Empire Working Dog Club

06/04/2025

Empire WDC is looking forward to welcoming all AS Helpers that want to come out for some extra practice. Lunch is on us as well….

Calling all Certified AS Helpers!

Empire Working Dog Club invites all currently certified American Schutzhund helpers to join us for our Helper Certification and Recertification.

📍 Location: Marion, New York
📅 Dates: July 25–27

This is your chance to sharpen your skills, get valuable in-person feedback, and connect with fellow helpers and the AS community.

Thinking about trying out for helper selection for Nationals?
This is also the perfect opportunity to assess where you stand and fine-tune your work. (More details on Nationals helper selection coming soon!)

Don’t miss it—we’ll see you there! 💪🏼🇺🇸

📸:

05/02/2025

EWDC Member Spotlight:

Congratulations going out to Amanda and her new pup Soren. Soren went VP1 in the Junior Puppy Class that was judged by Heidi Theis and Don Yelle at the 2025 New England Regional Breed Evaluation hosted by Quinebaug Schutzhund Club.

👍🏼🍾👍🏼

03/21/2025

There are a few audit spots available for Deb Zappia’s upcoming obedience workshop in Marion, NY. If you would like a spot, send me a PM for additional details.

02/17/2025

EWDC Member Spotlight:

Congratulations to Trish Grant and her girl Minx. Trish and Minx traveled to Maryland this weekend and competed at an NACSW trial located at the Lutherville-Timonium Fire Museum.

Trish and Minx who is 10, competed at the NW2 level and went up against 20 dog/handler teams of which only 5 passed.

Trish and achieved 1st Place for the Interior Building Search, 1st Place for the Exterior Area Search and First Place Overall.

Awesome Work!!!!!

02/12/2025

The Tobias Gustavsson Scent Detection Workshop is rapidly approaching.

Auditing this workshop is free for all American Schutzhund and PSA members with a valid PSA membership. However, because there needs to be a headcount, all attending will need to fill out the respective Jotform.

There are also 2 free working spots available. The lottery to enter for a spot, is still ongoing. Just fill out the respective Jotform to enter.

All of the information you need to navigate this training initiative to include both Jotforms, can be found on the AS website under Training Opportunities/Events

Tobias Gustavsson Scent Detection Workshop: Date: 3/7/25-3/9/25 Workshop Location: The Northern Border LLC, 2 Painters Path, Washingtonville, OH Follow the signs to the “Training Area”. There is a very large parking area that will accommodate everyone. Workshop Cost: Free for everyone with an ac...

01/17/2025

A call for senior/retired Schutzhund dogs

Empire Working Dog Club Presents:
The Honor Dog Scrimmage.

Join us in celebrating senior dogs and their enduring spirit with our first inaugural Honor Dog Scrimmage, designed specifically for senior dogs (8+ years old) that remain active and eager to work. We'll also be hosting a cookout on the field simultaneously, making for a fun-filled evening with fellow dog enthusiasts.

Event Details:

Date:
June 7, 2025 after the conclusion of the 1st day of Empire’s 2-day AS trial)

Location:
4070 Cauwels Road
Marion, NY 14505

Phases:
Phase B (Modified Obedience)
Phase C (Modified Protection)

Judge:
American Schutzhund Certified Judge: TBA

American Schutzhund Certified Helper: Tim Vaillancourt

Club Contact:
Kim Batte
Facebook Messenger: Kim Dooley
Cell: 703-655-2847

Stay tuned for more information and registration details! Custom Trophies, Medals and Certificates will be awarded.

Note:
While there is no Honor Dog class in American Schutzhund, a description of each exercise that makes up Empire’s Honor Dog Scrimmage, can be found in the AS rulebook. Next year's Honor Dog Scrimmage will include the addition of Phase A: American Schutzhund’s AS2 Scent Detection.

