Working Pup - Page 1

    
       I am wondering if anyone can give me any advice on the differences on raising a working dog opposed to a regular pet/house dog. I recently got a pup who I had planned to just be a pet but from what I can see he is showing more potential than my other gsd's ever did, I'd hate to waste it. I want to make sure I do it right this time. I think my main concern is how how to have a dog which is neutral to other dogs and enviroments, also, how much should I exercise is too much? Thanks everybody! 

How old is the pup now?
Has to do with exercise.

Be ready for a lot of activity.

To have a dog that is focused I believe is what you are asking, oblivious to distractions,
and everything else you are getting into requires training.


What do you have planned for this dog?


Moons.

The best information is Experience...If you're questioning what is the difference between a Working Dog (pedigree wise) and a Pet...then you should take the time to go to your local Schutzhund Club and check out the dogs there...Most likely you will see a variety of dogs...Both from Working lines and from Show lines...and maybe even some from your Pet variety...
Be sure to ask a lot of questions as to what lines their dogs are out of...No question is off limits...except maybe how much someone paid for their dog...But there are ways to get around this too...You can ask how much would a nice Working line dog cost...(to buy)...
To give you an example of what people think about the Working line GSD's as compared to the normal Show line or Pet GSD's...I had a litter of pups...all West German Working Lines...very nice puppies...My brother-in-law was interested in one...and finally decided on getting a very nice female...First question I asked was "have you ever owned a Working Line Dog before"...the answer was..."oh yeah...I've had German Shepherds and Bouviers before...no problem I can handle any dog"...I even offered to help him with obedience and working with the puppy to help him along if and when he had any problems...I got a phone call one night...and it was my brother-in-law saying that he couldn't keep the puppy any more that she was just too much for him...and at this time she was probably about 6 months old...He ended up buying a Collie...and said that this was his new Protection Dog...
Now the GSD puppy was a lot of dog...but I told him this to begin with...but people just don't understand what the differences are...So I would strongly suggest that you take the time to check out what your getting into...
Working Line German Shephers or any Working Line Dogs...Need a job to do...You must give them more exercise then a normal dog...they just have more energy...
You don't HAVE to get into Schutzhund...if that doesn't interest you or is too taxing on you...But just find something that both you and your dog enjoy together...

Good Luck...

~Bob~

  

   He is almost 11 weeks old. I would say he is very focused and has a high drive. I use two balls when we play and he is already returning them to my hand. If he should lose sight of the ball, he will search for it until he finds it. We also play with an old piece of hose, rope ball, jute roll, and some furry toy tied to a string. He will jump up into the air to make the bite and will fight and pull on it till I give it to him. I dont play tug with him too much or too hard because of the baby teeth but I do want the reward to be earned. I do have some schutzhund experience, even a little helper experience and do plan to do schutzhund with a wda club which I plan to contact very soon.  I think my main concern right now, or where I feel most ignorant is on how to make your dog not too friendly with other dogs or is this even a big concern at all. We have other dogs, and keep them all crated while the pup is out to avoid a potentially negative experience. I have heard that you want a dog that will be neutral with other dogs. So how is that accomplished? Also, how much exercise should this guy be getting? I feel like if I let him, he would go for hours and hours, back and forth with the ball, or playing with a rope ball or even running in circles around the furniture. None of this is a problem, I just want to get some feedback to ensure that I am doing everything as right as I can get it. 

    Thanks everybody!

You can go out alone to visit the club first during one of their training times and get a feel for the group. You'll get
answers to alot of your questions there...and if you decide to go forward and start your puppy, the members and/or training director there will help you get started and will help you along way. It's much easier to get your questions answered when someone can talk to you in person and evaluate your puppy as he grows up and his drives are developed.

    Yeah I plan to do that. It was just some things I was wondering last night and was looking for a quick answer. Thanks anyway. 

At that age the pup can go for hours and hours.
He requires your time more than a hard workout, it's a puppy.
Bond with him, teach basics with rewards and praise, socialize, but most of all let him be a puppy.

How many dogs do you have?
Breed?

The crate comment worries me some.

Also wondering about living conditions, space and interaction between your animals.

I train differently from what you will learn from a Schutzhund club so no need to go any further there.

Best wishes,
Moons.

do the bump

Pet vs Schutzhund pup

I personally can think of three  differences (off the top of my head)  in raising a schutzhund pup vs a pet pup is the fact that you want to teach the sch pup  that  the  bite is not bad.    Of course, we are talking about directed to an article vs the back of your leg.  Raising a pet is simply that pet and I dont want my pet to bite at all.  

The bark - we are talking pet not home ppd, right?  so pet dog - NO BARK - BARK IS BAD PET DOG! - BARK IS GOOD SCH DOG!  

Third difference, being the prey drive - we build it in a sch. and we try to suppress it in a pet.  

Both pet and sch should be raised to be social - so no difference.  Don't let either get pushed around by another dog - you want them both to be well adjusted - always supervise.

My schutzhund dogs are in my house after they work and they are house trained and have manners just like a pet.  

Pet should get just as much exercise as a sch.   the exercise does depend on the age.  

I don't give either "pet nor sch". free reign over any part of my house or my yard  (not sure if I spelled the reign right for this situation so please forgive if i didn't)

I am sure if I sit down and really think about it - I could come up with much more.  But these are just a few that I thought of.

YogieBear

Yogie, very well put :)
Always,
Cee