The training system is called "The Foundations of Competitive Working Dogs". The woman's name is Joanne Flemming-Plumb.

I came a crossed it and her searching on how to create and use a scent box. What I got out of it is she invented the scent box.

Just the brief samples I watched on YouTube tell me I know absolutely nothing about preparing this puppy. This puppy knows way more than me and might run away out of spite before I can catch up.

You can buy videos one at a time or all 5 for a little over $200. I don't mind that, but would like some feedback first.

Ok, I know I probably should get a trainer but I would like to know a "little" before I get the pup. I mean, how do I know if the trainer is worth a darn or not? How do I choose one? I don't know if St Louis is the hot bed of Schutzhund or not. Most clubs don't update their websites for months.

I'm not a fanatic or anything (ye right) I might just have to take over a club.

I forgot to ask tonight! Sorry!

She is fairly old school in her methods....and she starts dogs on dirt first. The serpentines are great for slowing down dogs, too. You can rent some of her videos from bowwowflix, though they are really, really boring, IMO.
http://www.bowwowflix.com/detail.php?id=217&r=i
bowwowflix has a great library of rentals, and the monthly fee is reasonable.

Can you recommend something that would be better for me?

Harley, I don't know where you are located. JoAnne is primarily a positive trainer all around. (So not the way I think of old school). I think you and Champ would enjoy taking a workshop with her. I think if you contact her, she will share her schedule (she travels to do workshops that are sponsored by different clubs.)

Keep in mind that Champ's first few weeks with you will be learning to toilet in areas you designate as appropriate, learning his name, discovering which behaviors in relationship to "here", "sit", "off" bring rewards, digging holes for you to fill and chewing on wayward belongings of his beloved Harley.

I was more or less curious about her DVD's. If they would help me prepare for my puppy. The things I learned with my last two Golden Retrievers seem very different than what I'm about to encounter with Champ. They did anything you wanted and were happy to do it. Including running away with you valuables with a strangers if he petted them. I loved them dogs.

I am just trying to learn the basics before the dogs get home. I doubt I can get a session with Joanne Flemming at my house.

I tried to contact the usdac in my area to no avail. Believe me, I tried. Don't know who else to talk too. I want only the best.

Just to be clear, I want something to train me at this point, not the puppy.

lol It's ALWAYS about training the person!

Try posting for clubs on the IPO FB page I sent. There are people from all over the US on there and might be able to direct you to a club in MO or IL.

http://www.germanshepherddog.com/region-events/?cy=2014&cm=03&re=mc <USCA clubs in your region


There are some great bowwowflix video's, I'd start renting some!

For a new puppy, this:
http://drsophiayin.com/videos/entry/creating-the-perfect-puppy-dvd

I also highly recommend the foundation work DVDs by Brenda Aloff. If you enjoy reading, her books offer a wealth of information for the serious trainer blessed with a good sense of humor. http://www.amazon.com/Brenda-Aloff/e/B001K7WXGQ/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1395252590&sr=8-1

Great that you are preparing for your new friend and future canine prodigy!

I have several of Joanne Plumb's DVDs (one even still VHS, remember the days...). As another member noted, they are a bit dry and I have fallen asleep watching the tracking one. She is a very successful trainer and sports competitor. Some of her methods are from Gottfried Dildei whom she gives credit. There are probably a few new techniques in competition OB that came up after her DVDs were recorded, like using an upturned bowl for teaching precise turns. My take is that training DVDs have since become better as a training tool and medium, more fun.

As another member mentioned, a subscription to BowWowFlix will keep you from succumbing to poverty from buying training DVDs. If one of your rentals is so useful to you that you want to buy it, you still can. But for most, watching them once or twice is just fine.

I've never heard of her. I always like to recommend Michael Ellis. He's well spoken and communicates well, and teaches YOU how to teach and read your dog. I've watched many of his videos. Bare in mind, however, that the narrator in the leerburg DVDs is insanely mundane and repetitive.

The DVD's are sold on the leerburg website but they're pretty expensive. There are free videos on his website though, and you can find the DVD's used from Amazon.

http://michaelellisschool.com/videos.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xe0-oqqoXvw

I like micheal ellis as well. I have met him and know that he is very nice as a person too. I see him around town running his dogs and love to see him interact with them... you do however, need to keep in mind that you mostly see malinois in the videos. they are much different than GSDs.. just make sure you do not build expectations that your pup will progress as fast as Mali pups do...they will not.

Thanks Ladies
You probably saved me some cash. I'll sign up for the bowwowflix and see how that goes. It the mean time I'll keep surfing the web.

Really enjoyed the Michael Ellis video. It made me understand why I was doing a certain action and what the dog would be responding too instead of me just mimicking things I've seen without truly understanding the concept behind it.

This type of video is a great help and exactly what I need.

Interesting about the Mals - wonder why some folks might think that all Mals would progress faster than all GSDs?

A breed thing maybe?

Sure haven't seen it with the few Mal dogs in our local ScH group of mostly Dobies and a few GSDs and some Mals.