Identifing Good Dogs for Training - Page 1

I had breed GSD since 1993, always involved with shows, but always train my dogs. Now I am more focused about training and I decided to breed a very dominant female I have and keep all the puppys until I indentify the better dogs to train. They are show dogs, not working line dogs, do I have chances? how would you sugest I start looking for in the puppys?

I love it when a puppy must have something to carry in its mouth. These puppies seem to play with everything and also will use their power to keep the object.

before you even look at the pups -- ?? what are yopu trying to identify for ?? -- I.e.-- what you look for in a pup for protection is the complete oppostie that i would look for in a seeing eye/service dog -- also i would look differnetly if i sought a pup for search/rescue .. therapy or narcotic work -- ..not to mention if the dog was for big time show purposes -- that is a whole different subject

until you identify the better dogs to train... Is open ended to say the very least. some of them might be suited for SAR, others detection, others still k-9 work. and others with very low drive and no prey interest would certainly be candidates for Therapy work. 1st you must decide exactly what "you" want to train for and express that before "looking" for anything. If you speaking of SchH well then look for the pup that can't sit still, sees everything, goes for everything, takes posession of everything, and keeps it, this pup will likely have a stock pile of chew ropes, tugs, balls, and any leaf that hits the ground in the yard. Butterflies are worth running into the fence for, and noone else in the bunch can keep a collar cause they're collars are in this pups "stash" now reduced to pieces. He/She is the first to the food dish but then gets sidetracked to haning from your pant leg or ponytail. Your shoe laces will never be safe and plan on tripping while in the pen with the pups. When the house cat runs and the pup goes running while barking ruff ruff ruff ruff and comes back crying cause he lost it that's the one. At least that's the one for "me" Your ideas may be completely different and that's ok each of us have our own way of identifying great prospects, and that is where we get diversity, Diversity is a good thing. :-) Hope that helps some.

I forgot to say what I was looking for, I am looking for protection dogs. Thanks.

Echo, that was a great post! I really liked your description of the puppy that you like. Sounds like my Hollis. He used to hoard all the toys behind the water bucket in their kennel! And was he ever a little aligator!!!! Vickie

Jose, Then first and foremost myself, and I admit right here I am fairly new to this, But have big ears to listen with and this is the most common thing said, For a good Protection dog that's not a liability, You want a dog... That has unquestionable Confidence !! He has his tail up at all times. does not shy from a loud noise but is the first to check it out to see if it's edible. Is the one who stands over the other pups when they wrestle. Is the one who will wonder off by himself and not have a worry in the world. Is the one who will approach anyone and anything with confidence, head up, tail up, ears up. When you pinch his toes just slightly enough to make it uncomfortable but not hurt, He will when you let go, put his foot down and jump right back in your lap for more loves. confidence confidence confidence, This dog your looking for should ooooooze confidence. That's my 2 cents well maybe .25 now. Vickie, Thanks LOL, Yes exactly little aligators that bite everything that moves. LOL Vickie sounds like you have some expeirience with this, would you say this is accurate information that I have received and am passing along ?

Echo, I think it is really sound information. For our friend, I think key IS confidence. I like a really confident puppy but not to be confused with being overly independent! I think the overly indepnedent ones lack pack drive and they are not as bidable to do what you are asking. I think also that you could take your litter to a "reputable" schutzhund trainer and have the litter evaluated. I like the puppy that most seeks my attention and I also like to sprinkle some fresh (frozen kind) Bil-Jack on the ground in a large about 4 foot square area and see who looks for the food the longest after it is all gone! This puppy has good food drive and a good nose to keep seeking it out. I use food to teach the fundamentals in obedience keeping it positive. I then also look for a puppy that wants to chase and cary something in its mouth, almost like having an oral fixation! My Hollis is so toy motivated he will do anything to get his tug, and this includes bullying me for it. We are working on controll ! Vickie

LOL, That sounds like my boy Twister, will do anything for me though, including aus of a toy, However anyone else even thinks of it, he grabs it and trots off carrying it high and tossing his head like nanner nanner nanner you can't catch me ! Oh he is such my child. LOL. I agree with your above comment by the way, I think your right key is confidence, and drive to please, dont' need a new buyer getting a dog that will "control" the house. an independant dog would deffer to that too. Confidence yes, Independance in more moderation. Good Point !

For protection work use the umbrella test, take puppies at about 7 weeks old , deprive them from food for just a few hours place the mother about 20 feet away turn lose the pups towards her when they get appox. 5 feet from the mother open a umbrella facing them and you will see the best pups keep coming for food and the not so high drive turn and run, it works,