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by jra on 11 October 2012 - 20:10
Not sure if this will make sense or not, but another thread made me wonder about 'working' dogs kept as pets....
When people (breeders or those with more general experience) refer to a dog needing to work, how does that translate for a pet? IOW, if a GSD is predominantly a pet or companion, is schutzhund/agility/etc. the only way to go as far as stimulating and feeding the inherent need to work? Is it just a need to be active and doing something, be it daily walking, playing, basic obedience or is it more involved and these activities of daily living aren't enough?
When people (breeders or those with more general experience) refer to a dog needing to work, how does that translate for a pet? IOW, if a GSD is predominantly a pet or companion, is schutzhund/agility/etc. the only way to go as far as stimulating and feeding the inherent need to work? Is it just a need to be active and doing something, be it daily walking, playing, basic obedience or is it more involved and these activities of daily living aren't enough?
by SitasMom on 11 October 2012 - 21:10
Companion dogs enjoy many things...
walks and jogging, obedience, tricks, hide and seek, fetch...
Its best do incorporate obedience with fetch or you might have a dog that becomes problematic... That is constantly droppig a ball in your lap when you're trying to watch tv, or paws at your computer as a way of getting attention to play.
Work isn't a 4 letter word for dogs with drive, its a fun time to bond and play.
by TheWildWolf on 11 October 2012 - 22:10
I imagine they would find fulfillment guarding their home and territory, and following their human pack in day to day life.
by SitasMom on 11 October 2012 - 23:10
without obedience and limitations (from obedience), guarding his pack can quickly get out of controll.
I have a young bitch that is a natural herder........She collects any and everything she finds interesting into a pile. Its her job. Shoes, toys, keys, papers..... whatever..... She is young and eventually will learn what is "hers" and what is "ours". Then I'll teach her to put her toys in a basket.......Then I'll hide her toys around the house and her job will be to find then and put them in her backet.... I will be her job and she will be content.
by TingiesandTails on 11 October 2012 - 23:10
Work, for dogs, is regular activity that stimulates mind and body on an ongoing basis. Except the "real" jobs, like protection, security, police, herding etc....Schutzhund is still "the" sport for the breed.
Work for a pet can be regular dog training classes with advancing exercises, obedience, agility, rally etc...
Walking, jogging etc are not work. That's simple exercise with minor stimulation of the brain.
Regular jobs with non-increasing difficulty, like checking the fences with the dog, retrieving the newspaper from the gate, picking up the kids from the bus etc can help out.
Work can also mean learning new things in different areas, e.g. riding in different vehicles, meeting new people and learn proper "dog etiquette".
Living in the yard and "watching" for intruders is not work; it is boring.
Providing a dog with stimulation has to be a life-long commitment.
Otherwise it makes to sense (to me) to own a dog from a working breed.
Work for a pet can be regular dog training classes with advancing exercises, obedience, agility, rally etc...
Walking, jogging etc are not work. That's simple exercise with minor stimulation of the brain.
Regular jobs with non-increasing difficulty, like checking the fences with the dog, retrieving the newspaper from the gate, picking up the kids from the bus etc can help out.
Work can also mean learning new things in different areas, e.g. riding in different vehicles, meeting new people and learn proper "dog etiquette".
Living in the yard and "watching" for intruders is not work; it is boring.
Providing a dog with stimulation has to be a life-long commitment.
Otherwise it makes to sense (to me) to own a dog from a working breed.
by Ryanhaus on 12 October 2012 - 01:10
jra....sooo glad you asked!
I consider a working GSD as a dog that will do what he can to pull his weight and earn a meal!
I try & title my dogs in AKC obedience and am now trying to title a dog in IPO.
I am a breeder of GSD's and mostly have people wanting a great companion dog, a dog that will behave good in the house and outside around the public.
I tell everyone that if you are not into getting your dog titled but still want that nice well rounded dog then socialize the heck out of him, take him EVERYWHERE to the point where maybe you are asked to leave, but believe me, most people see a cute puppy/dog and they melt, also they feel relaxed and comforted.
YOU must give your dog a routine, a daily activity, one that makes him think & be on his toes, but also interacts with people-other dogs- inanimate objects...and so on....
I HIGHLY recommend getting your dog a backpack!
When you ask your dog to stand & stay so you can fill it up with say, his snacks of string cheese, his collapsible water bowl, his favorite toy, and your water, lunch, cell phone, doggie bags, .......you should just see the demeanor of him change from excited to focused, you can see him concentrating....it's a beautiful thing!
This may sound lame to some of you that "work" your dogs in heavy obedience and dog sports, but for the common folk that want just a good dog/best friend, it's awesome!
The other day Rollie carried two bottles of laundry detergent, and the mail home for me in his backpack!
