some questions about clubs - Page 1

i posted this question earlier but the post apaarently got to full(everyone aguring --but makin good points)--but i was worried my questions got lost in all, so im gonna try again

O.k.  my dog goes nuts over anything you throw, and really  nuts over laser lights, even when he is so tired he can barely move ..if my kids walk in and throw a toy--he is right on it---is this what you mean by good prey drive?

wher i live are lots of stray dogs and for a while there was a male bulldog hiding in the woods by my house, everytime my kids would go outside to play i had to watch out for this "unknown" dog, by the time boss turned 3 1/2 moths old, he would chase this stray dog off if it got near the kids (he was ok if the dog was just kinda hangin around but if it started to go towards the kids boss would get razor back and turn on attack mode..lol..well as much attack mode as a pup can do) the same if other "unknown"dogs get to close to me, he plays with them just fine but does not like for them to come to close to me.....does this mean he would be good at protection?

he is always looking me straight in the eyes, if im holding food or toy he only glances at it and looks right at me, barely any time on teaching him WATCH ME...does that mean good focus?

he SITS when i tell him, bout breaks his neck to get to me if i say COME, he  we are still working on STAY<--guess he can't stand for me to leave him...does this show good obedience?

Does this seem like a good dog to do schutzhund with? am i wasting his potential by keeping him at home? even if i was to go to a club, with ME being so ignorant with all the rules and what the dogs are suppose to do, will they laugh at me? do you have to be "invited" to a club or do i just show up with my dog?

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/511023.html

Call a few clubs and ask if you may come out.  Tell them you are interested in Sch.  You have a puppy.  You would like to come out and see if it something you would be interested persuing furthur.  If the person says you may come out, ask what you will need to bring.  Do you want me to bring my pedigree, health records, etc. Take the dog in a crate.  Do not bring him in a loose car.  This is for your dog and cars safety.

If you call a few clubs, you can usually get an idea of what the clubs are all about.  The person that will be the most welcoming and readily available to your questions will most likely be the best fit. 

It sounds like your pup has good focus and drive.  I would rather not see the hackles up on your dog, but he is young.  The only way you can know if the dog is suitable for anything, is to try it.  A dog with a lot of energy can be a pain in the rear if they don't get an outlet.

contact some clubs,  Ask them what they're membership requires...  Ask them for an information packet,  and Ask them if you can come visit with them on a training day,  to get a feel for them don't take your dog on your first visit unless they request you to bring the dog,  VISIT as MANY clubs as possible and go with the one you feel MOST comfortable with.  This may take several visits or you might know right off the bat,   This is the group for you,  But visit with as many as is needed to get comfortable.   Good Luck to you and I hope you can find a club that is willing to help you, that will accept you for what/who you are.   Keep your chin up no matter what !!!   There has been alot of info passed here the last couple of days and the thing that is more terrifying is that people really are "turned off" by SOME clubs/members  Don't let that happen to you !   Have Fun,  and keep us posted,  I wish you the very best !!

Luvy!

Take your kiddo to training!  You do not need to wait for an invitation!  If you want to do Schutzhund go shop around and find a good club.  Clubs have a purpose and that purpose is to support and help others train their dog/puppy!  The club's training dirrector or helper will be able to acess your puppy and tell you where to go from there!  You sound like you mostly answered your questions yourself! 

I will give you an assignment:

1.  Go find a club, attend their next training day and report back!

Remember, it is ok to be a newbe!  Ask lots of questions at the club, they will be happy to answer them for you!

Good luck!

Vickie

www.PowerHausKennels.com

And don't feel bad if the first one is not the right fit.  We looked for awhile and joined a couple different ones before we found the one that was right for us and our dogs.  Have fun with Boss.

Don't ask what their membership requires.  It will be a while of attending before they would even consider you for membership.

I would definitely ask if you can bring the pup.  All of them will say yes if he is current and you have proof of vet records.

Look up SchH usa's website.  Find the Club Directory and call all the contact people in your area. 

I agree with Don, except DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT, offer your dogs pedigree to the club. Ask if they will evaluate your pup for drives and leave it at that. If you enjoy yourself and liked the members, ask if you may return again. Don't get your feelings hurt if they give you the cold shoulder or tell you something other than what you think about your pup. Move onto the next club. If say...4-5 clubs or trainers tell you the pup wont cut it, they may be onto something.

And when in doubt....ASK SOMEONE ON HERE; they pretty much know who's who and word travels fast.  Learn from my experience. Find someone you trust who can somehow "mentor" or guide you with the fundamentals so the sharks don't eat you. lol  Oh and one more thing HAVE FUN, enjoy yourself and don't be affraid to ask a stupid question or too many questions.  There's no such thing and that's the only way you will learn as you go. 

don corleone-- qoute<I would rather not see the hackles up on your dog, but he is young. > why is this bad? 

agar-<Find someone you trust who can somehow "mentor" or guide you with the fundamentals so the sharks don't eat you. > this would be great ...does anyone know anyone near franklinton louisiana,-washington parish who would be willing to do that?

Hackles = Fear/Uneasy  ...  At least that is how it was explained to me.   And when you see alot of dogs on a daily basis that fear could be coming from anything given the specific situation,  could be a fear of gender, fear of tall person, fear of child, fear of noise, fear of strange dog,  You just have to learn how to read what in the specific situation is causing the dog to be "Uneasy".  could be as simple as Surroundings/New Environment,  or a combination of many things.