June 8, 1978 Shelton Mason County Journal | ![]() |
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June 8, 1978 |
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WAYNE HAMMER and Nikko, his European Schutzhund
III champion, appeared at a weekend seminar sponsored by
Pacific Northwest Schutzhund Club, Inc.
"EYE-TO-EYE CONTACT obtains results with some dogs,"
declares trainer Wayne Hammer.
Trainer of champion conducts seminar
By JAN DANFORD
Enthusiastic dog-handlers
listened enthralled to the words
of Wayne Hammer, whose
protection-training seminar was
held on Saturday and Sunday
near Roy under the sponsorship
of Pacific Northwest Schutzhund
Club, Inc.
Hammer and his German
shepherd, Nikko yon der Ruine
Engelhaus, were one of two
teams representing the United
States at the Welt Union
Schaferhund Verein (World Wide
Shepherd-dog Club) trial held in
Holland in October of 1977.
Nikko, then two and a half
years old, was named the
European Schutzhund
(protection-dog) lII champion,
and the SV gold medal was
awarded to Wayne Hammer and
his dog.
Among Mason County
Schutzhund Club members
attending the two-day seminar
were club trainer and president
Elvira Fearn and vice-president
Hazel Dale with her husband,
Charlie, and daughter, Joyce.
Schutzhund work involves
tracking, obedience and
protection with the three
activities closely related and each
necessary to the overall picture.
Tracking builds the dog's
confidence and increases the
handler's respect for his dog.
The partnership thus
established is continued in
obedience training, but in this
activity the emphasis is upon the
dog's respect for and confidence
in the handler. The dog
progresses to protection work
only when his temperament and
training indicate that he is
capable and ready.
On Saturday obedience
training was demonstrated by
Hammer and Nikko. Sunday
morning activities began with a
tracking session, after which
Hammer worked with dogs from
Pacific Northwest Schutzhund
Club and from Mason County
Schutzhund Club. He aided
owners with specific problems
and illustrated his proven
training methods.
The highlight of the day was
a presentation by Wayne
Hammer and Nikko, after which
the trainer spoke to the
assembled dog-handlers.
"It's a sport," said Wayne
Hammer in answer to queries.
"The dogs love it, and it's a
challenge to both handler and
trainer as they combine efforts
to bring out the best in a dog.
"In trials," he continued,
"points are awarded in the
separate categories, and highest
scores almost always go to dogs
to whom the most time and
effort have been given."
Schutzhund club members
call attention to the vast
difference between their
protection dogs and the guard or
attack dog with which
Schutzhund canines are often
mistakenly compared by the
uninformed.
While the attack dog is
conditioned from puppyhood to
* ::
regard all humans other than his
master as natural enemies, the
opposite is true of the
Schutzhund, who is encouraged
from infancy to love all people
and who regards as enemies only
those persons who display hostile
behavior. The Schutzhund is a
dependable family dog and can
be trusted around children, in
crowds and with strangers.
In training sessions, and trials
dog and handler work as a team.
The dog who will on command
seek out and hold at bay the
agitator portraying the "bad
guy" will show no aggression
toward judge or spectators. He
takes his cue from the violent,
suspicious or threatening
behavior of the agitator rather
than from the mere presence of
a person.
The rules of the sport are
well defined and conscientiously
enforced. The dog must play
fair. He may hold the antagonist
only by the padded sleeve, and
he must release upon the
command of the handler or
when the captive ceases to
struggle. He may bark and hold
at bay but may not seize the
padded sleeve unless the
antagonist is fighting or
attempting to escape. The same
individual who has been
apprehended and held by the
Schutzhund dog may fondle and
pet the animal when the "fight"
has ended.
Quite unquestionable is the
• " :i
iii i :: i
EDITH NIKIEL of Olympia, member of Pacific Northwest 5cl
Club, Inc•, encourages her dog to bark at trainer Wayne
Although the German shepherd weighs only 27 pounds less
handler, the dog is under control.
pride of an owner in a
well-trained Schutzhund, but
perhaps more impressive is the
dog's obvious love of the game,
his comprehension of the rules,
his willingness to abide by them
and his friendly attitude toward
the world in general.
"Any person who is not
working his dog simultaneously
in tracking, obedience and
protection is not truly involved
in Schutzhund training," club
members explain.
Wayne Hammer's training
methods are subtle and refined,
and reflect a deep understanding
of dogs and a profound respect
and love for them.' As he worked
with individual dogs with varied
problems he dealt with each in a
different manner.
"With some," he stated,
"results are obtained by close
eye-to-eye contact. With others,
certain gestures do the trick.
Experimentation will discover
the right approach for each dog.
"In most cases," he
continued, "I fred that slight but
unusual motions will succeed in
capturing the dog's interest and
attention. I do not favor a lot of
jumping around and yelling."
To incite reluctant dogs to
bark, Hammer resorted to such
insults as blowing into the dog's
face, or even spitting at him.
"Aren't you afraid you'll get
your nose nipped?" asked a
looker-on.
"Yes," he replied, his smile
belying his words.
Wayne Hammer, owner and .i :i
handler of the 1977 European
Schutzhund III champion, ..... ......
Northwest regional director for
United States Schutzhund Clubs
of America, and board member
and trainer for Peninsula Canine
Corps, bears neither scar nor
scratch.
Mason County Schutzhund
Club meets weekly for work
with all breeds. Although the
recently organized group has
attained full membership quota,
applications will be accepted for
future consideration•
Interested persons may
telephone club president 'and
trainer Elvira Fearn at 426-8772. - "WITH CERTAIN
gestures are effective."
DOGS," states Wayne Harfi'r0er,
Page 28 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, June 8, 1978
ON COMMAND the Dobie owned and handled by Mason County
Schutzhund Club vice-president Hazel Dale seizes the rolled burla0 bag
offered by trainer Wayne Hammer.
J
MASON COUNTY SCHUTZHUND CLUB officers
(foreground) and Hazel Dale were among attentive spectatC
Hammer's recent demonstrations of Schutzhund trainino.