Honor Dog Scrimmage Pre Requisite:
For dogs 8 years and older
Minimum of an AS1 or IPO1/IGP1

Phase B: Obedience:

Free Heeling:
15 Points

Walking Sit:
10 Points

Walking down with recall:
15 Points

Walking stand with recall:
15 Points

Retrieve on flat:
30 Points

Send Out and Down:
15 Points

**No long down, Jump or Scaling Wall

Phase C: Protection:

Search for the Helper (2 Blinds)
5 Points

Hold and Guard
Call Back
10 Points

Escape Bite
Out
Reattack
Out Pick-up
40 Points

Back Transport (Modified)

Obedience during the Back Transport
5 Points

Attack (Helper will turn and threaten without forward movement. The dog must attack without hesitation. Helper will drive the dog five paces)
Out
Pick-up
Disarm and Search of the Helper
Side Transport to the Judge
40 Points

Note:
The Helper will use stick and voice pressure but there will be no stick hits. While a score will be given for the dog’s overall performance, there will be no rating regarding Courage, Hardness and Fighting Instinct (CHF)

12/21/2024

The new AS website is live and ready for you to explore! While still a work in progress, it’s designed to serve as a centralized hub for all things American Schutzhund—your go-to for resources, updates, and information.

Right now, you’ll find details about the Tobias workshop in March (including registration links), easy access to our rulebook, lists of certified helpers and judges, and more. New features and expanded content are coming soon!

Check it out and let us know your thoughts. This is just the beginning!

https://americanschutzhund.org

11/27/2024

Exciting News & Opportunities From American Schutzhund

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/Ksw7mpPqHiVQFZd5/?mibextid=WC7FNe

We’ve been teasing something exciting for about a week, and we’re finally ready to share the BIG NEWS! The THREE major announcements are… DRUMROLL PLEASE 🥁🥁🥁

1️⃣ A NEW title: “SO” (Stadium Only)
The SO title will be similar to that of a GPR in IGP. It is Obedience and Protection only—no scent work—and the routines are identical to each three American Schutzhund levels. You MUST complete a full BT or BTX* (*2️⃣) before attempting an SO. Each Stadium Only title has to completed in order: SO1, SO2, SO3.

**You cannot use the SO titles to advance through FULL AS titles. Each AS title (AS1, AS2, AS3) has to be earned in order to move ahead**

2️⃣ BTX
The BTX is an OPTIONAL alternative to a BT (Behavior and Temperament Test), including Protection work aligned with a young dog’s training. There will be three primary exercises, all completed ON LEASH, to test relevant protection skills.

This will be perfect for those with young or less experienced dogs who aren’t quite ready to hit the field in all three phases but want to test their training and their dog’s workability!

**The dog aggression test, environmental evaluation, and obedience test will remain the same as a BT.**

3️⃣ Scent Work Title Rule Change
For those who are interested in independent Scent Work titles ONLY, it is now possible to complete the three Scent Work titles without a FULL BT or BTX. Prerequisites for SW1-3 now include just the dog aggression test and environmental evaluation portions of the BT. You will now also be able to complete all scent work titles in any order you choose.

✨Are you excited?! We will be sharing more information and details on each of these announcements within the coming week, and the rulebook will be updated soon as well. All of these changes will be effective January 1, 2025. ✨🇺🇸

📸:

11/17/2024

Empire sends a big congratulations to one of our members who trialed this weekend at Back To The Future WDC. Congratulations Courtney on achieving your AS2.

Thank you Back To The Future for always making our club members feel at home whenever we come to visit.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/Dy4TZcP9BqKXy7Ut/?mibextid=WC7FNe

11/17/2024

Empire WDC will be hosting Greg Doud in December (7-8). There are a few working spots available. If interested, please send a PM to Kim Dooley for more information.

10/23/2024

2024 American Schutzhund Nationals

Jody Potter took home the AS2 first place prize of $2,000

Barb Shearer took home the AS2 second place prize of $400.00

Peja Hall took home the AS1 first place prize of $1,000.00

Nancy Stock took home the AS1 second place prize of $300.00

10/22/2024

To find the finale results of the 2024 AS Nationals, just go to our dedicated website that was created specifically for our events.

2024 AMERICAN SCHUTZHUND NATIONALS: MARION, NY10/17/24 – 10/20/24 Hello everyone! Empire Working Dog Club is thrilled to host the 2024 American Schutzhund Nationals and welcome you all to this exciting event! Our goal is to provide a supportive and inclusive environment for all competitors and spe...