Hi, I am looking to start Schutzhund for the first time. Just wondering what some of you vets do to imprint your pups in the first few months to a year of their lives. I have seen some videos where you just throw a ball against a wall and have your pup retrieve it, I have seen people use flirt poles and milk cartons with coins inside and of coarse the puppy bite sleeve. I know some of you have some other cool methods you use to help imprint your pups getting them ready for different dog sports. Please share.
The single most important thing you can do with you pup to get them ready for anything, is to build engagement. If you don't have engagement, you have nothing.
Yes I have seen the Michael Ellis vids on this, anything specific? I usually just play with my pups like any normal dog owner. I keep a bite rag handy, a tennis ball, some treats and just have fun. Was just wondering if there was anything else more specific I can do.
I'm no vet. I'm not enthusiastic. I'm pretty low key, sarcastic, monotone. But I read slamdunc, i think, saying to be the most interesting or exciting thing around.
Cut loose, have fun, be dorky. Keep your dogs attention.
We can't say, this is our first time raising a puppy for sports, let alone a Malinois. My husband's current Mondioring dog is a GSD rescue (we adopted him when he was around 14 months old).
I wouldn't say our Mal was difficult to raise, she is very handler-sensitive though. We were involved in protection sports for 5 years before we got her. We really wanted her to become a confident, stable, and sociable adult, so we spent a lot of time on socializing her. Looking back, one thing I think we did right by her, is that we never rushed her, we let her mature at her own pace. We are very happy with the way she is turning out.
Hopefully you have the right person to help you get this dog and if he's a good one, the right person to train with.
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