Getting my German Shepherd Puppy Into Protection Work - Page 1

I recently bought a beautiful black and tan female German Shepherd. She is 14 weeks old and I would like get her into protection work.  Both parents are in Schutzhund and her dad was a German import so she has the blood lines for the job.  I live in Az and not sure where to begin my search for a trainer or how to get started myself so if anyone has any ideas and or any good trainers in Az that would be great thanks!

Where in AZ are you?
What are you plans for the pup?
At this stage I wouldn't worry about protection as I would work on obedience.

By chance do you have her pedigree?

Thank you for responding

*Im in Queen Creek Az
*I just want her to know enough so if someone was to threaten the home or me and my family I could give her a command and she will help take care of the problem!

We are sending in her papers this week but I have the pedigrees of both parents, I cant upload pics of their pedigrees right now but you can look them up if you want

Mom--Hellma Von Shiprock
# DN24575907

Dad--Prince Hans Von KD' Bar
# DN13606208

There are a number of clubs in the Valley to choose from with 1 I know of in Casa Grande area and is a Sch club.

Well family personal protection is certainly understandable.  Let me say that it is a lot easier to get a older trained dog for this rather than a puppy.  Puppies are a crap shoot and there is no telling how they will be once they get older.  They may not have what it takes.  Also to teach a dog to do personal protection, it isn't cheap and it is something that normally doesn't even start until the dog is around 2 years old.

Also what type of protection training?  There are different levels.

I found the mother, Hella on the breeders website and she looks like a showline dog and I am sure that the father is a showline as well but I can't find him on the internet.   I really wouldn't look at showline dogs when it comes to raising a GSD for a family companion and a PP dog.

You pup is very cute but you need to get it evaluated by a knowledgable trainer to see how it is.  There are not many in the valley I would trust for that, only a select few.  As I said earlier, I wouldn't hold my breath though being it is all showline.

Ya we had considered buying an adult but the family wanted a puppy to grow up with, I dont have great knowledge on the levels but I wont be showing or anything, just something for her to learn in case of an emergancy.  The Hellma's father was a German import, when you see her in person she looks less like a show bred dog, and she does all the schutzhund, we went to the owners trainer with him and they were working with her and a  few other dogs along with Hans so I know its in Luna somewhere but I will definantly take your advie and get her evaluated by a trainer! Thank you!!

First, you might want to reconsider getting a family dog protection-trained. If she has decent drives and courage, she will have an instinct to protect what is hers. An attack dog is a big liability if you have no experience handling one and sometimes a family atmosphere lacks the structure and discipline such a dog needs. Some trainers will teach the dog up to the "bark and hold" and most people with any brains will not bother you or your dog.

If you want to try protection for fun (whether or not you actually end up doing the training), you can always encourage prey and ball drive by playing fetch and wrestling with a rag or some other tug. You also need to start puppy kindergarten level OB because focus and the dog absolutely following through on commands is necessary. A dog eager to pleases you and that can maintain focus is a big start. And if you find your dog loves to chase things and can learn to bring them back on recall, it is a good place to begin doing something on your own.

Many people focus on their dog's qualities and forget they are also 50% of the picture. You have to remain calm, patient, and flexible. If the dog senses any instability in you, you will be setting yourself up for disappointment and possibly an accident waiting to happen. A dog is a consumate observer and reacts to what he senses in you even when you are not aware of it. Sometimes in training a dog you learn more about your own weaknesses, and fixing the dog means you also have to fix yourself.

Best of luck to you and your new pup!

Hello Ace952,

Can you explain why a showline dog is not good for PP ?
"I found the mother, Hella on the breeders website and she looks like a showline dog and I am sure that the father is a showline as well but I can't find him on the internet. I really wouldn't look at showline dogs when it comes to raising a GSD for a family companion and a PP dog"


If the Showlines are not good for Family protection and PP dogs, what are they good for ? Just trying to understand. I have a showline and I am in an impression that showlines are good to be family dogs.
Can you please explain ? Please note that I am not here for an arguement.
Thanks

I think that if you want a dog to do a alert bark then you should be able to get a showline to do such.  Much more than that depends on the dog.  I wouldn't look at getting a showline to do protection work as they are bred for looks and also are known for not having that solid nervebase.

It's like saying you want a Ferrari that gets 35-40 mpg.....that ain't happening.  They are not made for that just like showlines are not bred for protection work.  Again it depends on what you define as a personal protection dog.  Some people may want the dog to do a alert bark.  Others may want the dog to bite, etc.  So really a person needs to seriously sit down and find out, what exactly they want the dog to do.

Showlines are some really nice looking dogs just like Miss America and Miss Universe are some hot looking women.  Yes they may look good but I wouldn't expect either one to have my back in a fight.  lol.  Showlines are great family dogs and I would highly recommend one.

Your puppy comes from showline stock, that said if the sire and dam are solid dogs you will not have any problems with your baby doing PP.  If she has the drive to do so.  Many inexperienced folk come on here and will tell you that showlines are not working dogs blah blah blah.  It totally depends on the individual dog , so please do not listen to the masses on the board. This particualr forum has a heavy working line slant to it, many people will tell you they are all crap etc.   Have your pup assessed at a club and go from there, do not write her off.  I had a WL male that was a total dud here last month and I have a SL bitch that I will be titling this year that is the best thing I have had my hands on in the last 10 years sooooooo take everthing you read on this forum with a grain of salt.  Now if she was an AKC/CKC showline and not German highlines she probably would not do well in PP, however there are still that type of showline that also can work.   it's the individual dog and do not let anyone tell you any different. 

Brynjulf - I agree with you in that it depends on the individual dog but the OP bought a dog to do PP with.  If someone came to you wanting a dog to do PP with, you would honestly recommend that they get a showline?

This OP is also a beginner so they obviously won't know what they are looking at when they see the parents in person.  They won't know how to read a dog.