I did not find IGP dog sport; it found me. In 2000, I bought a GSD puppy named Otto. I was inexperienced as a handler and Otto had turned into a menace and liability by the time he was 12 months old. I was desperate for help and found a local trainer to help me reign Otto back in or at least not be such a liability. I would meet this trainer at a Menlo Park Schutzhund Club on Sunday mornings with a few other of her clients for some old school training. Gradually, I felt I could walk down the sidewalk without embarrassment. It was not what you could call a promising start to working dog ownership.
One Sunday I decided to stay a little late at the field practicing, when a number of trucks pulled up, unloaded their dogs and started training. I put Otto in his crate and sat down to watch. What I saw blew my mind. This was the first time I had seen something like it. While I was trying to just survive my dog, these people were performing obedience and protection with fantastic control and flash. It forever changed my perception of dogs and would be the beginning of a journey that would change my life.
Ajay Singh was the helper at the club that day. He walked over and made conversation. He asked about my dog, and I sheepishly said I had a 'dangerous dog.' He laughed and said "Let's train!" We had our first protection session that day. Some time later he would introduce me to tracking. Ajay was the spark and has been a good friend ever since. He is among the most insightful and well-read GSD experts I have ever met. I have maximum respect for his opinion for both IGP and the GSD breed.
Around a year later Ajay suggested I visit the South County Schutzhund Club for to attend a seminar by x2 world champion Ivan Balabanov. This experience was like an epiphany. Ivan was the first to open my eyes to working with the dog, instead of imposing my will. He made training seem like play. It was fun, and I saw immediate results. I now understood harmony and joy were the centerpieces of good training.
However, a secondary thing that happened that day was that I discovered the South County Schutzhund Club. This club is located just south of Silicone Valley in Northern California. The location was nothing special; it was an unassuming dirt field with six blinds. It has 6 well-used floodlights, one bleacher, and a shed out in the middle of nowhere. Ordinary people would drive by and not give a second glance. But to me, this place was haloed ground. I was in awe from the first time I visited. During the period I trained there, six members competed on the USA world team. The training was highly structed and disciplined. They brought in some of the best European trainers for seminars and demanded that each member put in the effort. The club expected each member to achieve the potential of our dog. People would travel from far to train.
Dave Deleissegues was the primary helper for most of the time I trained there. Dave had impeccable work ethic and was a vice-world champion as a handler. I attribute the best trial performances my dogs directly to Dave skills. He brought out the best in the dogs. Training would often go deep into the night, sometimes past midnight. There were nights in freezing temperatures during winter. No one ever left early. It was all part of the right of passage. I spent almost ten years training there between 2000-2010, until I moved to Southern California to take a new job. This place is tattooed on my heart.
Over the years I have owned four GSDs and handler-owner-trained each to IGP titles. I have participated in 43 trials, including 9 championships. Highlights include:
• Championship tracking score 97 at the 2005 USA GSD Nationals (Judge Al Kerr)
• Championship obedience score 96 USA North American Sch Championship (Judge Al Kerr)
• Championship protection score 94 at the 2008 USCA National Championship (Judge Bill Szentmiklosi)
• Tracking score 100 points at S. County Sch Club (Judge Frank Mensing)
• FH score 95 under Judge Friedl Heghmons
In 2014, I began mixing my first love, photography with my new love, dog sport. I booked 10 championships in 2015. In 2016, while photographing the USCA South West Region IGP Championship, I met Jessica Vampola and quickly became friends. She shared a love for both dogs and photography. In 2017, our relationship had grown into a romance. We traveled as a team worldwide to photograph IGP. We were married in 2021, and I credit Dog Sport for bringing us together.
Time is the purity test for what is significant from that which is merely a distraction. Initially, I was ambitious and hopeful of achieving titles and doing well in championships. I sometimes got caught up in club drama or asking too much of my dog. It hurts me to think of the time wasted indulging in those feelings. I am more at peace now and in less of a rush. I enjoy the process of living a lifestyle that is centered around working dogs. I take immense pleasure in the little things, like greeting my dog with the same enthusiasm he has. I look forward to our walks and training together. My dog centers me. I owned each of my GSDs until I had to let go so they could pass over to the other side. I was there next to them to say good bye and thank you. The grief when this happens is indescribable. A dog's life is painfully short, and I want to savor the time we share. While I can appreciate goals, for me now, what is most important is to enjoy the gift that lies happily and loyally at my feet. Dogs make life better.
Dog Sport has led me down a road full of amazing dogs, people, and life experiences. I have much to be grateful for.
My current dog, Desmo. IGP2
My first dog, Otto x2 IGP3
My second dog, Bella x3 IGP3, FH2
My third dog, Blako x7 IGP3
The beginning of mixing my two loves of photography and dog sport
The first of many world championship, Netherlands.
Now a photgraphy team, Jessica and I. Jannik Grube photobombing. Denmark 2018
The privilege and honor to meet so many wonderful people. In this capture Monika and Václav Ouška in Italy.
It's the moments that matter...
]]>
- 2023 1st FMBB IGP World Championship
- 2022 11th FCI IGP World Championship
- 2022 11th FMBB IGP World Championship
- 2022 3rd Czech CKS National Championship
- 2021 1st Czech Malinois Championship
- 2019 5th Czech Malinois Championship
- 2019 2nd Czech CKS National Championship
- 2018 2nd Czech CKS National Championship
Dita (GSD)
Katla’s love of dogs began well before her father gave her first dog, Dita, as a gift for your 9th birthday. Dita went everywhere with Katka. For training, they would walk several kilometers to the training facilities. Katka would tie Dita to a fence and they would wait for her turn to train
Ascarri Hvezda (DSH)
At the age of nineteen she moved to Germany. She didn’t speak the language and didn’t have much of a network, but she didn’t care. A life in Germany called to her. The first years were a struggle, however within a few years she had become conversant in German she started to find her groove. Then out of the blue her interest in dog sport reawakened. Her first dog after the pause was Susi. Sadly she was injured, so Katka made her a companion pet. She still wanted to train and she found a Dutch Shepherd named Ascarri Hvezda. She took a mentor in Andre Fermum, who helped her handle some of the challenging aspects of Ascarri and provided Katka with a solid training foundation. Coincidently, Andre and his student Katka, will be competing with one another at the 2024 FMBB IGP National Championship.
Kizzy vom Falkenstock (MAL)
Wolfgang Tome offered a puppy which would be the dog which would take Katka to national level IGP competition. She was still in Germany at this time and for foundation training, Katka would train with Stefan Juntke for the first two years. Then unexpectedly, Katka had life events unfold that required her to return to The Czech Republic. She made the most of the changes and competed with Kizzy in four national championships in the Czech Repiblic, twice earning vice national champion. They qualified for the FMBB World Championship in 2020 but unfortunately it did not take place due to Covid. And since Covid didn't subside for another year, Katka decided to retire Kizzy early.
Be Eddy de Fontemordant (MAL)
In 2017, Katka lost her beloved Ascarri. Fate has a way and a few days later Oliver Radke contacted Katka about a special puppy out of his dog Ferro du Mont St. Aubert who was VDH Vice Champion and 6th place at the 2015 FMBB World Championship. Katka fell in love with ‘Ferro’ the first time she saw him perform and it was a enduring impression. The opportunity and timing to have a Ferro progeny meant to be. Enter the stage- Eddu (Be Eddy de Fontemordant). Eddu is a clear headed but dominant Malinois with extreme drive. Establishing reciprocal relationship and channeling the drive has its challenging moments and the journey has been an adventure. Oliver Radke is an FCI world championship judge, International level competitor and breeder. He has been a mentor for Katka, helping guide and influence her to the best path forward. Another important element in their protection performances has been the helper work of Marek Urban. The journey has led the pair to earning the title of World Champions.
The Road Ahead
Becoming a world champion has not changed Kafka’s philosophy. She still has a day job and dog sport is her passion. When she brings a dog into her home it is for life so she will continue her commitment to bring the best from her dogs. She likes the quote "without work, there are no cakes.” In her own words “if you want something you simply have to be diligent, and willing to deny yourself some short-term pleasures. Above all, love your dog, even with the faults. And of course, be realistic, because not every dog is suitable for top sports.” A few things are new, a few welcomed sponsors and requests for training seminars. Dog sport is still an amature sport, mostly funded out of pocket by competitor’s, so these to relationships ease some of the pressure. Eddu is only 5-years of age, so we can look forward to seeing more of this wonderful team in the future.
]]>
Dave Kroyer is a 53-year-old, 12-time world championship competitor, IGP and Mondioring competitor, IGP helper, ring decoy, Mondioring certified judge, professional dog trainer, national level BMX racer, and classical trained professional musician.
A few IGP and Ringsport highlights of Dave's amazing journey:
• 2001 USCA S.Central Region FH Champion
• 2002 WUSV World Team, Austria, Dax HOT
• 2003 WUSV World Team, Italy, Dax HOT
• 2005 WUSV World Team, France
• 2006 FCI World Team, Slovenia,
• 2006 AWDF Vice Champion
• 2007 FCI World Team, Italy
• 2009 USMRA MR1 Vice Champion
• 2011 FCI World Team, France, Italo
• 2012 FCI World Team, Hungary, Italo
• 2012 USMRA MR World Team, France
• 2013 FCI World Team Captain, Germany
• 2013 Mondioring World Team, Spain
• 2014 WUSV World Team Captain, France
• 2014 USCA S. Central Region IPO3 Champion
• 2015 USCA S. Central Region IPO3 Champion
• 2015 WUSV World Championship Team, Finland
• 2016 USCA S. Central Region IPO3 Champion,
• 2016 WUSV World Team Captain, Germany
• 2017 USCA South Central Region IPO3 Champion
• 2017 FCI World Team
• 2017 3rd place NARA Cup FR3
• 2018 2nd place NARA Cup FR3
• 2018 2nd place NARA Cup of Americas FR3
Dave grew up in German Town, Wisconsin. He was the youngest of five children, with a mother that was a second-generation Hungarian and a father that was American. While the family had dogs, including a German Shepherd, they did not play a significant part of Dave's early years. Dave's first love was music.
Dave Kroyer & Hector vom Warkonhaud. 2023 AWDF National Championship, Little Rock, AR.
By the time he was in high school, he was playing drums with jazz fusion bands. As soon as he was old enough to apply for a driver's license, he would drive into town at night and play with bands in jazz bars. On nights he didn't play in bars, he attended night courses at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music.
After high school, Dave moved to Los Angeles to attend the Percussion Institute of Technology (PIT) for advanced drum study. He also studied piano and took night classes at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). He made friends with most of the instructors involved in bands, and they would offer him opportunities to play. This relationship created opportunities to sit in as a substitute in their bands and be recruited for commercial studio work. As a student, he pieced together gigs to make ends meet, playing everything from Bar Mitzva weddings to nightclubs. He often walked into a studio, sat down, was handed sheet music and expected to nail it within one or two takes. It was an exciting time in Dave's life, fast and unpredictable. He played everything from pop culture, western, jazz from the 30s to the early 90s, classical, South American, Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, Reggae, Soca & Calypso. He earned an associate's degree from PIT and soon after received an offer to travel with Marky Mark on a world tour. After this, he landed a spot on a world tour with Cher. These gigs would be his first experience with extended work, and while they paid well for a young musician, he found once the tour ended and he was back at his apartment in downtown Los Angeles. There, he had to start from the beginning, networking for work.
After the last Cher tour, he felt a little lost and decided to try something different. He took a gig as a drummer on a Carnival Cruise departing out of Miami. He jumped on a Greyhound bus with his drums in boxes and set out for an adventure. He arrived at the bus station in Miami with no transportation or money to get to the cruise ship. He found an abandoned shopping cart and loaded his drums. He barely made it in time to board. The gig with the cruise provided income and a brief stint of stability.
After Dave fulfilled his contract with the cruise ship, he felt recharged. He had a little cash and decided to move to New York, where he hoped to get involved in the vibrant music culture he had heard about. But money soon ran low. He had no car to get his gear around, and he found it hard to break into the network circles the way he could in Los Angeles. With spirits at a low point, he took several jobs that eventually found him back in his hometown. He found work playing with a band that performed gigs for with the Department of Defense at military bases worldwide. When he was back home, he would teach music at night.
One summer night, while enjoying a beer and weed with a friend, he got inspired to adopt a dog. The next day he headed down to the kill shelter, and he found his first German Shepherd. She was a scared and quivering, a white-coat female named Loki. He adopted her and went about learning how to live with a full-size dog in a one-room city apartment. The dog went everywhere with him, and people noticed how well Loki would respond to Dave. It was only a short time before people asked him if he offered professional training.
Dave lived in the Soulard, a hip arts district in St. Louise. It had a lively nightlife and full of acentric and colorful characters. He started dating a girl who had an obsessed ex-boyfriend who was an undercover vice officer. One day the ex-boyfriend and his narcotics team raided Dave's house and turned it inside out. They found marijuana, and Dave was arrested for a night. Dave hired an attorney and had charges dropped because the search was conducted without a warrant. The experience served more than just a good bar story; it was a catalyst for Dave to take a new perspective considering a change in his career. While Dave's love of music would stay with him throughout his life, his desire to live the life of a professional musician had started to lose its romantic allure. With people on the street encouraging how well he interacted with Loki, he decided that becoming a dog trainer could provide a more stable life and fulfilling career.
Dave enrolled in Tom Rose School of Dog Trainers and continued to play gigs at night to support his new education. He would bring his dogs to the nightclubs and train in the parking lots. He was learning AKC obedience, behaviors, puppy training, Schutzhund, and protection. He would come home at 2am and wake up at 5am to go back to the dog training school for tracking. Most people at the school lived there and hung out. Dave was not part of their clique because he was playing in a band at night and because of this, was a bit of an outsider.
At Dave's first evaluation at school, he proved to be far ahead of the group. The test involved IGP1 obedience, tracking and AKC obedience. Dave had rescued a second German Shepherd and trained both dogs for his certification. It was a structured and challenging foundation. The other students were surprised at how far ahead his training was compared to theirs since he was not hanging out with them during the development stages.
At graduation, the most coveted employment placement was to be selected by Triple Crown, a new state-of-the-art dog training complex in Austin, Texas at the time. His instructor recommended that Dave cut his dreadlocks for the interview. Dave refused and was hired despite the dreads. His music career was completed that day, and a new career began. He was fascinated and attracted to Schutzhund but knew his livelihood would be pet training and behavior modification. Triple Crown was the premier dog training facility in the US. It was a perfect environment to develop various methods of dog sports and obedience. They had seminars nearly weekly. Terri Arnold was an AKC trainer, one of the highest-level obedience trainers, and a significant influence on Dave.
Dave met Karen, who was a client of his with her golden retrievers she brought to Triple Crown for obedience. A romance sparked, and they shared a beginning fascination with Schutzhund (now called IGP). They married a year later. Dave's first Schutzhund dog around this time was a crazy female German Shepherd. She scared the crap out of Dave, but his curiosity provided the bravery to work through his tentativeness. The behaviors that he mistakenly attributed to aggression, he learned, were abundant drive. He trained her through her IGP 2 and IGP 3, and then they earned 100 points for their FH with no leash!
Dave earned spots on the USA world team for WUSV 2001, which would be the first of many over the next decade and a half, providing an incredible list of traveling and competition experiences. Dave quickly earned the respect of the most well-known dog sports trainers in the United States. Triple Crown owners welcomed the recognition at first, but later it became a friction point. It might be argued that their concern was they were in the shadow of Dave. Whatever the reason, they decided to terminate Dave's services in 2005.
Dave and Karen were living in the dorms at Triple Crown. So with the termination, they were made effectively homeless. With the Regional IGP Championship just two weeks away, they decided to live in their car and camp near tracking fields. They planned to figure out their life, like where they would live, after the championship. Dave won that USCA South Central Regional Championship. The fact that Triple Crown hosted the event made his win that much sweeter. That event brought another blessing when he met one of his best friends, Chris Aucoin. Chris happened to be a mortgage broker. Chris was able to help Dave and Karen secure a loan for a home shortly after the event.
Dave started a training business, Canine Headquarters, in Austin, Texas, the following year. In addition to boarding, Department of Defense contract work, and training seminars, he had many private clients. Eventually, the wear and tear of a heavy travel schedule of workshops worldwide, took its toll and rekindled memories and the feeling from his musician days that he had wanted to leave behind. He decided to wind it down and look for an alternative involving less travel.
Two-time world champion, Ivan Balabanov, is a close friend of Dave. They were on several world IGP teams together. Coincidently, they had started posting short training videos on social media. Being more tech-savvy, Ivan had the insight to notice how many views they were receiving on their short clips of training on social media and figured if they could find a way to monetize the videos, they could provide an income. Ivan led the way and inspired Dave to follow in that direction. These were the early days of this medium. In 2012 Dave began the Dave Kroyer Academy and DKA TV. It started with 50 videos and now has over 600 videos.
One of Dave's best friends is Rob Dunn, a professional trainer and accomplished world-level IGP competitor. They were part of the same original training team at Triple Crown. Rob has been there through Dave's journey from the very beginning. I had the opportunity to train with Rob. One day after training Dave's name came up in our conversation. Rob said "Dave has some of the most insane level of work ethic I have ever seen. Dave has called me as early as 7:30am, and he has already finished training, cleaning kennels and is starting his second round of training! His attention to detail is second to none."
