Tidewater Schutzhund Club

Group training sessions occur every Saturday morning from 8:30 AM to approximately 1:30 PM. Training includes all three Schutzhund phases: tracking, obedience, and protection. Dogs begin with early socialization and drive building; protection work starts only after adult teeth emerge. Training is long-term and requires daily commitment. New members are advised to observe first before bringing their dog. No prior training is preferred.

Pricing Summary

Annual membership is $500 for one individual with one dog. Additional fees apply for multiple dogs or adults. No training fees beyond dues; donations accepted. No paid trainers or sales.

Policies

Members must attend weekly Saturday sessions. No formal cancellation policy stated. New members are encouraged to observe before participating with their dog. No refunds or prorated dues mentioned.

Tidewater Schutzhund Club is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization dedicated to training dogs in the sport of Schutzhund, which includes three phases: tracking, obedience, and protection. They do not sell products or dogs, and no one is paid for training—annual dues of $500 cover club expenses. Training is conducted in a group setting at their facility in Chesapeake, VA, with sessions held every Saturday morning. They welcome all breeds and emphasize individualized training, starting with early socialization and drive building, even for puppies as young as 8 weeks. Protection work begins only after the dog has adult canine teeth. They require handlers to participate in all three Schutzhund phases and do not allow selective training. New members are encouraged to observe without their dog first to determine if the sport is a good fit.

The club is affiliated with the Southeast Region of DVG (Deutscher Verein für Gebrauchshunde), a global Schutzhund organization. Training is intensive and long-term, with champions typically trained daily for years. They prefer dogs with no prior training to avoid unlearning bad habits. Equipment recommendations include hotdogs, favorite toys, leashes, collars, and boots for tracking.

The training director, Nader Gubein, leads the club and donates his time. Members are expected to learn from each other and commit to consistent, hands-on training. The club does not offer private lessons, in-home training, or board-and-train services.

Accomplishments

Club is a member of the Southeast Region (KG) of DVG. Training director Nader Gubein leads the club and has trained dogs to national and world championship levels. Average age of titled dogs is 6 years, indicating long-term dedication to the sport.

How to Get Started!

Prospective members are advised to attend a session without their dog to observe and determine if the club and sport are a good fit. Once ready to train, bring a chair, dog crate, hotdogs, favorite toys, leashes, collars, sunblock, water, insect repellent, and boots for tracking.