Help with GSD PPD Prices? - Page 2

Michael:  OK, n ow that you have explained yourself a little better I think all GSD owners are only looking out for the dog(s) or their dogs.  That said, I PM'd you some recommendations that should be able to help you out and get you the dog you need and want.  BOL in your search  Nan

Nans gsd,

Thank you, but I did not receive a PM from you.

Sorry it took me a few minutes to put it together.  Nan

Hi Michael,

If I understand you correctly you want a dog that will give you a greater sense of safety when at work and who will very much be a part of your life. A couple of things come to mind. Ask potential sellers to create scenarios which might arise in your work e.g attempted robbery. Have them do this in a place/places away from their kennels as dogs can often perform very well in surroundings to which they have become familiar and accustomed yet fail miserably when pressurised in an unfamiliar environment. Do this with a few dogs from the kennel. Where at all possible handle the dog/s yourself and have different 'helpers' (ie not those the dogs are used to) agitate the dogs in the scenarios. If you have a gut instinct about a dog, Ask the seller to allow you to take the dog on trial for a week or two - perhaps for a small fee. If the dog is as 'steady' as the seller suggests, you will not set the dog back in such a short period of time. Anyone sure of their dog will not be reluctant to go with these suggestions.

Good luck.

Nans, I got it and replied thank you.

Dawsy,
That is excellent advice and I greatly appreciate it. I didn't think about the dog acting different away from its area.

Dawsy - good advice for the buying part;  but how likely is it actually that the dog
will have to demonstrate the full range of its training 'for real' during a fortnight's
trial  ?  (not to mention: if that DOES happen but it goes pear-shaped and the
wrong person gets bitten, or even barked at .)

Michael  - oh, come on, unless it was in a PM no one on here has said
"You are an idiot" OR "OMG How could you do that to a dog ?"
What we have been trying to say is "How much do you actually realise
about the owner & dog relationship, if you haven't been there before ?"

I'm sure your family animals - I note you still don't say if you have actually
kept any dog - were looked after and loved.  With a bought-in Protection
dog, that is not the issue, only the very beginning of the story.  You "did
interact with a few dogs in the Marines " ?  If that means you acted as a
suited decoy for bitework dogs worked by other Marines etc, FINE - but
if it means you patted the odd Military Police dog on the head occasionally,
forget it, it won't help you very much.

$10,000 and over is too much for a PPD. Heck police pay less for trained drug and patrol dogs in many cases

While reading the posts it occurred to me to say this: Ask Slamdunc how much time he spends working his dog and he actually relys on the dog with his life. Btw he is a LEO. I think everyone just wants you to know that even though you get a dog and spend time with the trainer, ANY dog that your asking to protect you in time of need, needs constant work to stay sharp. Its just how it is with dogs. The dog may be with you every day but he doesnt need to protect you every day. The skills you buy from the training this dog has needs to be maintained. Im sure you know the mwd's you have been around are worked every day. The same will be for your dog.

People post on here all the time asking this same exact question without realizing just how much work it takes to maintain a dog with what your asking him to do should the need arise. Ive personally heard over and over from Le's where I am that most guys just cannot commit to the time it takes to keep their dog committed without buringing out. Talk to any of your military dog friends. Its ALOT of work. We may sound snobbish but really we just want you to see that buying the dog is just the beginning not the end.

Barb

Alaman, Thank you for that. That's what I'm finding out real quick. Thanks again.

Bhaugh, I agree that getting the dog is not the end. I understand that it will have to be worked and kept in shape. Luckily for me I'm in Phoenix so I do have a good trainer available. Thank you for the input. Oh, I don't think you're snobs.

Hundmutter, I'm sorry but I thought it was implied that I never owned a PPD before that's why I'm asking questions. Honestly you have been anything but helpful, you still have not contributed one helpful bit of advice. You have just asked questions and made sly comments to things that have already been addressed if you would have simply read my OP. I'm sure it is difficult for you being around all the ignorant wannabe dog owners like myself. It's best that you stop wasting your time with me because obviously I will never get it and I hope for the dogs sake I get a clue real soon.

Michael