I previously intended to train Danke for rural Search and Rescue, and she and I have been working in the direction for the past couple of months, with a lot of enthusiasm.

As a result, I've done no formal bitework with Danke, although we have played with tugs, rags and towels as an outlet for her mouthiness.

This past week, my husband and I ran into his old French Ring trainer, Mel Romero. My husband lost touch with Mel after his last GSD, K.C., died. Needless to say, we discussed training Danke into FR now that we've found Mel (who was ridiculously close to us this whole time, too). The verdict- Danke is to be a FR dog.


Thankfully I never did any bite inhibition with her prior to making this decision, and she is still young (>6 months).

Anyone else find themself in this situation (making the decision late)?
Anything I should watch/prepare for?

Danke is still young, no reason you can't change your training goals. Heck, I know someone that went from SAR with a dog that was active in SAR that then switched to training Schutzhund, I believe SchH2 now. Training is training, sometimes you end up going backwards and redoing things, but you end up doing that half the time anyway when you train for one thing from the start We always inadvertently screw something up that needs to be changed later

Thanks Mike.

I don't know why I worry with her. She's just happy to work, and not too particular what it is; so long as I'm happy, so is she.

I'm glad we ran across Mel before we got too much further, and start discouraging biting.

Sheba, my German Shepherd (almost 6 years old)is from a great Czech working Line (Her parents are Congo Vikar and Amalka Z Pohranicni Straze), however, I purchased her as a pup for a companion, so she was raised not to bite, or bark (except on the speak command), and she is the most gentle dog you would ever meet with kids, I never had any interest in Schutzhund, however I kept her busy, agility, obedience, frisbee, etc. I am getting another German Shepherd this week, and have became interested in Schutzhund, and have been meeting with a group that is training their dogs, so I could learn before I get my pup, well, I took Sheba with me, and thought just for fun, I'd see what she did , she watched the other dogs and the handlers, and within 3 sessions, she was barking and biting, like she had been doing it all her life. It really blew me away, so I am sure your pup will do just fine.

And he's receintly joined a herding club to heard sheep and cattle with that same dog.
Athletes cross train. Why not athletic (working bred) dogs!

I got my working line pup and totally threw those goals out the window. He was such a laid back pup. Even the breeder was embarrassed on what a couch potatoe I had.

Thankful to have a good temperment I switched to obedience. Well a month ago Quincy woke up and is like a caged lion looking for a meal. The dogs focus and drive is all of a sudden througth the roof. He is just over nine months.

A late bloomer I guess. I now know have an alligator on my hands and wondering where the peace and tranquility went.

So proud of Danke!

We took her down to the training field for an evaluation, and to get her used to the drive down, and hanging out in her crate in the back of the truck.

We pulled her out for the temperment test, and I was initially disappointed with her performance. All she wanted to do was put her nose to the ground and sniff. And sniff. And sniff.

One of the trainers suggested standing on the edge of the field next to a blind, while another dog was doing flee attack work.

At first she wasn't particularly interested, until she saw the dog hit the decoy the first time.
Then she decided that the helper was fun to bark, lunge, growl and generally "talk tough" to. She barked her little head off, with her tail going 100mph, trying to get to that damned helper.

I hope she was watching the other dogs and taking notes.
She was pretty pooped after that, and was perfectly content to lay in her crate the rest of the afternoon.

After an initial poor showing, she impressed everyone in the end. I guess the initial lesson learned is, sometimes her nose overrules her prey drive.

I would not be disappointed in her at all. Brand new experience and all kinds of things for her to check out, which, we all know dogs do with their nose.
Sounds like she will learn quickly and she should stop the "nosing around" behavior.

She is a looker, that's for sure. Very nice pup.

Thanks Carol.

We're pretty smitten with her. She's a challenge to keep up with, she learns so fast.

At 5 mos old, she has already earned the right to sleep on the floor out of her crate in our room, with our door shut.

Wish I could have another just like her.

Andy was 4+ when I decided to try Schutzhund. Most of his life was AKC shows and no biting, no sniffing, and get rid of that drive. Somehow it didnt screw him up and since last Sept. he's made made great progress. I think you are probably starting Danke at the perfect time, she'll respond to whatever you train her in.