I have photographed Dave with three distinct competition dogs. I noticed there are two Dave's: The one I see on the field who is deadly serious. The second one is off the field, the center of the fun and elevates the mood. That dichotomy was the what inspired this interview. He has rhythm, harmony, and synergy with his dogs. He is an artist at heart. And he is a perfectionist and aspires for a performance beyond what most can fathom or are willing to work for. Having had this opportunity to chat with him I was able to reconcile the two.
In closing my interview with Dave, I asked him who has been his biggest influence. He named a base player Jeff Berlin, who expressed, "If you require fun to be a mandate in something you are learning, you are looking at it the wrong way. You have to be willing to put in the repetitions."
T. Floyd, a multi-time national champion and world championship competitor (who happens also to be a world-class musician) was an early supporter of Dave and a huge inspiration, mentor, and lifelong friend.
Another influence is Carl Allen, a jazz drummer from the mid-west who made an art of learning from old cats; he said: "I like to cook- it starts throwing stuff in the pot, whatever you got, then you adapt to make it work." This concept has been Dave's road map through dog training.
Today, Dave has a promising young working dog named Hector. Dave recently competed at the 2023 AWDF. On weekends when he is not training, you will find him at the BMX race track putting in laps and preparing for the next national championship.
Cool is an overused word, so much so that its original meaning has been reduced to a filler adjective. If I had my way, the word would be reserved for people like Dave. Those who follow their dreams with abandon. Who live an authentic life. This dude is a classically trained jazz musician, an international-level IGP competitor, and a Mondioring decoy. This man personifies cool. He doesn't try. He just is.
Early days with Dave's band (archive photos)
2015 USCA Working Dog Championship with Archer
Dave Kroyer & Hector vom Warkonhaud. 2023 AWDF National Championship, Little Rock, AR.
2015 USCA South Central Region IGP Championship in Austin, Texas. Dave Kroyer with Archer.
2015 USCA South Central Regional Championship in Austin, Texas. 1st Place Dave Kroyer with Archer.
2015 USCA Working Dog Championship
2016 USCA Working Dog Championship with Archer
Dave Kroyer & Anton. IPO3 2016 USCA Working Dog Championship in Chelsea, Michigan.
]]>
2023 AWDF IGP National Champions
For starters these are a few of the highlights over the last 12 years:
• 2011 1st Place GSDCA Universal Sieger National Championship w/ Zambo vom Reidschlurgi
• 2011 1st Place WUSV Universal Sieger World Championship w/ Zambo vom Reidschlurgi
• 2012 1st Place WUSV Universal Sieger World Championship w/ Zambo vom Reidschlurgi
• 2014 3rd Place WUSV Universal Sieger World Championship w/ Zambo vom Reidschlurgi
• 2016 1st Place GSDCA IGP National Championship with Jonboy Vikar
• 2018 1st Place USCA IGP National Championship with Vegas von der Burg Hinte
• 2019 18th Place WUSV with Vegas von der Burg Hinte
• 2023 1st Place AWDF IGP National Championship with Joker von der Beizjagd (BHOT)
Zambo vom Riedschlurgi
Erin grew up in a small town in upstate New York with German Shepherds as family companions. She left home to attend University, which kept her busy and unable to have a dog for a spell. Things changed in 2008 when she saw a working-line German Shepherd in the Denver airport, which rekindled her interest in dogs. Soon after, she bought her first German Shepherd, Zambo vom Riedschlurgi, a show line import puppy from Sabrina Hatfield. She trained Zambo from puppy to x2 WUSV Universal World Champion (2011-2012)! This is impressive, but doing so with a first dog and a show line makes this astonishing.
I am not a world-level competitor I cannot speak from personal experience of what it takes to be one. Through photography, however, I have had the privilege to spend considerable time with many of the most talented IGP competitors in the world and have found they share numerous traits. What may seem like luck from afar could not be further from reality. Natural talent will only take one so far. Talent with relentless hard work and resilience is a good foundation. Top competitors have exacting standards for their performance and expectations of their dogs and for themselves that most would not understand. When most competitors are done and say "good enough," is exactly the point at which the top flight performers are just getting warmed up. Rain or shine, dog sport is prioritized in their lives. The relationships between top competitors and their dogs inspire me profoundly. It also takes support of the best protection helpers which means traveling and sacrifices. These types of nuanced details are what I hoped to learn from Erin for this story, and I was not disappointed.
Erin first learned of dog sports through a coworker at her research laboratory who was training her German Shepherd Dog in Schutzhund. Erin looked into the sport and thought it could be an excellent way to train Zambo. She worked with Lance Woodley to advance Zambo to Schutzhund III. They did two local club trials in Germany where Zambo’s breeder lives. These trials qualified them to compete in the LG12 German regional championship. The performance revealed some issues with training. Zambo's breeder suggested that Erin look up T. Floyd in the U.S. for training help. T. Floyd is a multi-time national champion and has represented the USA in the world stage many time. His children are now national caliber IGP competitors.
One call and a good deal of persuasion later, T. Floyd agreed to evaluate Zambo and shortly after became their coach. The 5-hour commute to train with T. Floyd became their routine. This partnership proved to be a perfect dynamic. It led to numerous stunning achievements, first becoming the 2011 GSDCA Universal Sieger Championship and shortly after winning the 2011 WUSV Universal Sieger World Championship in Austria! Erin had to pinch herself as she stood on the #1 box next to IGP legends Jozef Adamuscin and Fritz Bieheler. This is an unimaginable achievement with a first IGP dog. They repeated the achievement at the WUSV Universal Sieger World Championship in Slovenia the following year.
Zambo's life off the field was living in the house and going to work with Erin. She was devastated when Zambo died at only eight years of age of hemangiosarcoma.
Johnboy Vikar
When Erin was ready to have another dog, she unsuccessfully tried to find another show-line German Shepherd like Zambo. She eventually decided to go with a working line suited to dog sports. She found Jonhboy Vikar, a young dog with an excellent foundation from Vit and Jana Glisnik in the Czech Republic. Erin trained with T. Floyd and then with Christian Mieck. Johnboy became GSDCA IGP National Champion before the age of three.
Vegas von der Burg Hinte
As Johnboy enjoyed success, Erin became enamored with Christian Meick's dog, Vegas von der Burg Hinte. Vegas had confidence, power, drive, and of course, excellent training from Christian. Christian earned 3rd place with Vegas at the German National IGP Championship (BSP). Vegas was only 2.5 years old then, and Christian agreed to let Erin take over training with Vegas. Christian stayed heavily involved in the training with both Erin and Vegas. As a team, they became the 2018 USCA IGP National Champions. The following year they placed 15th at the WUSV World Championship.
Gala von der Mohnwiese
Christian had started a super female, Gala von der Mohnwies. She had a terrific foundation in place when he sold her to Erin. Again, Christian stayed involved with the training, and together as a team, Erin trained Gala to IGP3.
Joker fon der Beizjagd
Gala bred to Vegas at the beginning of the pandemic. This was Erin's first breeding and produced her current competition dog Joker von der Beizjagd. COVID made it impossible to continue training with Christian, who lives in Germany, so she had to find another way. Erin discovered Canemo, a series of videos from Sarah Prelle and Marko Koskensalo, which teaches handlers how to train various parts of protection and obedience – from the puppy stage to adult. She started the Canemo system with Joker when he was eight weeks old. She then worked with Marko Koskensalo one weekend each month for essentially all of 2021 to train protection and some obedience. The Canemo system changed her approach to training. Instead of waiting for the dog to make a mistake then apply correction, the system shifts focus to elevating communication and utilizing and channeling the dogs emotions into the work. She also realized that dogs want to do right. When they don't, it is because they don't understand. Erin spent some time with T. Floyd and Mike Sweeney in preparation for the 2023 AWDF National Championship, working on small details. The hard work paid off, and Erin won her 4th National Championship and a spot on the USA FCI World Championship Team. She will be teamed with Sarah Prelle of the Canemo team, and Marko will be the team captain.
Erin's husband Doug
Top flight helper support has played an essential role in Erin's dog sports journey. However, no one has provided more encouragement and support for her passion than Doug. He has been there through all the travel, training, and trials. Doug is now training his own dog and doing well with Java, who is Joker's littermate. Erin and Doug are a loving couple who interact respectfully and share in each other's joy.
Professional Life
Erin is a scientist. She discovered a love of science after her first research experience as a freshman at Smith College. Captivated by the idea that there was so much we did not understand about the natural world. Her passion for science and research led to a Ph.D. in Chemistry at MIT and then to faculty positions, first at the University of California at San Francisco and then at Harvard. Erin is the President of Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the largest biomedical philanthropy in the U.S. They support scientists all over the U.S. at universities and research institutes, and they have a research campus in Ashburn, VA, where Erin has does much of her work.
Erin has found that the love for science and dog sports have similarities. First, the power of observation and experiments – to watch the response and behavior of the dog and try different ways of teaching and communicating. These are akin to experiments. Second, perseverance and resilience are critical in science and dog training. In science, one tests a hypotheses with experiments, often proving the models are wrong, requiring one to think up new models. This cycle and determination to discover are key to success. With dog training, we test the dog to find the problems; then, we must work to find a new way to train to resolve the issue. These parallels may be why Erin enjoys both as much as she does.
Erin lives at the extreme level of commitment, where few are brave enough to venture. She does this in both her profession and in dog sports. Erin finds balance by keeping life simple. She has only one hobby- dog sports. She expresses her passion for life through science, dogs sports, and time with her husband.
A few months after the FMBB World Championship, I met Stefan again in Florida, where he was the front-half helper for the AWMA (American Working Malinois Championship). Jessica and I were accredited photographers for this event. As photographers, we interact with the helpers throughout an IGP championship. Many helpers are highly focused and don't say much, which is understandable. Others have temperaments like working dogs on the field, switching from 'Beast Mode' to engaging and friendly off the field. I found Stefan this way, often making jokes and conversing with us as he walked off the field after each dog. I asked if he would mind sitting for an interview after the event. We met up in our blue Sprinter van and chatted. Our conversations continued at the 2023 FMBB World Championship in Romania. Following is some of what I would come to learn about Stefan
This is a brief overview of Stefan's accomplishments:
Police K9 Handler 2010-2020 in Göppingen, Germany
Police K9 Trainer 2021- in Göppingen, Germany
Team Captain for DMC (the German national Malinois club)
• 2022 FMBB World Championship, Greece
• 2022 VDH All-Breed German National Championship
• 2023 FMBB World Championship, Romania
• 2022 VDH All-Breed German National Championship
• 2024 FMBB World Championship, Germany
Championship IGP Helper
• 2023 DMC National Championship
• 2022 AWMA National Championship, USA
• 2022 DMC Regio Trial
• 2021 SWHV (South German All-Breed Championship)
• 2021 DMC Region Trial
• 2021 DMC Trial
• 2018 Malinois National Championship, Norway
• 2018 DHV Championship
• 2018 SWHV Championship
• 2017 DHV Championship
• 2017 DMC National Championship
• 2017 FMBB World Championship
• 2017 DMC Trial
• 2016 DHV Championship
• 2016 SWHV Championship
• 2015 DHV Championship
• 2014 SWHV Championship
IGP Competitor with Mystique Lubinov Slovakia
• 2019 DVH Championship 14th Place
• 2019 DMC Championship 31st Place
Stefan had no sport dog involvement before the age of 18 years when he bought his first dog, a Rottweiler. He found a local IGP club to start training but reluctantly came to the understanding that his dog was not suited to IGP. This story could have ended there had it not been for some club members who asked if Stefan would try helper work. He quickly became the club helper. He taught himself most of the skills, learning from experience. This self-development theme has been consistent through his sport dog experience, experimenting and refining his reflective understanding of the craft.
That is not to say there were no critical influences. Oliver Schniz, his best friend and godfather to his son, helped him throughout his helper career, traveling with him to selection trials and supporting Stefan's passion. Markus Neutz helped teach many of the correct fundamental techniques essential to advance to championship-level helper work.
In 2016 Stefan's helper skills had developed so much that he was now regularly selected as a regional-level championship helper. The next logical step was to try out for the DMC National Championship. He went to the DMC National Championship selection event but was not selected. Instead of dwelling on being passed over, he focused on some insightful feedback he received during the event. Bjorne Giesen was impressed with Stefan's work and gave him detailed instructions on what he needed to improve. A common trait among many great athletes is the willingness to take a coach. Stefan went home and began working on these suggestions daily, often alone in front of a mirror. One year later, he returned and was not only selected for the 2017 DMC National Championship but also for the DHV National Championships, the Dutch Shepherd World Championship, and the FMBB World Championship!
Ivan Balabanov is one of the God Fathers of IGP in the USA. His influence in IGP, particularly with Malinois, is profound. Ivan was part of the organization for the 2022 AWMA Nationals and was determined to make it a world-class event. He invited two of the most prestigious world championship judges, Alfons Van den Bosh and Josef Adamuščin, and then set about selecting world-level helpers. The chose Atilla Takács and Stefan. I asked Ivan why they chose Stefan. Ivan said he follows all the championships around the world. He said Stefan's strengths are consistency and fairness while providing world-class pressure and technique. He also thinks that Stefan is a cool guy. That is one heck of a reference from a x2 world champion.
In 2019 Stefan paused his competition IGP helper work to focus on training and competing with his dog, Mystique Lubinov Slovakia. He competed in three championships, making him part of a select few in the dog sport world who have accomplished helper work at world championship levels and trained/shown a dog at a national championship level.
Dog sport was Stefan's first love, but it also inspired him to work with dogs as his profession. In 2010 he became a Police K9 Handler with a dog of his breeding. His dog was a patrol dog and a blood/cadaver search dog. After ten years as a K9 handler, Stefan advances to K9 handler trainer for his police department, a role that he presently holds.
Stefan is a Malinois breeder with his kennel RagnarsBreed. RagnarsBreed Malinois has seen success in dog sports and police work. His current sport dog is Apachie RagnarsBreed, with whom he plans to compete next year.
At only 38 years of age, Stefan has already achieved a lifetime of experience to which few can compare. As impressive as the list of achievements may be, my impression is of a person who is present in the moment and follows his passion without hesitation. He has a positive influence on those he is around. He makes eye contact and is sincerely interested in people. He is massively competent in his craft but genuinely modest. Stefan is a genuinely good person, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know him. Dog sport is lucky to have such a person in our midst.
]]>
2021 AWDF IGP National IGP Championship
2021 USCA Universal Sieger
2021 USCA GSD National IGP Championship
The year did not star well. It was a case of fire and ice. The first National they entered this year was the USCA Working Dog Championship. Through all phases they showed to be serious contenders. But in the back-half of protection, Argo did not out (disengage) resulting in disqualification. It was a heartbreaking moment and had a strong impact on Laurie. It stoked her fire and made her more determined than ever. She saw enough to know that she had something special in Argo and the experienced made her determined to show better. She worked with Beth Bradley and together formulated a remedial plan. What followed was a win at the AWDF Nationals. They switched lanes and pursued the Universal Sieger title, which is a combination of highest show rating and protection scores. Argo is a handsome and classic proportioned GSD, combined with world class working ability. Not surprisingly they earned the Universal Sieger. Two championships under their belt.
The team headed into the USCA Nationals with well deserved confidence. When a team time their peak perfectly and have put in the perfect practice and countless perfect repetitions, things happen naturally and with fluidity. To add drama, during the helper selection and Colt Dickson was selected for back-half. Colt is a young and talented new comer to the National helper ranks and the only helper Argo has refused to disengage, as mentioned before, which took them out of contention at the WDC in May. I can't help but think this played in the back on Laurie's mind. however, if it did, she didn't reveal a tell. Laurie and Beth Bradley had done their work. As the ending of this story has had a spoiler in the opening paragraph, but Argo redeemed his earlier WDC misstep and it could not have worked out better than for this to be with Colt on the back half.
Call Out after Bark & Hold
The Escape with Eric Hultgren
Putting on the brakes during The Escape
Guarding at the end of The Escape
Pressure phase of The Escape
Finishing The Escape with a power ending.
Eric Hultren bringing Argo from right pocket over the left knee and applying pressure to finish the drive.
The transition to the out at the end of The Escape.
Attack out of Back Transport with Eric Hultgren
Final drive of front-half
Laurie looking on as her boy delivers the goods.
Scary helper face is de rigueur helper's part of the protection act.
Argo is poster dog for exciting guarding.
Start of back-half. Colt Dickson is running full stride at them. The only helper that Argo has not outed on. This is a moment of truth. Laurie has ice in her veins.
The moment we waited for. Houston we have an OUT!
All female podium at the USCA Nationals.
Laurie said none of the achievements have happened or be possible with out Beth Bradly (left).
I normally operate as solo photographer for all events I book. Once Jessica and I started to travel to events together, she started shooting videography of the events and this served as a terrific artistic expression for her as well as a nice complement to the work I do. This year, inbetween the Working Dog Championship and the USA GSD Nationals, we talked about training her to be my second shooter. There were a number of excellent reasons to do this:
1) Jessis has already a proven photographic/videography talent.
2) This pandemic made us aware that we are not invincible and something could happen that would prevent me from being able to shoot a booked event which would be a big disappointment for competitors who look forward to photography of there important occasion. We needed a back up plan.
3) With two photographers, we have the cool opportunity to work multi-angles of key moments like the jump, escape and long bite. 4) Even with the best cameras and an experienced hand, there is the possibility of missed focus. But with two camera positions we could mitigate the chance of a missed shot.
The decisions was made and we contacted Nikon Pro Services for the additional pro bodies we would need to make this happen for the Nationals. They are great partners and lent us two top of the line D6 cameras. We would alternate between my usual selection of lenses: a 400mm f/2.8 prime, a 120-300mm f/2.8 and a 70-200 f2.8 zoom. All lenses mounted on identical Nikon D6 bodies. The two long lenses would be on monopods and both of use equipped with knee pads.
