schutzhund people,,,, best advice you ever got. - Page 4

"put the beer on ice before training begins." -#1 Training Director

mine was as the same as K9sar said, "Learn to walk a straight line before you start to track" and "always trust your dog on the track".  I've always had issues trusting the dog on where the track was laid.

"It's a TEAM sport. You can't just open your wallet and buy a good dog and compete.  You need to have a RELATIONSHIP with your dog."

"Give the ball now.  Now!  NOW!!"

"Always know where your track is, every footstep of the way."

"Always get it in writing.  Save every email."

"Bitework first, THEN beer."

And one that particularly applies to me on occasion... "Open mouth, insert foot."

"Bloodlines don't make the dog."

"Never buy a dog sight unseen."

"If you buy a dog from a friend, be prepared to lose the friendship."

Here's a good quote from one of Claudia Romard's training articles... "It's easier to tell someone their spouse sucks than it is to tell them their dog sucks."  Spot on!

Overheard at my old dog club down South, "Guy, let's face it... the dog is NOT an extension of your penis so stop acting like it is!"

Yvette:

I LOVE those!!   So true!  EXCEPT, buying a dog from a friend.  Personally, I have not found that to be a bad thing.  I agree with Claudia, too : people will take criticism of their spouse, and even their kids better than the slightest criticism of their dog!! 

"Its beer-thirty!"

Don't Brain Fu*& it!

Theresa

Quote:

“THE ONLY THING TWO DOG TRAINERS CAN AGREE ON IS WHAT A THIRD DOG TRAINER IS DOING WRONG”

It goes to show there is no standard formula, whatever suit you and your dog.  More importantly to maintain an open-minded approach to the problem.

The dog comes first, do what the dog needs, your dog sets the training schedule not you, your calendar, or the department. - Keep your ego out of it, don't take what the dog does personal, if you get angry, leave to cool off. - If your dog is your set of testicles (sorry guys, he deals mostly with male officers), go play with sharks at feeding time. If you use your dog to prove how "tough" you are, leave now, don't come back and leave your dog, you don't deserve one. - it is ALWAYS the handler's fault until proven otherwise. - your dog will do what ever he/she can to make you happy and earn your respect, so make sure you stay humble and EARN YOUR DOG'S RESPECT, never take your dog's love or loyalty for granted. Remember, it is one of the many responsibilities you have taken on to learn your dog's language, needs, and quirks, not the other way around.