,
  

  "This was a local club trial, and some latitude was given to the Schutzhund I dog. This is in line with tradition in our sport, and at the discretion of The Judge, but no blatant rule violation occurred."

The Judge's Committee found the complaint to be, "Not Sustained" and that USA Judge Carla Griffith is allowed to continue her duties in accordance with rules and standards set by USA and its executive board.

WUSV Helpers Selected!

March 4, 2008

Photo by Mark Scarberry

Back Row: Chris Carr, Shane Garrehy, Clark Niemitalo, Lotus Perkins, Jim Laubmeier, Jose Lopez
Front Row: Dan Cox & Chuck, Rick Napolitano & Zino, Pat Kennedy & Engie, Mike Diehl & Eick, Nate Harves & Stuka, Jeff Lund & Xato, Tom Huelsman & Hascan

Six USA Helpers — Chris Carr, Jose Lopez, Clark Niemitalo, Lotus Perkins, Shane Garrehy and Jim Laubmeier traveled to Cincinnati for the 2008 WUSV Helper Tryouts on Monday, March 3.

Representatives from the USA WUSV Committee as well as the WUSV were present for the tryouts. Günther Diegel from the WUSV conducted the tryout and selected the following four helpers for the 2008 WUSV World Championships:

• Shane Garrehy
• Jim Laubmieier
• Clark Niemitalo
• Lotus Perkins

Thanks to all six for accepting the invitation to attend tryouts and represent USA and congratulations to the final four selected for the WUSV World Championship!

Thanks also to the handlers from the Mideastern region who provided strong dogs to test the mettle of the helpers at this tryout at the Greater Cincinnati Schutzhund Club field.

• Rick Napolitano with Zino vom Meiko SchH3, IPO3, HOT
• Nate Harves with SG Stuka vom Enckhausen SchH3, IPO3, FH, Kkl1, HOT
• Jeff Lund with To-Fast Enzo BHP3, SchH3, IPO3, Kkl2 and Xato von Germanenquelle SchH3, IPO3, Kkl1
• Pat Kennedy with SG Engie van den Rohdenhoek SchH3, IPO3, BHP1, Kkl2
• Mike Diehl with V Eick von der Berger Hochburg SchH3, FH, Kkl1
• Dan Cox with Chuck vom Dorneburger Bach SchH1
• Mel Greba with Abel vom Reichtal SchH2
• Tom Huelsman with SG Hascan vom Adelmannsfelder Land SchH3, IPO3, BSP, Kkl2

• The first entry deadline has passed.. However, you can still use the on-line entry form to get your entry submitted. Click here!
• Not submitting your entry form on-line, but still want to pay by credit card? No problem! You can pay on-line with your Visa or Mastercard. Click here!
• Sieger Show merchandise is now available for order on-line. Order your shirts, sweatshirts, hats and hoddies now. Check out the order site to see what is available this year. Some merchandise is only available for order on the web site and you will not be able to purchase it at the show. Click here!
• Host Hotel Update!!! Rooms for Wednesday and Thursday night are filling up quickly so if you still need to reserve them for those dates, please do so soon! There are still rooms available for Friday and Saturday.
• You can still sponsor a trophy on-line! Go to the trophy sponsorship page. Here you can see all of the trophies available and those that have already been sponsored! The names of all trophy sponsors will appear on this website as well as be listed in the show catalog. All donations are greatly appreciated!!! Click here!

2009 Sieger Show Bids

The National Breed Warden, Tim Burke, is now accepting bids for the 2009 USA Sieger Show. If you are interested in submitting a bid, please contact Tim.

SV Breed Surveys and Elbows

USA Breed Warden, Tim Burke announced that the SV has mandated that all dogs born after January 1, 2004 (regardless of country of origin) must have elbows certified by the SV if they want an SV breed survey. They will not accept OFA elbows.

Tim is meeting with the SV office the first week of March to establish procedures so the USA office can assist members in obtaining SV elbow certification similar to the USA “a” stamp program.

We do not have this requirement yet for USA breed surveys. The Breed Advisory Committee will take this under advisement after the Sieger show to discuss if we want to implement this rule for USA breed surveys.

WUSV 2008: Championship Update

The countdown is on!

By the time you read this, there will be less than nine months before the top dog/handler teams from around the world converge on the United States for the 21st WUSV World Championship. Hosted by the United Schutzhund Clubs of America, this world-class event will take place Oct. 9-12, 2008, in the Greater Cincinnati, OH, area.

First, let’s recap the great amount of progress that’s been made so far. USA has selected a 4,000-seat minor league ballpark in Florence, KY, as the site for the trial. The dirt portion of the infield will be replaced with grass. Tracking grounds, about a 10-minute drive from the stadium, will consist of 1,200 acres of grass on rolling hills.

Our major sponsor, Royal Canin, has been secured, as has our equipment sponsor, Hallmark K9. The project plan for the event has been further detailed, and a budget has been finalized and approved by the Executive Board.

