Went to French Ring club for the 1st time

[Ronda]

Today was so much fun! Met with a great group of people who were all very nice and welcoming to a total newbie like me.

Took pup for a brief look-see...she chased the puppy lure and was good about holding on. She mostly socialized with all the people and hung out in her crate. She got to come out one more time during protection and she had a blast tugging on the puppy lure again, barking for it and she was really amped up by a malinois going out on a long bite! As soon as the decoy starting shaking the rattle stick down the field she was barking and pulling and very excited!

All in all it was a great visit and I'm hoping that in a few months when she's a little older we can go back and start learning. Really just a really nice group of people with some awesome dogs. Everybody was very kind about answering questions and offering advice.

Ronda

[Elaine]

If you liked it, why don't you stay and get your puppy started now? The earlier the better.

[Ronda]

The training director said that he prefers to start gsds a little later. Saphira is almost 11 weeks old and Saturday was a very informal come out and meet us and let us check out you and your pup.

The td basically told me to keep the obedience fun and light with lots of food/no corrections (what I've been doing), keep redirecting her biting us to her toys, and to start putting on her harness and having someone hold the end of the leash when we play with the flirt pole to get her used to pulling slightly to get at the tug on the end.

I am also going to check into 2 more schutzhund clubs that I was told about so I can completely explore my options.

I am a total newbie to all of this so I'm kinda just stumbling along here, probably making lots of mistakes.

Ronda

[elisabeth_00117]

Sounds to me like you are doing pretty good.

Exposing your puppy to a new environment and looking at different training options.

Very nice.

Of course, I say go with SchH... not that I am biased or anything.

Have fun and good luck on your search for a club!

[Ronda]

Originally Posted by elisabeth_00117

Sounds to me like you are doing pretty good.

Exposing your puppy to a new environment and looking at different training options.

Very nice.

That was probably the best part of the day...free socialization! She enjoyed meeting all the people and the new scenery. My vet really wanted us housebound until the next round of shots but I just can't do it. We are going nuts together.

Of course, I say go with SchH... not that I am biased or anything.

I am a little biased towards SchH too...not that french ring isn't awesome in its own right (and the people from that club were really cool and super friendly, I know I'd have a good time), I just really always wanted to try SchH. Unfortunately, I'm having issues finding clubs that are near enough with meetup times that mesh with me and accepting new members. I have 2 more I'm going to go visit and if they don't work out, french ring it is!

Have fun and good luck on your search for a club!

Thanks

Ronda

[MicheleMarie]

My puppy is too young to do a lot of mondio stuff too-but we are doing all the obedience stuff right now that's required for mondio.
and it's fun!!!

[GSDElsa]

Still think you should go out to the club. Lots your puppy can get used to even if you aren't "starting" anything yet. Get used to the noises and action.

[neiltus]

very cool experience