Testing Nerves - Page 1

What would be another way to test the nerves of your dog other then doing schutzhund.  What would you say would be acceptable?

Schutzhund isn't an option for me, not due to lack of clubs, infact there is one down the road from me. It just isn't something that intrests me enough to do it. I believe that is a sport that isn't for everybody.

Would you say CGC is a small way to test the nerves of the dog? What about a gun shot test?

The reason I ask is that my husband was out shooting his gun the other day, and my 9 month old didn't flinch, she looked but was by no means spooked at the loud shots.

Would you say she has good strong nerves?

thats a tiny part of the testing. good but it only proves that she is not sound sensitive. if you dont want to do scutzhund why do you want her tested?

a dog with strong nerves has no vices ie will never run away/back down in any situation .

what is the dog going to be used for?

She is a pet, possibly might do herding with her not sure.

Not so much I want her tested, but was more wondering other ways to test. And after seeing how she reacted or lack of reaction to the gun shot I was wondering if there were other ways to test the nerve of a dog other then doing schutzhund.

I have also been researching and reading and learning about breeding, this maybe something I get into, nothing for sure yet, as she is only 9 months old, still have well over a year and a half before that happens, if it does.

Certainly pursue CGC if you have a pet and if you have no interest in Schutzhund and want to do herding.  I would agree with your statement that it tests nerves "in a small way" in that it's more like stability of temperment in that the dog must be left alone and must face various people and dogs and show calmness and confidence.

Note, however, that nerves and courage to be tested in the way German Shepherd people think of testing that, is a different thing.

If you don't entirely like Schutzhund, just do the BH test.  That may be more appropriate for a GSD, but no reason you can't do both CGC and BH, and AKC obedience as well.  Also, while training for the BH there will be I'm sure Schutzhund training going on and over time this may give you (and your dog!) a better idea of if you want to try it after all.

where abouts do you live? perhaps you might be near to one of us. most of us know a good dog when we see one

I am in Ohio.

well i bet we can find somone i will keep me eyes peeled...you can replicate most of the tests at home. i do

what is her pedigree?

here is her link for on here, her dad's side isn't that great, if I did breed her, I need to find a male with a bit more to his background, and work from there. Her mom's side isn't the best but as you go back further it gets much better.

As I said, breeding her is something I am thinking about, and not just a one time thing, cuz I wanna see the miracle of life, I have a few goals I want if this is something I do.

I need to update her picture. I just sent off her hip prelims to OFA, Vet thinks they look good and a few here said that she will pass with a good, so just waiting for the official word.

Guess it would help if I actually put in the link, http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/519254.html

Honestly a CGC isn't much of a test, especially for nerves...especially if the environment tested is familiar to the dog. A TDI (therapy dog test) is a bit more involved and a better overall test....but still not for nerves, although it does highlight a dog who's nerves are very poor.

Gun shot test is good for testing noise sensitivity but not a test for nerves, without being combined with other things (getting fired at during bitework, on the approach or on the bite).
 

IMO bitwork training is probably the best tests of nerves, it's hard to explain to someone who has never done bitework, but once you get involved and see how many different dogs react and deal with the training you will begin to understand and begin to tell which dogs have weak nerves, good nerves and strong nerves just by the way they handle minute changes in pressure.  Any dog with good prey can get started, but when training progresses from a bite pillow to a sleeve, from prey to defense, stick hit's and courage tests... you really learn alot about a dog.  The ways each dog deals with varying degrees of pressure and stress throughout training speaks volumes about the inner workings of the dog.  It is not always black and white except for the extremes, which is why light testing is really not a TEST.  

Another really good test of nerves IMO is advanced SAR, in particular urban disaster.  Dogs need to be secure and extremely confident in an VERY bad environment...they have to work independent of their handler and navigate through rubble and wreckage.

I'd say hearding can also be considered, although I really don't know much about it.  But dogs also have to work in different enviorments, work independent of the handler and obey commands from great distances...I don't think it is one of the more trying test (from what I know about it) but it will certainly highlight a dog with weak nerves.

JMO

Regards,
Melanie