Who can join the Denali K9 club? Anyone with a legitimate interest in learning more about Schutzhund, the historical breed test designed to determine the breed worthiness of the German Shepherd Dog.

Do you have to own a dog to join the Denali K9 Club? No, many times people wish to join Schutzhund clubs to learn more about the German Shepherd Dog as a working breed and to see some dogs working before they decide if Schutzhund, the German Shepherd Dog, or even a certain dog or dog's puppies are a good fit for them. Or perhaps a person wishes to learn to be a helper but does not wish to handle his or her own dog. No problem. To each their own. As long as the individual has no issues with, or fear of, the Schutzhund sport or the working dogs and will be a good representative and ambassador of DKC, he or she may apply to be a member of our club.

Do you have to own a German Shepherd Dog to be a member? No. Other breeds can be admitted upon consensus between the Training Director and the DKC President that the dog (and handler) have what it takes to do Schutzhund . However, the Denali K9 Club knows that Shutzhund is historically a breed test for German Shepherds Dogs only and, as such, the main focus of our club will be the training, testing and promotion of the working German Shepherd Dog.

Our club will foster association with DVG and GSDCA-WDA groups and even potentially any local PSA or ringsport clubs.

Sportsmanship is essential in Schutzhund, and it will be required from DKC members, as disappointments are guaranteed to happen. All we can do is learn to handle our failures with grace and, hopefully, learn to view these disappointments with humor and greater wisdom.

Members shall be inclusive towards other DKC club members. DKC is a place for forming an array of frienships and for exhanging insights, knowledge and ideas. No cliques or exclusion of others is acceptable in DKC's environment of learning, sharing, teaching and camraderie.

Illicit drugs, drunkeness and dog training do not mix in the DKC Schutzhund training evironment. If it is found that a member is inebriated or is using illegal substances during DKC dog training, this behavior will be viewed as grounds for loss of privileges or expulsion from DKC.

At DKC, we are not competing against our own DKC team members. Every DKC club member's individual goals become the team's goals.

Control over and/or containment of your dog, unless your dog is on the field, is expected. This is essential for the safety of the other members and dogs.

Paying attention to the dog on the field shows the proper respect for that handler and dog team and fosters group feeling and an investment in the progress of other group members. A DKC member's focus should not be only on his or her own personal and , hence, private and solitary, success.

Team spirit, apparel, etc., are considered important by DKC to stimulate and promote morale, a sense of belonging and group continuity, rather than dissention or difference. There are many places to show your individuality. DKC is a place and time where we will try to find commonality and show our dedication to group success.

While a member does not have to be working towards a specific Schutzhund or other training title, or even have competitive goals, he or she should have a training plan, developed between him/her and the training director, to achieve at least personal goals with his or her dog. This is important because a member needs some benchmark to feel a sense of achievement in their DKC training, even if the main goal achieved is having fun with his or her dog!

Malicious gossip, slander and libel, and those who participate in these behaviors, are not welcome in the DKC or at DKC events. DKC will not associate with clubs, groups or individuals where this behavior is allowed or is engaged in by individuals. We feel that this standard is necessary to maintain the positive atmosphere and reputation of DKC as a club of high, and yet equal, standards. A group is, unfortunately, usually judged by the worst of its parts. Thus, the behavior of even one "bad apple" makes the whole group sour. We are determined to not let that happen to DKC or at DKC functions. Participation in slander or libel, especially of another DKC member or applicant, will be viewed as grounds for loss of privileges or expulsion from DKC. We do not like to have to put such an obvious rule of decency into writing. These things should go without saying, much less having to state this as a formal prohibition. However, experience has shown us we must state basic rules of conduct clearly. In order to maintain a positive club atmosphere in the DKC, we feel we must be very definite and have no ambiguity about what actions and behaviors will simply not be tolerated, as they are too damaging to club morale and, ultimately, destructive of club continuity.

Gifts from other DKC members or applicants may be given to the club as a whole but not to individual club members. Club officers must take special care to avoid this stain on the club's reputation by never accepting gifts or special favors from club members or member applicants. DKC must avoid any perception of favoritism, corruption and the irreversible taint of a club where special treatment can be bought. DKC officers and members must go out of their way to avoid even the hint that preferential treatment can be gained by any method whatsoever. In addition, private business must not be solicited, and should not transpire, between club members during club training times. Such private business arrangements are not ideal in and of themselves but, if they are to be tolerable, they must only take place during non-club times and places.

Every member of DKC is to be accorded the same respect as everyone else. No member is more important than another. Nor should any member be treated as if they are superior to other members, no matter if their dog is viewed as "better" than other dogs, or their training level is viewed as higher or they are seen as more likely to bring "kudos" to the club. Everyone in DKC is to be valued for what they bring to the club and appreciated for who they are. In dog training, you should be able to learn something from every other member and from each and every dog.

With all this said, I look forward to seeing you at the DKC and Happy Training to all.

Warm Regards,

Landis Leffingwell

President, Denali K9 Club

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PAGE IS VERY MUCH A WORK IN PROGRESS, A ROUGH DRAFT ONLY, AND MORE WILL BE ADDED TO THIS SITE AS TIME AND TRAINING PERMIT. THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST AND PATIENCE AND PLEASE DO KEEP CHECKING BACK FOR MORE UPDATES!!