Tidewater Schutzhund Club

Schutzhund training is comprised of three phases: tracking, obedience, and protection. Dogs can begin learning to track at a very early age. Obedience training starts with proper early socialization and drive building once a dog is mentally mature.

Protection training begins with drive building as a puppy, but hard bite work is not engaged until the dog has its adult canine teeth. Training sessions are held on Saturday mornings, starting at 8:30 AM and typically finishing around 1:30 PM. Schutzhund is described as a sport requiring many hours of training and dedication from both the dog and handler, with competitive dogs often trained nearly every day for years.

Pricing Summary

The organization is not for-profit, and the training director volunteers his time. Annual club membership for an individual with one dog is currently $500. Membership costs are higher for two adults, two dogs, or junior members. The club also accepts additional donations.

Tidewater Schutzhund Club is recognized as Virginia Beach’s #1 Training Source and the longest standing and oldest DVG member club in Hampton Roads. They offer basic obedience training, schutzhund training, and puppy training.

Their dog training focuses on both the pet and the owner, providing some of the best schutzhund instruction in the country. They are an all-breed organization, willing to help any dog owner who is committed to putting in the work.

The club is not a for-profit organization; the training director donates his time, and no one profits or gets paid by the club. Annual member dues cover club equipment, field rental, field maintenance, and trial expenses.

Accomplishments

Tidewater Schutzhund Club is the longest standing and oldest DVG member club in Hampton Roads. They are noted for providing some of the best schutzhund instruction in the country. Nader Gubein serves as the President and Training Director.

How to Get Started!

Prospective members are recommended to visit the club for the first time without their dog to observe and decide if the sport is suitable for them. When bringing a dog for the first time, recommended items include a chair, the dog’s crate, hotdogs, the dog’s favorite toys and balls (ideally two), sunblock, water for both handler and dog, insect repellent, all leashes and collars owned, and boots for tracking. The club prefers dogs with no prior training, as there is less to unlearn or fix.