[xano123]

Hi there,

So our GSD is coming trained -- he's a Sch III. After reading many helpful posts, it sounds like, aside from joining our local Sch club, my fiance and I should also join an obedience class for bonding and pack leadership purposes. We're all for classes and bonding..so..

Does it need to be some specific Sch class? Or since we are specifically doing this just for bonding & leadership purposes, will any obedience class for adult dogs do?

THanks!

 

[valb]

Our Sierra wasn't Sch. but she was definitely "pre-trained" in
obedience, we took her to an obed. class anyway and I highly
recommend it for new owner/dog combos. It was fun having her
already know stuff (I had worked with her a little at home for
a couple months) and good to get her daddy, who is NOT
much of a disciplinarian, to "put her through her paces"!

 

[BowWowMeow]

I would look for an advanced obedience class or something challenging. I think he will be bored silly in a basic class! An agility class would also be fun. You still get the bonding and I'm sure he would enjoy doing the course.

I obedience trained my new guy myself but I've got him in an agility class right now.

 

[dOg]

It's not so much about training the dog, but you guys.

You should find out about which que words, or commands were used in his training, which language this was done in. Also which methods were used, which corrections, which prey items were used for rewards, even which treats were used. As consistency in training is key, if you cannot know any or all of these things, then a basic class would not be a waste, though he should progress quickly, providing you do, and quickly become consistent in both your command words and the tone with which you speak them.

If a clicker has never been loaded, and you choose to use one, you'll have to load it, i.e. C/T (click, then treat) until the sound comes to mean a good thing is to follow. It "marks" a good behavior.

Without know how much you know about shaping behaviors, or dog training, I assume it's little, or you would not have purchased one pre-trained. But this doesn't mean you don't still need to learn much, only that it ought to be easier, as there will be little confusion as to who is teaching whom.

I'm not being a smart a$$, Hank, they all have plenty to teach us, and while we may think we're going to teach a pup a thing or two, by the time this creature is an old and greyed beloved companion, there is not a single handler out there who hasn't come to realize who taught who the most, and only the most arrogant think it to be the human who held the Phd. in life with a dog.

Your good fortune is, your's has some experience. Let's hope it's been a good one you can know something about, or easily ascertain over time must have been positive.

 

[xano123]

Thank you everyone! All great constructive advice!! We were worried about him being bored so great suggestions -- we are looking into some advanced obedience classes for bonding and funny enough for my fiance who is not much of a disciplinarian either!

We have also contacted the breeder (and going for a visit this weekend) to see Xano in action and to get some face to face time with the breeder to find out all the things you mentioned re: his training. Great feedback -- thank you.

I definitely hear all of you - Xano may have been trained but it's like a race car. Just because it's a race car doesn't mean I could get in and drive it like one! I need some training myself! and of course the bonding will be key (and fun)

Thanks again to all!

 

[Chris Wild]

Frankly, if you're going to be joining a SchH club, I'd just stick with that. You will get all the training, for you and the dog, and bonding there. Consistency in training is important, and trying to follow 2 different types of programs is problematic at best. Especially since it's you who will be the main one getting trained. Sticking just to the SchH club means that the training will be under the guidance of people who understand this type of dog, and the training it has. This is something that most regular obedience instructors do not have.

Later on once you've bonded and learned how to work the dog properly and utilize what he knows, expanding into other venues could provide some variety that you'd both enjoy. But initially, until you and the dog can work together well as a team, I'd stick to one program.