Avoidance issue from previous training... - Page 1

My Schutz club members say that my soft dog shows this and they suspect that this was most likely due to misuse of an E collar, or perhaps an inexperienced handler.  She is a German import from a well known kennel, 3.5 yrs old with some previous training.  She has very little prey or food drive and we are still searching for just the right toy that will help her start to become handler focused, and hopefully have some enjoyment in the process.  I searched the messageboard database for this topic and have not found it discussed.  Any help would be appreciated!!!  And yes, I have read all the other threads on E collars, so have a pretty good idea of the good and the not so good...

Thank you,

T.

Wow...so many views and no replies-what do I have B.O. or something?  This is a really hearbreaking situation for me, so anyone with some experience or good advice would be so appreciated.

T.

Ok, I know I started this thread very late, so hope for some replies tomorrow.  I am seriously thinking about taking her out of the club and letting her just be a pet/companion dog.  Perhaps that would help her the most at this point?  How do you help a fantastic dog who obviously has had bad E-collar training?  Nite all,

T.

Most of show dogs are soft and lack of working drive, they have running drive instead. So in your case it is not necessarily training or hadling problem. You should not expect too much from a show dog in SchH. Just try to do as good as you can and enjoy it. If you are serious about training then find a working line shepherd.

gsdhausphm, Thanks for your reply-she IS a working line, that is the problem!  Here is her pedigree:

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/495775.html 

T.

I don't think anything was said about this dog being a show dog in the post!

say that my soft dog shows this

I'm not experienced with the E collar so I won't comment on the post.  Just wanted to read it, sorry.

I remember seeing pictures of that dog for sale on here.   Is that the same dog?

How long have you had her? 

One suggestion I have would be to maybe yes take her away from club for awhile or just bring her to club and not work her there.  Do some relationship building with the dog. 

Hi T, It sounds like you are on the right track in finding A toy that will stimulate her.One of my boys will go crazy when 1 particular tug comes out(and this one is not real high in drive either).Next,how long have you had this dog?Have you taken some good time to just bond with her so that she WANTS to work for you?Some people just get a dog and expect the dog to just work for them and that is NOT how it works.I would do as I did with my last boy i bought,Just BOND,BOND,BOND.When you start to know what the dogs likes and dislikes then you move ahead.I would not just ride the dog off so quickly.Then you must decide if you just want to have some fun and title her OR if you want to compete at high level.Once you reach that point then you will know.Remember,when we buy a dog already full grown,we NEVER know what stress,trauma,etc that the poor animal has been through.The seller is NOT going to tell you he F'D up the dog OR a helper could of put too much pressure too soon,who knows what she has been exposed to.If you beleive in time that this is not what you want,then do the right thing and let someone who will ACCEPT,LOVE  and RESPECT the dog for what it is have her.I have seen some cruel things go on at some of these lovely sch clubs and that is why i decided to take time away from this game altogether.I dont even want to see some of the charecters involved in this sport.Anyway,i hope that you will get something out of this post.Good luck to you both and remember that training  MUST be fun to do so go out there and just have some fun with your dog.

I would suggest trying a different helper. One that can pick through your dogs issues. I'm amazed at how a good helper can expose the dogs strengths and issues first time out. I think it will save you a lot of time and effort in the long run. You will walk away with a clear picture of what you have and what you have to work with. I can recommend two on the East Coast and one in the Great Lakes region.

Some issues are created by training and can't be worked through. Sometimes the dog just doesn't have it in them.

Hello T,

I have worked couple dogs that arn't into many toys or food, wow are these dogs hard to work in a positive mode.  Most likely why they used the E-coller in the first place.  Here is what has worked for me.  Ok I have sheep so I take thier wool and put it in a bag and add toys for a couple of hours in the bad...makes the toys smell like the sheep. They go crazy for the toy.  I will usually start with a ball on a rope, long one, drag it around having the dog chase it, not letting them get it.  put them away.  next training I will have them chase it, focus and get the toy...do an out and have them start focus healing work.. go from there.  This has worked with all the dogs. they just go crazy.  If you don't have sheep neer you and need some wool, email me your address and I can mail you some.

Heather

draggahaus@yahoo.com