at a rescue.

my seems convinced that i will be able to find a dog that will do schutzhund at the rescue we volunteer at and foster with.

so what do think my chances are.

1 in 1000 or worse than that

They are out there, but the problem is getting them. A lot of rescues are so anti-bite that you will have a hard time to get your hands on one unless you are working with a rescue that has someone experienced with the sport involved.

98% of the dogs in rescue probably wouldn't be great canidates due to age or previous history, but every now and then you will get one that can do the work. I had one I picked up a the pound for $170 several years ago. He wasn't going to win big, but he was a dog with oodles of prey drive and could do the work. I picked him up at the humane society myself.

Anyway- it is possible. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The other end is that if you are willing to do something more permanent, you might luck into someone elses retired dog that may already be titled. Those dogs are usually out there for a small fee and the promise of a forever home.

My dog Alex is a rescue, you will be supprised at how many high drive GSD's go to low drive houses and are given up. Alex is currently training for SAR work, and looks like a good prospect. That being said you really have to look and know what you want out of a dog, check your emotions at the door, and test alot of dogs. Get as much history on the dog as you can but don't expect much. The other thing you have to be prepared for is dealing with any baggage the dog may have. It can take 10X the effort to fix a bad behavior and with some things the damage is just done. Also ask yourself what you would do if the dog had health issues and if you are prepared to deal with them. Could you accept a couch potato?

So yes you can find a Sch dog thru a rescue... it may just take a really long time to find one.

deanna thank you for making me feel like my time is not wasted looking for a cannidate at rescues.

the rescue i volunteer for is a tad differant than most.
so if i am going to find a schh dog it will be there.

i have it set up where i am a foster parent and can basically pick any dog i want from them and then find homes for them or have my trainer test them for me and see.

at this point i am not looking for national champion material just a dog that will do the work.

David, I also volunteer with a shelter here in NY.. About a year ago, I started fostering a dog from Long Island. After a year of having him, I was watching a Schutzhund tape and picked up on a few german command that they were using, tried them on Denver and he knew the, very impressed. I found someone that trained in schutzhund and asked him to evaluate Denver. As it turns out he know alot, and it is all new to me.

Denver struggles with allergies, this explain him being left tied to the fence... So as you well know there are always going to be those "Issue" But looking at Denver, I take the issues anyday.. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> By the way I adopted Denver <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

If you find one at a rescue that might work out, don't even mention Sch or PPD. Just grin like an idiot and talk about clicker training, tennis balls and tummy rubs.
http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/4140942/page/0/fpart/all/vc/1

mr arnold

so we do

that is what i figured have my eye on a prospect and also it will give me something to do while i save for my working line pup.

dennis the rescue i volunteer for know what i am looking for and actually have a couple chosen for me to look at.


i love the rescue

 Quote:

If you find one at a rescue that might work out, don't even mention Sch or PPD. Just grin like an idiot and talk about clicker training, tennis balls and tummy rubs.

He, he, he... funny but true.

It also applies to your neighbors, the ones who don't have a clue about dog training. I never tell neighbors the entire story on the training we do, only mention obedience. And even the smallest accomplishment seems to impress non-trainers!

A yuppie couple walking their two labs on leash had just passed our front gate as hubby walked down our long driveway to pick up the morning paper. Our two sch trained gsds were loose sniffing around the street-side mail box for their pee-mail, when the woman shouts in a panicked voice, "ARE THOSE DOGS UNDER CONTROL?" (our county leash law refers to dogs being "on leash" or "under control")

At the sound of that tone both dogs turned and started toward her. Hubby yells, "PLATZ!", both drop like a rock. He yells "SITZ!", both rise to sitting position. He yells "HIER!", both turn and run to him and josle each other for the sit-front.
"IS THAT CONTROL ENOUGH FOR YOU?" he yells back.

She didn't say a word; they just turned and walked off, the unruly labs pulling their arms out of socket.
They never came down our street again... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

QUOTE: A yuppie couple walking their two labs on leash had just passed our front gate as hubby walked down our long driveway to pick up the morning paper. Our two sch trained gsds were loose sniffing around the street-side mail box for their pee-mail, when the woman shouts in a panicked voice, "ARE THOSE DOGS UNDER CONTROL?" END

I LOVE that anecdote! Made my day.