On the promotions front, we have an official event logo, and the event web site (www.wusv2008.org) is live. The web site is an excellent resource for spectators and competitors alike, and will include extensive details on everything from route planning and travel information to officials, sponsors, key contacts, results and team bios. If you’d like a sneak peak into the event location and facilities, check out the short video located on the home page. Be sure to visit the WUSV 2008 Event Merchandise shop (www.wusv2008.org/shop.htm ) to order commemorative t-shirts, sweatshirts and hats decorated with the official event logo—available now.

We are also thrilled to report that we have exceeded our membership fundraising goal! We hoped to raise $25,000 from 450 donations (which represents about 11% of the membership) by April 2007. To-date we have raised $33,780 from about 630 individuals. Thanks to those members for their generous and much-needed support, and let’s keep those donations coming.

Though we have made great strides, there is still much hard work to be done to ensure that this is truly an event to remember. The success of this championship depends on the support and involvement of our membership—are you up to the challenge?

Karen Groh is compiling an extensive database of volunteers. She can be reached at (805) 529-1005, or by email at k9@Grohaus.com. Please contact her if you'd like to be part of the team.

North American & FH Website Posted!

The North American and FH Championships website is now on-line!

• Show Site: Concord, NH
• Date: April 30 - May 4, 2008
• Host Hotel: Holiday Inn, Concord, NH.

2008 WUSV/FCI Team Forms Posted

The rules and candidate information forms for the 2008 WUSV/FCI USA team are posted in the USA forms section of the website.

2007 General Board Meeting Minutes

USA Secretary, Sara Wallick has posted the minutes of the 2007 General Board meeting. To view the minutes,

Sieger Show Judges

The Breed Advisory Committee has chosen SV judges Herr Wilfried Scheld to judge the female working class and Herr Klaus Gothe to judge the male working class.

Additional classes and USA judge assignments will be announced soon.

Sieger Show Date Changed!

The date for the 2008 Sieger Show has been changed from April 18 — 20 to April 11 — 13.

Last Thursday, National Breed Warden Tim Burke received an email from the SV office in Germany, informing him that the SV has scheduled their spring meeting for the same weekend as our 2008 Sieger show. Therefore, the judges would not be able to attend our show because they were required to attend the SV meeting.

After a flurry of phone calls and emails, Tim was able to secure the original SV judges, the venue, and the Host hotel for the weekend prior, April 11-13. Please ensure that you change your plans accordingly.

National Breed Warden Tim Burker stated, "We apologize for the inconvenience, but due to the scheduling of the SV meeting, we had no choice. The host hotel has moved all existing reservations to the new date. While somewhat inconvenient (to change dates) we are early enough to avoid major issues or conflicts."

The host hotel states that it is actually a better date for those making reservations that want double bed rooms because of more availability.

If you have already made your reservations, please check with the host hotel to ensure they have been changed correctly. If you are planning on staying someplace else, check with that hotel. As always, get a confirmation number and keep your paperwork for the reservation.

Burke noted, "I spoke at length with Terry Macias (of the sponsoring San Jose club) today and he has the whole region helping out with the show. They are very excited and in Terry’s words 'we really are looking forward to putting on a great event for our USA members.' Please support Terry and the region for this event and encourage the USA members in your respective areas to participate."

Trial Secretary Tutorial

Your club has a trial coming and they need a trial secretary. What are you gonna do?

Gail Kendall from the Phoenix Schutzhund Club has distilled her long experience into a 30 minute tutorial on how to handle that task. From setting up the entry forms, the judge's sheet and the final listing of the scores and titles, this outstanding presentation covers it all!

Getting the paperwork completed correctly is a huge task in the USA office. Chasing down corrections on the forms is a major effort. If all the forms came in correct and complete, it would free a significant amount of resources to better serve the USA membership.

The tutorial is about 30 minutes long. You will need to have the Flash plug-in available on your computer to play it. Most browsers already have this installed.

Click here to view the tutorial.

2007 WUSV Team Places 10^th

USA Vice President Randall Hoadley has reported the USA team for the 2007 WUSV has placed tenth. More to follow …

Universal Sieger Nominees Announced

Tim Burke, USA National Breed Warden, has announced the following candidates for Universal Sieger …

• Alex vom Eisenhaus
  Owner: Pedro Jimenez Jr. - Sterling, Virgina
• Arco von der Wilmothhaus
  Owner: Kathy Wilmoth - Tallmadge, Ohio
• Cooper vom Mittelwest
  Owner: Jerrold Gray - St. Paul, Minnesota
• Gildewangen’s Jaz Victor
  Owner: Carl Morgan - Hampstead, Maryland
• Ushigardens Matty
  Owner: Lena Melendez - Centereach, New York

Do you know the way to San Jose?

Is Your Event Using a Correctly Classified Helper?