Jessica is a very good photographer, so she already had basics and understanding down. I’m overly analytical (OCD) so when I say she is very good, I mean like better than 99% good. We used the South Central Regionals as a warm up where I shadowed her and provided instruction. She did great and we looked good to go for the Nationals.
There is nothing you can do to prepare for what a photographing a National does to your body and head. It can be grueling. To be honest, it didn’t occur to me to explain this part to her. It looks easy. But the reality is hard to put in words. At the end of day one she had a bruised eyebrow caused by keeping a camera pressed firmly against her eye. Calluses on her hand from throwing a camera monopost around like a baton for 8 hours and sore knees & back from countless lunges required to take optimum perspective for the shots. But what bothered her most was missed shots. Nothing is more frustrating than a missed shot. Let me explain something that may not be obvious to non-photographers. Anyone can nail a shot given time. But at Nationals you don’t have time. You literally run non-stop from phase to phase with no breaks, not even for lunch or bathroom. It’s in sweltering heat and cold rain, often on the same day. Often you only have a second to get the shot. Your body is tired from moving around the field and lunges and your brain if fried from trying to focus on setting/composition/position. Things go wrong and cameras have problems, settings get messed up. You almost ever have the perfect situation. All of this throws you off your game. What carries you is muscle memory and the only way to get that is repetitions. It has to almost become subconscious activity like a default mode of operation and that mode needs to be perfect. The only way to get this is ridiculous amount repetitions. For anyone, but especially someone is like Jess who is good at everything she does, the learning process can be humbling. I know, I remember living through this as I learned, the process was painful.
Adding to the stress was my well intentioned feedback on her captures and constant instructions. Intentions don't matter when you're exhausted and frustrated. This is hard enough for a perfectionist like Jessica, but compounded when the person providing the feedback is your spouse. But true to her form, she toughed it out and got better and better with her captures. Frankly her learning curve was stunning. With a few more events under her belt the ability to work from muscle memory will be ingrained and I am sure she will have mastered yet another talent.
An unanticipated byproduct of this is we have double the photos to go through. That will be a post for another time 
As if I needed another reason to love her. But there it is.
]]>
In ancient Chinese philosophy yin and yang is a concept of dualism, describing how seemingly opposite or contrary forces may actually be complementary, interconnected and interdependent in the natural world, and how they give rise to each other or they interrelate to one another. -expert from Wikipedia
Start of Obedience phase at the 2018 WUSV World Championship in Randers, Denmark.
Gazze and Mike Diehl made a formidable team. Together they won two national championships and placed third at the WUSV world championship, achievements that easily place them in rarified company of the elite in the sport. What really caught my attentions was the way that they performed.
Mike has dogsport at the core of his life. He trains daily, is a Police K9 handler and operates one of the best known IGP clubs in the country called OG Indy. Mike has won seven national championships (1 AWDF, 5 WDC, 1 USCA GSD National), placed third at the WUSV and competed in a hand full of world championships. Mike is also a two time DPO National Champion and has competed at two DPO World Championships. In all, Mike has more than 30 years of dogsport experience.
3rd Place 2017 WUSV IP World Championship in Tilburg, Netherlands with Team Captain Mike Sweeney.
Mike first saw Gazze in July 2015 when a friend brought him to OG Indy . Gazze had recently been imported from Germany. He was 18-months old and had only a basic obedience BH title. Mike was impressed with the young dog. Less than a year later, Mike learned that the handler was not getting the results she expected from Gazze’s early audition and the dog was a handful. Mike was interested, a deal was stuck and from that moment Mike and Gazze were a team. Gazze would spend the rest of his life with Mike. It had been close to a year since Mike had seen him. Upon reuniting, Mike thought Gazze seemed smaller than how he had remembered. He weighed in around 80 lbs and his helper Mike Sweeney sarcastically joked “Where’s the rest of him?” The kidding quickly turned to silence when Gazze hit the field. Gazze did everything with shocking raw power. Like anything that is super powerful, he was not easy to handle. He leaked and was noisy, even in the long down. Mike’s apatite to train and intense dedication was exactly what Gazze needed to achieve this dog’s potential. With Mike Diehl as his partner, Gazze thrived and within a year was competing at world level.
Mike Diehl is reserved and calm. He has a sureness about him that is confidence inspiring. On the field, his handling exudes an air of competence, clarity and experience. One does not need to be trained in a discipline to recognize expertise. It usually isn’t the loud and dramatic that are the best in their field. Instead, at the highest level of any endeavor, less is more. When the performance is of the highest quality, there is no need for fanfare. A performance speaks for itself. The purity of efficiency, power in absolute control, and precision of execution are universally apparent.
2019 USCA GSD National Championship in Pittsburg, PA.
Gazze was the perfect balance for Mike. This dog is the embodiment of lightning in a jar. Like a loaded spring, cocked and ready to unleash it's massive kinetic energy. His eyes are a little on the wild side. Mike guided this natural phenomenon in such calm and harmonious way as to make a perfect balance. Like in yin & yang, Gazze and Mike were seemingly opposites but fit each other and in their relationship they became symbiotic.
I know I risk sounding overly dramatic, but I don’t believe I am. I have witnessed many fine working teams around the world. I would place this team in the company of the very top of the sport.
Mike endearingly referred to Gazze as ‘G Money’. What attracted Mike to Gazze was his “motor” as he put it, this insatiable appetite to work. He, like everyone that saw him, was blown away by the power, barking and grips. Together they raised the bar in the USA. I am grateful to have been there to see this team. They made an impression on me. One I will not forget.
Rest in peace Gazze.
You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean, in a drop. -Rumi
2019 USCA Working Dog Championship in Sturbridge, MA.
Gaurding Weston Kester in back-half protection at the 2017 USCA Working Dog Championship in Buffalo, New York.
Back-half work with Weston Kester, earning 4th place at the 2017 USCA Working Dog Championship, in Buffalo, New York.
Long Bite with Dominic Scarberry at the 2019 USCA GSD National Championship in Pittsburgh, PA.
Gazze's signature stance in prep for The Escape at the 2019 USCAA GSD Nationals, in Pittsburgh, PA.
Long Bite with Dominic Scarberry at the 2018 USCA Working Dog Championship in Grove City, Ohio.
The Escape with Adriel Linyear at the 2018 USCA Working Dog Championship in Grove City, Ohio.
1st Place 2019 USCA Working Dog Championship in Sturbridge, MA
Obedience phase at the 2018 USCA GSD National Championship in Pittsburgh, PA.
Obedience phase at the 2017 WUSV World Championship in Tilburg, NL
Completion of obedience phase with Judge Jari Kokkenen at the 2018 WUSV IGP World Championship in Randers, Denmark.
Back-half protection with Dominic Scarberry at the 2018 USCA Working Dog Championship in Grove City, Ohio.
Retrieve over the 6ft A-Frame at 2019 USCA Working Dog Championship in Sturbridge, MA.
Retrieve over the 1M Hurdle, obedience phase at the 2018 USCA GSD National Championship in Pittsburgh, PA.
Send Out, obedience phase at the 2017 USCA Working Dog Championship in Buffalo, New York.
Back-half side transport with Jannik Dybvad Grube to Judge Toine Jonkers at the 2018 WUSV IGP World Championship in Randers, Denmark.
Full stride in the Long Bite, protection phase at the 2017 WUSV IPO World Championship in Randers, Denmark.
Retrieve over the 1M Hurdle at the 2018 WUSV IGP World Championship in Randers, Denmark.
Retrieve during obedience phase at the 2018 USCA GSD National Championship in Pittsburgh, PA.
Search for the Helper at 2019 USCA GSD National Championship in Pittsburgh, PA.
No pressure to great for Gazze. Front half work with Jeff Davis at the 2018 USCA GSD National Championship in Pittsburg, PA.
Attack on Handler out of Back Transport with Adriel Linyear at the 2018 USCA Working Dog Championship in Grove City, Ohio.
2018 WUSV IGP World Championship in Randers, Denmark.
Long Bite with Jeff Davis at the 2019 USCA GSD National Championship in Pittsburgh, PA.
Gazze, you gave every once of your heart. Rest in peace. You brought inspiration and grace in your time on this earth.
We will always remember you.
]]>
I met Ajay in 2000. I had a young German Shepherd Dog named Otto that I had found in the local newspaper. I was inexperienced as a handler having only owned house dogs before. When Otto was a little over a year old he began to show dominance. I had my hands full with his antics which soon spiraled into outright aggression towards people. After a three unprovoked bites on unsuspecting victims, each one becoming more serious, the situation had escalated into a genuine crisis. After some research I found a ‘problem dog’ trainer who gave me the impression that she understood the seriousness of my predicament.
Our training would involve using a slip line and setting up training opportunities (getting the dog to trigger to a stimulus) then apply significant correction input. Otto would respond by redirecting towards me and try to climb the leash. The whole mess was incredibly stressful for everyone and not in any way fun. But I followed the program because I was desperate to save my dog from himself and myself from a lawsuit. These private training sessions were held at a field also used by the Menlo Park Schutzhund Club. This club would meet ton Saturday mornings right after my private lessons. I remember seeing my first Schutzhund training session one morning. I was awestruck when I saw Terry Macias with his dog Ike doing the coolest heeling I had ever seen. (As a side note, years later I would travel with Terry to compete at a few national championships with my next dog Bella, just another example of how dog sport lives intertwine.) The delta between what I was doing in my training with a slip collar on Otto and what I saw these teams doing on the obedience field was almost incomprehensible to me. While I was impressed with their obedience performances, it was protection training that set the hook in me. This level of advanced training seemed out of reach. It was like watching a Circ du Soliel performance, it was more of a dream than a reality from where I stood.
As I walked back to my truck after watching the club members practice, Ajay came over and started up conversation. He had not seen me at the field before and asked if I trained. I was embarrassed to say I trained. I don’t know what you would call what we were doing with my trainer. Honestly, I was just trying to survive with my dog on the sidewalk without him wanting to eat someone. He asked to see my dog. I matter-of-factly replied, “I can’t, he’s dangerous.” I was unaware how sad this sounded because I was so exhausted with the situation. He replied with a booming laugh “It’s ok, let me see him.” I still don’t know why, but for some reason I let Otto out of his crate for Ajay. Understand that at this point in time, Otto had literally bit people immediately after coming out of his crate. To my surprise Ajay made friends with Otto and with wagging tail and all. He said “let’s take him out on the field and see how he works.” I had very little confidence handling this angry dog and particularly after watching all the flashy dogs but I reluctantly I agreed. We did some basic focus work and played with a ball. It was fun, not at all stressful and Otto seemed to enjoy it. I wanted so much to find harmony with Otto and this moment was like a tall cool glass of water on a hot day. In that instant everything about dogs changed for me.
After Otto’s brief obedience session, I remember being so pleased with Otto as I put him up in the truck. I rushed back the field to thank Ajay and was just gushing with enthusiasm. Then Ajay said “Let’s see if he bites.” There was quiet as I was starting to think this dude is crazy. I had already told him this dog will eat people, of course he bites, THAT’s our problem! But Ajay used the calm reasoning he is so well known for and convinced me it would be ok. I went back and got Otto out while my every instinct was screaming that this would not end well. Ajay brought out a piece of leather on a rope and started to toss it from side to side. Seeing this, and not understanding what Ajay was doing I expected Otto to go straight over the rag and bite him on the chest. But nothing happened. Instead, Otto just sat there and sniffed the ground. This was so confusing. I had just built this dog up as a wild beast and now he looking like a sweet pet which he was certainly not. Whilst I may have lacked confidence in my handling before, it was now compounded with embarrassment as I sheepishly said “I’m sorry, this is wasting your time.” Ajay snapped back, “I will tell you if you are wasting our time!” And just then Otto bit the rag. I must have looked like an inexperienced fisherman catching his first big fish because I had no idea what to do. A small group of club members had gathered to watch and they all yelled “Run him in a big circle then take him to the truck! Let him carry!” And just like that, I was introduced to Schutzhund as it was called then, the sport we now call IGP.
Ajay Singh & Ucon vom Patiala reporting out for obedience to SV Judge Thomas Lapp at the 2018 USCA North Western Region IGP Championship, Morgan Hill, CA
Later in our training Ajay took Otto and I for our first tracking session. All three of the Schutzhund phases were first experienced with Ajay’s guidance. Ajay and I formed a lasting friendship. That nervous first dog made it all the way to a SchH3 title. He even entered the Northwestern Regionals and passed. Life was never easy with Otto but it was a lot easier when we developed our relationship around training. It would have been laughable to imagine entering a Regional Schutzhund Championship with Otto only a year prior but this actually happened.
Terry Macias, Dave Deleissegues and Ajay Singh at the legendary South County Schutzhund Club which has produced many world championship competitors. There is over 100 years of Schuzhund experience between them.
Twenty years on I still remember that day like it was yesterday. Dog sport is now a major part of my life, from living with working dogs, to training dogs and photography focused on dog sport. This lifestyle has provided me the opportunity to travel almost every month to a state or country to photograph the best dogs in the world. In a split second I went from spectator to a participant and dog sport has had a profound effect on my life and choices I would make going forward. Ajay and I have had our paths intersect many times over the last two decades and I am honored to call him my friend. I contacted Ajay and asked if he would do an interview. This is his story.
Ajay grew up in India in a home that had multiple dogs including some GSDs that had pedigrees with Schutzhund backgrounds. Awareness of dog sport and working dogs was part of Ajay’s family upbringing.
In 1985 he moved with his family to America. At age twenty three earned his Masters in Civil Engineering at UC Berkley before returning to India to make look for work and start a family. However, his return to India was short lived as he started to become aware of the corruption that is part of life there and determined it would not where he wanted to raise a family. He and his wife Bunty decided that America provided the best environment to raise a family and they moved to Northern California. A few years after settling in he got a show/working line GSD and joined the Contra Costa Schutzhund club.
Ajay Singh & Ucon vom Patiala at the 2018 USCA GSD IGP National Championship, Pittsburgh, PA
His first IGP training influence was Mike Simmons, a WUSV competitor who Ajay felt was ahead of his time with his concepts of how to train dogs in drive. Later Ajay started training with Ivan Balabanov who had just moved to the San Francisco Bay Area with his female Malinois female -named Lia. Ajay recalls being amazed by Ivan’s talent and also his confidence. Ivan's program was perfect for Ajay at this time. Ivan’s training built Ajay’s confidence, and as training progressed, Ajay the began to think about competing himself.
Next Dean Calderon came into the picture. He was considered to be a top trainer in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dean taught Ajay to focus on handling and a to develop a feel for the dog. Mark Eric James was another mentor for Ajay. With the help of these people Ajay was able realize his dream of competing and culminated in a showing at the WUSV World Championship with Arek vom Bodenthal. He became the helper for Menlo Park Schutzhund Club which at the time was predominantly comprised of show dogs. During Ajay’s time as the helper he helped influence a transition into an even split between working and show lines. Ajay has always emphasized the importance of balancing the appearance and structure of a GSD with the stable temperament and working ability. He was the first one to introduce me to the concept of “Golden Middle.”
While Ajay had a number of working dogs before Arek, it was with this dog that his performance level of training started to receive recognition. Arek would become the male that he used to launch his kennel named vom Patiala. Arek’s joy for work was obvious to anyone who watched them perform and he was a handsome dog with V2 at the Regional Conformation Show. He had had good hips and elbows, a multiple National Championship competitor and a member of USA Team for the 1998 WUSV World Championship. He was a stout and healthy dog with good pedigree (a Troll von der Bosen Nachbarschaft son). Five of Arek’s progeny competed at the National Championships including Chief and Count vom Patiala.
Ajay Singh & Ucon vom Patiala front-half transport with Willie Ortner Jr. at the 2018 USCA North Western Region IGP Championship, Morgan Hill, CA
While training and competing was Ajay’s first love, it was followed by a new found love to study the GSD breed, pedigrees and the ideas behind how to not only preserve the best attributes of the breed but to improve on them. Anyone who has met Ajay will affirm his obvious intelligence, but also his rational thought and quest for truth. These attributes when applied to anybody are a virtue but particularly to a breeder. His vom Patiala Kennel started with a breeding of Arek to Mitzi von der Edermunde (daughter of Anker Vom Ursania owned and bred by Helmut Raiser). So far, they have whelped 25 litters spanning 30 years. Vom Patiala has progeny have been used for the breeding programs for many respected working line kennels that produce competition dogs including vom Mack-Zwinger, vom Burmeister and Fallamhain Working German Shepherds. These kennels have produced frequent IGP competitors at National and even International IGP competion shown and trained by their own breeder (Breeder-Owner-Handler-Trained). Ajay's competed himself with a BHOT as recently as the 2018 USCA GSD National IGP Championship.
In Ajay own words:
“We learned a lot of things about the breed as we became breeders. Our breeding program is just me and my wife Bunty. She has never said no when I asked her for anything related to the dogs. Without her support it would not have been possible and I have not come across a better person to take care of my pups. I believe her care shows prominently in our pups. Our breeding principle has always been to keep a pup and treat other people the same way you would like to be treated. As an example of what this means we have never used a stud dog or puppy contract. We do business on a hand shake. We always prefer a loving and committed home over a competition home. Along the way, our circle of friends kept on getting bigger of people who have the same love for the dogs and values. Doesn’t mean all the dogs we bred were perfect. Sometimes, despite having done due diligence with research, watching videos and interviewing people you only really learn the truth when you see the pups on the ground, good or bad. Unfortunately this is part of the learning process, but we learn and move on."