His reward was a Slim Jim! Boy did he feel happy like he had accomplished something big...I'm telling you, if you have an excited dog then try this, it puts them in a happy place.
This is Rollie carrying his backpack!.jpg)
I consider a working GSD as a dog that will do what he can to pull his weight and earn a meal!
I try & title my dogs in AKC obedience and am now trying to title a dog in IPO.
I am a breeder of GSD's and mostly have people wanting a great companion dog, a dog that will behave good in the house and outside around the public.
I tell everyone that if you are not into getting your dog titled but still want that nice well rounded dog then socialize the heck out of him, take him EVERYWHERE to the point where maybe you are asked to leave, but believe me, most people see a cute puppy/dog and they melt, also they feel relaxed and comforted.
YOU must give your dog a routine, a daily activity, one that makes him think & be on his toes, but also interacts with people-other dogs- inanimate objects...and so on....
I HIGHLY recommend getting your dog a backpack!
When you ask your dog to stand & stay so you can fill it up with say, his snacks of string cheese, his collapsible water bowl, his favorite toy, and your water, lunch, cell phone, doggie bags, .......you should just see the demeanor of him change from excited to focused, you can see him concentrating....it's a beautiful thing!
This may sound lame to some of you that "work" your dogs in heavy obedience and dog sports, but for the common folk that want just a good dog/best friend, it's awesome!
The other day Rollie carried two bottles of laundry detergent, and the mail home for me in his backpack!
His reward was a Slim Jim! Boy did he feel happy like he had accomplished something big...I'm telling you, if you have an excited dog then try this, it puts them in a happy place.
This is Rollie carrying his backpack!
by GSDguy08 on 12 October 2012 - 02:10
My German Shepherd works. He is expected to scoop his poop from the yard, mop the floor, clean the dishes, and the toilet as well. I do at times expect cutting the grass as well, I expect him to take the other dogs for a walk, and if he doesn't do this then no dog friends over for poker.
by Nans gsd on 12 October 2012 - 02:10
Here's my list and I keep adding to it as the dog matures and needs new jobs: As a puppy, socialize, socialize and more sociualiztion. I fit in a complete obedience schedule all common commands in bilingual (english/german) known and complete by 12 weeks. THEN I start turning the ball game into retieving; all objects anytime I drop them, which is always. Not just to pick then up but to bring them to me. Two different exercises, depending on the dog and his/her retrieve. This is at 12 weeks on and forever.
They learn to carry a light weight backpack early on, 12 weeks on or so, nothing in it but wearing it full time unless he/she is taking a nap in the crate. I teach light work as puppies but give the mental stimulation of a heavy, steady job that is expected of him/her. They learn to wear a harness and/or packback.
By 4 months old (16 weeks) dog is able to do constructive obedience (puppy ob) with confidence and is able to mentally and physically be able to complete puppy obedience without error and with confidence. At all times working as a happy puppy.
By 6 months maybe 8 months old the puppy gets to be socialized in stores, Wal Marts, Costco's and maybe others that will accept animals in training: goes into these places and performs his known tasks; puppy obedience and if you are on a social trip some socialization with the public, kids, other dogs if they are around and works his known commands in the public place.
By doing this you keep puppies mind off weird people that might be trying to approach. As soon as puppy is able to do this then he/she can go into store and pick himself/herself a favorite toy, bone or something from the store and is allowed to go up to cash register to pay for it with you. Next time he/she can pay for it at cash register carrying monies to pay for said toy/treat/bone or whatever he/she chose for themselves. They can then put their paws up on the counter to pay for toy or treat or whatever they chose for themselves.
At any time if you notice puppy over stressed or uncomfortable with program, go home. Start fresh another day. Make your puppies work a fun work session yet accomplish what you want to accomplish giving new activities almost weekly by this age. Let your puppy master the new activity, even if that means just getting the newspaper, getting hiis/her own pack, leash, water dish, treats, and cell phone to make the new journey for that day.
Keep it up the sky is the limit and his herding, agility, Sch and ob training will become second nature and hopefully by this time he/she is about l year old and can do serious stuff. This is my puppies life and continues forever and hopefully keeps him interested in ANY type work or training I might offer him. BOL Nan
PS: another thing I do when puppy is able to carry stuff in his mouth, way after his puppy/adult teeth have matured; I teach them to carry the grocery bags into the house with me and he/she puts them on the floor for me to unpack.
ALSO; I love to teach them article discrimination; start by laying 3 different items on the floor in front of the puppy with puppy on a down stay or platz/blybe. Have then get, telephone, shoe, bone, or any of the articles called by name. Fun stuff. Great days, Nan
They learn to carry a light weight backpack early on, 12 weeks on or so, nothing in it but wearing it full time unless he/she is taking a nap in the crate. I teach light work as puppies but give the mental stimulation of a heavy, steady job that is expected of him/her. They learn to wear a harness and/or packback.
