i would like opinions on this subject please.i have an imported male from slovak rep. out of ipor kiddo i got him at 6 months old.they were imprintind him for police work (tracking training and some other minor differences from traditional sport type)i know all foundation is done in prey but my question is.i believe this pup is probably capable of a career in police work.i am just getting started in schutzhund and i have limited access to clubs.i am in a very rural area in nystate.if a dog is not only suitable for police work but destined to it should i try to keep him as a sport dog or am i responsable to try to find him a police handler or someone that will use him as a duel purpose dog.(i feel i may hold him back from his true potential)i hope this question does not seem to be rediculiose to some of you with more experience but it is a concern of mine.any coments or advice is welcome and appreciated thank you

Hi Derick,
For my two cents, he's your dog, you paid for him and you should do what makes you and the dog happy. If you want a dog to do sport with, than do it. I wouldn't be so quick to give away your own personal dog just because he might do PSD work.

I also belive that at his age, there is NO way of knowing what type of work he will do. Perhaps when he's about 18 -20 months old, you will have a much better idea of his ability as a PSD. Anyone who swears a dog at 6 months old has been "imprinted" for PSD work is selling you a line of crap..IMO..

For now, enjoy your dog. Train your dog, and have a great time doing it.

JMO

thank you

Derick,
I agree completely with New England K9, you can train your dog for sport and if the little fella can do more towards Police Service Work you may have a super Schutzhund partner with exceptional drives! And Super scores! He's a baby and has alot of physical and mental maturing to do take your time.
I want you to remember one thing in training your K9 a good solid foundation in training will give you a well trained K9 which you will be able to do many things with. Take your time and if in doubt about something in your training, don't be afraid to yell for help from the board I have a few times <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Also get Ed's tapes if you need to actual see what your looking for and how to do something, I use the tapes often for review and trouble shooting.
If you start to experience really strong drives in your K9 make sure you correctly direct them! You don't want to start down the wrong road and have to retrain some mistake that could have been avoided.Use common scence in your training and I think you will have a super K9.
I live in the rural area of up state New york and clubs are far and few but I know several that have a good training program with the K9 in mind not peoples egos.
Remember there are no bad dogs only bad owners!
Be Safe and remember to have alot of fun! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Lewis/Argo and Riley

Derick, enjoy your young dog. As others have posted, train for sport. Did I say enjoy your K-9, I think so!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> When you get your K-9 to his best potential, retrain as a PP dog, nothing like having a K-9 that you can depend on when needed. There are many avenues that you can choose to cross train, take one step at a time. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

If he's as good as you say I'm sure you will not have a problem studing him out if someone with alot of police K9 experience wanted to use him.

Continuing his line would be a very worthy contribution.

update he has been sold to a k9 unit in north carolina and they contacted me to inform me that Cliff is doing great he has been detecting narc. and is the best tracker they have and he is expected to do very well as k9.he is still very young but they say he is doing great and will be an exellent partner.