Just wondering what people do if they have a working dog with high drives and tons of energy and a 9-5 job? I'm thinking (been for awhile) about getting a new dog for competition obedience/schutzhund or similar but I have to work and don't know if this is fair on a young puppy. All my time outside working hours is for my dogs I don't really do anything except train/play/watch leerburg dvd's and my current dog just isn't it to it enough, my fault probably, but if I want to do something sometimes she's just no way and no matter what I try I can't seem to get her into it it's more a case of when she wants to. So thinking about a dog that will look forward to going out and doing work at all times?? Thinking maybe Dutch Shepherd or Mal??? or are these better off in single dog homes?? My girl's an Amstaff btw plus a boy as well!

Can't tell how a 9 to 5 job fit with a working dog as I have a crazy job but I am at home.

But I can tell you that I got Harley because Dexter was everything I did not want in a dog by BF picked him and he wanted a bit less then my previous dog. Dexter sometimes want to do stuff and my timing better be perfect. But sometimes he want to do stuff but I have to work. And when he turns off I could not get him in gears even if I had the team of chearleaders.

So I understand your frustration, I have been there. Some days I wish that I only had one dog because even if Dexter is a very low drive and energy dog, he still need time and attention and training.

Harley knows no fear and fell no pain and there is no end to his energy or just about. So yes it is easier to train him and more motivating but a lot more time just for him and the other dog still need some of your time.

I am lucky they get alone just fine.

 Quote: Brad Higgs

Just wondering what people do if they have a working dog with high drives and tons of energy and a 9-5 job? ..... Thinking maybe Dutch Shepherd or Mal???

Lots of info here:

http://leerburg.com/webboard/thread.php?topic_id=32739&page=1


Included:

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

Ah, I was hoping I could find this:

Cindy Rhodes answers a person who says "I like the way your dog works and I think I would like a Malinois for my next dog. What do you think?"

QUOTE:
.... I would say that I talk most people out of getting a Malinois. They see my dogs work and think they want one, but they don’t see the road it takes to get there! It can be challenging, to say the least. .... Malinois are more reactive and energetic than most German Shepherds. They have a higher exercise requirement (as a general rule) my dogs are wonderful in the house but they are a full time job… I typically don’t recommend them to people who want a dog that works around their schedule. They can be a dream but if not handled correctly they can be your worst nightmare. ...



For the full answer (and the full question), click on question # 38 where the questions are listed at the top of the page here:

http://leerburg.com/qaworkingpup.htm

But the whole thread is good.

I'm the same and sometimes wish I had just one to dedicate all my time to. It's a hard thing to choose to add another, I love my dogs and finding new homes for them is not an option for me, but I also want a dog to work with and don't really want to wait another 10 years or so before getting a dog to seriously work with, but also want to be fair on a new dog and the ones I have

It's doable....many have done it. It can be very challenging to say the least.

I had 3 here at one time....a 9 wk old, 9 mo old & 3 year old....none of which really got along together. Was very demanding for sure. Up before 5 am to work dogs before work. Took youngest pup to work with me.

I worked from 7:30-8:00 to 2:30-3:00 only took a quick couple of breaks to take the pup for a walk to potty instead of a lunch & run home to let the other 2 out for a potty & quick play time. Most of the time the youngster was crated under my desk. I was lucky to have a very dog loving boss & a well behaved, quiet pup.

From fall to spring when I would run home at a break a couple of times a week (only worked 8 min from my office) I would bring the other 2 back with me & they would hang out in the truck until I got out of work. (truck was undercover right outside my office window so I could look at it from my desk.) Then I would take them all to the beach after work for a walk & play time.

I'd get home after work & it would be all dogs until a later dinner, then bed & then rinse/repeat.

Week end was training & other socialization activities for pups & training in various locations for all. Plus I had a horse that was in a barn over an hour away that I would go up to on weekends.

I look back sometimes & wonder how I did all that. Makes having the 2 that finally did get along after over 2+ years & a ton of work, seem like a piece of cake. LOL

High drive dogs are NOT a hobby they are a LIFESTYLE.

 Quote: Anne Jones

.... High drive dogs are NOT a hobby they are a LIFESTYLE.

http://leerburg.com/flix/videodesc.php?id=238

Thanks Anne, my day sounds similar up around 4-4:30 hour walk come home play/feed for an hour or so before leaving to work 7-3:30 and my housemate lets them out for toilet breaks plus play time with each other through the day then come home more play/ob/maybe run treadmill depending on weather or they day they had or I had, feed, rest, more play/ob before crating for the night around 7:30 - 8:00. Playtime varies as sometimes they want to other times they'll just look at me and stretch and lay down especially my girl, boy's always up for fetch or tug, they also get along well so it's pretty easy at the moment

Thanks for the video and other info Connie I'm putting alot of thought into it at the moment it's a no (but a big want), it's not so much the energy or effort that I will have to put in/put up with I think I can do it but I really worry if I'll be able to meet all the dogs needs enough with being away for 8 hours or so a day and dealing with 3? What will it do when I'm not there? I REALLY don't want to mess a dog up.

Cindy calls Mals a full-time job and Francis Metcalf said this is who might consider one:

1.Do you dream day and night of improving your performance as a dog trainer?
2.Do you have reflexes like a Chimpanzee? Can you take a punch without feeling the need to retaliate?
3.Are you calm in the face of embarrassment, danger,and even chaos? Can you remain calm around a very hyper dog?
4.Do you want a dog that cant and wont be a couch potato? A DOG JUST FOR TRAINING?
5.Do you have at least 2-hours per day to devote to training and exercise?
6.Do you have access to a Ringsport or Schutzhund club where you can find a mentor?
7.Are you versed in positive and negative training modalities?
8.Are you willing to put canine performance before your own physical and psychological comfort?
If you answer these questions with a round clear YES, you have what it takes to become a Malinois Handler.

I liked this and made me think
1, Yes, I lay in bed at night thinking of how to get more out of my dogs and those I help train
2, No, Yes
3, Yes, Yes, Yes, don't know
4, Yes
5, Yes
6, Unfortunately not a club but people with experience but no official clubs here in Western Australia
7, Versed yes, well versed?? I think you can never know enough, but I've been training dogs for about 13 years and worked at a training school for 3 years.
8, Definitely, my dogs get looked after MUCH better than I take care of myself.

Not a clear all round Yes, so maybe should wait

I couldn't tell you how many times I've told people to stay away from most terriers. They want them because "Eddie on Fraizer is so cute" or "I love the way your dogs mind". "I want one just like it." " I love happy dogs." "All your dogs seem to get along so well together." Yadda, yadda!!!!

LOL, I love terriers and if I could find a 1/2 decent Amstaf in Australia I'd have one but because of the show ring and their popularity there's very little terrier left in them as nobody really wants a terrier they just want the look, it's great how wound up some of the others are staffy bulls and the foxies, JR's and stuff still seem to have at least some of that terrier trait.