“I aspire to deeper understanding of the German Shepherd Dog breed because it at the end of the day it is all about the breed. A correct structure allows the dogs to perform the functions with greater ease. Good joint health, and good lean muscles work hand in hand and keep the animal durable over its working life. Good desire to perform the functions is the engine that drives the body. Training means training the natural drives of the dog, so you don’t have to manufacture anything. The goal of competing should be to present the dog to the breed and other trainers, whether it is the local, regional, or national audience. I train to do justice to my partner and the dogs I compete with but it is important that the dog I present on the field is a good representatives of the breed. The goal is to give back to the breed that gives you joy everyday. The only thing we can give back is representative specimens of the breed. Every training session should be fun because it allows one to spend time with fellow dog lovers.”
Ajay Singh & Ucon vom Patiala at the 2018 USCA North Western Region IGP Championship, Morgan Hill, CA
Ajay Singh & Ucon vom Patiala at the 2018 USCA GSD IGP National Championship, Pittsburgh, PA
Ajay Singh & Ucon vom Patiala at the 2018 USCA GSD IGP National Championship, Pittsburgh, PA
Ajay Singh & Ucon vom Patiala at the 2018 USCA GSD IGP National Championship, Pittsburgh, PA
Ajay Singh & Ucon vom Patiala Search for the Helper at the 2018 USCA GSD IGP National Championship, Pittsburgh, PA
Ajay Singh & Ucon vom Patiala guarding Brady Schnowske at the 2018 USCA GSD IGP National Championship, Pittsburgh, PA
Ucon vom Patiala handling the highest pressure from front-half helper Jeff Davis at the 2018 USCA GSD IGP National Championship, Pittsburgh, PA
Ucon vom Patiala and Ajay finishing front-half protection at the 2018 USCA GSD IGP National Championship, Pittsburgh, PA
In closing, there is no way I would have become an IGP competitor and later a traveling dog sport photographer had Ajay not invited me to bring out my dog that day we met. As we travel the road of our dog sport journey, we are sometimes perceived justified or not as ‘experts’ to the 99.9% of the population that have only experienced dogs as house pets. IGP involves protection and stick hits which can easily be misunderstood by the general population, with this the risk of being banned. All of us that love this sport must share the understanding of the benefits and purpose of the protection phase. We share a responsibility to be ambassadors for the dog sport. Ajay’s personal example with his actions and words made such an impact on me that 20 years later I am writing this blog. He is a model dog sport ambassador and has made countless other positive impressions in his three decades involved in the GSD community. I aspire to ‘pay it forward’ with my photography and sharing of dog sport stories. Each of us has this opportunity when we represent our sport and we owe this to our dogs and our sport. I am grateful and proud to consider Ajay as a mentor and friend.
]]>
In my travels to photograph IGP championships, there are familiar faces that I see frequently. The ranks of Judges and helpers selected for a Regional or National Championships are a small, distinguished group. The same can be said for competitors, within each dog breed there a relatively small group of people that compete consistently at the top of the sport. I would say that on average that 2/3 of all competitors in a National are the same handlers, with only a 1/3 or less first timers who often will make only one appearance. I am one of only a few people on the field with them whey they perform, in sharing there experience it helps to form relationship. We see each other at various places across the country, so it is only natural that I get to know them in a way that that is more than passing acquaintance. I photograph their triumphs as well as their heartbreaks on the field and as I review the images for selection, I feel their emotions. I have shared beers and pizzas in the parking lots of too many event host hotels to remember. It is at these candid moments that sometimes I get to know the stories of some of the personalities of the sport that often affect and compel me to share their stories. And so it is that I write this in a series of profiles of the personalities in IGP. In this blog we meet Frank Phillips.
Frank Phillips is a stand out in IGP in the United States. There are only a few American competitors that have stood on the podium of a IGP World Championship. While I don’t have the exact number, I would dare say less than a dozen. Frank has done so twice. But this achievement alone is not why he stands out for me. It is his incredible thirst for the sport that and his drive to perform at this best while branching out into areas of the sport that beyond those he has already mastered. Following are a few of Franks achievements:
- Obedience Judge for the 2021 WUSV IGP World Championship
- 2017 & 2018 FCI Vice World Champion with his GSD name Kliff
- USCA Judge with over 225 IGP trials judged, 5 Nationals and 1 World Championship
- 7 World Championship appearances with 3 dogs
- World Championship teams with two breeds (GSD & Malinois).
- 2017 AWDF National Champion
- Titled 8 dogs to IGP3 (IPO3, SchH3), 3 dogs to FH1 and 1 dog to FH2
Frank and Kliff at the 2018 WUSV World Championship. Protection phase with front half helper Martin Knudsen. Randers, Denmark.
Frank easily makes it on my secret list of top judges. My criteria may be familiar and odd at the same time. Familiar in that like everyone else, I appreciate consistent scoring. Frank is one of the most consistent I have ever witnessed. He sees everything and he never suggests an ability to see what is not visible (this happens more than I would like to say). His recall of what happened in an exercise is uncanny. I will often refer to the play back on my camera to see what happened and it has never deviated from what Frank calls. He is unwaveringly honest and direct which not the easiest critique to hear but often the most helpful. He is an expert on the rules as one would expect of a Judge but is also unbiased and fair. Now for what some might consider an odd reasons to make a Judge a favorite. Understand that this is from the photographer: He is very precise in his location for each exercise. He will wear down the grass with the consistency in movement on the field that that he does for each exercise. It is always best location to see the exercise. I know this because they are also my best angles to catch the action! So why do I love that he does this you may ask? Because he is consistent. I know where he is going to be and so I take an alternative position and I get great shots when he is on the field. He does not wander around like he is lost. He is in tight on the action and consistent. I can tell you even at world level events the judges can be at random places for exercises. As an example on long bites I have seen judges close to the center line at mid field for one dog, then back near blind 6 for another, which inevitably will lead to blocked shots because I have no idea where they will be and by the time the I see the Judge they are already in my frame (photo bombers). Frank is always in the same position. When I see Frank listed as a judge for an event it is a very good thing for the photographer.
USCA Judges Vadim Plotsker and Frank Phillips watch as Ezzard strips the sleeve from helper in the back half protection at the 2016 USCA Southwestern Regional IPO Championship in Pahrump, Nevada.
USCA Judge Frank Phillips fast footwork to get view of the grip Umbra vom Nordenstamm on Dominic Scarberry
during IPO1 back half pressure phase at the 2017 USCA Working Dog Championship in Buffalo, New York.
Now let's shift to Frank as an IGP competitor. Frank is the definition of a true sportsman. His background as a pro level racquetball player in his younger days may have something to do with this, but I tend to think it has more to do with Franks character. Despite impressive dog sport accomplishments, he is always humble. In a judged sport that involves one’s dog there is the potential for extreme emotions. It is not unusual to hear disgruntled comments out of competitors who, in the heat of the moment, may verbalize their emotionally charged opinions or cast blame on others. I take this with a grain of salt, we are all human. But Frank always owns his performances. He holds himself and his program accountable. He understands the often unrealistic expectations placed on the helpers and judges. A telling symbol of his sportsmanship as a handler and philosophy in general is how he will always remove his hat during the critique. He respects the judge no matter what. It is almost a trademark of his and a great example for those new to the sport.
Hat off for the critique, actions of a competitor with class. Frank & Kliff at the 2018 USCA GSD National IPO Championship in Pittsburgh, PA. They earned 2nd Place.
While as an IGP judge and competitor he may have earned my respect, it is his love for his dogs and his relationship that he shares with them that earns my maximum admiration. Anyone who saw Frank compete with Kliff got to see a perfect example of the potential of a teams relationship when dog and handler are both immensely capable but also have 100% connection. Together they won a National Championship and placed second place twice at the FCI World Championship. This team was simply stunning and their performances would literally take your breath away. And to cap it off, when you would see them interact off the field, their tenderness would melt your heart.
Kliff tragically died at the peak of his career in a freak accident. Frank was gutted and took time off from dog sport to let his heart heal. The loss was devastating and the news was taken hard by many in the sport. It was more than the loss of an amazing creature, it was the loss of this pairing and how they inspired so many in the sport. I did not see Frank on the field for a time after that and I understood why. I think most would not be able to ever come back on the field after going through what he did.
Frank Phillips & Kliff vom Floyd Haus showing the connection that was legendary at the 2018 USCA GSD National IPO Championship in Pittsburgh, PA.
Frank told me that one of the things that helped him through the dark period after Kliff passed was his dog named Ender. Ender is Franks first Malinois, a young dog, that didn't get to go with Frank and Kliff on their adventures to far away places. As Frank was giving his heart time to heal, Ender would come in quietly lay at his feet while Frank was working at his desk. Ender gave Frank space and gradually the companionship when Frank needed it most. It made my heart smile to see Frank return to compete at the 2019 AWMA Championship and then the 2020 FMBB Qualifier as a competitor with Ender. I will not lie, my eyes swelled as they took the field again and I tried to imagine the courage needed to do what he was doing. I don’t know if I would have had it. But it is exactly this type of character that heroes are made from. Frank and Ender finished on the podium at the FMBB qualifier earlier this month and a smile had come back to Franks face.
Frank returning to national competition after a year lay off at the 2019 AWMA National Championship in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. FCI Judge Alfons van den Bosch.
Frank and Ender at the 2019 AWMA National Championship in Old Orchard, Maine.
In earning the spot on the USA roster to the 2021 FMBB World Championship in Greece Frank will be one of only a dozen or so Americans to make it to a World Championship with different breeds. An extraordinary achievement that speaks volumes about his ability to adapt his training to the dog he is working with.
No one achieves anything of significance in Dog Sport without the help of others. Frank credits his early mentors Dave Wood and Brian McNulty who help him understand protection drives. He explored training ideas outside the ranks of IGP to gain insight into AKC obedience. These training ideas influence him to this day. Along the way, he was influenced by some big names in the sport including Deb Zappia, Mike Diehl, T. Floyd, Ivan Balabanov, Dave Kroyer, Mark Natinsky, Sean O’Kane and Jim Alloway. Frank also gives a lot of credit to his club and his training partner and helper Vadim Plotsker who he relies on for training plans.
Frank believes important changes in the last 10 years involve the emphasis for a dog looking like it’s free and enjoying the work with their handler. This portrays a much nice picture and makes obedience a satisfying phase to watch and judge. He is also encouraged with the recent prioritizing of a dogs power to earn V scores (Excellent categories).
I asked Frank for advice for a person new to IGP. He answered “Don’t give up! If you are not in a place where you enjoy training, then leave and find a new place to train. There are many ways to train, many people to train with, sometimes it will require more effort/work/travel from you but it is all worth it. When you find a place to train that fits you and you fit there, it’s a ton of fun…. But always remember if it’s important to you, you will find a way….if it’s not, you’ll find an excuse.”
Frank Phillips is a stand out character in the sport of IGP in the United States. Whether you the to see him judge or compete in an event, you will be treated to a quality performance.
Frank Phillips & Hostile enjoying the anticipation seconds before the obedience phase of the 2015 AWDF Championship in Farmington, MO.
Frank Phillips protection judge at the 2018 USCA WDC in Buffalo, New York. Smiling despite 4-days of non stop rain.
Frank and Ender reporting out protection phase at the 2019 AWMA National Championship. Old Orchard Beach, Maine.
December 2020 FMBB Qualification Trial in Nashville, TN. Frank and Ender on podium and a place on the USA FMBB Team in 2021.
Frank & Ender obedience phase at the 2020 FMBB Qualification Trial in Nashville, TN.
Frank Phillips with hat off for the critique at he 2017 WUSV IPO World Championship in Tilburg, NL.
]]>
First came tracking, despite a somewhat fast pace, Kula successfully completed the phase. I think everyone watching held their breath the entire track. Next in obedience, Kula had enthusiasm of a young dog and was excited to be on the field and mustered enough to pass obedience. Then came the protection phase. This has previously been their sticking point. Kula has always shown the power, but not always the secondary obedience needed to get through. Most those attending the trial today know Lee well and how hard they have worked to earn IGP3. It was almost too much to bear to watch them leave disappointed again. But then today was different. Kula seemingly knew this was his last chance. Where previously he gave in to the temptation to hang onto the sleeve and not release, today he kept disciplined with crisp outs. He showed his usual power but paired it with surprising obedience. Lee was visibly stunned, as they reached the end of the routine to report out to the judge Jacob Pope, he forgot what he was supposed to do. In a moment that would strum the heart strings of everyone at the event he said, "I don't know what I should do next, I have never made it this far." Tears could be seen streaming from under his sunglasses. As I looked around I could see he was not alone, there was hardly a dry eye in the place.
Bravo Lee and Kula. You inspired us today with your determination, belief in your dream and your commitment to each other.
About the author:
Brian Aghajani is a freelance photographer based in Houston. He began his fascination with dog sport in 2000, has titled three dogs to IPO3 and competed in a handful of national IPO championships. He is an official photographer for most National IGP/Mondioring competition including the USCA, GSDCA, GSDCA, AWDF, AWMA and USMRA as well as the WUSV World Championship. Follow him on facebook
]]>
Ronny Burmer & Aldo v. Burmeister at the 2017 USCA New England Regional IPO Championship in Merrimack, NH.
Ronny Burmer's Kim de la Vega doing her best to knock Don Yelle's trademark Orange hat off his head at 2015 USCA Working Dog Championship in Buffalo, NY.
Ronny is the son of German Immigrants. He grew up Queens, New York with German Shepherds in the house and the family has folklore of German Shepherds going back to before World War II. Dogs were a way of life that stuck. Their dogs were family pets, they didn’t train but still had a devotion to the breed.
Archive photog: Ronny's Grandfather Walter Burmeister in Germany, with the family German Shepherd. 1940.
Ronny became aware of Schutzhund from seeing the dog magazines in eighties (there was no internet). However, his start in the sport would take almost a decade because the clubs he reached out to were not welcoming to a newcomer. The clubs would not return calls and gaining access to training seemingly had barriers. He said he almost gave up on the sport before he even started, but stuck it out and feels lucky he did because the dog sport is now such a important part of his life. Eventually in the nineties he started to go to Long Island Schutzhund Club. At the beginning, he was not allowed to speak at the club, only the helper an training director could speak. He got his first working dog to train with at this club, it was a female GSD that was on the softer side. He eventually came to the realization that he would need a different dog if wanted to be serious about Schutzhund, one that was better suited to work. IPO is intended to reveal character and sometimes discovering your dog's potential can be an painful learning experience. The next dog was a very powerful male but lacked nerves which made the training sessions unpredictable and scary. His early results were a little disappointing but he took it in stride. Meanwhile he started doing more and more helper work at the club. He quickly developed skills which kept him keenly interested in the sport providing him with ample motivation for each training night. Moreover, it helped him understand and acquire a feel for dogs. Chris Banke was a big influence and mentor in helper work and got Ronnie on the right track. Mentors are critical in the early stages of the sport. That feeling for the dogs would prove instrumental when he got his third dog. This time he found a quality working-line dog, well suited to his training style, they bonded and quickly advanced to their first SchH3 title.
Archive photo: The journey begins. Left Bob Demaio, Richard Quinn, Ronny on right.
As his development of training started to plateau, Ronny felt need to expand his training horizon. Every competitive handler gets this nomadic feeling it at some point, it's a sort of training-wanderlust. The training trips took to him to increasingly distant clubs that offered better skilled helpers and more advanced training to fuel his fire. The exposure to these other clubs inspired Ronny and his friend Bob Demaio, to create their own club. They called it the Mid-Island Schutzhund Club in New York and the concept for it would be to bring these training ideas they had seen on their travels home to like-minded working dog people in his home community.
A fairly major life event came when Ronny and his wife Michele decided to move out of the city for a more rural lifestyle. They sold their home in Queens, New York and moved the countryside in Berkshires, Massachusetts. Once there, Ronny joined the Ocean State Schutzund Club where he trained with two of his influencers, Dave Wood and John Soquino. The scope of his training during this period was to simply train. He had no other goal than to title his dog at the time.
Archive photo: Ronny Burmer with Helmut Raiser. 2009 Master's Tournament New Jersey. On the field with a legend.
Then in the early 2000 two things happened that changed everything: He began working with a very promising young dog named Issa vom Haus Sofko (Tasha) and he attended his first big IPO championship. The championship was the New England Regional Schutzhund Championship and Ronny was blown away with the high caliber of the performances. It left an impression that would last to this day. He made it his mission to show at championship level.
Over the next five years he not only competed at championship level IPO, he began to make a mark for himself. In 2006 Issa and Ronny tied Claudia Hoffman for vice-Champion at the 2006 GSD National Championship, finishing behind winner Mike Diehl. They qualified for the 2007 WUSV World Championship as an alternate. The following year they finished 8th at the GSD Nationals and qualified for the USA Team to the 2008 FCI World Championship in Belgium.
13-year reunion of the 2006 GSD National Championship podium. Ronny Burmer, Claudia Hoffman and Mike Diehl.
Ronny is still on the path of his dog sport journey. To date, he has titled 8 dogs to SchH3/IPO3, competed in more than 20 national working championships, placed on podium for FH National Championship and competed on the USA Team at the FCI World Championship. More recently he began competing with dogs from his own breeding program, vom Burmeister. The culmination of his dog experience is the ‘A’ litter. Aldo vom Burmeister is a proven national competition dog that has taken down helpers twice in championships. Allie vom Burmeister, trained by Frans Slaman, earned 3rd at the 2019 GSDCA National IPO Championship and qualified for the Universal Sieger in England.
