Schutzhund: Theory and Training Methods

This book is very good in form as well as function. It describes all of the exercises involved in every level of schutzhund competition as well as explains how to train for each. The exercises are broken down into small, goal oriented objectives that provide an easy to understand (and utilize) format. Highly recommended for beginning or advanced trainers.

This book offered a clear explanation of what Schutzhund is, and what it isn't. The training technique is easy to understand, and their mention of what to do with a problem dog is particularly helpful. A great book for anyone interested in Schutzhund, or even wishing to obedience train a pet.

This is a great book to make yourself more familar with the sport of schutzhund and what the rules are. It is great on basic methods for training and explains in great detail how the sport first came about as a way of preserving quality working dogs. I highly suggest this book to anybody interested in schutzhund.

This book is truly a joy to read. The book offers the reader great insight to the rigors of training a Schutzhund dog. Ms. Barwig gives excellent "experienced based" techniques for training a Schutzhund dog. This is a must have for anyone interested in the sport! A great buy!

There aren't many books about Schutzhund available in bookstores or on the Web, and so Barwig & Hilliard's excellent volume must often function both as a manual for serious trainers and an introduction to the sport for the curious. It is in the latter regard that "Schutzhund: Theory and Training Methods" leaves something to be desired. There is no real overview of Schutzhund as a recreational activity, nor is there any well-reasoned explanation of why anyone would want to pursue a Schutzhund career with their dog. A curious non-participant who reads the book would probably decide that Schutzhund is much too arduous and complex to be any fun at all. While Schutzhund certainly is demanding, the rewards of training and owning a Schutzhund-titled dog--the "process", one might say--is where the joy lies. The authors could have made a much better case in this regard.On the other hand, this book is a gold mine for the serious trainer. While different training directors espouse different methods for schooling dogs in Schutzhund, Barwig and Hilliard consistently advocate time-honored methods in all three Schutzhund disciplines (tracking, obedience, protection) that are neither too trendy nor too harsh. A dog (and handler!) with the basic "equipment" to compete in the sport would not likely go wrong by following any of the advice given here. Considering the bewildering array of training methods that already exist in the Schutzhund world, this is a remarkable accomplishment in itself. And when coupled with the authors' accessible prose style, this is an important book that should not be overlooked by any Schutzhund trainer--or any curious reader willing to read between the lines.