By 4 months old (16 weeks) dog is able to do constructive obedience (puppy ob) with confidence and is able to mentally and physically be able to complete puppy obedience without error and with confidence. At all times working as a happy puppy.
By 6 months maybe 8 months old the puppy gets to be socialized in stores, Wal Marts, Costco's and maybe others that will accept animals in training: goes into these places and performs his known tasks; puppy obedience and if you are on a social trip some socialization with the public, kids, other dogs if they are around and works his known commands in the public place.
By doing this you keep puppies mind off weird people that might be trying to approach. As soon as puppy is able to do this then he/she can go into store and pick himself/herself a favorite toy, bone or something from the store and is allowed to go up to cash register to pay for it with you. Next time he/she can pay for it at cash register carrying monies to pay for said toy/treat/bone or whatever he/she chose for themselves. They can then put their paws up on the counter to pay for toy or treat or whatever they chose for themselves.
At any time if you notice puppy over stressed or uncomfortable with program, go home. Start fresh another day. Make your puppies work a fun work session yet accomplish what you want to accomplish giving new activities almost weekly by this age. Let your puppy master the new activity, even if that means just getting the newspaper, getting hiis/her own pack, leash, water dish, treats, and cell phone to make the new journey for that day.
Keep it up the sky is the limit and his herding, agility, Sch and ob training will become second nature and hopefully by this time he/she is about l year old and can do serious stuff. This is my puppies life and continues forever and hopefully keeps him interested in ANY type work or training I might offer him. BOL Nan
PS: another thing I do when puppy is able to carry stuff in his mouth, way after his puppy/adult teeth have matured; I teach them to carry the grocery bags into the house with me and he/she puts them on the floor for me to unpack.
ALSO; I love to teach them article discrimination; start by laying 3 different items on the floor in front of the puppy with puppy on a down stay or platz/blybe. Have then get, telephone, shoe, bone, or any of the articles called by name. Fun stuff. Great days, Nan
by Kalibeck on 12 October 2012 - 06:10
My girl felt my grand kids were her 'job'. And she was an awesome babysitter. I do not advocate anyone leaving a pup or dog alone with children, but our girl was solid gold with my grand kids. She would ever so gently herd them, keeping them on the sofa, would follow them around & let me know every move. She would put herself between them & anything or anyone she felt was dangerous. And the kids loved her, they could fall all over her, pull her ears, lift her feet& tail, open her mouth to see her teeth & tongue; she allowed it all--& the look on her face was pure joy! But when they'd go home she'd konk, & have a nice long nap! Riding herd on 2 active kids IS work, hard work...it's too bad there's no formal recognition for that! jackie harris
by susie on 12 October 2012 - 09:10
I´m German - Sorry.... no, kidding, but if you read the IPO, you may see that there are a lot of things, you are able to teach even your "pet".
Tracking - Obedience - Bitework
3 totally different challanges....tracking and bitework (drive and grip) as soon as possible, same with socialization, during puppyhood basic obedience (but ALWAYS fun, NO pressure), later on SchH routine....
Even if there is no club, everybody is able to do something.
Tracking is good for concentration, and exerts the dog´s mind - you can teach and train tracking without a club, and up to a certain level without help.
Same with obedience - almost the whole routine can be trained without club, including retrieving, hurdles (AFTER x-raying), "voraus" and so on.
Bitework - playing with tugs, leather,....later on combined with "out", maybe even "sit and bark".
Bitework without helper may not show you the real potential of your dog, but at least the dog will be able to use its prey drive.
Besides that jogging, walking, bicycle riding, swimming, playing with other dogs, chilling...
GSDguy: Love your dog! Mine is more than lazy within the household...
Tracking - Obedience - Bitework
3 totally different challanges....tracking and bitework (drive and grip) as soon as possible, same with socialization, during puppyhood basic obedience (but ALWAYS fun, NO pressure), later on SchH routine....
Even if there is no club, everybody is able to do something.
Tracking is good for concentration, and exerts the dog´s mind - you can teach and train tracking without a club, and up to a certain level without help.
Same with obedience - almost the whole routine can be trained without club, including retrieving, hurdles (AFTER x-raying), "voraus" and so on.
Bitework - playing with tugs, leather,....later on combined with "out", maybe even "sit and bark".
Bitework without helper may not show you the real potential of your dog, but at least the dog will be able to use its prey drive.
Besides that jogging, walking, bicycle riding, swimming, playing with other dogs, chilling...
GSDguy: Love your dog! Mine is more than lazy within the household...
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