I asked Ronny to provide advice for a newbie: “A lot of people get discouraged, the sport is a difficult one to get into. There will be a lot of setbacks, the sport will humble you. Until you have some successes, the setbacks will make a beginner want to quit. It is important to choose a known blood-line that is suited to the sport. Equally important is that the dog be suited to your handling style. Above all you must have a bond with the animal. Find and immerse yourself in a club where you feel support. Once you have these foundation blocks in place you will be in a good position to be successful and the sport will bring a lot of satisfaction and enjoyment. You need to train like you're in a trial, and trial like you're training. Always give your best to the dog. The rest, stuff like titles and podiums, are a byproduct of these foundational parts and commitment.”
“The sport used to be sort of underground and grass roots. But the training has advanced so much that it’s much harder to podium at championship. It can be discouraging to compete because the highest levels may seem out of reach. Just keep it in perspective, enjoy the experience with your dog.”
Ronny Burmer & Aldo v. Burmeister at the 2017 USCA GSD IPO National Championship, Indianapolis, IN.
The tracking phase is Ronny’s favorite and it is also his weakest. He enjoys the calm time spent with his dogs and is fascinated with the process. He relishes getting up early to hit the road with his dog while the roads are clear, and having coffee at the tracking field. “The dog is independent and free. It can be nerve wracking but thrilling at the same time. When you get a good score, it’s the best feeling in the world!”
Ronny is a student of the sport. He has kept every dog sport magazine and article clipping from the beginning of his involvement in the sport. “I’m kind of a pack rat with anything having to do about dog sport.” He is a good example of a person living his life in alignment with his heart's calling.
I thoroughly enjoyed spending my evening interviewing Ronny. He and his wife Michele were gracious, funny and interesting. I look forward to seeing both of them at a championship somewhere around the country. I know I will, they love dog sport with their whole heart and leave nothing in reserve. There is something compelling about being around people with this level of commitment. They are a great role models for a newcomer to the sport, to stay your course and not get discouraged. The good things in life will not come easy. That’s what makes it so satisfying when it does.
Ronny Burmer & Aldo vom Burmeister at the 2018 USCA GSD National IPO Championship. Pittsburgh, PA.
Ronny Burmer & Aldo v. Burmeister at the 2017 USCA GSD IPO National Championship, Indianapolis, IN.
Ronny Burmer & Aldo vom Burmeister at the 2018 WDC, Grove, OH.
This is not the first time Aldo vom Burmeister has taken a helper down. He did it at the 2018 New England Regionals and again at the 2018 USCA GSD National IPO Championship. Pittsburgh, PA.
Ronny Burmer & Aldo vom Burmeister at the 2018 USCA Working Dog Championship. Grove City, OH.
Ronny Burmer & Aldo v. Burmeister at the 2017 USCA New England Regional IPO Championship in Merrimack, NH.
Things are never boring when you compete with animals. Ronny Burmer & Aldo vom Burmeister checking out with Judge Ann Marie Chafin at the 2018 USCA GSD National IPO Championship. Pittsburgh, PA.
Aldo vom Burmeister at the 2018 USCA GSD National IPO Championship. Pittsburgh, PA.
Ronny Burmer, Aldo v. Burmeister & helper Adriel Linyear, at the 2017 USCA New England Regional IPO Championship in Merrimack, NH.
Ronny on the night of our interview 2019
About the author:
Brian Aghajani is a freelance photographer based in Houston. He began his fascination with dog sport in 2000, has titled three dogs to IPO3 and competed in a handful of national IPO championships. He is an official photographer for most National IGP/Mondioring competition including the USCA, GSDCA, GSDCA, AWDF, AWMA and USMRA as well as the WUSV World Championship. Follow him on facebook
My intention for this article is not to write about his accomplishments which are easily found on the internet, but instead, explore his life experiences that shaped his journey in dogs and his life. To my surprise and delight, he accepted my invitation for an interview.
Disclosure: this is not a short article. Ivan's story is full of so many fascinating events that shortening it could not have done it justice. I suggest you grab your favorite beverage, settle into a comfy chair and take a few moments to soak in his amazing story. Trust me, it's worth it.
2016 AWDF Championship podium with Ebor Ot Vitoaha
I met Ivan in early 2001 in Northern California at one of his seminars. It would be the first of many that I would attend. Mainstream training methods nearly two decades ago were crude by today’s standards. Ivan was a counter culture personality to the mainstream methods and perhaps a peak into future methods that have since been adopted into the training systems of many of today’s top IGP competitors. Ivan is soft spoken and cerebral. His concepts are based on decades studying a variety of animal behavior as well as practical training. He is sophisticated, nuanced and very precise in his language and concepts regarding training. Perhaps what stands out most is his unwavering belief in ensuring the dignity of the dog when training. The second thing you will surely notice is his mischievous sense for fun.
The way I came about attending the seminar was through my early Schutzhund mentor Ajay Singh. That one seminar tilted my understanding of dog training on its axis. When I walked on the field for a turn with my dog, Ivan saw my stiff handling and stopped me. I was so serious and focused. He instructed me to relax and play with the dog. I didn't really understand but complied. He suggested ideas to play in better harmony, to remove conflict and build the dogs desire to offer behaviors. It was a break through moment for me and had a profound effect on my training philosophy going forward. At this point, my experience was limited to having titled a single dog to SchH3. We hung out after the seminar chatting. I was admiring his female Malinois named Cindy when he asked “Do you want to work her?” I immediately replied “Yes!” I was thinking he meant in obedience but then he handed me a Gappay sleeve, a stick and said “Run as fast as you can, I’m going to send her.” I had never caught a dog and was certain I was going to get bit on the ass but i did it anyway mostly out of morbid curiosity. I caught her doing a sort of escape thingy and in the background I could hear Ivan laughing and yelling “Good, Good!” . I slipped the sleeve and jogged back with a huge smile. It was a hell of a first impression.
Ivan was born in communist era Bulgaria. He lived in a small border town called Sofia on a large property that had a number of homes that his extended family lived in. This arrangement was customary in old world Bulgaria where Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and extended family would all casually flow from house to house. There was always activity and kids playing in the yard. From the youngest of age, Ivan had an affinity and connection with animals. There were stray dogs in the village and Ivan would continually try to adopt them only to find that they had disappeared in the morning. His parents would pretend to look puzzled and it was always a mystery to young Ivan. The stray dogs he came in contact with were street wise and would generally avoid people, yet Ivan had a way of finding a connection. He would study the pack behaviors, hierarchy and routines. He would try to anticipate the behaviors. His dad worked with border control and at dinner would tell stories of border patrol dogs that filled his imagination. Ivan was not allowed to own a dog and the combination of the stories, his love of animals and being prohibited from owning them set deep roots of desire. A fascination for working dogs started to emerge. At that time there was no internet or and his remoteness meant they rarely had access to dog sport magazines. His world view of working dogs came from folklore and seeing border patrol and police dogs. However, somewhere inside he knew this was his future.
Archive photo of Ivan. He had a toy dog, because he was not permitted to have a real dog.
In the late seventies his family relocated to Libya where is Dad had an assignment as an engineer. When they settled in their new home, he found a shepherd mix guard dog at a military airport that had puppies. Ivan would visit the dog daily and try to talk through the fence. But mostly the dog would try to eat him. Eventually, he built a relationship with the dog and dared to lift the fence and take a puppy. Ivan was now a dog owner, his name his new puppy Leon and now Ivan could be a dog trainer!
As the puppy matured Ivan began protection training. His dad had limited experience with dogs from having watched border patrol dogs being protection trained and tried to share what he had seen. In the early sessions Ivan would wrap a rag around his arm and create movement to get the dog to bite. He would work the dog off leash in the woods, progressing to wrapping his body in towels and sheets for leg and arm bites on command.
Archive photo, Ivan getting his start in Ring in Belgium.
One day while walking off leash on a trail in the woods, Leon alerted to something ahead. His hackles went up and he switched into protection mode. Ivan was thrilled to see his training being put to test, got caught up in the moment and sent the dog to get the ‘bad guy.’ He instantly realized his huge mistake and almost soiled his pants. He ran home as fast as he could and hid in his room. Later that night his father came home with the Big Boss from work. They were looking for Ivan’s dog. Ivan was shaking in his shoes when he came out of his room when they called his name. The Big Boss told him his dog had bit one of the workers in the butt. He checked out the dog and said that Ivan could keep the dog on condition that he would keep it on a leash.
In 1980 his family returned to Bulgaria. Ivan learned a trade as an electrician and could now support himself. He got a Collie/Shepherd mix and began training with a working dog club. He passed the military trial test which would become Ivan’s first dog title. At the club he would hear stories of amazing Malinois working dogs from Belgium and big Schutzhund trials in Europe. People would visit the club and describe the dogs and training. He never actually saw one but from tales he would hear if fromed a mental image of something really cool. One day while leafing through a Dog Fancy magazine in a store, he finally saw a Malinois dog in an advertisement in the back pages. It was love at first sight. He voraciously researched the four types of Belgian Shepherds and decided he needed a Tervuren because they looked like his Collie/Shepherd mix. He also set his goal to move on to Belgium because that seemed to be the center for the highest levels of dog sport training.
Relocating to a country where you don’t know anyone, let alone speak the language is daunting for anybody. But in the context of leaving the communist block, well, it takes on another level of difficulty. He would have to sneak out, jumping trains and crossing borders, risking getting caught by the border patrol. He never knew what would happen if he got caught, but knew it was not good.
Pause here and reflect: Ivan was going to escape the communist block because he learned of a breed of dog in the back of a magazine while standing in a store, and decided that training them was his calling. He would risk all to make that happen. And do so he did! In reality, he made a point that this was not even a choice, he could not see an alternative.
He knew that for him to train at the levels that he knew he could, he would have to go where the training was the best. He jumped a train with a sack containing some cloths and his electrician trade tools and crossed over the border. But then the train took a path back to the communist side. He realized the train was taking a zig-zag path, crossing the border repeatedly. Each time stopping for border agents to look in the trains. It was a terrifying experience but he finally made it to Germany. He had some money from his electrician trade work to help him pay his way and made his way up to Belgium where he was accepted as a political refuge. He was offered assistance by the Belgian government but he respectfully turned it down. His pride would not let him accept assistance and he soon found work as an electrician. In the beginning there were some shady people that tried to take advantage of his vulnerability in his unfamiliar new surroundings. He was not surprise to have to deal with the street element, having dealt with what he did to get there, he felt he could handle the challenge. But things would not come easily for a young man, without a support network and unable speak native Flemish or even English. This was a period of part adventure and part life’s hard lessons. Eventually his trade work enabled Ivan to get an apartment set up a new life. Learning about life in Western Europe, for someone from a small village in Bulgaria, was like drinking from a fire hose.
Despite the excitement and craziness of this period, Ivan stayed steadfast determined to be a dog trainer. He rode a bicycle to watch the working dog club training and knew everything he had done to get there was worth the price. The concept of dog trainer in Europe at the time was not considered a livelihood providing occupation. It was generally considered a hobby. Taking this path would mean having humble means. Ivan had no possessions, no car, not even a bed. But he had an abundance of drive in his quest and saved enough money to buy a Malinois from most famous kennel in Belgium called Des Deux Pottois which is owned by Luc Vastenrugge.
Luc spoke to Ivan through an interpreter and the entire process seemed painfully slow. Ivan saw a dark pigment Malinois with black mask and fell in love. Luc had other thoughts. Having listened to Ivan’s enthusiasm, he decided he should have one particular high drive female with white socks that he felt would make a better competition dog. Ivan was disappointed. Seeing Ivan’s reaction, Luc suggested that Ivan take both dogs for two-weeks, and then decide which one he would keep. Ivan took both dogs and two weeks later returned the dark pigment dog. He named his new dog Nakita and together they would later compete at the 1994 FCI World Championship. But wait...that came later.
Ivan shares the moment with the person that he got his first Malinois from: Luc Vastenrugge
2017 FMBB World Champions Ivan with Qenny Ot Vitosha. Le Toquet, France.
Nakita was a super dog. Because Ivan didn't have a car, he would ride his bicycle with the Nakita running alongside from his apartment to the training ground. They would both be winded by the time they got to the field. She exceeded his expectations in the work and they both thrived with the exposure to advanced training and access to quality helpers. It was a dream experience to compete and also to be able to work on his craft as a decoy in Ring and Schutzhund. Two years after his arrival in Belgium his political refugee status expired and he was he was asked if he wanted to stay and become a Belgian citizen or would have to leave. He wanted to see more of the world and chose to leave.
Archive photo: Riding his only transportation, his bike, to club training in Belgium.
This was his first Malinois. Nakita Des deux Pottois.
For reasons that he didn’t fully understand, Ivan decided on the United States as his next adventure. He applied for immigration and was accepted. He chose San Francisco because of what he had seen in movies. (Seriously, he said that). The immigration department offered Ivan some programs intended to assist him get to his feet. But Ivan declined the government assistance. As he explained why, it was clear that he took pride in never having accepted help from host countries. Things were not so smooth at the beginning. Housing in San Francisco is very difficult to find and finding an apartment that allowed dogs and for someone with no job or credit was next to impossible. But somehow, he found a German woman who had a soft spot in her heart. She initially said no, twice. Then on the third ask, she consented to renting.
Ivan was looking for electrical trade work when one day he saw a van with a guide dog business sign on it's sides. Curious, he followed the van back to their office, walked in and looked around and just knew that this was what he wanted to do. He asked to speak to the manager, whereon he proclaimed “I need to work here!” They were shocked by his forwardness and not fully understanding his motiviation, they politely explained that “This is not how it works, thank you, good bye.” Ivan was persistent and continued to return repeatedly asking for work, offering to do whatever it took to work there. A few weeks of this and he was hired but limited to cleaning kennels and doing chores. Management eventually recognized Ivan’s training skills and feel for dogs, and then quickly advanced to become one of the trainers.
The work was extensive and left little time for his own dogs. But he had his feelers out and learned from DogSport Magazine of a roaming Schutzhund club that featured Dean Calderon. He went to Contra Costa Schutzhund Club for one of the sessions and this was his first taste of Schutzhund in the U.S. His dog was cross trained in Ring and kept biting Dean on the leg and crotch. Dean was getting twitchy, not knowing where on his body he would be bit next. It was fun and he started to build his network in the sport.
The guide dog training was a blessing because of the steady income provided the ability to build credit allowed him to get on his feet. But the rigid structure and time needed for training guide dogs was holding back his sport dog training. He found work as an animal behavioralist at the San Francisco SPCA that allowed more flexibility. The work involved evaluation and rehabilitation of problem dogs and offered a good balance that enabled him to put time into his increasing involvement in Schutzhund. He had begun traveling and doing seminars.
2018 AWDF in Galt, CA. Ivan with J.Ice Ot Vitosha at the end of back-half protection with helper Markus Hampton.
Some of the struggles he encountered had to do with the mindset within the sport. Having come from Belgium where there was a maximum commitment to training and competing, he had a hard time accepting that some people wanted to just train as a hobby and were not that serious. He also became aware that ‘Alternate Breeds’ did not have the support of some judges in the U.S. at championship level compared to what he had experienced in Belgium. He would usually earn one or two V scores but just couldn't string it together in all three phases. He kept his belief in this program told himself he would just raise his level.
1994 was a good year for Ivan. He went to the FCI World championship in Finland with Nakita and placed 12th which was the best ever USCA placing at the time. But it was not until that 2000 he had his break-out year and won the AWDF National Championship and earned FCI Vice World Champion. But it would prove to be just the beginning.
- 2000 WDF National Champion
- 2000 FMBB Vice-World Champion
- 2001 AWDF National Champion
- 2001 USCA National IPO Champion
- 2002 AWDF National Champion
- 2003 AWMA National Champion
- 2005 AWDF National Champion
- 2006 AWDF National Champion
- 2007 AWDF National Champion
- 2007 FCI World Champion
- 2007 FMBB World Champion
- 2009 AWMA National Champion
- 2014 AWMA National Champion
- 2015 AWMA National Champion
- 2015 AWDF National Champion
- 2016 AWMA National Champion
- 2016 AWDF National Champion
While achieving 17 national/world level championships has been satisfying, more important for Ivan was the validation of his life work. His work has been guided by a philosophy whose core attributes is harmony with the dog, letting it learn without conflict and respecting the dignity of the dog.
2016 AWDF Championship, Chicago, IL. 1st Place with Ebor Ot Vitosha, Working back half with Weston Kester.
Along the way Ivan developed a deep feeling for the importance of improving the Malinois breed in the way that Luc Vastenrugge had done so before him. Luc helped him understand the breed and blood lines. Luc had books and notes like an old scientist and this was the correct way in Ivan’s opinion. He founded Ot Vitosha and went about with the same conviction he did with his training. At one DVG National Championship, Ot Vitosha dogs swept the podium and many dogs have gone on to not only podium at Nationals, but win championships. Ot Vitosha is the name of a Mountain near his childhood city. He strives for focus, sound genetic temperament, and happy disposition while trying to maintain the proven blood-line that he grew up with. He knows the dogs and has worked the dogs in the blood lines going back 12-generations. He finds both breeding and training equally interesting.
In the early 2000’s while traveling for seminars, Ivan found a property in Florida that would be perfect for a kennel. A number of fortunate events happened at the right time that enabled him to purchased it. It was his ultimate dream. He loaded his dogs in a van and moved. An experience he had become familiar with. But this time he knew the days of living in an apartment with a ton of dogs was over. This was to be a new and exciting beginning and is where he lives today.
