JUDGES
A. Tracking
USCA Michael Caputo
Michael J. Caputo
USCA Performance License #11
United Schutzhund Clubs of America
2025 WDC Tracking Judge
Michael has been a member of United Schutzhund Clubs of America since 1979. As a trainer/handler/competitor he earned membership to the SchH3 Club in 1985 and was awarded the SV Masters Sports Medal in Gold in 1987. Michael personally titled 6 of his dogs to SchH/FH/IPO titles and 2 dogs (one male and one female) to “V” ratings in the conformation ring. He is a former three-time regional champion and won the USCA National FH Championship in 1987 with Ingo vom Horsatal (97 points). He began his Judging career in 1985 as an apprentice, then received his USCA license in 1987, a UDC license in 1992 and was affiliated with the SV from 2009-2015. As a Performance Judge, he has presided over thousands of performances, hundreds of trials, and dozens of Regional and National events in all three performance phases. Professionally, Michael enjoyed nearly 50 years as an executive in the healthcare industry before retiring in 2022.
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Throughout his nearly 40-year judging career, Michael has enjoyed most his seminars on teaching trainers and handlers the various standard requirements and performance elements of showing their dogs in a performance (Schutzhund/IPO/IGP) working dog trial. This training seminar “How to Maximize Your Points” – IGP Performance Trials: Considerations and Scoring” has been attended by hundreds of dog sport enthusiasts and kept them updated on the various changes in the performance rules and the judging expectations that are built into those guidelines. This practical classroom session offers important tips and training considers for all handlers from the novice to a very seasoned level. Driven to continuously learn and improve and assist the USCA Judges Program, Michael continues to serve as long-time member of the USCA Judges Committee, Assistant Director of Judges, and actively participates in the continuing education process for the USCA Judges College.
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For this year’s Working Dog Championships Michael expresses “Best wishes to all of you that have chosen to step on the field this weekend showcasing the long hours of your hard work and the character of your companion working dog. It is an honor to serve all of you.”
B. Obedience
USCA Trevor Elcock
Trevor Elcock is a passionate canine sports enthusiast with over twenty years of experience, having been introduced to the field by a friend in 2000. He became an active member, handler, and trainer within the United Schutzhund Club of America, where he has cultivated a particular affinity for German Shepherds and Rottweilers, specializing in protection, evaluation, and behavior management. Mr. Elcock’s instinctual understanding of canine behavior has made him a highly sought-after trainer among those engaged in the sport.
In 2018, driven by his dedication to the field and a desire to support the growth of others, he applied and was accepted into the elite Judges Program. Since then, he has successfully judged numerous club trials, including the USCA Nationals, Working Dog and Regionals Championships. Notably, he served as a judge for the Asia National Championship in South Korea for the years 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Mr. Elcock has quickly established a reputation as a fair and consistent judge, known for his extensive knowledge of the rules and eye for details.
In addition to his passion for canine sports, Trevor proudly served in the United States Military for eight years and is a retired police officer with the New York Police Department. He is also a professional photographer and the owner of N3 Photography. In his spare time, he is a dedicated martial arts practitioner, having earned his black belt degree in Wing Chun Kung Fu, and teaches privately.
C. Protection
GSSCC Darin Clarke
I am honored to judge protection at the UScA Working Dog Championship!
I have been involved in the sport for almost 30 years. I started as a handler, training my own puppy which I went to the Worlds with. I have been to almost every Canadian Championship and Sieger Show as a handler, helper, helper director, coach, President, Breed Warden and Judge.
I have trained six (6) dogs from puppy to IGP 3, competing at the Canadian Championships and making a World Team with four of them. I have also trained several other dogs to a variety of titles.
I began working as a training and trial helper very early on (first year) which allowed me to be a helper at many club and regional trials and a helper twice for the Canadian Championships. I was helper director for many years implementing the helper program which the GSSCC currently uses.
I have held many positions within the GSSCC: GSSCC Director At Large, Helper Director, GSSCC President and I am currently the Breed Warden for the GSSCC.
My wife Mia and I breed German Shepherd Dogs since 2007 under the name Kleinenberg Kennels and we have gone to the Canadian Championships and qualified for Team Canada with our own handler bred and trained dogs.
I have been a GSSCC performance judge since 2017 and have judged almost 100 trials throughout Canada and North America, including many championship trials. I am also a GSSCC Breed Judge since 2022, having the honor of being GSSCC Breed Judge # 1.
I am a retired police officer after 34 years and own my own consulting company with certified drug and bed bug detection dogs where we actively are deployed to search areas for industry and private companies.
My new sport dog is on the ground and I am looking forward to seeing her grow.
I wish every handler success and hope they reach their goals with their K-9 partner!
See you inside the fence.
Darin
Darin M. Clarke
GSSCC Performance Judge # 12
GSSCC Breed Judge # 1
