new pup arriving - Page 1

My new pup will be arriving from Kirschental on May 31. Marion Fuller recommends schutzhund and I would like some advice on this. Should the pup do kindergarten first and if so, at what age does schutzhund usually begin and is there any organizations for this in southern New England?


Thanks a lot,


Frogman

I personally would recommend going to visit local clubs BEFORE you get the pup to get a feel for the clubs and decide where you would best fit in.  Check www.gsdca-wda.org for local schutzhund clubs.  They will be able to get you going in the right direction from the beginning.  Best of luck and congrats on the pup!

 Frogman:

                       Go to this web site http://www.germanshepherddog.com/ and look under club listings Find your area listed and it will give you clubs in your region for Schutzhund.

  

Thanks both of you for the good info. I'm taking the rest of Memorial Day week off to bond with her and I don't expect to get much sleep either! Frogman

Frogman,

Who is the puppies mother and father?

Since you have purchased a dog from a predominately show line/herding kennel, I would suggest checking out this organization first http://www.gsdca-wda.org/wda_new/index/index.html     I would pass on the puppy kindergarten and take your young prospect to a club that has similar/like goals.  Socialization and development of a working prospect are different than you will find at a general pet obedience based kindergarten.  Many of the behaviors you are going to want to promote in a competition dog will usually be discouraged in that type of class.  Good luck with your puppy and my advice would be to go with the WDA over USCA.

my advice would be to go with the WDA over USCA.

go with which ever is going to help you with your dog...no matter what Organization. As if the Organizations have anything to do with training...poor sport:-)

Thanks for the suggestions, they bring up a good question: if I intend to train her in Schutzhund is there any reason not to do puppy kindergarten? Isn't early socialization important regardless of what role she will play later in life? Is she supposed to be a blank slate when starting Schutz? The dam is Desa and sire is Fulz. Thanks for all the info, I'll post pictures ASAP. Frogman

You will get better and more constructive socialization from a Schutzhund club than you will in a kindergarten class.  Classes like that usually discourage jumping and free expression and definitely discourage biting.  Puppies acting like pack animals in a big pile have no value in strengthening and building a bond with you.  What happens when your female gets picked on by a possibly dog aggressive classmate?  The majority of people in classes of this type are just trying to get some semblance of control over their pet puppy, you on the other hand are trying to develop a performance type animal with a strong work attitude, most assuredly something that Mr. or Mrs. puppy kindergarten teacher has no idea how to nurture.

Thanks Duderino. How soon can I start her on Schuz? Frogman