I have learned alot so far from these boards so I want to make sure I am going in the right direction with schutzhund training plan. My pup is 5 monthes old and we are just doing the basics of sit, down, and such. I am also starting with the Flinks building drive and focus. I don't have a local club but I understand at about a year I should move onto preparing the dog for the handler dvd. She is from what I have been reading a "soft" dog which makes corrections easier, but I am trying to build her confidence. Full of prey drive, but life seems easier and less frustrating knowing that when she is squirly and restless, it's my fault for not working with her more that day and her just being a puppy. Also I have been laying trails with treats and she thinks that's the best game on earth. Any other games or steps I should add? Also, with the handler training for the BH exam go over all I need to train for or is there another dvd? Thanks... Also, is the search command pronounced "such" or "sook". I have seen both. For trials can I use english commands for sit, down and stay and german for the more advanced commands that the kids won't use?

Do you have the Preparing for the helper DVD. You can greatly benefit from it even now. It goes into more details in some areas of the Drive, Focus and GRIP.. . I would recommend to keep building drive, (I'm supposing that you won't be doing too much tug work = your pup should be in the early stages of teething). When on walks, take her on a Flexi lead, give her some space.. Don't be too in a hurry on obedience.. I would say that obedience in "DRIVE" is fine; or obedience (motivationally with food) is Okay too. I personally prefer drive. This depends on you dog too. Try not to do too many correction if any. I personally, am not correcting except for pack related mistakes...

Hope this helps..

As for the pronounciation, we've discussed this topic once before.. here's the link.Languages

I was hoping that the pronounciation didn't matter. So what you are being judged durring a sh test it doesn't matter what command you use so long as it's given only once? Having fun with the training so far and we are teething now. 3 of her 4 canines are out and she looks like she was in a bad boxing match.. Skipping meals here and there but not losing weight. For training, I have been starting with a food reward, then when she shows that she understands commands at least 3/4 of time I back off on food and go more to praise. Toy reward not working as well as she gets it in her mouth and runs like hell still. I will order the preparing for helper. Not sure how I will find a helper when the time comes. I am out on Oregon coast. I do appreciate these boards since I am so for out in the toolies. Now if it would just stop raining.

In some organizations, it's no longer PC <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> to give a "Packen" (German) or "Dirst"(Czech) command in the courage test. They prefer something like "Go greet the lovely man"! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I like that...or "I said no Amway". Too bad I can't teach her a bark command for answering the phone calls of salesmen. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

You're on the right track! How do I know this? Cause I'm an owner of a seven month old dog and I've been paying for private training for the last two months for Schutzhund.

I would make socialization JOB #1 though or you'll never be able to get into a club or pass that BH exam. You need that BH before you can go into the Schutzhund trials. You can't have a dog take the BH exam though until he is 15 months so you've got time. In addition, your dog has to be well socialized so that he can ignore people on the trial fields and concentrate on the task at hand. A lot of dogs will behave and focus well one-on-one with their owner, but get them around a group of talking people within eye sight...well thats another story.

BUILDING DRIVE IS HUGE! You've got to have that dog learn to focus on what ever toy reward your using or it will make training them in the Fuss(Heel), Recall, Send Away, ETC. a lot more difficult.

KEEP IT SHORT, FUN, AND END ON A HIGH NOTE!
Keep things short and if after twice of doing something you should start looking for a good point to end it. I never do any exercise more than four times in a row with my dog. If you have to take a break, let em rest, drink water, play with them and then try again after 15 minutes or so. Once you see what you want end it. They always win the toy and get to carry it with them once they are done.

Other than that just keep things easy don't try to Fuss all the way down to the end of the field on your first try reward quickly, because at 5 months they have no attention span.

Good Luck sounds like your going to do well.

Thanks for the encouragement. I am finding it so easy to forget that she is only 5 monthes old since she is the size of a medium size dog already. I reminded myself about what I read on the boards here that when "accidents" happen, its my fault not hers; and its the first one in a month. It reminds me of my kids in that sometimes you can't wait for them to grow up, and then when they do you can't figure out where the time went. we are doing the socilization, but still having problems with other dogs in that she goes into a puppy stance to play with them, then barks anbd wants to run away when they want to play. Have to find a safe older dog for her to be around more. She's great with people and car rides. Let me know how training is going for you. It's nice to have others in the same boat!