When to start puppies? - Page 1

I'd like to ask when or what age do you start puppies in bitework? I know there is a very big difference in opinion here and I'd like to know others thoughts behind their reasoning. 

Formal stuff like at a club?  For me, at least a year, but I do stuff at home with rags & tugs.  I wait so as to let the pup mature mentally, but I wait to do formal ob too.  I really sort of stretch out the puppy stage, partially to let them mature, but sometimes I think that's an excuse on my part because I REALLY love all the puppy stages!  I feel like if the genetics are there, then it's no hurry.  Plus, there's the issue of teething and waiting to see how the hips turn out, but mostly I think it's my excuse to enjoy the puppy stage a little longer.

Sue what do you introduce him to and do with him in that year? Do you take him to a club and let him look around, hear the noises, whips, other dogs working/barking and socialize with other members of a club, who actually know what should and shouldn't be done to socialize a pup? Do you take them lots of places or just hang out with him at home?

I socialize only with those who know what should/shouldn't be done.  I take him lots of places like the gun club and beaches & stuff but I don't let strangers touch or play with my dogs.  I know there are some who think this will make a dog anti-social, but that has not been my personal experience and my dogs have been high drive working line GSDs.  My dogs have always been aloof, but not skittish at all by the time they are adults.  As far as schutzhund club, I will go with a pup occaisionally, but really not much.  He does know the sound of the whip which he alerts & fires up to, same thing with other dogs barking.

What about you?  What are your feelings on young pups?

I just want to say I am not for a second considering myself  anywhere near an expert in this area.  I have had only a limited amount of these dogs, and I have never trained anyone elses dogs.  This is just what has worked for me, who knows I could have ended up with nice dogs out of sheer dumb luck - what's that old saying about god protecting idiots & drunks?

I'm not solid on either waiting or going ahead early. I guess it depends on the individual pup. Baden was started when he arrived at 9 weeks on a rag, clatter ticks, whips baby stick hits, kinda like Koos does with his pups. Our breeder also believes in this, for these lines anyway. It doesn't seem to have hurt him. I guss there are later blooming dogs that show no interest or who aren't ready for that pressure. I had him tested by a few people, gathered opinions and just kept moving up when he seemed ready. I can't recall exactly and can't pull up my older pics, (they aren't on my PC) but I think he was on the a puppy sleeve at 3 months, bite pillow at 4 and SchH sleeve by 7 months. He just was put on a bite suit 2 weeks ago at 13.5 months. He didn't skip a beat, he rather enjoyed it actually.

Remember though I am doing PSA not Shutzhund. The club I train with has a time every training day for puppies. They put all the pups in a circle with the trainer in the middle holding a flirt pole. Each pup gets a couple passes at the rag or tug depending on their level. Sometimes other people walk around with a whip, clatter, or shaker bottle getting pups used to all of this. We did this quite a bit at home, so it was nothing new to Baden but fun to do with the trainer and other dogs/members. It's a great way to monitor progress and differences in pups and breeds of pups. Other breeds of pups start out much stronger but many fizzle when GSD's hold steady and solid.

As far as socializing, I have always taken my pups everywhere I can. We do go in public and I feel like a service announcment everytime someone wants to pet my dog and I am selective with who I let actually touch him. Next pup wont get so many yes's, I feel Baden is a little too friendly with everyone he meets. Maybe the aloofness will come later but so far he is Mr Social Butterfly, better than aggressive I guess and he has no dog aggression. He is great in the aspect he is tolerant of almost anything. Very stable and never jumpy or skittish. Nothing shocks him or shuts him down. Just don't try to hold him still or down.

I'm no expert either Sue, that's why I wont say yes or no to either method. Whatever works for you is the best way I guess.

I really think with these wonderfully bred dogs it's almost a matter of personal preference, 6 of one half dozen of the other.  As long as we don't do anything really dumb!!

I think you were right when you said it depends on the individual dog.  Each dog matures at a different level and brings different attributes to the table.  Depending on what type of work you are focusing on, the type of dog may limit your start.  All dogs can be started at a young age by working them primarily in Prey and very little pressure.  Using this time to help build a good foundation, work on the grip, bark, strike and confidence.  I usually don't start taking a bat to the dog until they are at least 5 months old.