Marika Thorp and Gatorland's Zeus won the Good Shepherd Schutzhund Club BH
Championship on December 14, 2008.  This was a GSDCA-WDA (German Shepherd
Dog Club of America Working Dog Association) sanctioned trial.  The trial was held at
Dayton High School, Dayton, Texas.  Dayton is just Northeast of Houston, Texas.
  The BH is quite an accomplishment.  In the BH trial Zeus heeled on leash in a long
pattern which involved a fast and slow pace with turns.  Zeus then heeled in and around
a group of milling people.  After exiting the group Marika was required to remove Zeus'
leash.  From this point forward all obedience was performed without a leash or
correction. Zeus repeated the BH heeling pattern off leash.  Zeus then from a starting
position dictated by Judge Dr. David Landau heeled 10 paces and performed a moving
sit.  Marika while in motion used one command for sit while she continued to move 30
paces away from Zeus.  Zeus sat instantly and remained on a sit stay until the judge
motioned to Marika to return.   Zeus and Marika then returned to their starting position.  
Marika walked 10 paces and told Zeus to down.  He was once again immediately
obedient.   Marika continued walking without breaking a stride 30 paces.  She stopped,
turned around and awaited the judge's signal.  When Dr. Landau gave the word, Marika
called Zeus.  He came like a rocket sitting in front of his owner attentively.  After 3
seconds Marika commanded Zeus to "finish."  He wrapped around her in lightening like
fashion and came to a straight sit.   Following this exercise at the command of the judge
Marika heeled Zeus off leash to a designated area on the football field.  With one word
he was down.  Marika walked 30 paces from Zeus and stood with her back to him while
another dog performed his entire BH obedience pattern.  Zeus remained on his "down
stay" under distraction. Zeus' demonstrated accuracy in obedience coupled with happy
working attitude won him the GSSC 2008 BH Championship!
  The obedience was only the beginning BH the trial  which also included intensive
temperament behavioral testing with traffic, loud groups, joggers, bicyclists and dogs.  
Zeus demonstrated exquisite temperament like the champion he is!  Just a side note:
Marika trained Zeus in the Finnish language.  Congratulations Marika & Zeus!
The BH Champion!
Zeus demonstrated accuracy
in obedience coupled with
happy working attitude
Zeus is Sociable & Sound!
Zeus was tested in a loud
group with joggers and
bicyclists.  Safe & Sound!
Marika Thorp & Gatorland's Zeus
2008 Good Shepherd Schutzhund Club BH Champion