I have two Dogue De Bordeaux puppies(French Mastiff or Turner & Hooch Dogue) Both of these dogs are imported. The Female is from France and the male is from Hungary. My female is ten months old and I have done some basic OB training with her. She has also has done some beginning bite work. Her grip is good, but not great. I have ordered Mr Frawleys bite work DVDS, but I can't get her bite where I know it needs to be. Ultimatley I would like to train her a a PPD. Does anyone have experience with this rare breed? Also if it helps she is very sensitive to verbal correction. If give her a stern verbal correction she seems to shut off and look at me as though I hit her.(I have never hit her)Is this a weak temperment? Can I provide any more information that would be helpful?

At the same time she has what I believe to be a killer prey drive. On another note she has been in a couple of Fight or Flight situations and both times she has wanted to stay and fight.

Does anyone know of any SCH clubs in Omaha Nebraska? Before I begin training my male I would like to get some local advice, so they can see the dogs working ability. Thanks in advace for your help. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I do not have any experience with this breed but i have heard that they are slow to mature. How old is your male? how is his bitework? 10 months is still young, but if you say that during a fight or flight situation that she stayed, well doesnt sound like weak nerves to me. How long has she been doing bitework?

If, you use the search feature and look for hard/soft dogs. You might find some useful information. You can also look through some of Ed's articles where he defines soft and hard dogs. I wouldn't say your female dog has weak nerves without having it tested by professionals. But, it sounds like your dog is soft to correction. Soft dogs don't handle harsh corrections in action or voice well. While some dogs, are hard and can handle harsh corrections and recover and perform.

I want to thank you both for your reply! My female has been doing bite work for about 7 months. My male is five months old and really has not yet had any real bite training. I am not sure that his drives are all that strong yet,(he is from show lines) but he has shown signs of improvement in the last month or so. He seems lazy, or he just doesnt seem to care about having any fun. He sure does loves his naps though! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> The only way I have been able to get anything out of him at all is with raw meet...he loves it, and so far he will do just about anything to get it. I guess I'll just go with the raw meat. Anyone know where I can get a whole cow cheap? Thanks again for the responses

If you go to the Mondioring website you can see a dog named Max has his brevet, or One I don't remember. I thought it was fun working er being worked by him.

Order Ed's Basic Dog Obedience tape or DVD, in here Ed talks about soft and hard dog in details, it's an excellent source of very good information. This is video #302. Good luck. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I have had Am Bulldogs for 9 years some mature faster than others. Don't worry too much its not weak nerves, majority of the bull breeds are a little handler sensitive and can take corrections either verbal or physical personal, in time it will not be so much of a concern if done right. Take your time, she is still young. Bullbreeds are much slower maturity rate than most herder breeds. Remember less is better.You don't have to work her every day in protection at her age maybe twice a month. Also if you are giving your own dog bites, it may cause some conflict between you and your dog, hence improper grips, I would suggest you have a trainer do that. If you are going to teach your dog to bite than you must have OB. You should be working on some OB (five minutes day to start), make it motivational and FUN with food or her favorite toy, a big must is to PRAISE the HELL out of her and him when they have the behavior you like. Don't slap a pinch collar and start correcting the dog for sit, down heeling ect... I did that with my first AB didn't no better at the time and took me long time to get his OB to be decent.
If you decide to go to a SCH club you make get some mix emotions from some of the club members, just be cordial and watch how the dogs are being worked. Don't be one of these people that Brag and boast about their dog. If you show them you are serious they will gerneraly except you. I have found a lot of frustration has done wonders for alot of bullbreeds, leting them see another dog work or having the decoy/helper just giving the dog alot of misses and then taking them off the field, with out a bite.

You may want to look on either the USA or DVG websites to find a club in your area.

Good luck with your dogs and hope this help a bit.

Regards

Mario Fernandez