Does age matter??? - Page 1

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Kreiger

by Kreiger on 26 March 2009 - 14:03

For all of you experienced Schutzhund enthusiasts, what level of training would you like to see in your dog by the age of 12 months??
Another words how advanced should you and your dog be at  this age??

I see where some start heavily training from the age of 8 weeks,and some do nothing till the dog reaches a year old.
What is your opinion on how much training the dog should have according to the age and does the age matter??

ShelleyR

by ShelleyR on 26 March 2009 - 14:03

Depends on the dog. I have had dogs ready for BH, almost ready for SchH 1 at one year, almost like they fell out of their mothers ready to go and knowing the routines, and others I had to very, very patient with. I couldn't do much with Bijou till he was over 3 years old, now he's progressing fast, hope to get his BH and SchH 1 in May. We have a dog in our club, maybe 17 mos., about ready for the SchH 1.

Shelley doesn't like to rush dogs. It always comes back and bites me in the ass, especially the show dogs.
Patience is a virtue. You learn it on the trial fields. LOL

SS

by Kandi on 26 March 2009 - 14:03

I think it is too dependant on mental maturity of the dog, experience of the handler, knowledge of the training helper, etc. I don't like to do much more than focus foundation, some rag or fun bitework on a limited basis, and laying a tracking foundation on a pup that I have that is less than 11-12 months old. I personally like to allow my pups the time to mentally and physically mature before putting them under the stress of "full steam ahead". I prefer to allow them to enjoy thier childhood. I also don't want to invest a ton a time into them in regards to formal training before I have the xrays in hand, which I do at about a year old.

My pup now, Carlo...11 months old..is still a complete and utter goof ball as far as his brain goes. Aside from that, everything looks to be there and I am very excited about him. But, I have to force myself to proceed at his pace....

I think the worst thing a handler can do is compare their progress to those around them. Every one has a different level of obligations outside of training, every dog is different, everyone's experience level is different.

ShelleyR

by ShelleyR on 26 March 2009 - 14:03

My GOOFBALL Jed is now two, just settled down enough to pay attention on the training fields. Last fall I was still having to catch him with a butterfly net. I had to run him a mile or two on the way to the scent pad, thought about strapping weight boots on his feet to keep him on the ground. Over the winter I didn't do much with him on the ice/snow. He just grew up in his little brain. Thank God!
Now we can get something done.
Bijou was worse. Screaming and grabbing everything he could (including his handler) and not focusing on much of anything long enough to work with. I knew what I was facing when I bought him just after he was born because he is linebred on Harro, like Onyx was. (Also not titled till 4, but boy, after that he really got it down!) Makes me look like an idiot to be hauling a 4 yr. old out for his first formal retrieve, still not working off leash in the blind, but if you knew Bij you'd understand. Ha ha ha.

SS


Kreiger

by Kreiger on 26 March 2009 - 15:03

Thanks for your input Shelly and Kandi.
I guess what I am getting at is the fact that many think that as soon as they get their pup(which I have been guilty of in the past) it's off to the Schutzhund field and train,train,train.I see some dogs that look real good at the age of 12 months old but they also looked burned out.

The other thing that I see is people taking a 12 month old green dog and have him/her ready for a BH,Sch1 in say 4-5 months where as others have been doing it since the dog was 8 weeks yet the 12 month old obtains the same results or better.

The question is do you think it really makes a difference??
I hear of a lot of Germans that do not even fool with their dogs until they are a year old.Do we as Americans lack patience and feel that we have to have a finished product at 1-2 years old??

My other question is do you all think that in deferring your training till the age of 12 months adds an extra level of confidence in the dog??

Q Man

by Q Man on 26 March 2009 - 17:03

Why is everyone is such a big hurry...I mean to me the fun of it all is in the training...not the trialing...So just enjoy yourself and don't try to keep up with anyone else...I mean if your in a hurry...what are you going to do...Hurry hurry hurry and then what????

~Bob~

by Kandi on 26 March 2009 - 18:03

It is very complicated. Again, depends on how quickly the pup matures, is the training done with fun and motivation? Is the pup receiving and/or feeling the pressure? the experience of the handler with THAT bloodline??

I do hate seeing puppies doing too much too soon in the way of using thier bodies and taking pressure or stress. But on the hand, there is so much fun foundation stuff you can do, if you KNOW what you are doing, to shape and mold certain behavoirs while they are so young, that when you do start going full steam ahead, most of the ground work is already done.

I missed be able to do alot with my current teenager Carlo, as he was growing so fast and awkwardly, we were both tripping over his gawky legs for quite some time. While I patiently wait for his brain to match his body size and we pick up from where we left off before that amazing growth spurt, I do plan to keep back a pup from one of my upcoming litters, and am very eager to do a bunch of foundation stuff..all fun and games, click and treat!!, while he is still young and such a sponge. I certainly will refrain for jumping, pulling, launching, jumping, and getting serious with the training until he is physically and mentally ready to handle it...however long that may be!

As they say, not everyone is cut out to raise a puppy. It takes alot of patience in many many ways. I have known a few excellent handlers who were terrible at raising a puppy for sport/work. It really is a natural talent within I think.


 


Kreiger

by Kreiger on 26 March 2009 - 18:03

Bob I have to agree with you,I do not see what the big rush is.I will say that I lay the foundation for tracking and a lot of play letting the dog win at all times simply enhancing his confidence.I like for the bitework to come from the dog's true desire to fight,I do not care for the prey stuff but that's just me.Because I like that kind of dog it's best for the dog to mature before we get too heavy into the bite work.A little tug play here and there is fun and soothing for the dog,but no pressure until the dog is ready for it.

by Orchardhof on 27 March 2009 - 09:03

It depends on the dog.  The hurrier you go, sometimes the behinder you get...or in other words, patience is a virtue.

Terri





 


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