General question about Schutzhund

sharkey19 · 10-05-2011, 11:58 PM

I was wondering if your dog needed a certain personality to do this training? I was interested in this training, but my Dax is quite goofy and friendly. I wouldn't want to change this nature of his, so do you think Schutzhund is not for him?

**Castlemaid** · 10-06-2011, 12:19 AM

Goofy and friendly is fine. Underneath all that goofyness, there may lie a solid soul willing to fight for a cause.

The 'right' temperament for schutzhund is a dog with drive, courage and confidence. The fight drive can be brought out in training, and if done well (the way it is supposed to be done), it won't change who your dog is. It will just help him mature and become more confident. My boy is SUPER friendly and goofy. But in training his more serious side comes out. Then he goes back to being his usually cuddly self with everyone.

Take your boy to a club and have him evaluated. Experienced people will be able to read him and see what he is made of.

Celtic Wolf · 10-06-2011, 07:48 AM

Protection dog trials for protection, obedience, and tracking require commitment of the Handler and focus of and for the dog.

Goofy is in my view simply a behavior, yet
training is focus between owner and dog.

My only Shutzhund or French F Ring is making
the dog too submissive.

Be aware of making your dog a Robit.

**Chris Wild** · 10-06-2011, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Celtic Wolf

My only Shutzhund or French F Ring is making
the dog too submissive.

Be aware of making your dog a Robit.

I have no idea what any of this means, but am betting I wouldn't agree with it.

Anyway....

Goofy doesn't preclude a dog from doing SchH. But yes, it does take a certain temperament to be successful in SchH, and to enjoy doing SchH. The only way to know if your dog possesses that or not would be to visit some local clubs and have him evaluated, and of course during those visits you'll have the opportunity to get a much better idea of what all is involved in the training (yes it DOES require a huge committment from handler and dog) to see if it's something you might want to pursue.

cliffson1 · 10-06-2011, 09:51 AM

A german Shepherd with good German Shepherd temperament takes to Sch like a retreiver to water,(afterall sch was created for the GS to show he has correct German Shepherd temperament), having said that, there are many breeders that are producing GS that don't do well in Sch. This is a deficiency of the breeding and the individual dog and not the sport. ( that doesn't make the dog less, it just mean that as with all dogs there are some components that aren't up to standard) Sch will not make a dog robotic, but it will make for a much better relationship between the dog and owner/handler.

sharkey19 · 10-06-2011, 10:51 AM

Is there an age where it is too late to start? I understand that it must take a huge commitment, and right now I am finishing vet school, so don't have a lot of time. This is something I would like to look into after vet school. He is about 16 months old now, I am wondering if I could wait a year?

Catu · 10-06-2011, 12:15 PM

I would say 10 years is too late to start

sharkey19 · 10-06-2011, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catu

I would say 10 years is too late to start

That makes me feel better!

**lhczth** · 10-06-2011, 02:30 PM

Dax is 16 months old? That is partly why he is goofy. The boys can be that way until they mature.

jprice103 · 10-06-2011, 03:12 PM

Ok, so we know what is "too old"...but what is a good age to start?

10-05-2011, 11:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
sharkey19 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Guelph Posts: 321	General question about Schutzhund I was wondering if your dog needed a certain personality to do this training? I was interested in this training, but my Dax is quite goofy and friendly. I wouldn't want to change this nature of his, so do you think Schutzhund is not for him?

10-06-2011, 12:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
Castlemaid Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Northern British Columbia Posts: 9,089	Goofy and friendly is fine. Underneath all that goofyness, there may lie a solid soul willing to fight for a cause. The 'right' temperament for schutzhund is a dog with drive, courage and confidence. The fight drive can be brought out in training, and if done well (the way it is supposed to be done), it won't change who your dog is. It will just help him mature and become more confident. My boy is SUPER friendly and goofy. But in training his more serious side comes out. Then he goes back to being his usually cuddly self with everyone. Take your boy to a club and have him evaluated. Experienced people will be able to read him and see what he is made of. __________________ Lucia Keeta BH, OB1, TR1, AD (HOT) Rottweiler/Hairy Dog mix?? Shelter rescue Gryffon Vom Wildhaus BH, OFA Good (HOT) "Bites Through the Sleeve" Cuddlebug, b: Mar 2009

10-06-2011, 07:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
Celtic Wolf New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Syosset,NY Posts: 18	Shutzhund Protection dog trials for protection, obedience, and tracking require commitment of the Handler and focus of and for the dog. Goofy is in my view simply a behavior, yet training is focus between owner and dog. My only Shutzhund or French F Ring is making the dog too submissive. Be aware of making your dog a Robit.

10-06-2011, 12:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
Catu Crowned Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Valdivia, Chile Posts: 4,276	I would say 10 years is too late to start __________________ "The dog does not need to be deranked so much as the people need to learn to act like people worth listening to" Suzanne Clothier. Diabla, my Daemon; SchH A, RH-T A Akela, my Direwolf; Work in Progress Bagheera, Long term puppy host

10-06-2011, 02:30 PM	#9 (permalink)
lhczth Administrator & LOTR Addict Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 11,698	Dax is 16 months old? That is partly why he is goofy. The boys can be that way until they mature. __________________ Lisa Clark Zu Treuen Händen Working German Shepherd Dogs *South Michigan SchH and Police Club*

10-06-2011, 09:51 AM	#5 (permalink)
cliffson1 Knighted Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,929	A german Shepherd with good German Shepherd temperament takes to Sch like a retreiver to water,(afterall sch was created for the GS to show he has correct German Shepherd temperament), having said that, there are many breeders that are producing GS that don't do well in Sch. This is a deficiency of the breeding and the individual dog and not the sport. ( that doesn't make the dog less, it just mean that as with all dogs there are some components that aren't up to standard) Sch will not make a dog robotic, but it will make for a much better relationship between the dog and owner/handler.

10-06-2011, 10:51 AM	#6 (permalink)
sharkey19 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Guelph Posts: 321	Is there an age where it is too late to start? I understand that it must take a huge commitment, and right now I am finishing vet school, so don't have a lot of time. This is something I would like to look into after vet school. He is about 16 months old now, I am wondering if I could wait a year?

10-06-2011, 03:12 PM	#10 (permalink)
jprice103 Master Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Philadelphia Suburbs Posts: 960	Ok, so we know what is "too old"...but what is a good age to start? __________________ -Jessica Cheyenne von der Price-Sable GSD-12/20/10-CGC Faegan vom Johnson-Haus "Panzer"-Black GSD-12/31/11-S.T.A.R. Puppy

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