I asked Ivan for advice to a newbie in the sport:
“The starting point is to have to have goal and desire, without it you will be doomed to will fail. The sport is not easy and nothing will be handed to you. If you have the dream and are willing to chase it, then nothing can stop you. When it comes to training, if you don’t like something, stop and ask the training director- don’t just go along. If you don’t like what is happening to your dog, then it’s not the right thing. It doesn’t take a dog trainer to tell if the dog is treated with dignity or not. The problem with the sport in some corners, is that for some pursuit of scores makes it ok to mis-treat of the dog. Always place the well being and dignity of the dog first.”
Ivan’s life has been led from the very beginning by a love of dogs. His journey has at times seemed to have little certainty. He stood alone on the cliff and took a leap of faith and landed safely living life he had dreamed. Imagine his life if he had listened to those around him and not taken risk. We have only scratched the surface, his journey also included training government dogs, police dogs, dogs for the Air Force and Ring Sport. Today his influence on IPO, whether it be training, philosophy or blood lines is profound. He currently travels world-wide performing seminars and sharing his concepts.
J.Ice Ot Vitosha in back-half protection with Marcus Hampton at the 2018 AWDF National Championship in Galt, CA.
Ivan & Ibor Ot Vitosha on their way to winning the 2016 AWDF Championship.
Ivan and Ebor Ot Vitosha were the last dogs on the field for protection at the 2016 AWDF Championship. Ivan needed 97 points to win.
The moment Ivan hears the 97 score and realized he has won. Protection judge Randall Hoadley.
Immediately after Ivan's protection critique, he rushed to hug his friend and fellow competitor, Mario Sergio Gomes.
A single point separated the two. The friendship was bigger than their rivalry.
Ebor Ot Vitosha winning the 2015 AWDF Championship in Farmington, OH. Back-half helper Waine Singleton.
Ivan and national level helper Marcus Hampton discussing helper work while observing the competition
at the 2019 AWDF Championship in Little Rock, AR.
Author with Ivan. 2018 AWDF Championship Galt, CA.
Brian Aghajani is a freelance photographer based in Houston. He began his fascination with dog sport in 2000, has titled three dogs to IPO3 and competed in a handful of national IPO championships. He is an official photographer for most National IGP/Mondioring competition including the USCA, GSDCA, AWDF, AWMA and USMRA as well as the WUSV World Championship. Follow him on facebook
Fast forward to October 2018 WUSV in Denmark. I am having breakfast with Frank Phillips who was competing on the USA team before heading to the stadium to shoot the event and he is excitedly telling me about an upcoming breeding of Kliff vom Floyd Haus to Demi Malabig who is an Extreme Orex Aykmar daughter. This catches my full attention as Kliff was one of my all time favorite working dogs. I'm not sure if it is because of the Kliff factor or the way that Frank is talking about it. Either way, there are moments when plans change in an instant and this is one such moment. Before breakfast I did not have owning working dog in my future, and just like that I had to have a working dog in my future. I spoke with T. Floyd (who happened to also be competing on the USA team) night back at the hotel and got on the list for a puppy from this litter. For a long time after the passing of my last to dogs I felt my heart was just not ready for another dog. I always told myself I would know when it was the right time. That morning I decided it was time.
The puppies were born on February 23, 2019. Heartbreakingly, Kliff died shortly after. We were stunned. It was a devastating loss for Frank and the working dog community. This is a link to a tribute to Kliff, be forewarned you will need a box of Kleenex. I cried that day and my heart broke for Frank’s loss. I already felt a Kliff puppy was my inspiration to resume IPO training, but Kliff’s passing made it made it feel like this was meant to be. I took delivery of Rosso vom Floyd Haus, aka “Desmo” on May 2 at the USCA Working Dog Championship. I was nervous and excited as I put him on my lap. Who knows what the future will hold, but I trust the journey will be wonderful.
I started browsing my catalogue for photos Desmo’s pedigree. While most people will look to the internet, I get to look up my catalogue of 500,000 photos. So happens I have his Sir, Dam, and two of his grandparents, captured in all their glory competing in championships. Please allow me to pay homage to the wonderful bloodlines.
- Sire: Kliff vom Floyd Haus IPO3. 2018 2nd Place FCI World Championship. 2017 2nd Place FCI World IPO Championship. 2018 AWDF National IGP Champion. 2016 Canadian National Champion.
- Kliffs Dam: Hilda vom Floyd Haus IPO3 x2 National IPO competitor
- Dam: Demi Malabig IPO3. x2 National IPO competitor. 2019 2nd Place USCA GSD Nationals.
- Demi's Sire: Extreme Orex Aykmar IPO3 . 2017 2nd Place WUSV World IPO Championship, 2016 3rd Place WUSV IPO World Champion.
Sire: KLIFF VON FLOYD HAUS, IPO3
Desmo's Sire: Kliff von Floyd Haus, front-half at the 2017 WUSV IGP World Championship in Tilbrug, NL. Helper Jan van Maren.
Kliff vom Floyd Haus with Frank Phillips, front-half at the 2019 WUSV World IPO Championship in Randers, DK. Helper Martin Knudsen.
Kliff von Floyd Haus winning the 2018 AWDF National IPO Championship. Helper Marcus Hampton.
Frank Phillips & Kliff vom Floyd Haus 2018 USCA National IPO Championship
Dam: DEMI MALABIG, IPO3
Demi Malabig at the 2018 USCA National IPO Championship. Helper Jeff Davis.
Demi Malabig in the attack on handler out of back transport. T. Floyd on left. Helper Jeff Davis. 2018 USCA Natioanal IPO Championship in Pittsburgh, PA
Demi von Malabig stand out of running at the 2019 USCA National IPO Championship in Pittsburgh, PA.
T. Floyd & Demi Malabig heeling in obedience at the 2018 USCA National IPO Championship in Pittsburgh, PA.
Desmo's grandfather, mothers side: Extreme Orex Aykmar, IPO3
Desmo's grandfather on bottom side of pedigree: Extreme Orex Aykmar vice World Champion at the 2017 WUSV World IGP Championship in Tilburg, NL.
Extreme Orex Aykmar at the 2017 WUSV World IGP Championship in Tilburg, NL.
Extreme Orex Aykmar twisting front half helper Martin Knudsen at the 2018 WUSV World IGP Championship in Randers, DK.
Extreme Orex Aykmar at the 2017 WUSV World IGP Championship in Tilburg, NL.
Desmo's grandmother, fathers side: HILDA VOM FLOYD HAUS, IPO3
Hilda vom Floyd Haus bark & hold of Ryan White at the 2016 USCA National IPO Championship in Merced, CA.
Hilda vom Floyd Haus defends attack on handler out of back transport at the 2016 USCA National IPO Championship in Merced, CA.
Hilda vom Floyd Haus during the escape of the helper Adriel Linyear at the 2017 USCA National IPO Championship in Pittsburgh, PA.
Kelly Horgan & Hilda vom Floyd Haus fast heeling in obedience at the 2017 USCA National IPO Championship in Buffalo, NY.
Little Desmo- your time will come. We will be patient and enjoy your puppy years. Your forefathers have left their mark. Your little paws have some big footprints to fill. This will fun....anyone know a photographer that can capture our journey??
Brian Aghajani is a freelance photographer based in Houston. He began his fascination with dog sport in 2000, has titled three dogs to IPO3 and competed in a handful of national IPO championships. He is an official photographer for most National IGP/Mondioring competition including the USCA, GSDCA, AWDF, AWMA and USMRA as well as the WUSV World Championship. Follow him on facebook
At the 2019 WDC in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, there were a whopping 79 entries (73 IGP and 6 FH). Remarkably, six of the entries came from one kennel: Mack-Zwinger. Four offspring competed with their parents Elsa & Eiko. How this came about is the subject of this blog: Karen MacIntyre, of vom Mack-Zwinger kennel.
From Left: 21 Richard DeCoste & Harley IGP3; #78 Ashley Rebee Foersch & Basha von Ballamhain IGP3; #; #68 Joli vom Mack-Zwinger IGP2; #18 Claudia Hoffman & Jaecar vom Mack-Zwinger IGP3; #1 Mike Harrington & Hanyo vom Mack-Zwinger IGP3; #24Jen Sutrick & Hannelore vom Mack-Zwinger IGP3;
#76 Karen MacIntyre & Eiko vom Mack-Zwinger IGP3, FH, RH2
Karen is an USCA IGP Judge, USCA Conformation Judge, USCA Breed Warden, National level IGP competitor and Breeder. Following is the roster of vom Mack-Zwinger dogs entered in the WDC with one additional dog that although is not vom Mack-Zwinger, but was sired by one of her dogs.
- #76 Eiko vom Mack-Zwinger 2019 USCA WDC FH National Champion & Sire
- #1 Hanyo vom Mack-Zwinger HOT IGP3 by Mike Harrington
- #24 Hannelore vom Mack-Zwinger HOT IGP3 by Jennifer Sutrick
- #21 Harley vom Mack-Zwinger HOT by Richard DeCoste
- #68 Joli vom Mack-Zwinger HOT by Karen DeCoste
- #18 Jaecar vom Mack-Zwinger BHOT IGP3 by Karen MacIntyre
- #78 Basha von Fallamhain HOT by Ashley Rebe Foersch is included in this group because her Sire is Eiko vom Mack-Zwinger
2019 USCA WDC FH Champions Karen MacIntyre & Eiko vom Mack-Zwinger IPO3, FH, RH2
Karen grew up in a family that loved and raised German Shepherd Dogs. After graduating from school she was able to get her own dog in the 70s and quickly took to obedience training. She started with AKC obedience at first. Then one day during a veterinarian visit, the vet suggested Karen check out Schutzhund as it was called then (now called IGP). She started with the North American Schutzhund Assoc. in 1981 and then moved to USCA in 1983. She competed in 15 national championships, all with Handler/Owned/Trained (H.O.T.) dogs. Meanwhile, she also trained many of her dogs for search work which included cadaver, water and rubble searches. She found that many within the working search dog community had negative association with Schutzhund dogs for that type of work due to temperament needed. Overcoming this stigma was a big motivator in her selection and philosophy for her breeding program.
Vom Mack-Zwinger breeding philosophy was heavily influenced by a frustration in finding working dogs with good environmental temperament. Karen above all wanted a balance of drives, environmental stability and structure. She found this combination and balance to be a rare combination. She was also disappointed in the direction many of the show and working lines were headed. She set out on her quest and whelped her first litter in 1981.
Mike Harrington & Hanyo vom Mack-Zwinger IGP3 (male) 'Send Out' during obedience
Her breeding program was proven in IGP competition as well as search & rescue. There was a key decision that ultimately resulted in the large representation in this years WDC. It was about ten years ago, having followed the offspring of Sid vom Haus Pixner (particularly with search dogs in Austria) as well as working-confirmation balance in the J-litter Talka Marda, Karen learned that Ajay Singh was planning a litter from of these dogs in 2007. She took the risk on a puppy from this breeding named Nessie vom Patiala. Next, she found a diamond in the rough, Uno vom Siegener Krochnen, a very strong dog that had been through multiple handlers before he found his home with Karen. Uno and Nessie were Karen’s idea of the dream match. They produced the EE liter (Eiko and Elsa) which is the foundation of what is shown in these photos today. EIko has won the FH Championship at this event and is a x4 IGP National competitor. Elsa is a multiple-time national IGP competitor. Four of the offspring competed in this event with their parent Eiko and Elsa. Eiko is also certified cadaver dog (IPWDA Cadaver & Water), water search dog and rubble disaster dog (RH2).
Jen Sutrick's Hannelore vom Mack-Zwinger IGP3 (female) defending the 'Attack on handler out of back-transport' by Ryan White
Karen DeCoste's Joli vom Mack-Zwinger IGP2 (female) Bark & Hold on helper Colt Dickson
Ashley Rebe Foersch's Basha von Ballamhain IGP3 (female) during 'Attack on handler out of back transport' by Ryan White
Karen’s primary source of motivation is her training group. Her friend and fellow competitor Claudia Hoffman keeps her encouraged to put in the work. Her dog sport club, Southern New Hampshire Working Dog Club, is a serious club focused on high level competition. She also trains with, and finds inspiration from, with multi-time national champions and world competitors Mike Diehl and Frank Phillips.
Her advice for a person new to the sport is to “hang in there!” It takes a lot of work before you start to see the results and be prepared to put a 100,000 miles on your car before you get anywhere. She subscribes to the Philosophy “do something to get something.” It works in training, it works in life…it just works.
Richard DeCoste's Harley vom Mack-Zwinger IGP3 (male) during pressure phase of the Long Bite with Jeffery Davis
Karen MacIntyre & Eiko vom Mack-Zwinger IGP3, FH, RH2
Karen MacIntyre checking out with judge during obedience with Jaecar vom Mack-Zwinger (male) BHOT IGP3
I don’t know if we will ever see this incredible achievement of a six dog from single kennel competing in a national championship again. I was glad to have been there and photographed this remarkable event.
Brian Aghajani is a freelance photographer based in Houston. He began his fascination with dog sport in 2000, has titled three dogs to IPO3 and competed in a handful of national IPO championships. He is an official photographer for most National IGP/Mondioring competition including the USCA, GSDCA, AWDF, AWMA and USMRA as well as the WUSV World Championship. Follow him on facebook
]]>
Of the judges I have observed, all special in their own right, Pierre Wahlström stands out. He earned my immediate respect with his keen eye and knowledge of the rules, but soon had me looking forward to each critique as the trial evolved. I learned, laughed and enjoyed his commentaries after each performance. Competitors would hear their critiques and leave with better understanding of what to work on, even when the scores were not what they hoped for. I was fascinated to know more about this judge.
October 2017 Obedience
WUSV World Championship in Tilburg, NL.
For anyone not familiar with Pierre Wahlström, a brief summary of his working dog accomplishments is in order:
- 2007 WUSV World Champion
- 2006 WUSV Vice-World Champion
- 7x Swedish World IGP Team Member
- 4x Judge of FCI World IGP Championship
- 2x Judge of WUSV World IGP Championship
- 2x Judge of FMBB World IGP Championship
- 4x Breeder of GSDs competing at World Championship
- 10 years as Chief K9 Temperament and Evaluation for Service in Swedish Military
- SV & FCI licensed Judge
I first met Pierre in 2017 at the USCA New England IGP Regionals in Merrimack, NH. He was judging the obedience and protection phases. I had the chance to chat with him during the Judge’s Dinner and while sharing a ride to the airport. A month later we met again at the 2017 WUSV World Championship in Tilburg, NL, where he was Assistant Obedience Judge and I was a photographer.
Pierre was raised in a working dog family, but his first passion was wrestling. He was a competitive wrestler in school, and competed on the Swedish National Team. His working dog exposure overlapped his school wrestling career but it would not be long before the dog passion would eclipse everything. His main influence came from his father, Jan Walström. Jan was passionate about GSDs and trained scent detection, bomb and service dogs. In Sweden, most service dogs live in the house with their handler, as a pet would. He had his first working dog in his mid-teens and at the age of 19 he earned his first top level Schutzhund title (equivalent to what is now IGP3). The fire was lit and in an amazing journey, he had become a WUSV World Champion within 7 years!
September 2017 Pierre Wahlström
USCA New England Region IPO Championship
In the nineties, IGP in Sweden was going through somewhat of a training awakening. Sweden had never fielded a national IGP team. In 1999 they fielded their first ever world team, of which Pierre was a member, and the next year they earned top scoring team. This team had aspirations to shape and modernize training in Sweden. The teams vision was a primary motivator too, for four of the national team members to strive to become FCI Judges. Pierre went on to be selected for world championships for the FCI, WUSV and FMBB - seven times in all.
Pierre has been in the Swedish Military for 30 years. He spent two years with the Air Force before becoming a K9 handler, followed by K9 trainer in the Military. He is now head of K9 testing and evaluation for the Swedish military. Their testing program is the only one of its kind and has put more than 3,000 dogs through the program.
Pierre also has a personal breeding program with his kennel called Imzsedrifts in Sjöbo, southern Sweden. Imzsedrifts has produced twelve world championship level competition GSDs.
IPG is an all season activity. Pierre Wahlström with Jennifer Marschausen braving the elements during protection phase
2017 USCA New England Region IPO Championship in Merrimack, MA.
2006 WUSV 96 points obedience under Judge Doug Deacon in Bratsislava, Slovakia.
Photo: Jan Redder www.sport-dogs.nl
I asked Pierre to tell me what his thought process was that made his critiques so riveting. I already knew that he is exceptionally articulate and intelligent, in addition to being a subject expert. While impressive, these attributes are common with many top judges. He explained that it is not a judge’s purpose to explain what the team did during the exercise, everyone already observed that. He prefers adjectives, rather than nouns, and likes to think of the critique as feedback. On the sensitive topic of points, he had a remarkably clear perspective that points do not matter, rather it’s the ranking that counts, and that it’s natural for championships to be scored more discriminately because the difference between top level dogs is very close. I recalled how he explained that one dog in particular cleared the 1M hurdle with hind legs extended, and how this was revealing of genetic balance between drives as well as good technique. It was at this moment I noticed his critiques were not the normal variety. He had my attention. In another instance, he joked that the subtle cueing which one competitor used were very good, but that the judge also knows these tricks. These commentaries, delivered with a kind and respectful tone, made it one of the most enjoyable championships I have seen.
