Hi everyone! I live in SE PA and have a 19 week old boxer puppy. She is getting speyed on June 25th. She is then going to go away for 10 days to be socialized and trained with a pack of balanced dogs at a reputable trainer in my area. After that I would like to get into Schutzhund Training. I have read about it and know that it would be good for my dog considering she is a working breed.

Where do I get started? What should I look for in a Schutzhund Trainer or club?

 Quote: Shawn Reed

She is then going to go away for 10 days to be socialized and trained with a pack of balanced dogs at a reputable trainer in my area.

Why? I would NEVER recommend doing that.

I am sure you love her, and want what is best for her, but this not it.

Wow.

Anyway, it is not the breed that makes a good Schutzhund dog, but the drives in the dog. Some Boxers can work, not all or even many. Please don't take that as an insult, it is not meant to be and is the attitude you will run into over and over (trust me, I have a Rott.)

My first suggestion, after canceling that boot camp, is to find a club near you. There should be quite a few. Find out when they meet, and go watch. Ask questions and be open to the answers.

Here are a list of clubs in the NE area:

North East Clubs


ETA: Doing the training yourself will prevent or at least control the situations she will be placed in, help build the bond between you and your dog, and allow you to know and understand not only her learning process, but HOW she was trained.

I would also think twice about the spaying if you are a responsible owner and can prevent her from becoming pregnant, especially if you plan to seriously work her...

Long Term Effects of Spaying

Not only the info here, but the hormones help the dog in athletic endeavors.

The best thing most of us get out of Schutzhund is the relationship you build with your dog. It comes from the two of you working together, not from someone else training your dog.

Jessica,
I am going to have to COMPLETELY disagree with you on your first statement. My friend is actualy a part time trainer there. His two dogs and my other friends dogs have gone there. They are extremely happy, obedient and balanced dogs. What's bad about dog's learning from other balanced dogs?? How can we completely fullfill a dog's need to be social with other dogs without putting them in that situation. I can say one thing my friends adult dogs COMPLETELY tolerated and played with Gabbie when she was 12 weeks. They NEVER get aggressive to her, they never get aggressive towards any dogs or people period. They don't jump on people and do any annoying behaviors that a lot of peoples' dogs do. On the other hand I have another friend who's dogs aren't socialized and actually were horrible around her, showing teeth even going after her.

I guess Caesar Milan isn't doing the right thing?? B/c that is what they do where Gabbie will be going.

Thank you though for the info on the Schutzhund Training. I am aware that not every dog is made for it. I am interested in researching more and have read that dogs have to pass tests to get into certain clubs and after she goes for socializing and training(If she has the drive for this training) I am sure her 10 day stay will up the chances. If she's not meant to do it then that is fine by me. I just want to be active with her and learn something I don't know about.

 Quote: JessicaKromer

ETA: Doing the training yourself will prevent or at least control the situations she will be placed in, help build the bond between you and your dog, and allow you to know and understand not only her learning process, but HOW she was trained.

She already knows sit, down, stay and heel. I am sending her there for the benefit of being in a pack of balanced dogs. That is the natural thing for dogs and they love playing with other dogs more than people if they are balanced of course.

Do they do Schutzhund?

 Quote: Shawn Reed

How can we completely fullfill a dog's need to be social with other dogs without putting them in that situation. .

I guess Caesar Milan isn't doing the right thing??

dogs do not NEED to be social with other dogs, period. they need YOU to be the center of their world(having someone else train your dog will not easily allow this to happen).


your friend might be a super friend, and have some nice dogs, but she is NOT cesar milan-no one is. you send your dogs off with SOMEONE ELSE to live in a PACK, away from you, you can forget about doing anything productive with that dog. Especially a boxer, they are forever puppies, she will forever think that other dogs are more fun to play with than listening to you.

 Quote: Shawn Reed

and they love playing with other dogs more than people if they are balanced of course.

EXACTLY. this is NOT what you want. the second you try telling your dog to do anything, and another dog is around, she's GONE.

you want your dog to view YOU as the single most fun thing in this world, ALL the time, whether someone else is throwing a ball, or theres 25 other dogs 10 feet away, YOU are the most fun thing.

 Quote: Shawn Reed

How can we completely fulfill a dog's need to be social with other dogs without putting them in that situation.

I don't think they need to. Mine don't play with others and are stable and happy dogs. They don't look to other dogs for their happiness, they look to me.

 Quote:

I can say one thing my friends adult dogs COMPLETELY tolerated and played with Gabbie when she was 12 weeks. They NEVER get aggressive to her, they never get aggressive towards any dogs or people period. They don't jump on people and do any annoying behaviors that a lot of peoples' dogs do.

That describes many dogs I know. It has more to do with the dogs personality than allowing them to play with other dogs. IF my pup gets to play with other dogs, I am there to supervise. BTW, my four year old, intact male Rott plays very nicely with my obnoxious Rott pup.

 Quote:

I guess Caesar Milan isn't doing the right thing?? B/c that is what they do where Gabbie will be going.

I think Ceasar is awesome and has a gift, but not many else do. He does have fight in his pack however, and rarely works with puppies.

 Quote:

Thank you though for the info on the Schutzhund Training. I am aware that not every dog is made for it. I am interested in researching more and have read that dogs have to pass tests to get into certain clubs and after she goes for socializing and training(If she has the drive for this training) I am sure her 10 day stay will up the chances. If she's not meant to do it then that is fine by me. I just want to be active with her and learn something I don't know about.

Those tests have more to do with drive than the ability to get along with dogs. And actually, beyond six months, we don't have two dogs interact on the field, well, really ever.

I commend you for wanting to do something with your dog. More should. And Schutzhund is a great way to bond with your dog and even if you never have any goals to compete, you will teach your dog confidence and how much he can trust you.