Hello Everyone,
I have a 5 month old boxer from american bloodlines. From reading this board I now know that my boxer isn't even a working breed but i would like to know how far i can safely take his training. Even if he does not have the necessary drives or nerves for schutzhund, would it be counterproductive to train him as if he was from working lines? At this point I want to become a better trainer so i'm prepared when i do get a puppy from working lines.

My next dog will be from a working bllod line, I'd like to buy the bitch name Bonnie. But to answer your question from a "been there done that point of view".
I'd start training in Obedience, along the way see if I could spark his prey drive with some chase the sock rountines that lead to a short game of tug. Always let him win.

Start testing to see if he has interest in tracking by laying out food trails small peices of hot dog about 1 foot apart in a straight line for about 10-15 feet, let that progress into winding trails. This is done slowly until he will follow a trails in the foot steps, and its harder then its sounds.

Work on his/her agility see if he wants to climbs stairs or jump up on tables on commands, see if he will jump over small barriers. There is a lot you can do with your Boxer, just like I've done with my near mutt GDS and full mutt RottieX.

There are a lot of far better trained dogs out there, and lord knows I've seen some better looking dogs. But what I can see is we are following in their foot steps. My dogs can do a lot, some people say that why their not really great less say at tracking because they are Ok at a lot of things. "Food for thought".

But we do it for fun, not professionally and I've learned alot along the way. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Take your pup and tain it for schutzhund.There is nothing wrong with doing that.Im sure you can get a BH out of the dog. You can train about any kind of dog to track especially if you start with a pup. So the question is protection. Ive seen boxers with tons of prey drive.Im getting a clients american line Dobie ready for a sch.1 right now and its working out pretty good actualy.All you can do is train the dog and make it the best that dog can be and in the process you'll learn a lot and be a better trainer for it. You'll also end up with a dog better than 98 percent of the general public. Enjoy your pup and train it.

So even though it's looking like my GSD pup isn't going to be a great sch dog, I should go ahead take her as far as I can?? I would like to, for *my* own experience if nothing else, but how is a club going to feel & will I 'damage' her at all? If it's too high stress for the 'wrong' dog, I'd rather not; I'll just do tracking - she seems to have an affinity for that.

(I think that even though it's the same subject this really isn't the place for this post <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> )

Thanks everyone for your replies. I have already ordered "training drive, focus, and grip" and afterwards i'm going to order "Basic Obedience". We'll see how far my american boxer goes.

Sorry if i posted this on the wrong forum. just let me know where i should have put it. thanks again

Joseph,

Not that bad a choice of placement. The only better place may have been general conversation.

When talking about working dogs there are 2 things to look at, and it depends on when you are talking about. The first is the breed. Most people have a tendancy to select a breed and then try and push that breed in to what they want. It is much better to sit down BEFORE you make any breed decision and write down what you want from a dog. Be specific. Temperament, activity level, family situation, desired training goals, type of traing you desire to do, your level of experience in training, and on. Them start looking for a breed that fits you goals and situation. If you are looking for a quiet in the house fairly calm dog a Mal might not be the best choice. If you don't mind the hyperactivity and want a dog for ring ofr SchH, a Mal is a good bet.

Once you have made an evaluation of what you want, talk to people that have the breed. Breed descriptions are not always refelective of the current situation of the breed. Tell any breeder exactly what your goals are and what your experience level is and if you have identified training assistance. It will help them make a proper recomendation as a specific puppy or even if their lines are proper for you.

The second thing you need to look at is the specific dog you have. Even in breeds that may not generaly have the required drives for a particular purpose, there will be individuals that will do what you want. The other thing is that often you will learn more from a tough training dog than an easy one. The difference between a poor trainer and a good one is the ability to solve problems. You may learn more, and be a better trainer for your next dog, by working with this dog than if you wait.

In boxers, even American lines there are dogs that will work well. I had one. It was a fun dog to work with. Serious in biting and did very well with the training we were doing. So you may even have a gem that just needs some polishing.

In boxers, even American lines there are dogs that will work well. I had one. It was a fun dog to work with. Serious in biting and did very well with the training we were doing. So you may even have a gem that just needs some polishing.
I hope some luck and my best training efforts does produce a gem. Best case scenario, I end up with a great pet that lived up to its potential and taught me to be a better trainer