Pup - 7.5 mos - how start preparing for BH - Page 1

Hello. We are moving toward our BH. We have taken some basic obedience already and she is doing quite well. This is however your basic AKC/CKC style obedience. There is a Schutzhund club very close and we are starting to watch sessions. I would like to improve her drive and focus and am uncertain how quickly to proceed. I know that the foundation is very important and we have't got that down just yet. She is also a mite intimidated by other dogs and thus loses her focus easily. Should I focus more on play and focus and drive and then introduce her to more formal sessions at this age? I don't want to rush but don't want to miss the boat either. Thanks

Hi Kmaot first of all. I would work on getting a very close relationship between you and your dog. Playing and feeding him in certain ways helps build this. I would then start (Depending on the drive) of the dog start to use food or Ball or Tug in a motivational way. Ive always used a ball because my dogs have high ball drive. But in your dogs case choose what you think he likes best. If in your dogs case its a ball what she likes most.. Then i would advise you use a ball. I always mark my exercises with a "yes" or "Good" therefore the dog is focusing and awaiting that marker and a release with the ball or tug or whatever. As you stated in your post your right that the foundation has to be correct. I would first start getting the dog to look into my face for a number of seconds... then i would say "Good" in a happy way to show the exercise was correct.. Then of course comes the reward food. I gradually build this time of focusing on my face up whether it be with a ball or food. The dog only gets the reward when looking into my face. TIMING is KEY. If your dog has nice ball drive.. i would consider getting the dog to focus on your face and then releasing with a ball... But like i say what one dog enjoys most the next wont.. So its upto you to decide what your dog likes most and what drives your dog has. A BH cannot be entered till at least 15 months you have plenty of time to do your sits downs etc.. Just work on getting your dog fully focused on you. Then you can start to add distractions when your confident that your dog is ready. If your dog looks away and then looks straight back when there is a distraction there.. this means your doing it correct just that there is more focus training needed. There is no rush take your time and dont become frustrated.. you are ready when your dog is ready. If she looks away no food or toy.. As soon as you get the eye contact "Good" Good luck with your training... Laughter

Thanks for the post Laughter. We are already working on that. She lives to bite and tug. Of course, she loves to eat as well. I don't know what she wants more at this point. We just got the Gappay toy ball on a rope and have been reviewing Bernard Flinks methods....she can have the ball and tug in her mouth or looking at me holding it and I can touch her sides and gently step on her tail. We will continue to work on distractions of course. She will look away with certain distractions and then looks back. More training and time is needed.

If she is now 7.5 months, you have another 7.5 months before you can do the BH with her. Take your time, make it fun, gradually get her used to distractions and other dogs being around.

Bernard Flinks explains things very well...and as he says...things are in Black and White...just like dogs learn...But if your young dog has high ball (toy) drive and high or good food drive...I would always choose the food drive...because you can teach more to them at one time and there is no negative conditioning to it...whereas with a toy you have to take the toy away to get it back...to do the exercise again...And with a toy you get hectic (excited) drive...whereas with food you will be getting a calm dog and they can think better this way...If you're not sure of how to use food drive then find someone around you that can help you get your dog started...