I'm wonder at what age someone should take their pup to a professional to be trained?

If someone isn't an expert all together then should they go sooner to get it obedience work before it takes up protection training?

Since I'm an amatuer what is the best way to handle this so it will be done correctly?

I've NEVER seen a well-trained dog apart from a well-trained owner. Its a general law in the canine world that the training of the owner is more important than the training of the dog.

Keeping that in mind, you need a professional that will train YOU to train your dog. Especially for the novice, start as early as possible. I recommend finding a trainer before the pup is even brought home.

Originally posted by Dave Lilley:
I've NEVER seen a well-trained dog apart from a well-trained owner. Its a general law in the canine world that the training of the owner is more important than the training of the dog.

Excellent point Dave.

Well that's a relief, I'm sure if some of the people that post here can train a dog efficiently, then I can too. I read one of the Frawley's pieces about training, that it isn't Rocket Science, it sure seems like it.

I didn't plan on shipping it across the country to get it trained by the way.

Here's another question, if it's BS for a professional to help an owner then why do they do any of it anyway? Is it just to make money?

So I guess we'll see . . .

Originally posted by WolfLarsen:
Well that's a relief, I'm sure if some of the people that post here can train a dog efficiently, then I can too. I read one of the Frawley's pieces about training, that it isn't Rocket Science, it sure seems like it.

I didn't plan on shipping it across the country to get it trained by the way.

Here's another question, if it's BS for a professional to help an owner then why do they do any of it anyway? Is it just to make money?

So I guess we'll see . . .

Sorry you've lost me here Wolflarsen, why do they do what? Is what about making money? Training dogs?

Dave: Great post. Nothing to add you said it all.

Mick.

Here's something I've notice in life. One has to get to POINT A - - - - to get to POINT B. One cannot quit on anything if they're not an expert. They have to LEARN.

And that's why I come here, to learn. Here's an idea maybe working dog breeders shouldn't sell their dogs to no one except professionals. I wonder how many people practice this?

I assume with your impressive college credentials that you can grasp that?

I'm saying if the dog is going to be that inept because the owner's not an expert, then what's the point in the first place. I also don't care for people CAPITALIZING their font as if I'm mentally incompetent. If someone does that then don't expect me not to give you the same. If one of the viewers of the board doesn't care for the questions I ask then feel free to click me on their ignore list. Because I don't respect anyone that shows me none, period.

WolfLarsen, I assume the college comment was directed toward me...

You are new here. Relax. If you read through the thousands of posts on this board, CAPS are used to emphasize a point. Its a standard protocal that is NOT likely to change.

ANY reasonably intelligent person that has an interest in training AND is willing to invest a substantial amount of time can be successfull.

Since you are here, it appears that you have an interest. BUT, your recent posts seem to indicate that you may not be willing to invest the necessary time... by asking about someone who can train your dog for you.

Experienced trainers know that, even if a dog is professionally trained, the effect begins to "wear off" almost immediately if the training is not maintained by a knowledgeable owner.

A good professional trainer SHOULD tell you this up front.

Well it certainly isn't a question of me not wanting to spend time. I have nothing but time. And I feel I make enough money to pay for anything I need. I just don't want to anything wrong. I feel that's simple enough. This isn't just a guard dog that I'm looking for, I'm wanting to know hands on about this sport (Schutzhund), I find it to be a great hobby for me. Because of the internet now I can pursue these things easier.

I work out of my house so my dog spends just about every minute of every day with me. So trust me, I'm 100% dedicated in this. The last person I am is one who confines their dog to the backyard and spends zero time with it. If I was one of those type of people then I wouldn't concern myself with all these questions. One can't do everything right, unless he knows as much as possible. At least, that's my opinion. This is a vast field, so I want to know as much as possible to be as precise as I can. If I have to do this 10 million times to be as good as possible, then I will do that. I haven't had any experience doing protection work, but I've had two GSDs in the past so I think I know the general stuff. The rest is totally new. But I will learn how.

The reason I'm over cautious is when one has been burned as much as I have on the last dog then I'm taking zero chances this time. Many people tell me the German lines are so much more intense that it's like night and day.

One of the reasons I stated this earlier was because I read a book awhile back
"Protection dogs for you and your family" by Weiss & Rose. In the book they mentioned that one whose not an expert they did not recommend that they work the dog just from reading books and watching videos. Unless they were a professional they would need more, especially if they were new. I'm not quoting this but I think that's what was written. That's where I initially came upon the question.