committing questions

[hansadobie]

I have previously visited a Sch club about 1 1/2 hour away from my home. I am having a very difficult time deciding if I am going to commit to the sport or go a different route such as OB. I do have a full schedule year round, and am having reservations about committing to training in a new sport along with the extra drive and finding time to be able to go to the club on the weekends. Ultimately, I would like to see my dog training in protection sports because I feel he would excel more in this area, and I am very interested in the sport, much more than other options. Either way, it is for fun and experience and what is best for the dog. I have not returned to the club because I do not want to waste their time in helping me and giving me advice when I am not even sure if I can be realistic with the time commitment of doing such a sport.

Is it normal for handlers to bring their dog to the club whenever they are able, or is it an expectation that they be participating nearly every weekend? --The club (the only club I have visited) does training on weekends (all day Sat and Sun), There are about 8 or 9 handlers that are very dedicated and attend every weekend and even come from different states. Realistically, I do not see myself being able to go every weekend due to other commitments even though I am less than 2 hours away.

I would just like to have a realistic, straight forward, point of view on what I am getting into before I make a decision on being able to fully commit to the sport.

[dobebob]

JMHO, Any "protection" oriented sport, and especially Sch., requires a serious commitment, and very regular training to make any kind of realistic progress.
You are right in not wasting the clubs time when you are unsure if you can/will commit.
Training directors, and helpers put in a tremendous amount of time/effort into "coaching/working" new handler/dog teams- it would be unfair to them to expect to just "show up" occasionally when it suits you without making a serious commitment./