Which do you prefer for your dog and why?

I'm not really sure which is more... interesting? I guess. At this time, I'd like to pick one thing and stick with that. I want to start looking into things for my dog and I to do. Also I want to do things that are on our level (which is complete beginners). I mean I'm not sure Protection work is possible at this point, but I don't know for sure (which is why I'm asking).

This may make no sense but I can't help it, I'm confused!

Any stories of your experience would just be super.

How are you defining working dogs and sport dogs?




ETA Just re-read it, do you mean which label do we use for our own dog?

I have nothing on the working/sport label. Tomatoe/tomahto IMO.

But, for figuring out what to do as a complete beginner, I recommend getting out there and watching (depending on the dog and what you like) obedience, rally, agility, schutzhund, herding, ring sport, lure coursing, flyball, earth dogs, field trials, dock dogs, etc. Go to club trainings and trials and get a feel for the people involved and whether you like the sport.

I have a search dog but am a beginner in performance training (because I got the Michael Ellis DVDs and just had to try it myself). Early this year I started with Rally Obedience. Most breeds can do it and success is within reach. For me it was a nice way to get into the ring fast and learn to deal with my own performance anxiety. Plus since you can talk to the dog, you can more easily keep or regain focus. We're working on our Rally Advanced now and preparing for Novice Obedience (AKC) and a BH. Have fun!

I apologize for being vague. Didn't realize it. I think I mean what do you do with your dog? Not the title itself, but the "activity" I suppose. Is it strictly sport, like agility, or is he/she a protection dog? Which "thing" would you prefer to do?

Would you rather start training your dog for this or that (or if both, which did you do first), is the question I meant to ask, and then I wanted to know why/the board members' experiences in hopes that I can figure out which would be best to try for my dog.

 Quote: Morgan Wolf

I have nothing on the working/sport label. Tomatoe/tomahto IMO.

But, for figuring out what to do as a complete beginner, I recommend getting out there and watching (depending on the dog and what you like) obedience, rally, agility, schutzhund, ring sport, lure coursing, flyball, earth dogs, field trials, dock dogs, etc. Go to club trainings and trials and get a feel for the people involved and whether you like the sport.

I have a search dog but am a beginner in performance training (because I got the Michael Ellis DVDs and just had to try it myself). Early this year I started with Rally Obedience. Most breeds can do it and success is within reach. For me it was a nice way to get into the ring fast and learn to deal with my own performance anxiety. Plus since you can talk to the dog, you can more easily keep or regain focus. We're working on our Rally Advanced now and preparing for Novice Obedience (AKC) and a BH. Have fun!

Thank you! See I had no idea that there were THAT many things. I mean, I assume there's more than what I've heard of it but hell if I know the specifics.

What was it like training for S&R? I'll start looking up trails etc. in my area to see what everything is like.

In my opinion, most people and especially most beginners would do best to do a dog sport that is fun for the dog and the handler. Grow and learn together. While schutzhund and ringsport DO include "protection" or bitework, the dogs view this as a GAME. A wonderful super fun game that makes them sooooo motivated and happy, but still a game.

A real protection dog is a huge liability to own. It requires a very intensive and specific type of training. One that changes your dog's worldview and also requires a certain type of temperament in the dog. A temperament that many people would not necessarily enjoy in a house pet. Also your worldview has to change too to maintain a safe level of vigilance. Not worth it in 99% of cases.

Why would you want a protection dog? If you are afraid of bad guys attacking you, you should know that even a trained protection dog is, at most, a deterrent or something to slow the bad guy down. Bad guys with skills know how to handle an attack dog (for ex: offer arm for bite and slit throat ) Anyone who comes in the house through a barking large dog is serious. At best, your dog might sacrifice his life and buy you a couple moments to get to your own weapon. Which is worth something if you are really in that situation (rare)

One of my malinois is from LE parents and he and I did schutzhund. We came home to a tweaker (drugs) guy robbing our house. I screamed, the bad guy made a break for the front door and my 85lb malinois watched intently. He watched the bad guy run down the street. In hindsight, I should have sent him THEN. But I didn't think of it. He considers me the leader and without a command (mostly) he doesn't act.

After that event, we did some further testing on him out of curiosity to see when/if he would bite without a command. We did a few of the exercises they do in the police games. We had someone wear a hidden sleeve and we went to a new place - parking lot with sidewalks, trees etc. Turns out he WILL bite without a command if I'm pushed or hit. We never trained him for that and it isn't part of schutzhund. So for me, that was enough to know. He'll help if he can if I'm being attacked, other than that, he waits for direction. Much safer in my opinion.

Sorry for the book! I still say pick something for FUN!

 Quote: Melissa Snider

We came home to a tweaker (drugs) guy robbing our house. I screamed, the bad guy made a break for the front door and my 85lb malinois watched intently. He watched the bad guy run down the street. In hindsight, I should have sent him THEN. But I didn't think of it. He considers me the leader and without a command (mostly) he doesn't act.

Thanks for sharing that!!! SO many people think that a SchH dog = a protection dog. It's all a game to them. Glad to hear your boy will fight when your pushed though. I've never tested my dog to that extent.

My 'sport' dog most likely has what it takes to be a PPD, or police K-9. He's wild. I got lucky, but for my first SchH dog I would likely have picked a less drivey dog from a litter.

I agree with going to check out clubs/sports. Get a feel for the people, and the activity. Ask around about trainers. Can't be too prepared, or get too many opinions!

The difference between a working dog and a sport dog? The working dog must have the drive to do the job.

Working dogs can do sports just fine and be happy and fulfilled. But in order to do real work these dogs have the extra umph, extra drive, extra energy, steady head to be able to get the job done. A real job with real consequences if something goes wrong. SAR, PPD, farm and ranch herding, detection, these are all jobs that need dogs with that true working ability.

We can do sports with a variety of dogs and it's great for building a bond with our dog, building the dog's confidence, etc. They don't need to be the highest drive dog out there, they may be happy with just a run through the agility course or an OB routine. They may have some confidence issues and it's not a big deal It's just a sport and you're just doing it for the dog, for you, not with a bigger purpose.

ETA - I raise sheep and am involved with SAR. I'd pick a dog with working potential. An overall solid dog that needs to do something/wants to do something and has natural talent. I also have Border Collies - not quite your GSDs/Mals and not quite PPD material but the well bred ones are really great working dogs for other pursuits.

Basically there are 3 types of dogs,

1. Good dogs. Excellent at high level competition + any type of work. They can do it all.
2. So so dogs. Do better at a certain venue be it sport or work.
3. Duds. No work or sport potential.

So keeping the training resources as a constant, the only variable is the type of dog.

Putting aside any labels of working/sport, etc., since they have different meanings for different people, my all-out favorite thing to do with my dogs is to take them with us on a long RV vacation and go hiking and sight-seeing with them in all sorts of beautiful places around the country. I guess there's not a name for that type of activity, but for me it's things like that that have created a deep bond, a sense of fun, and cherished memories with my dogs that I wouldn't trade for anything.

Now -- ahem -- since gas prices have curtailed our RV vacations, some of the things I enjoy doing now are going to one of the many parks in our area for long walks, and training and competing in rally and obedience. When I can find the time, I would like to pursue agility and tracking.