Dog Community

Schutzhund

Posted : 11/5/2006 12:24:13 PM

I have been looking for something fun for Kaiser and I to do together. He has to be constantly busy. We've been through some obedience classes, but it's too low key for him. He's got a lot of energy, and he whines the whole time we're in obedience, even though he's pretty good at it. Kaiser LIVES to run...his favorite thing to do is for me to run one direction and have him chase me, and then my boyfriend run the other direction, and kaiser chases him...back and forth. He's very obedient as well. I was reading a little bit about schutzhund and was pretty interested in it. It would be fun for Kaiser, i believe. My question is, can any dog do schutzhund? He's not specifically bred for it or anything...he's just athletic, obedient, and has a great drive.

spiritdogs

Posted : 11/5/2006 6:50:26 PM

Possibly. Keep in mind that you must be ok with the training techniques that are sometimes employed in training a Schutzhund dog. Also, protection training may impact your ability to get homeowners insurance in some areas. Check with a few trainers in your area.
Most dogs can do agility, so you may want to try that first, while you investigate the other. If he's ball driven and likes to run, there's always flyball.

mrv

Posted : 11/5/2006 7:06:32 PM

herding,,,, yup herding,,, did I mention herding There is an active Central KY herding group. In fact they have a trial coming up in Elizabethtown. They sponsor clinics, not sure who gives lessons, but there are folks down there who can help.

RidgebackGermansShep

Posted : 11/5/2006 9:18:17 PM

Thanks! i'll try and look up some info on the herding group.

mrv

Posted : 11/6/2006 7:04:27 AM

PM me and I will give you an email contact.

spiritdogs

Posted : 11/6/2006 7:43:56 AM

Great idea mrv. I wish there was a group up here...

wisewilddog

Posted : 11/6/2006 8:46:52 AM

I hope you decide to go with Schutzhund training, it is fun as well as great mental and physical stimulation for some high drive dogs. It will also give you a different look at some training techniques. Have fun!

spiritdogs

Posted : 11/6/2006 2:32:08 PM

If you do consider Schutzhund, be sure to check out Sheila Booth's book, as well as the videos by Gottfried Dildei, and the work they have authored jointly. Available at workingdogs.com.

esteban ley

Posted : 11/6/2006 2:59:41 PM

ORIGINAL: spiritdogs

If you do consider Schutzhund, be sure to check out Sheila Booth's book, as well as the videos by Gottfried Dildei, and the work they have authored jointly. Available at workingdogs.com.

Funny... I was about to post that exact same thing, "Training in drive" is a GREAT book. I think I'ev recommended it more than once here, it applies to way more than just ScH.

spiritdogs

Posted : 11/6/2006 3:04:56 PM

Actually, the book I was referring to was "Purely Positive Training", but your suggestion is great, too. I think you can get all of them at workingdogs.com.

the_gunny

Posted : 11/9/2006 2:31:23 PM

I do Sch, The problem with some dogs that have high drive is nerve. That is what makes are breaks the dog. Some dogs have a hard time with conflict tension between the man. Also to much early obedience kills the type drive needed. The dog is taught to be calm and submissive. we need crazy and free. So it is possible but can be tough.

The other thing is, someone mentioned is the training that is involved. You will be hard pressed to find a club that has training that is "respectful" to the dog. I, so far have found that people are willing to do questionable training in order to gain points. I am not. I am willing though to try find a less violent way to teach a dog how to be precise.

If you are interested in Sch, I suggest buying Ivan Balbalov's videos. he is pretty much the man in the states. And on top of it he is employing less threatening training.

spiritdogs

Posted : 11/9/2006 9:23:11 PM

Thanks, gunny - I've been wondering where you've been lately. [

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Alisia Jezierny

Posted : 11/10/2006 1:07:58 PM

I don't know much about Schutzhund, but from what I've heard one of the plusses is that it creates an incredibly disciplined and responsive dog. But do check with your homeowner's insurance. Is this for your shep or your ridgeback? One of the restrictions by my insurance on my pit is that she can never be trained as an attack or guard dog, and German Shepherds are on the same list, (but apparently you could do it with, lets say, a beagle and it would be OK... who makes these lists??)

esteban ley

Posted : 11/15/2006 12:39:56 PM

just out of curiosity, does anyone know if insurance companies make a distinction between protection dogs and ring sport dogs? I'm guessing that as far as they are concerned they are one and the same, but I don't know for sure.

the_gunny

Posted : 11/15/2006 6:15:47 PM

Well, This is a fuzzy area. I report my dogs as working dogs. if they ask what is the nature of the work. I say utility. Now My dogs will not bite someone for real, and I can prove it. By taking a man, and putting a sleeve on, telling the dog to get a grip. the dog will bite the sleeve. take the same man and remove the sleeve, tell the dog to get a grip the dog will run up and then look around for the sleeve. Once I introduce the sleeve the dog will bite that. So, in reality it's all fake with my dogs, and most dogs I know in Sch are this way. So It's a touchy area. To the untrained eye, the dogs are attacking, to the trained eye the dogs are going to get thier toy. It's no more dangerous than playing fetch.