Anybody Interested in a Trade?? - Page 6

 Jen:
See my point exactly. You know what to look for.
Several of my team mates have dogs that are certified to do both  HRD (Human Remains Detection) and wilderness work.
Since we have the Rio Grande river running through our city several are also starting to train for Water SAR.
The more I work with them the more I am learning and know what types of questions to ask GSD breeders. 

Cheri, maybe Jenni can hook you up to contact her puppy buyers that are working their dogs with SAR so you can get some details to the answers of some of your questions??

One of mine is local (IL) and the other is in Canada. The one in Canada is more of a hobby thing, but the local one has been doing this for 30 years or so; this is her third dog.

I have learned that different clubs look for and allow very different things. I was all psyched to get Caleb into it, but was denied because he'd had bitework...............so dumb. Another one said he was too big. :-(  Now, I hear from all kinds of people about these great, progressive clubs that let SchH titled dogs participate, etc...where were they 5-6 years ago when I was looking?

Why don't you just focus on finding a really super one year old prospect? You're going to save yourself a lot of grief if you dodge a big problem with hips / elbows, after having put a year into training. I've got a fantastic little bitch, here, with rock solid nerves and drives to burn. She loves the toy and food, too. She is already well started in ground search and has a real free and easy style.. covers the ground like a vacuum cleaner.. She works diligently to find food bits and doesn't stop until she has them all.. which doesn't take long! She'll go over, under, and in anything. She likes to climb. Nothing seems to frighten her. She's very bold and curious. She's also a spoiled brat! She used to lick my chin frantically when I told her, "I love you so much"! Now I get a couple of licks, followed by a nip, then she's off to get into something else! LOL She's as cute as a button, and curious as a cat. Good SAR / sniffer dogs are born more than made. The work you put into them is better spent than on a lesser prospect.

Also, why do you want a male? The bitches have a better weight and size for this kind of work. I'd rather have a dog that's small enough to fit into tight spaces, easy to lift and carry (onto or from platforms and elevated areas). This little bitch is the perfect size for any kind of search work.

"Dulce" (Spanish for sweet / candy) IS for sale, to the right party. You can inquire privately, if you like. Sorry.. I have no use for an over the hill sport horse.

Why the denial because of bitework? They were afraid he would bite the found person? 

Jen:
I had heard about the bite work thing too. Were probably non GSD owners who feared that a dog trained to do bite work would be to aggressive. Who knows.

Would love to talk to the IL club you are familiar with.

Shady, believe it or not...they said that it's too dangerous to have protection trained dogs off leash WITH OTHER DOGS. Can you believe that logic? PP training makes them DA? HUH???

He IS a bit large, though. I can see not wanting him doing disaster SAR in case there are people trapped in rubble.

All so true, people are giving horses away.  I have a Brenna's Kid son for competitive reining. He is super(and not for sale), however it is hard to sell a sound horse in this market.  Most people don't want to start out with a vet bill.  In my world, No legs/feet,  no horse. Your horse is only 8, also.  A youngster to have such problems.  You might be kinder to keep her and check out some of Steph's dogs.  Good Luck.

Cheri, I will ask Mary if she'd be willing to talk to you. I am not personally involved w/the club.