RIP John Nussbaum
One of our great mentors has passed away, John Nussbaum, of OG Ohio Hundesport in Dalton, Oh. Some considered John a dog whisperer, who began training dogs in the sport of Schutzhund in 1972. Living on a dairy farm, the family always had farm dogs for herding. A stray Shepherd was dropped at the farm, he named her Babe, and thats when John’s training journey began…Eventually John formed the O.G. Ohio Hundesport Schutzhund Club, and became best known for his role as a helper, and developing a dog’s ability to excel at protection work, searches and apprehensions. John was a renaissance man, his expertise was well known in the 70’s and 80’s. John was responsible for the training of Wayne County Sheriff’s Department K9. I first met John in 1981. I recall John explaining Schutzhund to me as “martial arts for dogs” He said, “this sport requires the student, in this case the dog, to be under total control at all times. And like the martial arts each training group or club, has a master instructor or, sensei.” Well, most of those students went off to do their own thing after they had caught the pebble from the master’s hand… Over the many years that I’ve known John, he has mentored many excellent helpers, who have since moved on to form their own clubs in various areas of the state. So many people have achieved success with their dogs made possible through John’s instructions. John had a really good sense of humor and a very laid-back personality. The sport was embraced as the family hobby, Bonnie his wife and Zach his son. Being farmers, it was something they could do right outside their door, wonderful tracking fields and a sport field beside the house!
We will morn the loss of this wonderful mentor. RIP my friend. Remembering, the picture was taken in the summer when Christiane Gröne-Seidel judged at OG Ohio. 1995 – Jim Ackerman, John Nussbaum, John Mulligan
(Written by OG Buckeye Schutzhund Club)
