hidden sleeve question - Page 1

hello


 i just had a question how old do gsds usually have to be before they are tested to see if they would take a hidden sleeve?

I understand some good trainers can do it to dogs younger? I am not getting a dog tested or anything i was just curious?

Can dogs be tested as young as 1 years old to see if they would bite for real if they were really good dogs with really good trainers? Just curious? Is that how some police forces in europe select dogs?

I'm not a Trainer, I am a Handler and from my experience you would not want to test a dog on hidden sleeve until it is at least 1 1/2 years old and you are very confident that the dog will take the hidden sleeve. Too much to soon can cause problems. This is of course a general statement and trainers may have other opinions, considering the individual dog.

And when I say a "hidden Sleeve", I mean a "real" hidden sleeve, not a sport sleeve underneath a large jacket which is very obvious to everyone including the dog.

JMO


Kim

ditto

destiny,
IMO, depends on the dogs maturity, bloodlines, sex, drive and type of drive and temperament.  Too many variables to give an age other than I never used hidden equipment until I knew the dog had it in them to bite.  As a rule I like a dog to be 2yrs old, but this is very general.  Different dogs and bloodlines and breeds mature at different ages as well as sexes within a litter.  When I do this I do not "feed" the arm or leg to the dog and I put some pressure on the dog, as long as the dog shows he can handle it.  I want it to be natural for the dog to take what is offered to them.  You should have a good idea when this time is if you are in tune to your dog.  Personally, I love hidden equipment and situational, once the dog is ready.
Some years ago I had a Rott that defied all rules.  At a young age (starting at about 4 months old and progressed) was ready to take on the world.   Was imported as a pup from very strong true working lines in Germany that were probably not acceptable even by standards back then. 
So the rule is there is no hard fast rule, but it is better to error on the side of waiting too long.  You will not hurt the dog waiting too long, but you can by starting too early.  Your dog should talk to you and let you know when he is ready.

i would also go for what are your training goals? If you are training a pup for sport, PP or service work, you would train thwm different. Olskool brings up great points. Bloodlines, maturity, etc.

This is determined by the individual....there is NO set time frame to start any dog, if you are a good trainer. Your dog should tell the handler/trainer when they are ready to move to or do something.