Reactive dogs at Schutzhund clubs - Page 1

I am interested to know what protocols Schutzhund clubs have regarding dogs that react aggressively, bark or lunge in close proximity to other dogs or strange people. Do the clubs generally work with these dog/handler teams for them to learn control in a training atmosphere to maintain the dog's composure, or do they generally banish handlers of reactive dogs to return to training after sorting the dog out???

Thanks in advance 

I can only speak about how I would handle such a situation. I never allowed any more than two dogs on the field at one time doing obedience. Unless there was a specific reason to do so, all other dogs would be put up ALWAYS during protection work. This meant in a crate or inside the kennel building I own. I was also a fanatic on socialization work and I tried to work dogs who were improperly socialized alone at first, and gradually desensitized them to people and/or other dogs. That takes a lot of work and many clubs would likely not be willing to do it because they have too much work to do with members whose dogs are under control. As well, people in my club were taught not to approach other dogs and all interactions with dogs of other members were closely supervised. We never had any incident. But I also did not allow strangers to come without prior approval and speaking with them about how they should behave. Essentially, every member was responsible for their dog and we were always very, very careful with any human dog or dog dog interaction. It should always be so, but some people take a lot of chances and/or just assume all will be fine. I made sure it WAS safe. PERIOD.

During shows we had, I always had a safety officer present whose sole responsibility was to remind people about keeping the dogs separated. All it takes is a moment's inattention and one can have a serious dog fight and then someone end up getting bitten. So I was very proactive about this. Some people not in my club did not like my rules, but I did not give a damn. It was about protecting my club, all the dogs, and my personal property from liability.

That said, what is your issue? Have you experienced this? IF so, maybe I can help you long distance with some ideas about how to work with your dog. 

Thanks for your response Hodie, much appreciated. Your club sounds very well organised indeed.

Our club can be at times a free for all in obedience training where 10 or 12 teams are on the field at one time working on different exercises. The sessions are supervised by two trainers, but handlers are free to move around the field at will. Sometimes someone may run towards another handler in too close proximity and a dog may react and bark/lunge and be sent off the field for a reaction incident, but in my opinion, there are too many teams on the field at once doing whatever and consequently reactions will and do occur training in those circumstances.

During protection training, dog's must be crated or put back into vehicles etc where only one team works on the field, but there are general people and dogs walking around all over the place around the club house area the only rule being that the dog's are leashed. You may perhaps be standing alone with your dog waiting to go on the field, next minute someone's approaching from behind with a 6 month old puppy bouncing around at your dog and the dog reacts to the puppies excitement, then a club official appears with a warning because your dog reacted. Basically anyone can approach anyone else at will without any ground rules set that dogs can react with a protocol how and when to approach handlers and their dogs. Aggressive reactions are monitored and condemmed, but the general operations doesn't assist in preventing the potential of reactions occurring and I am interested how other clubs manage these situations.

That is the way it is here Hodie,  we never take any chances, at any time...

I just wanted to comment  - I am sick of them! 

This past weekend a dog that occasionaly comes to the club lunged at, and got dangerously closed to a child.  Clearly this does not say a lot about the nerve strength of the dog.  The handler is new and probably should give the dog back to the breeder.  It is a catastrophe waiting to happen.  This is not the first time the dog has reacted in such a way to people or other dogs.
As far as dog reacticity the handler (especially if they are new) needs to understand why there dog is doing it and how to correct it. 
These things that happen in training can cause serious situations when trialing.  I cannot tell you how many dogs I have seen that did (or worse yet did not and should have) fail their BH.  Scary that it could be your dog being chased. Or your child.

The club I used to belong to tried really hard to desensitize and socialize weak dogs, but nothing really ever came of it. They stayed untrustworthy and spooky. I SERIOUSLY wish it had worked, but it didn't. We probably didn't try as hard as Hodie did, though. She's talking about a LOT of work and a LOT of experience, which we lacked. 

 Hi everyone,

Could you please give the names of the clubs you go to? I'm looking for a well run club in the Washington, DC, area. Thanks!

 Hi everyone,

Could you please give the names of the clubs you go to? I'm looking for a well run club in the Washington, DC, area. Thanks!

The club I used to train with before I moved worked really hard with me - my girl is reactive to other dogs, especially females, and was poorly socialized by her first owner.  The general training schedule went like this:
- "individual" training on the field on obedience.  Our field was very large, and it was easy for us to stay to one side, in the general vicinity of other dogs without being close enough to cause a problem.  We were also able to stay out of the area with the jumps and leave enough space for other members to practice the obedience routines.
- after a period of time (maybe 20-30 minutes depending on how many people were there to do protection), we cleared the field for people to work on protection one at a time.  Dogs usually stayed in the vehicles, and there was a schedule on a dry erase board so we knew who was coming up next.  Some members brought more than one dog to train, and it was easier to just write the dog names down than try to remember who was going next.

Some members brought puppies, but kept them away from the dogs that were working.  There was a sitting area with picnic tables where people were able to watch training, and generally the puppies just visited the spectators.  After the other dogs worked, the puppies were able to go on the field for ragwork.  People were really respectful, helpful to visitors, and there was just a great atmosphere that everyone was there to learn something.  Even though we didn't work much in protection, the other members were very helpful in explaining to me and other new people what the helper was doing, how to read the dogs, and just general dog info.  I really miss that club!

Opal