That is why I had to get out of it. For every wonderful handler there is an abusive one (or so it seems).

I have watched a Spaniel being chucked into a river. Many Spaniels being lifted up and carried by the scruff of the neck (all paws off the floor). A Weim pushed down into the mud and forced to lie on its back as 'punishment'. Dogs being hit with sticks or kicked for not coming back fast enough. God knows how many dogs being scruffed.

I didn't last long at that training group as you might imagine.

How does it see anything!!!!'

My OH tells some truly awful stories. A lot of "old school" types who think trainIng involves beating a dog up at every opportunity and then being proud of how your dOg cowers along behind you. OH, in his youth, once beat up a guy after he lost the plot watching him with his dog, and he is the calmest person I know normally.

So yes I would say the gundog world attracts a lot of the wrong type, Schutzund I dOnt think as much, my impression is its all about control rather than aggression?

Even in agility we meet macho guy types who are abusive......it occurs everywhere

Blimey! I saw this thread this morning but have had too much to do today to respond and i still haven't seen the vid. I can imagine what it's like though, judging by the comments.

For what it is worth, i don't see a problem with schutzhund. When i first heard about it, i thought why on earth would anyone want their dog to do something like that, but the more i read about it, the more i realised how much control a handler has to have on their dog, and how much work goes into training for it. Not something i would want to do, i'll stick with gundogs, but i can respect the people who do; well the majority. You are always going to have arsehole's doing any sport so i don't think it is fair to tar everyone with the same brush.

Helen

There are stereotypes in all dog sports ...

Schutzhund - macho men
Showing - gay men or middled aged Mrs Bucket types
Sheepdog trials - Old men
Gundogs - wax jackets and tweeds
Agility/Flyball - young girls with border collies

They are just stereotypes though - and do not encompass everyone taking part.

I've seen some awful handlers but i think the problem is, that there are a lot of "non dog" people in the gundog world. They start shooting and then get a dog, so aren't really dog people. Doesn't excuse the fact though.

Helen

Best post of the thread!

I don't know but its making me giGgle.

You forgot gundog training - macho men, Mrs Bucket types, old men and maybe the odd young girl (minus the border collie). Quite accurate actually!

Wonder which one I am?

Helen

Lol I can't figure out why it's doing it!!!!