Raising a pet pup the working dog way (long)

ORIGINAL: jennie_c_d

Out of my sick curiosity (and the distinct possibility that I *will* have a puppy of a pushy, intelligent breed [because that's what I choose] in the next few years), how much will a program like this cost, long distance? The videos, email consults, whole deal?

 
That pushy, intelligent breed wouldn't happen to be a Dobe would it?  

jennie_c_d -
I really haven't done it long distance yet.  Let me know when you get a pup and we will work something out.  Depending on how many participants I get in the next few rounds of my little experiment, it might still be free.
 
 

Dr. LeCompte IS my vet!!!  I agree, he is awesome!!  Yes, he lives really close to me.  He's the one who advocated the crate and the NILIF methods and I highly respect his opinion.  Which is why when some of the anti-crate people were lurking here they could not make me feel bad for the way I'm training my dogs.  I know Dr. LeCompte would never advocate something that was cruel for my pups.
 
He saw me through making the painful decision to euthanize my elderly dog that I had since he was a puppy when his quality of life had really deteriorated, and helped us make our other dog comfortable and make the decision for her go peacefully when her cancer got to be too much.  He never made me feel guilty or bad for making those decisions, and has taken great care of my new pups.  He just spayed my little female on Tuesday.
 
Speaking of that, she has to be on limited activity for 7 to 10 days from her surgery, so probably in 2 or 3 Saturdays from now I'll come out to visit your open house!

PM'd...way off topic...[]

This is pretty darned close to how I've been raising my first working Border Collie puppy. So far (at 7 months) he's very well adjusted, well socialized, and already showing great promise on stock. I couldn't be happier with him!

quote:

ORIGINAL: jennie_c_d

Out of my sick curiosity (and the distinct possibility that I *will* have a puppy of a pushy, intelligent breed [because that's what I choose] in the next few years), how much will a program like this cost, long distance? The videos, email consults, whole deal?



That pushy, intelligent breed wouldn't happen to be a Dobe would it?

It might be a Dobe, and it might be a Standard Xolo. I'm undecided, but talking to breeders of both.

jennie_c_d -
I really haven't done it long distance yet. Let me know when you get a pup and we will work something out. Depending on how many participants I get in the next few rounds of my little experiment, it might still be free.

THAT would be really good[] I like free, LOL. I talked about this, at great length, with my dog friend tonight. We agreed that it'd be an interesting experiment. We've never tried it that way. She has a 6  month old Boxer puppy, that she's training for protection work. He's a very nice pup, so far. She has a 10 yr old Boxer who is a retired protection dog. They're great dogs. I've only spent a little time with true working dogs, before these two, and I've always really LIKED them (I've had the privaledge of grooming local police and other service dogs). It's a LOT of fun to see her boys in action.

What kennel did your friend's Boxer come from.  How well do they work.  I have been researching working Boxer's for a client, and have recently made trips to a few kennels for demo's.  The ones I have seen havemuch lower prey drive than your Mal, GSD, or APBT.  Was she able to find a pretty drivey pup.  If so, I would love the name of the Kennel that she purchased from.
 
Thanks

She bred her older dog, years ago. Her father owns the mother, now. Spar has almost zero prey drive. What he has is working drive. I asked her, last night, how she trained him without prey drive (he's still quite bouncy, and playful, but he'll hardly chase a ball). I've NEVER trained a dog that didn't have prey drive. She says she just did repetitions and praise. He's a very well-trained dog, and has had to protect her, in the past. He did what needed to be done, with no problem. His mother did the same, in her day.

The puppy came from a BYB. It was a mistake, and an impulse buy. He's got a LOT more prey drive than the older dog, and is proving to be a challenge for his mom. I think he'll turn out nicely, though. He's learning quickly. Once he settles down, he'll be a great dog. No kennel names to give, though.

By "working drive" do you mean defensive drive?  Working drive covers prey, defensive, and fight drive.  Dogs that do not have prey drive typically learn to operate in defensive drive.  Does your friend compete her dogs?

The old guy doesn't compete any more, and the pup isn't ready to, yet.

I'm not sure which drive. I suppose it is defensive drive. He'll attack anything that hurts his mom, and he's an excellent judge of character. He is allowed to growl at people,  but not act unless he's told to, or they're attacking.

Mic, don't do this to me...I can't get another puppy yet LOL. []  I think the hound doesn't want to share the couch with another one of those Aussie things...

I am sure you have plenty of room.  What's one more.  I have a great Mini-Schnauzer pup up for adoption.  []

Mic, I like your puppy program, it's similar to what we do (substitute mudroom for crate). However, we spend tons of our "playing" time playing training games-- free shaping, teaching basic obedience through positive reinforcement only (no corrections). It's all part of the game for the pup, and I think it is important- it teaches the puppy how to learn and be operant and use his mind, and builds a strong work ethic-- he gets nothing he wants unless he works for it. Want the ball? well, do a trick! great. Want supper? better do a sit. Great.
Yet you discourage any kind of obedience training for puppies. Why is this?

Mic,
 
I am very interested in your method, and I am prepared to try it as I am bringing home my working line GSD puppy in April. The only question I have that doesn't seem to have been brought up so far is how do you practice this with other dogs in the household? When do you introduce the puppy to the dogs? At what time is it acceptable for them to play together? Where should the pup's crate be in reference to an area of the house during those first 72 hours? Do you not allow the other dogs to be around the crate?
 
Thanks!
 
Britney