May 19, 2011
What training should I concentrate on for the first year of my dog’s life to get him ready for Schutzhund?
Full Question:
I have really enjoyed your videos on puppies 8 weeks to 8 months and also Basic Dog Obedience. My puppy Shepherd is going great and really learning a lot. I read your articles on bite training. My puppy is very playful with my family and the neighbors kids. But he is very aggressive when it comes to tug of war and ball etc. He will go after a ball like a wild animal and go through anything to get it. The question is what should I concentrate on his first year. I have a Schutzhund training field about 2 miles from my home and would really like to get involved in it. I don't want to over do it with him. Where should I draw the line as far as training goes for the first year?Thanks,
Scott
Cindy's Answer:
You should concentrate on socializing this pup and working on building his prey drive (which sounds like he has a lot of).
This first year is probably the most important part of your training process. What's lost when people drop the ball during the first year can not be put back into the dog.
I would direct you to two tapes:
Building Drive Focus and Grip with Bernhard Flinks
The First Steps of Bite Training
These videos will show you the foundation that needs to be worked on. A lot of this you can be do yourself. If the club has an experienced puppy helper then he can do it, but the important thing is the tapes will train you to know what is appropriate and not appropriate for your dog. Don't blindly assume that just because people come from a schutzhund club they are experts.
This first year is probably the most important part of your training process. What's lost when people drop the ball during the first year can not be put back into the dog.
I would direct you to two tapes:
Building Drive Focus and Grip with Bernhard Flinks
The First Steps of Bite Training
These videos will show you the foundation that needs to be worked on. A lot of this you can be do yourself. If the club has an experienced puppy helper then he can do it, but the important thing is the tapes will train you to know what is appropriate and not appropriate for your dog. Don't blindly assume that just because people come from a schutzhund club they are experts.
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