How old is too old to start schutzhund work? - Page 1

Hi! This is my first working dog (I have a itty bitty field bred Epagneul Breton). She's a female GSD, very green dog. 18 months old. We just got her from her breeder who had to take her back due to the old owner's girlfriend being allergic to her. I didn't want too much drive for my first working dog so :). I'm worried she might be too old to start though? Evidently she's had a bit of work in tracking and obedience but. :)

She is still real young, start training and find a good club.

I didn't start my first schutzhund dog until she was 15 months old.  Good luck and enjoy.

Cheryl

Training success will depend on your ability, the dog's natural ability, and your decoy/training director. You success is a function of these 3 components. Your ability will be comprised of your success in finding good people to work with, the amount of time you can dedicate to the project and how well you can communicate with your dog. The dog will do what it can. The helper/training director needs to be in a position to coach you and get the best performance from you and your dog. You success starts with your selection. Choose wisely!

What you are up against is a basically mature dog that will be asked to start from scratch with some elementary tasks. It has already picked up habits, some may be good, others will have to be modified. The best situation is to begin with a young dog and bring it through training step by step as you would a child in school, learning and developing new skills as it matures, facing new challenges as it proves it's ability to accept the next level. Your dog will be a 11th grader going to his first day of school in the second grade. It has some catching up to do. Can it be done? Absolutely, done all the time at all ages, but you are a little behind the power curve from the beginning. Good luck and I hope it turns out well. If you post your location, some may be able to help with some local suggestions.

I started a 6yo American Bulldog, he had done protection work and obedience, but no dumbbells, blinds and no tracking.  He made Schutzhund 3 at 8 yo.

Yes, his foundation for obedience was crappy from when before I had a trainer, but we always made it through with  low 80s/ high 70s.   He V'd in tracking for his 1, but we could never get his stamina up to keep big points by the 3. 

He made 96 in the bitework for his 1 (high in Protection and  trial overall) and 95s for his 2 and 3.  

So, don't worry about age.  When a dog has heart and talent, anything is possible.

LOL I joined a SchH club with my 5 y/o GSD. I don't ever expect to win anything, or even get any titles, we're just there to have fun. :)

Thanks Paul. :) What should I be starting with her? Just do basic tracking work and what not?
I found a club, sending them an email right now. :)

I do not even start until they are 18 to 24 months old. Either they have it or they do not. But none the less you have a great amount you get to learn from all of it . Have fun.

Thank you all so much! I certainly don't expect much from her (I sadly don't know her lines either D: ). She seems like a very nice dog though. Moderate drive (from what I can see). She's very focused on me though!

agility
Visit all the clubs you can and pick the one you like best and do what the training director tell you too.  Be a full part of the club, you and your dog should have fun.