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Basic level helpers may only work club level events — not regional championships or nationals.
4. Club level helpers may work club level events and be considered for selection at regional level events.
5. Regional level Helpers may work club and regional events and be considered for national events.
6. National level helpers may work any event.
7. 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

GEC Committee Changes

Christine Gajda has stepped down. Christine was very helpful to all of us in the formative stages of the GEC. She has taken on a new position which does not lend itself - in terms of any free time - to be an active member of the GEC. All of us at the GEC and USA will miss her contributions to the various issues. We wish her the best in her new endeavors

Melinda Darby has joined the committee as the new committee secretary.

Marnie Rose has joined the GEC. She hails from Ohio and is very passionate about countering anti-dog and breed-specific legislation.

If you wish to add your efforts in support of the General Education Committee, contact Rifky MacKeen. His contact information is listed on the USA Committee page.

2007 General Board Meeting

The USA General Board Meeting was held on Thursday. Some highlights …

• Proposed amendment that would eliminate Directors-at-large was not approved.
• Felony Prohibition for Teaching Helpers Approved
• Approval of Artificial Insemination for USA Registry
• 2008 National Events
  • North American-- Merrimack (New England)
  • HOT -- OG Buckeye (Mid-East)
  • Nationals -- Lone Star/Austin (South Central)
  The HOT & NA events will be combined in 2009.
• Proposed bylaw amendments prohibiting convicted felons from holding office as members of the EB, officers, regional officers and judges passed. Waiver (proposal 5) passed.
• Laurie Tollifson was recognized for her outstanding work on developing USA's registry. Laurie contributed innumerable hours on this project, gratis, for USA.
• A quorum of 35 club delegates was seated.
• Click here to view the meeting agenda.

General Board Meeting

The USA General Board meeting will be held on November 8^th this year in Carrollton, Georgia. If your club plans to send a delegate to the meeting, a delegate form must be submitted to Sara Wallick, the USA Secretary, no later than 30 days prior to the meeting. A copy is also available on the USA website in PDF format which can be completed online and then printed. (Click here for the Delegate Form) Please be sure to send the delegate form to the USA Secretary, not to the USA Office or the USA Treasurer.

Two club officers must sign for the delegate/alternate(s) selected, and the delegate/alternate(s) may not sign for themselves. In addition to prior submittal of the delegate form, please have the delegate/ alternate(s) carry a copy to the meeting. Clubs that are granted affiliated or full-member status after October 9, 2007 may send the delegate form to the meeting with the delegate/alternate(s). Please feel free to contact Sara if you have any questions regarding the voting process at the General Board meeting. Sara's contact information is listed on the Delegate Letter form.

Each full-member club may seat one voting delegate at the General Board meeting and each affiliated club may seat one non-voting delegate. A club may replace its delegate and/or alternate(s) as necessary. Please notify me immediately of any replacements.

• the USA dues of the club must be current,
• the USA dues of all members of the club must be current,
• the club may not be under any disciplinary action from USA,
• the club must maintain a minimum of five members (only two of whom may be part of a family membership)
• the club must hold at least one sanctioned USA trial per year.
• a complete and current club membership list must be submitted to the USA Office for verification along with the USA dues of the club, whether or not the club is planning to send a delegate to the General Board meeting.

If you wish to have confirmation of receipt of your delegate form, you may request email confirmation or use USPS certified mail/return receipt requested.

It will be very important for delegates to be seated and ready for roll call promptly at the meeting start time. The delegate cards will be handed out as roll is called.

Please send a delegate to the meeting if at all possible, as there will be important decisions made regarding our organization.

• Judges Committee members at large (2 positions)
• National Events Committee (4 positions)
• Nominating Committee (5 positions)
• Director at Large (1 position)

See the Forms Page for the correct form. Remember, use the USA-ONLY form for registrations under the new USA breed registration program. Use the USA/SV forms for dual USA/SV registration.

Tim met with Becky Burns and Pam Niccum to review the new Schutzhund USA registration system. The new registration database was built through the volunteer efforts of USA member Laurie Tollifson, who donated countless hours of time to this effort. As you are aware, there have been many problems that delayed the registration project.

• One of the biggest issues that came up was that the database application was finished last December, but there was no data entered.
• The registration document has a multi-generational pedigree on the inside, similar to the SV registration document. It would have been necessary for the office staff to type each line in on the pedigree and that would have been very inefficient.
• One of the primary goals of the registration database is to develop a database of USA dogs that includes information on USA titles and event results. We sourced the database information and Laurie integrated that information into the registration application. The office has been using and entering information into the database during the last two months.
• The team at the office test printed a sample registration document for Tim. The group decided that a higher quality paper with pre-printed borders and blocked areas should be required because the membership deserves a quality document that properly reflects their dogs’ pedigree. Kathy Mocanin was able to source the paper and worked with the office on standardizing the process.
• The new paper will be delivered to the office next week and the office will begin issuing new Schutzhund USA pedigrees in the next two weeks.

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