When answering a question to what advice he would give a novice handler, Pierre paused for a moment and gave thoughtful response. He said dog sport participants are passionate by nature. It’s a key ingredient in the sport. This passion can sometimes bring out some of the unfavorable traits in people with comments and energy which may detract from the sport, or worse, dishearten a young handler. His advice would be not to let people discourage you from your goals. It takes courage, commitment and belief in your dog and yourself to step into the ring, and not to let comments of others pull you back from your dream.
Pierre Wahlström, May 2019
USCA Working Dog Championship in Sturbridge, MA.
Meeting Pierre was like making an unexpected discovery. Once one experiences his passion, understanding of dogs and his overall vibrations, you are left smiling. He is an exceptional character in the dog world. Pierre will judge the obedience phase at the 2019 WUSV World Championship this year in Modena, Italy. I will be shooting this event and am very much looking forward to Pierre Wahlstrom’s judging critiques.
About the author
Brian Aghajani is a freelance photographer based in Houston. He began his fascination with dog sport in 2000, has titled three dogs to IPO3 and competed in a handful of national IPO championships. He is an official photographer for most National IGP/Mondioring competition including the USCA, GSDCA, AWDF, AWMA and USMRA as well as the WUSV World Championship. Follow him on facebook
In the last 5-years I have photographed more than a thousand competitors at national or world level Dog Sport championships. Once in a while, a handler will catch my attention. It can be for a variety of reasons: brilliance of handling skills, a special energy of the team, handler/dog bond, and so on. Sometimes I may not notice it at all at the event and only later, in the quiet of the editing studio, will I notice something special. All the above applies to Francois Massart, who I have seen at two national Mondio Ring championships and it led to this interview.
Francois won the Level 2 class at the 2019 USMRA Mondio Ring National Championship with Layton Waltham Forest, a couple of weeks before I penned this piece. I often say that earning a podium at a national Dog Sport championship represents skill, determination, time and money commitment on a scale that few can imagine. It will count as one of the biggest achievements in most people’s life. However, Francois’ podium was only the latest addition to a string of impressive Dog Sport accomplishments. He is also an accomplished Ring Sport decoy. This last sentence is an understatement.
- X4 Decoy at French National Mondio Ring Championship (2009, 2011, 2012, 2015)
- X4 Decoy at World Mondio Ring Championship (2007, 2010, 2014, 2017)
- Decoy USA Mondio Ring National Championship in 2016
- X100+ combined trials as Decoy in French and Mondio Ring
Francois was Raised in Grande-synthe near Dunkirk, France. His father Patrick Massart was an avid French Ring participant, competing and doing decoy duties with their local Ring Sport club. His father was a big influence on Francois’ understanding of dogs and at age six he got his first try as a decoy. He wore a jacket and presented a sleeve for an experienced dog. The impression it made would shape his life.
Patrick Massart advised his son against getting his own dog until he was able to handle the responsibilities. This meant the age of 14 before he would be able to train his own dog. François, fueled his fire working dogs, training with many of the clubs in France and then across borders. He traveled all around Europe and gained experience and expanded his breadth of training concepts. He would be influenced by the thinking approach and philosophy of a trainer named Olivier Roussel. And then his mind opened to modern training in Finland with marking behaviors and operant conditioning.
2019 USMRA Mondioring National Championship. Level 2 Champion. Heeling.
2019 USMRA National Championship. Defense of Handler, Level 2.
At 16 he got his first working line dog, a Malinois named Demos du banc des Hermelles. This was a quality working dog and Francois was eager to have his chance with his own dog. With this first dog he went all the way to the French Ring Cup ‘Quimperle’ in 2013 and they earned 10th place.
Between 2007 and 2015, he filled three helper score books with more than 100 Mondio and French Ring trials. Life was good. Then in 2015 he visited Southern California for a training seminar and met his wife-to-be, Erene, who was also a Dog Sport competitor. She was studying law in Florida and had come out for the seminar. The friendship blossomed into romance and within a few months, they realized a long distance set up was building drive so-to-speak.
Francois made the decision to move to America, so he and Erene could be together. It meant leaving the life he knew in France, the training network, his livelihood and his family, for love. But ahead was a life with his love and the possibility of a life uncharted.
2018 USMRA Mondioring National Championship. Second Place Level 1. Defense of Handler.
2018 USMRA National Championship. Face Attack with John Lugo.
Francois’ father loved Dog Sport, but he felt it should be a pastime, not a livelihood, as it is very difficult to earn a living through dogs. Despite the abundant respect Francois felt for his father, he believed it is possible. Erene felt the same, and shortly after she finished law school they settled in Temecula, California and opened Marvel K9, a boarding and training facility, and the couples’ full-time business.
They also founded Marvel K9 Ring Sport Club. This club earned 1st place Level 3 with Gene Baillif, 1st Place Level 2 with Francois, and 2nd Place Level 2 with Leanne Shinton at this event - a testament to the impact a quality training club and talented decoy can have on top level competition. There was a common thread in the handlers’ style. A measured, poised calm that the three radiated. The dog/handler relationship was balanced and harmonious. The dogs delivered their potential. It was not just one, but all three that excelled. Marvel K9 Ring Sport Club won Top Club award.
Top Club Award for Marvel K9 at the 2019 USMRA Mondioring National Championship.
From putting on a decoy jacket at 6 years of age to meeting the love of his life and living out his dream doing what he loves. Dog Sport is not for everyone, but for those it touches, it can take you where you belong.
About the author
Brian Aghajani is a freelance photographer based in Houston. He began his fascination with dog sport in 2000, has titled three dogs to IPO3 and competed in a handful of national IPO championship. He is an official photographer for most National IGP/Mondioring competition including the USCA, GSDCA, AWDF, AWMA and USMRA as well as the WUSV World Championship. Follow him on facebook
]]>
Gene Baillif & Crank Ot Vitosha won their first national on their first try at the 2019 USMRA National Mondioring Championship in San Diego, CA. To say this feat is unfathomable does not do the achievement justice. Impossible is more like it. Level 3 Mondioring is one of the most difficult working dog titles. You can sooner earn a black belt than a Level 3 title in Mondioring. Needless to say, National Championships are scored with a brutal judges pencil. Adding to the impossibility, he was competing against two multiple time world-level competitors in Paul Anthony & Patti Phillips and one of the best USA competitors, Todd Dunlap. The performance seemed to come out of nowhere, a stunning upset. Or was it...
Like any overnight success, the back story years in the making and this true of Gene’s journey. Even so, this rise to the pinnacle was definitely faster than anyone would expect. No matter how you look at it, winning the Level 3 Mondioring National Championship ones first attempt is nothing short of outrageous.
Morgan Blanchard working Crank in the Face Attack with Accessories
Gene’s dog sport fascination started more recently than most top-level competitors. One day after work while completing his BS in Political Science at North Carolina State he began a pre-med program he found some working dog videos on the internet and started to research dog sports. This led to his first dog, a mixed breed that that he began to explore the training he had seen. His first Mondioring influence would be the articulate Michael Ellisa. Gene drank in every bit of information, seminar and training concept he could find. About this time he began working with Juan Galvis as a pet dogs trainer. This gained importance in Gene's life to the tipping point where he quite his work clinical research and premed work. The pet training and Juan provided Gene the the foundation that would be instrumental in his training system. However to train to competition level in dog sport requires solid and experienced dog club support and this meant that Gene had to travel more than 10 hours for each training session. During this time he also trained with Jack Schneider in Minnesota. This long distance travel for training was one of the first tests of determination, but this test would pale in comparison to what he would have to do in the years that followed to pursuit his dreams of competing.
A later influence was Ivan Balabanov. Gene’s academic background and Ivan’s cerebral approach to training and psychology were a good fit and proved motivational for Gene. Gene would got a puppy from Ivan's kennel and named it Crank Ot Vitosha. As Crank neared being ready for his Level 1, He was in need of more protection training and Gene began traveling cross country to train traning with Francois Massart of Marvel K9 Ringsport Club in San Diego. They would continue make this trip from east coast to west coast to train as time and money would allow. Francois is a x3 world level helper and has more than 100 Mondio and Frenchring trials under his belt.
As Crank advance, Gene had to face that to get to his goal of high level competition he had to have more frequent access to training with a club. This turned out to be a definitive point. The balance of travel for training and working in his home town would not get hime where he wanted to be. He made the leap of faith to quit his pre-med studies and his dog training business in North Carolina and move to San Diego to commit to the program and live near his preferred club. His girlfriend believed in Gene and his dream and together they set out in follow their destiny to a life focused on dog sport. Gene found new dog training work opportunity in their new home and found their tribe with their training club Marvel K9 Ringsport Club. This would prove to be a very good combination indeed.
It took four years to take Crank from to Level 3. On the way they racked up some impressive scores: They were the 4th to ever score a perfect 200 score at Level 1; 285 of 300 possible in Level 2 ; and to top that 365 points of 400 possible points to win their first try at the 2019 USMRA Mondioring Nationals. As if that was not enough, they won with 35 points in hand. Equally cool was that his training decoy Francois won Level 2. Making it wins in Level 1 & 2 for Marvel K9 Ringsport Club.
High Jump at 1.2M
Long Jump at 4.0M
Escort with Morgan Blanchard
Object Guard with Morgan Blanchard
Fleeing Attack with Jake Scott
As Gene and Crank walked off the field having turned in a National Championship winning performance on their first try, it hadn't sunk in. They worked so hard, they were use to the effort. It had become who they are. It took a while to realize they had achieved a life's goal.
Marvel K9 Ringsport Club had a good week end with 1st Level 3 and 1st + 2nd Level 2. From left: Francois Massart, Gene Baillif and Lianne Shinton.
This may be Gene & Crank’s first showing at national level, but it certainly won’t be the last. They let go of pursuit of material possessions and opinions of peers to follow the dream do what he loves most. This win is a celebration for all of us that wonder what would happen if we only just follow our heart.
Comments welcome below :)
About the author
Brian Aghajani is a freelance photographer based in Houston. He began his fascination with dog sport in 2000, has titled three dogs to IPO3 and competed in a handful of national IPO championship. He is an official photographer for most National IGP/Mondioring competition including the USCA, GSDCA, AWDF, AWMA and USMRA as well as the WUSV World Championship. Follow him on facebook
Anyone who follows IPO/IGP competition knows this may be one of the best working line GSDs of our generation. Those that had the good fortune to see him on the trial field with Frank Phillips got to see tracking, grip, power, precision and a relationship that set a world standard. Best of all, off the field this dog would steal your heart with his friendly nature.
Kliff was perfect for Frank and vise versa. Frank loved this dog beyond words. It was the type of love that we all hope to find. Witnessing it filled your heart with joy. They were nothing short of an inspiration.
With tears in my eyes, I went through the photos I had made over the last 3 years since Kliff made his national competition debut. I picked out some of my favorites captured at national and world championships around the world. From the first time I saw them as a team I was struck their bond. I am honored to have been there to witness their harmony and to see this magical creature doing what he loved most.
April 2016 Frank Phillips & a 3 year old Kliff make their national competition debut at the AWDF Championship in Chicago, IL.
May 2016 at the Working Dog Championship in Chelsea, MI.
November 2016 at the USCA National IPO3 Championship in Merced, CA.
October 2017 at the WUSV IPO World Championship in Tilburg, NL.
November 2017 USCA GSD National Championship in Indianapolis, IN.
April 2018 at the AWDF IPO National Championship in Galt, CA.
October 2018 at the WUSV IPO World Championship in Randers, DK.
November 2018 at theUSCA GSD National IPO Championship in Pittsburgh, PA.
Kliff vom Floyd Haus, you will be missed. More than words can say.
What made this even more special was the attendance of four individuals that had immeasurable influence on how I see and understand dog sports. This post is a tribute to a few people who had such a profound affect on where my life would lead in the years ahead.
Otto & I after our first SchH3 trial at the San Jose GSD Club in 2002
Ajay Singh
In 2001 I had an unknown lineage GSD named Otto. Otto wanted to kill the world. I was desperate for training before this dog fulfilled his wish. I found a behavioral trainer who gave lessons at a police K9 training field. We started our work on controlling a scary dog (scary for an inexperienced handler). A Schutzhund training club also trained there and that is where Ajay came up and introduce himself. I remember it like it was yesterday. He had a huge smile and asked to see my GSD. I warned him I could not let him out of his crate because he was 'dangerous.' Ajay laughed and said "bring him out on the field!" We did our first training session right there and I was hooked. Ajay introduced me to all three phases and guided me through my first BH. This nerve bag dog would go on to earn x2 SchH3. Ajay was the spark.
Dave Deleissegues working Dasti von Stoffelblick in front-half of 2005 USCA NW Regionals where she earned high protection with 97pts.
Dave Deleissegues
I'll never forget the first words Dave said "does this dog have a quiet command?" in response to Otto's obnoxious ear piercing scream while walking on the field. Dave provided the sure and steady guidance for Otto to go all the way to x2 IPO3. In one trial Otto grabbed Dave's hand during guarding. My heart stopped for a moment but Dave didn't flinch and the judge didn't see it. I hugged Dave after. IPO3 for Otto was a feat few thought would be possible. When I got Dasti vom Stoffelblick is when I come to fully appreciate Dave's amazing talent. Dave was *is* why Dasti earned Top Female placement in the 2005 USCA IPO3 Nationals with 280 points and also a big part of her FH2. I could not have done any of these achievements without him. Dave is the master trainer.
Randy Witmer-Tyson
Randy has been involved in my journey at some level from fist days on the field with Ajay. She imported two young dogs for me. I would take both Dasti von Stoffelblick, and later Balko vom Florinsburnnen, to HOT in national IPO competition. She gave me solid advice on training and included me in the opportunity to train in Germany and Austria. Randy was my encyclopedia and gave me the hard, direct advice that most won't for fear of offending. I learned so much from her on dog care, training and sport dogs. For a person like me who was easily caught up in the excitement and competition, Randy calmed me down and emphasized the importance of the whole picture: structure, grip, temperament and bloodlines. Randy was an early supporter of my photography, saying the photos are important for the breed. When the time came for Bella and later Balko to pass, it was Randy that I called to help me find the strength to handle the loss. Randy is wisdom and a guiding light.
Randy Witmer-Tyson with Michael Ruckman spectating at the 2018 USCA NW Regionals
Terry Macias
Terry was a high level Ivy League wrestler and is competitive to the extreme. He is also a life long GSD/IPO enthusiast and totally committed to the GSD. Terry heads up the San Jose GSD Club. When I first visited the club I was smitten with the seriousness of the mission and support of the club. They trained to compete and got the best out of every dog and handler. He made an inclusive environment that encouraged commitment and we had a blast. Terry’s high standards and love of the working dog was contagious. He made this club like family. Terry was coach.
Terry, Dave and Ajay at the 2018 USCA NW Regional IPO Championship.
Two decades have passed since that beginning in 2001. I have photographed literally hundreds of dog/hander teams around the world and made many friends along way. I have learned so much but also that there is so much more that I don't know about dogs. This trip brought it full circle. None of my dog journey experiences would have happened had these special people not taken an interest in a novice handler, with a scrappy dog, who had nothing to offer but a desire to be a better handler (and maybe find a way to make his dog safer). I hope in some small way, my photography is a way for me to return the love.
See you out on the training field or stadium!
About the author
Brian Aghajani is a freelance photographer based in Houston. He began his fascination with dog sport in 2000, has titled three dogs to IPO3 and competed in a handful of national IPO championship. He is an official photographer for most National IGP/Mondioring competition including the USCA, GSDCA, AWDF, AWMA and USMRA as well as the WUSV World Championship. Follow him on facebook
Jessica got her first GSD when she was only six and has had one as a companion ever since. While she loved doing obedience and activities with her dogs, she knew that there was more they could do together.
Jessica Vampola working Hold & Bark with Akula Zemli von der Kreisen, IPO1.
While working as a paramedic she would often be around K9 teams. In 2010, a K9 officer invited her to watch training and there she saw her first IPO team. She was awestruck and things would never be the same. IPO was her new passion.
She joined Aztec Schutzhund Club in the Southwestern Region and began her IPO journey that led to her earning IPO3 titles on two of her GSDs. She qualified for and will participate in this years GSD Nationals in Indianapolis, IN come November.
The escape with Akula. Fantastic grip and power.
While IPO training and competing is her passion, it wasn’t long before she developed curiosity about wearing the sleeve as a helper. Mostly motivated by a desire to better understand the dogs, but partly too because she enjoys the adrenaline. In her thirst to learn she attended helper seminars and helper colleges, and eventually earned USCA helper certification in 2015. She has served as helper in a number of trials. I was fortunate to be able to capture those skills in this collection of images.
Long bite with Akula.
Solid temperment and handsome: Akula von Kreisen, IPO1 enjoying work in the pressure phase.
Game face
Escape with Jason Meadows' Albus van Meerhout.
Building confidence in a promising young Albus.
Working grips with Albus.
Archive image: a 6 year old Jessica with her first love, a baby GSD named Heidi.
Jessica works out 6 days week so she can bring her best level of physical fitness to the trial field.
I would like to extend a sincere thank you to the club members of The Greater Houston Schutzhund Club for allowing us to work Lee Hendrick's Akula and Jason Meadows' Albus for this photo session and for making us feel so welcome. Their graciousness can not be overstated.
This article is part of a series of biographies called IPO Profiles which is my hope of celebrating vibrant, unique and passionate dog sport enthusiasts that I have enjoyed meeting during my travels to photograph IPO and Conformation championships. If you enjoyed this blog, please feel free to leave a comment or like on the Facebook button at the top. Thank you for following. I hope to see you on the training field!
