Too old, too late?

RedCrown · 08-30-2011, 06:23 PM

As some of you know, I have a 5yr old spayed female GSD (Friday) that I purchased for sch. by a very reputable breeder, and she has a great working pedigree. I currently had an APBT that I was training in the sport. However, due to my immaturity, lack of experience, and lack of funding to join a club that was appropriate for us, I have not trained Friday in Sch at all...I have found training her myself to be very difficult, and as a result she has very little basic obedience (with exception to house commands) and she is reactive on a leash.

Now that that's been said... I might be crazy, but I am thinking about perhaps joining another local schutzhund club, the Willamette Valley Schutzhund Club to be exact, and starting Friday as a blank slate...

IF that can be achieved.. IS there a possibility of this? I hate to ask the old adage, but can you teach an old dog new tricks? Or have years of incorrect commands and lack of training in general ruined her beyond repair?

I don't need her to become prizewinning or high-scoring.. Basically, I am hoping to re-build a solid training relationship with my dog. To re-build my confidence as a trainer, and to give Friday a job- the opportunity to do what she was bred to do.

Am I totally nuts?

hunterisgreat · 08-30-2011, 06:30 PM

Sure. You need a solid group to help, but it's been done before. Biggest obstacle would be stamina I would think

**lhczth** · 08-30-2011, 09:09 PM

If she has the right stuff, sure, though at 5 your years to achieve titles is quite limited (maybe 2 years).

08-30-2011, 06:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
RedCrown Master Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 689	Too old, too late? As some of you know, I have a 5yr old spayed female GSD (Friday) that I purchased for sch. by a very reputable breeder, and she has a great working pedigree. I currently had an APBT that I was training in the sport. However, due to my immaturity, lack of experience, and lack of funding to join a club that was appropriate for us, I have not trained Friday in Sch at all...I have found training her myself to be very difficult, and as a result she has very little basic obedience (with exception to house commands) and she is reactive on a leash. Now that that's been said... I might be crazy, but I am thinking about perhaps joining another local schutzhund club, the Willamette Valley Schutzhund Club to be exact, and starting Friday as a blank slate... IF that can be achieved.. IS there a possibility of this? I hate to ask the old adage, but can you teach an old dog new tricks? Or have years of incorrect commands and lack of training in general ruined her beyond repair? I don't need her to become prizewinning or high-scoring.. Basically, I am hoping to re-build a solid training relationship with my dog. To re-build my confidence as a trainer, and to give Friday a job- the opportunity to do what she was bred to do. Am I totally nuts? __________________ Friday von den Hoehenluft Tyranny & Bronco "the Pits"

08-30-2011, 06:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
hunterisgreat Elite Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 1,566	Sure. You need a solid group to help, but it's been done before. Biggest obstacle would be stamina I would think __________________ Hunter, USA basic trial helper Beschützer des Jägers v. Sportwaffen, HOT, BH Katya v. Hügelblick, HOT, IPO1 SG Aska v. Ketscher Wald, 2 x SchH3, Kkl 1

08-30-2011, 09:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
lhczth Administrator & LOTR Addict Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 11,698	If she has the right stuff, sure, though at 5 your years to achieve titles is quite limited (maybe 2 years). __________________ Lisa Clark Zu Treuen Händen Working German Shepherd Dogs *South Michigan SchH and Police Club*

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