He has been involved in the sport of schutzhund for over 25 years competing in both Austria and Germany. He is one of the most sought after schutzhund trainers in Austria and Germany and is currently president of his local club, OG Kirchdorf in Kirchdorf, Austria. Martin is also a respected breeder of German Shepherd Dogs, his kennel name is vom Debental. The interviews were done by Ray Silvertrust, president of the Greater Chicago Schutzhund Club. They have been re-printed with Mr. Silvertrust s permission.
More people seem to fail the tracking part of the trial than the others.
No, not at my club among those who use the method I recommend to them. But when I was a beginner, I had trouble. Yes, of course, any German Shepherd Dog who is not ill or who does not have some rare nasal problem should be able to track, but what did I know then. That seemed the most likely to me at the time. Eventually, I found a mentor, a man who had been involved with dogs for a long time and he was able to set me on the right course.