David Walter Webboard User Reg: 11-02-2007
Posts: 94
Loc: Cleveland, Ohio
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Would like to get some of your opinions on starting an 8 yo gsd in schutzhund training.
Goals are purely more from a training education perspective and to have fun. Do not have any goals of putting a title on her but if I could that would be an obvious plus.
I know the jumps could be a little hard on the joints with her age. There is a local club that I will be giving a call. Just wanted to get some general opinions first.
Duane Hull Webboard User Reg: 09-23-2011
Posts: 2692
Loc: Marrero, LA
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At 8yo, your goal would be for a BH. That is the basic title in Schutzhund, and that's where all dogs start, young or old. It is a temperament test broken into two portions: Obedience and Traffic. The obedience is a basic IPO pattern and does not include any obstacles or running. It would pbly take close to a year to get. If you felt that your dog could handle more physical activity, you could then work toward higher OB titles, but your dog will be almost ten by then.
You and your dog may also enjoy tracking. If you're worried about her joints, you pbly don't want to pursue the bitework, but there's still a lot that you guys could get from joining and working with a club, and the improved OB and handling is certainly worth it.
David Walter Webboard User Reg: 11-02-2007
Posts: 94
Loc: Cleveland, Ohio
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Duane,
Thanks for your quick reply. Like you said, a BH is the first step and would definitely take some work especially the traffic piece. This is exactly what I was looking for. Also, thanks for setting the expectation that this will take about a year to accomplish.
I took up SccH last year with my new pup, but attended classes long before I brought him home just to see what it was like. It turns out both of us love it! I mainly do it because of the bond it has made between me and my boy. Going out to our training club is great and so are all of the people we train with there.
I ended up liking it so much that I am in training to be a helper and have already attended one workshop and look forward to the next one.
The titles may come, they may not come. The real fun to be had is in training with my boy everyday and going to the club on the weekends.
Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
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Quote: Lee_Reicheld
I took up SccH last year with my new pup, but attended classes long before I brought him home just to see what it was like. It turns out both of us love it! I mainly do it because of the bond it has made between me and my boy. Going out to our training club is great and so are all of the people we train with there.
I ended up liking it so much that I am in training to be a helper and have already attended one workshop and look forward to the next one.
The titles may come, they may not come. The real fun to be had is in training with my boy everyday and going to the club on the weekends.
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