What age to handle PPD ???? - Page 2

I have to agree alot with don corleone in everything he said about children with these train dogs. You have to remember that schutzhund dogs are sport dogs ( not saying they can't be ppd as well ). but PPD are trained to be very up close and personal in a flick of a switch in there dominant minds and not toys. Like what was said above they are a loaded gun waiting for the trigger to be pulled. My suggestion is that you be very careful about how you and your young son communicate and interact with the dog.

I appreciate all the responses on this and I hope someone else learned from this also. THIS IS THE REASON WHY i JOINED THIS POST ONCE AGAIN THANX

Your welcome Xeus.  See just goes to show you that not all the PDB members are crack pots or need meds. lol  OH and when engaging in "normal" intelligent conversation we even get along.

My 11 year old daughter can easily handle any of our dogs. She put a CD on her first dog at 9 years old, placing in the 190s every leg. Hopefully I have a pup for her from an upcoming litter.  She's a natural handler and my PPD Rikkor daughter has super control/obedience anyway...in fact, she also shows her in AKC juniors. You just really have to know your child/dog.

If Im not mistaken   T Floyd has both of his kids , his daughter and his son on the field and working dogs...and T's dogs are not  stocking stuffers......but that is a working family...like Kczaja , has been doing it since dogs grew up learning her and the obedience....some dogs are too strong for a 10 year old...., but certainly a dog with super obedience that knows the child will do good with the child.....but stiff rules abide during and after the fun ends as to housing or where dog is when kids are playing....

I'd be careful about letting a child that young handle a dog -- of course you know your family and dogs better than anyone here, so only you can make that call.

I just like to be sure that who-ever is handling my dogs has both the maturity, and the physical strength to handle the dog. I've known cases where a well-trained dog suddenly got an idea in its head, and dragged the young handler down onto his face and pulled him a few feet before stopping. Just not enough mass to anchor the dog. No one was hurt, but if another dog had been on the field and they'd charged each other, it could've been a disaster.

Even the most civil dogs can get out of control; just like people. *lol*

There are kids I wouldnt even want near a PPD. Just depends on the kid and the maturity level he shows when handling the dog. As long as he understands what the dog is capable of he should be fine...but it is a big risk. If something was to happen then it would be hard for a young child to handle the situation.

I dont know how many people take their children to training but I have always done it.  One reason with working parents and the cost of daycare.  Also I want my kids to interested in the dogs and to learn how to help  with them.  I am not saying that my son is the only handler that he is her primary handler.  He has learned over the years all the commands and excercises for the sport.  My middle son learned how to walk by holding on to my female PPD.  So he also learned the commands.  I have tried to make this a family experience.  Over the years my boys have shown the interest so I let them experience it.  This may sound odd but it is like I teach them with the guns, You dont touch dads gun without dad, if you want to see one and hold one just ask dad.  I dont let them be in awa of the gun but I teach them how to handle and respect the gun.   Yes the guns are locked in a closet.....

Also I know my female she is a very good dog. 

It depends on the dog and how they react in different situations.  I wouldn't  let anyone (child or ignorant adult) handle Rade.  Rade is still very young but he is very serious out in public, and he is very quick to react, so I have to watch him 24/7 and people dont understand and expect him behave a certain way.  The other day my dad walked in and Rade barked (as he doesnt know my dad very well) and my dad started coming at him in a very threatening manner yelling and screaming (because he was mad that Rade barked at him) and Rade went for him, but luckily he was on a leash, but most people expect dogs to be little robots, so I cant trust anyone who is unfamiliar with working dogs.  Now my previous dog was a sweet heart, and I trusted him in all situations, especially with kids.  So I would let my little cousins handle him and play with him, with no fear that he might injure them (never unsupervised though, rather be safe than sorry).  So I think the individual dog has alot to do with it.

Also, I hate seeing kids being dragged by their dogs and not having control over them.  It stresses me out to no end, but if your kid is physically strong enough to handle the dog and understands the dog is not a toy, I see nothing wrong with it.