Strength & Limitation of Schutzhund as a Test - Page 2

A lot has been said about the dog on the sleeve, expressing prey drive vs. fight drive.To me, that is important but what is more important is the "out" as in how much the dog is in the handler's control while in drive (prey or fight).And, if that control is achieved by the handler by working with the dog as a partner and not a slave, that is the ultimate team. It is usually evident by watching the team work- a dog working out of fear as opposed to a dog working for his friend. I think in real life, a dog working as a partner is more likely to step up and protect his mate wheras a dog that is trained to do the "work" by force is more likely to either back off or continue to look up to the "master" to do something. This demonstration of control of drive that comes willingly from the dog towards his partner is the most fascinating aspect of the sport.The same applies to tracking and obedience also.And, these are the dogs you can live with in a family too.To summarize,in my opinion, regardless of the sport (Schutzhund or ring) it is not what, it is how it is done.

I think that the "swedish protection programme" is a good way to see if the dog "can handle real situations" and be a good policedog.

This is the 2nd reference I have come across regarding "some program in Sweden or Switzerland". Could some one please amplify about this program? What is it? and how is it done. Then we could probably have a sense of it vis-a-vis schutzhund.

It's not a test.....it's a game....20 years ago it was a test, not any more, and may never be a test again!!!