KG Korner page 5

HELPER SEMINAR / CERTIFICATION WEEKEND

at TOP DAWG SCHUTZHUND CLUB,

MAY 12 - 13

One day Seminar is $30.00, two day Seminar is $50.00. Certification weekend, $75.00

Times and Schedule to be announced

Qualifications for Certification:

The Applicant must be a minimum of 18; however, younger applicants, down to age 16 can be certified if written parental consent is given.
The applicant must be a DVG member at the time of certification. A current DVG membership card must be presented to the LV/OfS at the time of certification. Further, the applicant must have regularly worked with some schutzhund club as a training helper for a period of one year immediately prior to certification and give a written statement from that club's president at the time of certification.
The applicant must have a thorough understanding of the protection trial rules for all three phases. The applicant should also have a general knowledge of dog behavior and training principles. There is no requirement that a person has previously trained a dog to any title, schutzhund or otherwise.
The applicant must show good physical conditioning and coordination sufficient to carry out the helper's task in an assertive, fair, equitable, consistent, and safe fashion for all dogs in a trial.
The applicant must present evidence that he/she has attended three (3) one day seminars conducted for Trial Helper Training. Two of these seminars must have been given by the LV/OfS or a KG/OfS. Two of these seminar days can be either during one period or at separate times. The third day seminar will be given by the LV/OFS at the time of certification.
The LV/OfS does have the authority to appoint a DVG Judge to conduct a helper certification via joint approval with the LV/LRO. This does not mean that a judge can hold a certification on the same day of a trial. This also means that all other requirements must be met and is previously approved by both the LV/OfS & LV/LRO

The Certification

The helper certification takes one day and is comprised of the following:
A discussion of the rules and updates by the LV/OfS.
Reviewing the subjects which are part of the written certification test.
Trial procedure critiques on the field.
A physical conditioning test in which the applicant must run about 400 yards, at a moderate pace, in full protection equipment without showing physical limitations.
Work three (3) dogs showing skill and a correct understanding of the rules in Schutzhund1,2,3. The number of dogs worked and the rules tested will be at the discretion of the LV/OfS.
Satisfactorily complete a written test on the trial rules and procedures. The questions for this test will come from this document, LV/DVG America's Official English Translation of the VDH Trial Rules , and any subsequent VDH Rule changes published in LV/DVG America Magazine or on the web by the LV/LRO and/or LV/OfS.

**NOTE** The helper will more often than not be required to provide his/her own protection equipment and a dog capable of performing the bite requirements for a least SchH II level protection work. Do not expect the sponsoring club to provide this for you. If the applicant fails to have the requisite equipment or dog, the LV/OfS shall excuse the applicant. Also have two passport type photos at the time of certification and your DVG Membership Card.