Can a working dog be a good house dog?

[SystemCritical]

Originally Posted by onyx'girl

I don't believe that kenneling will build drive. The kenneling will build energy which is not the same thing.
The only time crating benefits a dog or pup as far as training goes is before/after you have a session, so the dog can have some down time to process what went on. Before a session will have the pup/dog more relaxed so when they come out learning is more focused.
Crating is fine, but it shouldn't be a reason to build drive, IMO...either the dog has it or not.
Most pups are energetic and need exercise so they will be more stable mentally and physically, crating just builds up energy, not drive. I'd rather have a puppy with a bit more balance, not crazy energy.

I agree, balance is important. Thanks for the input. He will be 15 weeeks old as of tomorrow. Just want to be clear that its not like we are kenneling him 23 hrs a day or anything that extreme. The only difference is now we are out for a purpose. He gets a 2 mile walk in the morning and evening with lots of ball and tug play along the way. He gets a short walk at lunch also.

So its just a matter of finding the balance that works for him. Thanks again.

[robk]

Sorry, I re-read your original post and saw that you stated that your dog was only 4 months old. I would be focusing on teaching good behavior at this point. My boy is 7 months and showing him how we expect him to behave is the most important thing to us right now. I do NOT believe in not correcting misbehavior. If you pup has a stable enough temperment for PSA or Schutzhund then you should be able to correct misbehavior with out crushing his desire to work.

[onyx'girl]

I was told by one of my trainers to crate my dog because the pup wasn't over the top like the trainer is use to with his malinois. Though he also had bulldogs, so probably crated them so they would be more like his Mals!

I didn't listen to his advice, because for my lifestyle I want a dog that has an off switch as well as the on.
Though I do have three dogs and my puppy did get much energy out playing with them...another thing my trainer said was a no-no.
I never had to teach good behavior with him~he was always a good puppy, so corrections never were needed. I lucked out!

[doggiedad]

your dog needs to be near you and your family.
you can't train and socialize him when he's crated.
your crating him more to build drive. i think you
should train him more to build drive. i could be wrong but
it seems like keeping him in his crate more would take some of the
drive out of him.

isn't there a band named System Critical????

[doggiedad]

and with training and socializing.

Originally Posted by Freestep

>>>>> Calmness comes with time and maturity.<<<<<

[PaddyD]

Originally Posted by doggiedad

isn't there a band named System Critical????

No, that was the title of every program I ever wrote for 43 years, according to the clients/requestors.

[SystemCritical]

Originally Posted by doggiedad

your dog needs to be near you and your family.
you can't train and socialize him when he's crated.
your crating him more to build drive. i think you
should train him more to build drive. i could be wrong but
it seems like keeping him in his crate more would take some of the
drive out of him.

isn't there a band named System Critical????

I agree with everyone here and we have gone back to that. Much better evening. I don't think I am going to have to worry about drive with him. Tahnks for everyone's input.

So, SystemCritical has been my handle for years. I work in technology and many years ago when I was a newbie, I brought down my company's entire network with one keystroke. My boss gave me that knickname and it just has stuck.