Renaissance Ring Club is tucked away on a parcel once owned by Nathan A. Hale, a Revolutionary War soldier who was executed by the British for spying in the eastern half of Connecticut. Located in Eastern Connecticut on a 200-acre farm, they train daily on their Championship Sized Ring Field. The farm provides the seclusion needed to train both day and night along with leveraging the local farm animals as great distractions. The Hop River backs up to the training area allowing for a great cool down swim in hot summer months. This is also how the Hop River Shepherds Training and Breeding program came to be where many of the club dogs originate. Scott Beebe most commonly referred to as “Coach” leads the training for this team. His years of experience on and off the field as a dog trainer, French Ring trainer and decoy are the bedrock in which they train. What started in 2008 with some fencing and a few jumps has expanded into an extraordinary place to train. They maintain agility equipment to aid in building confidence and speed. It’s also a plus for training clients looking for a fun way to engage with their pups. A regulation dock diving pool allows a great conditioning amenity but mainly allows the team to diversify taking multiple dog diving wins. Many of the French Ring dogs also compete regularly in dock diving using their French Ring motivation training to the pool. There are multiple training fields available to ensure different pictures including room to track. This versatility allows club dogs to work not only on routines but to have exposure to multiple environments. An ability to work indoors is also available either in one of the many outbuildings, box trailer or in a house. One added benefit is access to any one of the 15+ kennels. This allows shaded rest for the working team when not on the field. Renaissance Ring has hosted USPCA police certification in the past with teams across the northeast in attendance. NARA Regional and Championship events have also been hosted by this team along with their regular NARA seasonal trials.
The Renaissance Ring training program is made up of simple methods that use foundational building blocks when assembled form a more complex picture for the dogs. This is not your typical “out for a walk in the park” training French Ring program. It is intense and will take everything from you that is possible. The goal is to ensure each team reaches their maximum potential. From Brevet to Ring 3, the team is there to support each other, push each other, and challenge each other to be the best possible. If one fails, they all have failed but in one’s success the team gains strength. The primary goal they strive for, is to build a fire, a passion and a desire in both dog and handler. This is critical in the relationship required for Ring. The dog and handler each have a job. The dog’s job is to complete the tasks assigned and the handler to instruct the dog on how that task is should be completed. There are no leashes, remote collars or time outs to reset the dog. Points drop quickly when failures begin. “The most points you’ll ever score in Ring are only there the moment you step on the field. After that they start deducting them.” Once on the field the team must conduct business seamlessly. If there is no bond or relationship the training is much slower and less desirable. “We build the dog’s desire to do the work. We build the dog’s fire to remain strong when faced with adversity. We build the passion for the dog to come out and satisfy their handler. There must be a desire to learn, and to succeed from the handler beyond all else.” Scott Beebe. The handlers must be willing to sacrifice their time, their money, their ego and be humble enough to make mistakes. The dog and handler want to please each other with an enthusiasm for the work while enjoying time on the field. These methods are all developed through play, stress, frustration, motivation and rewards. The reward isn’t an object like a ball or tug like you would expect. The motivation isn’t “do this or else”. Yes, those are tools they use but the true reward is the relationship between dog and handler on the field competing for the love of French Ring.
Renaissance Ring has had many club members come and go over time. This program isn’t for everyone and very few can commit to the expectations. Maybe expectations aren’t the right word since it’s really based on the desire seen in its members. They are out there for each other as much as themselves. The club will bleed for each other and give all that it takes to ensure success. However, if you’re not willing to return that, rarely do you make it.
Club President, Scott Beebe, of Hop River Shepherds Training and Boarding, began in French Ring with a rescued GSD named Vic, more than twelve years ago. At his first Ring One trial in Canada, Scott only had the Palisade and unfortunately the dog did not want to jump it on open field. His experience from many years ago ensures all dogs competing can complete all three jumps before any competition. As time progressed, he acquired a female Dutch Shepherd puppy named Trixie. Through dedication, commitment, training and help along the way, their partnership earned over thirty Ring III trials both in the US and Mexican Championships. Scott achieved a Ring II with his Dutch Shepherd, Hop River’s Falco, for who also won the Ring I, 2016 NARA Championship. Scott’s newest Dutch Shepherd Ace obtained a Brevet & Ring I in 2021. He is the club Training Director but known mainly as Coach. Scott provides the guidance, structure, and control for his team’s handlers. He provides the knowledge for each team to succeed but more importantly, he brings passion for the sport. Scott always looks to improve a dog and handler team.
Renaissance Ring is committed to success and continues to breed, train and title dogs throughout the year. There are younger dogs in the club that are in the building process, so look for more from this small tight nit group. Currently, they do not have any opening spots on the team but are always willing to help those around them in the north and south. They are all driven to succeed so look for more to come from Renaissance Ring Club.
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