Southeastern
Region News
2007

From Arthur Collins,
Regional Director

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Index:

LATEST NEWS

10-08-07 E-ballot: Proposal to combine the North American Championship, H.O.T. Championship, FH Championship, Youth National Championship, and Obedience National Championship into a single event.

9-17-07 Note on trial helper requirements from Nathaniel Roque

7-30-07 
New proposed policy on "training devices" at events withdrawn.

7-13-07  Executive Board considers new policy on "training devices" (withdrawn 7-22-07)

02-27-07 - Helpers selected for '07 AWDF Championship

02-04-07 - Microchips accepted as identification for dogs registered with the USA breed registry.


 
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E-Ballot #30-07 (USA Working Dog Championships)
Motion by Terry Macias, seconded by Howie Rodriguez, to accept the following recommendations from the National Events Committee:
  1. Combine the North American Championship, H.O.T. Championship, FH Championship, Youth National Championship, and Obedience National Championship into an event titled the USA Working Dog Championships.
  2. The USA Working Dog Championships will use the same window in May that the North American Championship and FH Championship now hold.
  3. This will provide one large event instead of two poorly attended smaller events, will make USA and the sport more affordable and attractive to new members, and will require finding one less championship host club.                                                                                           
  4. The North American Championship and the H.O.T. Championship will be merged into one event with placings for the top ten dog/handler teams overall and the top ten dog/handler teams for the H.O.T. USA will sponsor the H.O.T. trophies.
  5. National event bid forms for the USA Working Dog Championships must be submitted to the National Events Committee by May 1st of the prior year. National event bid forms for the GSD National Championship must be submitted to the National Events Committee by November 1st of the prior year.
  6. Completed national event bid forms will be submitted to the Executive Board for approval. The Executive Board will strive to approve host clubs that are geographically separated.
  7. The high-scoring SchH3 GSD/handler team at the USA Working Dog Championships will receive an automatic placing on the USA WUSV team provided they also have a qualifying score of at least 270 points at the GSD National Championship or the AWDF Championship.
  8. The North American Championship/H.O.T. Championship will also offer SchH1 and SchH2.
  9. The USA Working Dog Championship schedule will be:
           Wednesday
                FH Championship and Obedience Championship (Draw night)
            Thursday
                FH Championship and Obedience Championship (Competition)
                North American Championship/H.O.T. Championship (Helper selection)
                North American Championship/H.O.T. Championship and Youth Championship (Draw night)
            Friday
                North American Championship/H.O.T. Championship (Competition starts)
            Saturday
                North American Championship/H.O.T. Championship (Competition continues)
                Youth Championship (Stadium events)
            Sunday
                Youth Championship (Tracking events)
                Closing ceremonies
Note on trial helper requirements from Nathaniel Roque
 
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 etc.
 
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 Helper 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. "Teaching" Helpers may teach  as well as work any level of event that they are selected to 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 Judges job to verify that the Helper is properly "Classified" to work the event.
 
It is also the Helpers 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 Helpers 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
 
Nathaniel Roque





7-30-07 E-Ballot #22-07 (Training Restrictions at USA Events) (withdrawn)

Motion by Mark Przybylski, seconded by Howie Rodriguez, to adopt the following USA policy:

    As of November 1, 2007, at USA-sponsored national, regional and club events (performance trials, breed shows, breed surveys, herding trials) there shall be no aggressive training devices (i.e., prong collars, electric collars, etc.) carried by the handler or worn by the dog at any time after the official start of the event within 100 yards of the boundaries of the event stadium/trial field and/or tracking fields as designated by the hosting club. The only collar or tracking harness allowed will be as stipulated in the USA Rulebook or by USA.
    Failure to observe this restriction will result in punitive action: Immediate disqualification for unsportsmanlike conduct from the event and possible expulsion from the event site, if deemed necessary. This enforcement shall be the sole responsibility of the judge(s) at the event.
    The official start of a national or regional event is defined as the first official day of any phase of competition and ends with the event’s closing ceremonies.
    The same 100-yard rule will be in effect at club events from the beginning to the end of competition each day.
    During the training/practice phase at all USA-sponsored national, regional, and club events (performance trials, breed shows, breed surveys, herding trials), aggressive training devices will be allowed at the event stadium/trial field and/or tracking fields before the official start of the event, but may not be used there or at any other location to a degree that they could be construed as abusive in any way. This also covers any type of abusive training or behavior inflicted with any type of device or actions, which could be demonstrated by demeanor that shows the dog is under undue stress other than that which comes from normal trialing.
    The training aspect of events such as training seminars of any kind will be the responsibility of the hosting club, and that responsibility must not be taken lightly.



7-13-07  (withdrawn 7-22-07)
Executive Board considers new policy on "training devices"

Regional Director Arthur Collins is seeking club input on a proposed new USA policy regarding  use of  certain "training devices" at USA events.

The Executive Board is to vote on the policy by July 24. Clubs wishing to comment should send their input to Arthur Collins before that date.

Here is the ballot statement:


E-Ballot #20-07 (USA Policy on Training Devices/Methods)
Motion by Nathaniel Roque, seconded by Randall Hoadley, to adopt the following USA policy:

The United Schutzhund Clubs of America promotes safe and humane training methods for dogs. All types of "training devices" or "methods" are accepted by USA when used in a safe and humane manner, and may be used in training and practice up until the official start of a USA event.

 The official start of a USA national event is defined as the “draw,” and the official start of a USA regional or club event is defined as the first day of competition.

In some instances, with prior notification in the event flier, practice time for the event may not be provided and/or training devices used while on the event site may be restricted to the type of chain collar allowed in a trial. If a lead is used in that case, it may only be attached to the dead ring of the collar.

Any USA member who demonstrates unsafe and/or inhumane treatment of a dog during training or practice may be disciplined by USA if another USA member files a complaint of "unsportsmanlike conduct" with the Board of Inquiry and the complaint is found to be valid.


From AWDF President Al Govednik:

Hello sport dog enthusiasts,
I would personally like to start by thanking all of the helpers that submitted resumes for consideration, as well as our selection committee.  

The AWDF selection committee, consisting of Nathaniel Roque, Randy Theen, and Mark Przybylski have selected the following helpers to do the helper work at our upcoming championship:

  • James Akin-Otiko
  • Jim Laubmeier
  • Lotus Perkins
  • John Bohanek 

Final positions will be assigned on Thursday, March 29, as noted on the schedule for our championship event.

Thank you for all the hard work,

Al Govednik
President AWDF
E-Ballot #4-07  (Microchip Identification Acceptance)
Motion by Nathaniel Roque, seconded by Bill Plumb, to accept microchips and/or tattoos as identification for German Shepherd Dogs registered with the USA Breed Registry. Registration in the USA/SV Breed Registry will still require a tattoo to meet SV requirements. Microchips must be identified by a veterinarian, USA tattooer, USA breed warden, or USA-recognized judge and documented on a Tattoo/Microchip Identification Form for submittal to the USA Office. The USA Office will record the microchip number on the dog’s scorebook and USA Registration. It is the responsibility of handlers/owners using microchips to identify their dogs for entry in a USA event to insure there is an appropriate microchip reader available at the event. It is not the responsibility of the event host to provide a reader. Handlers/owners declaring for an international team must comply with the international competition requirements in effect at the time of the event.
Vote: Yes–20, NFD–1.
Motion carried 2/4/07.


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