About the author
Brian Aghajani is a freelance photographer based in Houston. He began his fascination with dog sport in 2000, has titled three dogs to IPO3 and competed in a handful of national IPO championship. He is an official photographer for most National IGP/Mondioring competition including the USCA, GSDCA, AWDF, AWMA and USMRA as well as the WUSV World Championship. Follow him on facebook
In 2014 I photographed the Northwestern Regional Championship in Lincoln, CA. It was my first time photographing a Championship IPO event after having been a competitor for more than 10 years. There I met a relatively new helper named Weston Kester. I was impressed with his solid and safe technique, intensity and power. I learned that he had only been doing helper work for a couple of years, which made his performance all the more noteworthy. However, what really struck me about Weston was his soft spoken and sincere character. This, and the positive, supportive dynamics he has with his charming wife Elise. Now and again one meets folks that replenish your faith in humanity. Weston and Elise are two of these people.
One year earlier Weston and Elise had taken a leap of faith to follow their dream of becoming professional dog trainers. Doing so would mean uprooting from their home state and semblance of familiarity to seek out the best dog training mentors. I don’t know too many people that have the courage to leave job, home and security to pursuit their dream, particularly when holding the responsibilities of raising two toddlers. Yet they did so, and Weston found his mentor in John Riboni of Placer County Schutzhund Club in Lincoln, CA. Elise & Weston moved their entire family to California to train with John, and to open a dog training and boarding business in Loomis called Canine Purpose.
Back-half side transport at 2016 AWDF in Chicago, IL with Frank Philips & Kliff.
The following year at the 2015 GSD Nationals in Bowling Green, Kentucky, I saw Weston listed as one of the helpers. I was shocked any helper could develop so fast. I figured at best Weston could earn a spot as alternate and gain some big event experience. Not because Weston is not talented, but because the IPO3 helper selections are almost universally awarded to helpers with extensive championship experience. This is for good reason. The differences between top dogs is often less than a handful of points, so helpers must be powerful enough to really test the top dogs in the country, and must do so with exceptional technique on dogs they have never seen. They also must deliver the stamina to repeat consistent performance for up to 80 dogs. This is not the place to test an unknown helper, and for a very long time now, proven helpers with big trial experience have been the rule.
Courage test at 2016 AWDF in Chicago IL with Kristi Hudak's Jay.
It seems no one told Weston any of this. With his wife and children watching from the side of the field, he gave 100% during his helper tryout. He impressed all the judges and earned the front-half IPO3 spot! It was an unbelievable achievement and an incredible redemption for having taken that leap of faith to move from Utah to California a few years earlier. The first thing he did was call John Riboni to share the good news. There were more surprises to follow as John took the red eye flight to Kentucky to see his protégé in his maiden National appearance.
Attack Out of Back Transport at the 2015 USCA GSD Nationals with WUSV World Champion Debbie Zappia & Iron.
Since that first national event last November, Weston has been selected for the following tho consecutive national IPO events: back-half IPO3 helper for both the 2016 AWDF Championship in Chicago, IL and the 2016 WDC Championship in Chelsea, MI. Next on the to-do list will be the 2016 USCA Nationals in Merced, CA in November. No doubt we will see Weston in many National events in the future!
Putting real pressure on Frank Horner's Phalko under watchful eye of USCA Judge Randall Hoadley at the 2016 AWDF IPO Championship.
Unflinching in the face of a Ron Wattana's formidable Kash at Weston's first National Championship during the 2016 USCA GSD Nationals.
Kester family at the 2015 GSD Nationals in Bowling Green, KY.
Please leave a comments below or click the Facebook 'Like' button on the top :)
About the author
Brian Aghajani is a freelance photographer based in Houston. He began his fascination with dog sport in 2000, has titled three dogs to IPO3 and competed in a handful of national IPO championship. He is an official photographer for most National IGP/Mondioring competition including the USCA, GSDCA, AWDF, AWMA and USMRA as well as the WUSV World Championship. Follow him on facebook
]]>
Diane Vegsund, Zari and Colleen Gorgas at the 2016 Northwestern Regional IPO Championship.
Last Thanksgiving holiday Colleen had the misfortune of an accident in her home that resulted in a broken hip. It left her struggling to manage normal household activities, let alone train her young IPO dog Zari. Friends and members of her club came out to help. Friend and club member Sherri Balcioni took on Zari's training and handled in her IPO1 while also caring for Colleen while she was in the hospital. This was truly a village effort and I apologize to others whose contributions I missed as there were many.
Enter Diane Vegsund, a California Highway Patrol Officer with a direct, no nonsense way about her. She lives near Colleen and the two had become friends at their training club. When Diane heard through the grapevine of Colleen's misfortune, and knowing that she did not have family in the area, she took it upon herself to check in on her. When she did, she found Colleen to be feisty even though extremely limited in mobility. What she quickly found was that to Colleen, her most important want was to see Zari trained to IPO3. Diane had an idea.
Coleen's dreams for Zari was to get the IPO3 at the Northwestern Regional IPO Championship, which was only 10 months after she broke her hip. As impossible as it seemed, Sherrie, Diane and others went about training Zari in all three phases with determination. They tracked her as often as they could and trained obedience and protection at WOW with Joel Monroe. This would lead to Diane doing the prep for the IPO2 & IPO3, and Colleen could then handle her in the trial once she had recovered. The plan was in place and it would be a true team effort to make it happen.
Diane and Zari discussing what to do next with the big bad guy (Westen Kester) in the front half of protection phase.
In the weeks before the NW Regionals, Zari had developed nicely and looked ready. But then there would be unexpected challenges. Colleen’s recovery had a setback, making her unable to manage the physical demands of handling Zari in the trial. The solution was for Diane to step in as handler. Then just before the trial Zari came in season! Was this the obstacle that would stop them in their goal? That detail would mean she could not practice at the set practice times on the field like the other dogs, and must trial after all the other dogs on Sunday. This is a serious disadvantage. This is done in fairness to other dogs so they will not be distracted. Diane, Colleen and Zari would have to hope for the best; they had come too far to stop now!
On trial day, Obedience went well with a respectable 81 score, considering limited practice on the field. In protection Zari looked powerful but had a moment with a mistimed long bite in the back-half of Protection, sailing past helper Tim Cutter. To her credit, Zari came back in hard and full, and earned the approval of Judge Frank Phillips and a solid 84 points. After the last critique was announced and the dust had settled, Zari not only passed, she earned 5th place overall!
Things happen fast at 30mph and a 1/10 of a second difference can mean the difference between full grip and a fly-by.
Immediately after the miss Zari came back in hard and full to make sure the helper paid the price.
Despite all the adversity, nothing was going to stop Colleen from her goal of showing Zari at the Regionals, thanks to a little GSD with big courage, and few friends with huge hearts. Looking back the adversity probably made it all the more special.
Zara vom Osterfeld, looking pleased with her new IPO3 title
Sherrie Balcioni worked with Zari to get her IPO1 title. Here shown with her own dog Obi
If you enjoyed this blog, please give my page a like or review. Thank you for following.
About the author
Brian Aghajani is a freelance photographer based in Houston. He began his fascination with dog sport in 2000, has titled three dogs to IPO3 and competed in a handful of national IPO championship. He is an official photographer for most National IGP/Mondioring competition including the USCA, GSDCA, AWDF, AWMA and USMRA as well as the WUSV World Championship. Follow him on facebook
To an outsider, SCSC is little more than a fenced dirt lot along side HW101 with a tiny storage shed and six floodlights. In fact, I remember as a youth I rode past on a bicycle and wondered what the heck it was for! However to members of the club it holds mystical qualities. This is where our second family meets twice a week. It is hallowed ground where magical transformations happen. It is where we stay late into the night practicing and working the tiniest training details, in hope of bringing out the best in our dogs. It is where Dave Deleissegues works his mad skills and where so many legendary IPO trainers and competitors have worked their dogs. Respected names like the Igon Vollrath & his sons Martin and Thomas, Dean Calderon & Ivan Balabanov worked their dogs here. This my friends, is the place!
On this night the club members were preparing for the Northwestern Regional IPO Championship which will be held near Sacramento in two weeks. The raw energy and nerves of being at pre-trial in the training cycle came rushing back to me. The weather was a seasonal Northern California summer evening clear and comfortable 70F. One of the members brought home made egg rolls. There is something about eating at training fields that makes the food taste better than anything you find at a restaurant.
And so begins another evening of training. More than a decade later.
Photographing fast moving dark objects in extreme low light does not make for a happy photographer. The low light reduces contrast and makes focus difficult. Slow shutter speeds are needed to get reasonable exposures which means inevitable blur. These conditions are opposite of whats needed for sharp images. But I was happy to just be part of the energy of this evening and would I would make do as best as I could. Although I could freeze the action with flash, I opted for minimal flash so I could bring in some of the environment for context. I have the new Nikon D5 which is the best low light sport camera available as of this writing and earned its keep in these conditions.
Mario Fernandez working the back line.
Mario Fernandez has been Dave's primary assistant helper for years. While an outstanding and safe training helper in his own right, Mario is exceptional in his obsession with pedigrees and IPO history. The obscure dog sport facts, trainer achievements, trial scores and pedigree details he can recite from memory is nothing short of amazing.
Like a high school reunion, coming home to my first club was full of seemingly conflicting emotions, a cocktail of happiness and melincoly. I stayed until the last flood light was turned off. Something inside me wished the night would never end. I love this field and the people that gather here with a their deep love of dogs. As I drove away from the field, not knowing when I will be back again, I found myself smiling and so grateful that this place is part of who I am.
Jamie Ryan and Dante setting up to begin their protection session
Thank you for following me on this journey. If you would like to be notified of further posts subscribe to my blog. Feel free to leave comments if you too have a connection with a training club from your past.
About the author
Brian Aghajani is a freelance photographer based in Houston. He began his fascination with dog sport in 2000, has titled three dogs to IPO3 and competed in a handful of national IPO championship. He is an official photographer for most National IGP/Mondioring competition including the USCA, GSDCA, AWDF, AWMA and USMRA as well as the WUSV World Championship. Follow him on facebook
]]>
While I have been an avid portrait photographer for about 3 years, it wasn’t until August of last year that I got the idea to mix my love for photography with my other love of Dog Sport. This is a list of the key points I learned along the way:
September 19-21, 2014: Northwestern Regional Working Championship, near Sacramento, CA.
- Assuming one has the technical photography skills and understands the subtleties of the sport, one needs the right gear. Fact is, pro-grade sports camera gear is expensive. Renting a 400mm prime lens will cost you $500 for 5 days! You need to be either well off (which I’m not) or be good enough at our craft to produce images people will actually buy if you want to do this without costing you a fortune. We shall see if I have what it takes...At this point, this is a leap of faith.
- Tracking a subject while filling the frame through a 400mm lens is bloody hard! I have far more misses than hits in my first try.
- My Nikon D810’s camera's 36MP files are enormous and make for ridiculously long post processing tim. Only 5MP is required for a good print and HD computer monitors are only 2MP. 80% of image sales are for the web. 36MP turns out to be overkill.
- D810 can do 4 frames/second which is fine for portraiture but too slow for IPO protection strikes if you want the capture the precise moment before or during a strike or jump. I will need to rent a pro sports camera body like the Nikon D4s for future events.
- The weekend involved 9,000 frames. I quickly learn that when shooting sports one will spend 2-3 hours in post processing for every hour spent shooting. It took 60 hours to process the images from this event. (note: My day job involves 55-60 hours per week, so image processing must happen at nights and weekends. That means 60 hours of processing stretches to about a month). In short- will have to get much faster at post processing!
- I shot more frames in one weekend than I do in a normal year doing portrait work.
- SSD hard drive can save you a lot of time not waiting for the image to render! This was next on my gear shopping list.
December 13, 2014: Menlo Park IPO Club Trial, San Francisco Bay Area, CA.
- I rent a D4s, a pro level sport camera. Until this time I believed more mega pixels made better images (My D810 has the most at 36MP), I was misinformed, its better for controlled light studio portraits, not sports. The D4s only has 16MP but the images are stunning with a higher percentage of in focus shots. The battery lasts 3000 frames and it is almost 3 times faster than the D810 with 11 frames/second. Oh, and it has better low light performance to boot!
- I do the math and decide buying the 400mm lens is cheaper than renting if I plan on doing this long term, which I do. I am fully aware that this represents a point of no return.
- I'm learning to find the best viewing angles (shooting lanes) and clean backgrounds that have no distracting elements. This is not something I used to notice and is my biggest "ah ha" moment. A sports images is planned? WOW, who would have thought? It's not so different than portraiture in this respect.
- Improving tracking technique with monster 400mm lens. I still miss more than hit but there is progress.
February 21-22, 2015: South Central Regional Working Championship, Austin, TX
- My first event that involved air travel. I make a list of what to take and leave half my gear behind.
- Found out quick I did not pack what I need when I land and find it the temperature 32F with rain. Coming from LA I did not have warm cloths or rain protection for the gear. My hands froze and I struggled with numb hands fumbling with the wet cameras. I am sure this cost me some shots.
- Rain and overcast conditions are fantastic shooting conditions for dramatic action.
- With only 9 entries and the cost of travel and the gear considered, I realize that some events will be very expensive (they will cost much more than revenue from image sales). This is a reality check.
- My image hit rate (nailing it) rate is improving significantly. I have streamlined processing down to about 1.5 hours per competitor (about x2 as fast compared to the first event).
March 7-8, 2015: Southeastern Regional Working Championship, Longs, SC
- 2nd event that involved air travel. I now have a system with two carry-on camera bags and one large suite case that I check in for tripods, support gear, cloths and toiletries.
- Added a second D4s camera body: 1 for the 400mm f/2.8 lens and 1 for a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. This combo is perfect for Schutzhund.
- Image hit rate is now mostly ‘hit’ which allows me to be more disciplined in my shooting bursts because I am confident I have the shot which makes for less work in post processing.
- Big turn out for this event which is a fantastic event. I process all images from the event in 40 hours. Not sure if I can get any faster than this. I set this as my benchmark to beat.
- At this point is is clear that the best shooting angles are also the best angle for the judge to stand resulting in a judge photo bomb. Of course you cannot watch the judge and the dog at the same time through the camera's viewfinder. Often at the last minute the judge will step right into your view. Solution: study the judge and learn their preferred viewing pattern, the judge will be consistent, then pick the next best angle.
March 28-29, 2015: Southwestern Regional Working Championship, Temecula, CA
- First time dealing with early morning hard light and limited angles due to the field having baseball diamond backstop. Difficult choice: clean background but limited angles limited by shooting through backstop or run to other side and shoot with noisy background of a backstop but with better angles. No good answer, I choose the clean backgrounds with less than optimal angles.
- Fast learning curve on how to shoot with hard morning light. This can be make for super dramatic images!
- Hard lesson- there were only 8 competitors which makes ROI impossible. Even more concerning was a local photographer posts gallery of images of all competitors on web for free. It's hard to compete with free. I have a huge commitment in cameras, lens and travel expenses. I must up my game to produce images that are ‘different’ which people will value enough to buy even when they have access to free. So it’s pretty simple really- I need to get my game to a higher level. This is a huge motivator and probably the biggest lesson for the year.
April 10-13, 2015: American Working Dog Federation IPO Championship (AWDF), Farmington, MO.
- My first national level event. Take everything involved in a Regional Championship and double it for scale.
- National level events attract the most serious competitors who are willing to travel from across the country (like me) to show. This provides for some intense performances and emotions and I am in heaven with the quality of subjects to shoot. However, the flip side is that competitors have worked their butts off preparing for this event and this is their moment of competing with their dog at the highest level, there will be no retakes so you had better get the shot. You get one chance. No pressure right?
- I have learned to manage shooting bursts and energy to make it through long shooting days. In all I shoot about 17K images which I process in about 60 hours.
- I try posting select images on Facebook, which in turn gets more than 1000 clicks per day. My website traffic is increasing two fold per month. Hadn't given that much thought to this point but now realize that this is an important part of generating awareness of your work.
May 22-23, 2015: USCA Working Dog Championship (WDC), Buffalo, NY
- Third event involving air travel. Got my system down now and this might make a good topic for a for future blog post.
- This event is huge with 80 entries. Take the AWDF and times two. We’re talking 12 hour shooting days with no lunch break. Having the energy to run around the field with a two heavy cameras in 90F tempurature takes its toll. In the future I will plan better nutrition to improve stamina. Each night when I get back to hotel room I am completely spent.
- The level of competition is awe-inspiring, simply fantastic. I get some of my all time favorite captures.
- Lessons learned at the Regionals and AWDF on tracking and focus, clean backgrounds, timing of shooting bursts and shooting lanes all come together for this event.
- Low light conditions for the competitors that showed in early evening between 6-7pm was a challenge. I was lucky to have the Nikon D4s for low light ability. Maximizing available light over shooting angles was a quick lesson.
- Post processing takes 90 hours, which equates to about a month when doing my post processing at night and on weekends.
- I needed to get images to the Schutzhund magazine editor with 5 days of event to make deadline. Images for the July/Aug issue were selected by the editor.
And that brings us full circle to the top of this blog post with the arrival of the magazine...
I learned a some cool stuff on this journey sports photography techniques, processing efficiency, how to organize and work out of suitcases and creating a viable photography business plan. Just as cool was being able to reconnect with Dog Sport in a whole new way and the many warm and interesting people I met on the way.
When the Schutzhund magazine arrived, what really hit home was the notion that life takes us in an wonderful and interesting directions when we lead with our heart. At least that is what the image represents to me. Than you for following along...
BRIAN AGHAJANI
]]>