Hi all,
I am planning on buying a trained PPD here in the UK. The dog is a GSD, 2yrs old, Male from Poland and has been trained by a reputable trainer in the UK. I have spoken to the National approval body of security dog users and they say that he is the best in the country. So his credentials are good.
My main concern is whether it is really possible for a highly trained PPD to integrate into a new family and happily accept our commands. I have a wife and a 2yr old daughter, the trainer says that the dog was raised with a family prior to coming to him. I work away from home for 2wks at a time with 2 wks at home and I am very willing to put in time training the dog daily when I am at home - I love dogs and would love to get a pup and train him myself but when I am away my wife wouldn't be able to handle the extra work of a pup. Our reason for purchasing a PPD is due to recent break-ins locally, we live in a small village and my wife is isolated when I am away and would benefit from the reassurance that a well trained companion would bring.
I would appreciate any considered views on our purchase, especially from the guys here that train and sell these kinds of dogs.
The website is http://www.a1k9.co.uk

Thanks
Dave

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />Well, just some things to consider, you can learn a lot from the type of dog you could expect, just by reading what the trainer’s philosophy is on dog training, to see what he wants from a dog. I checked his web, and it looks to be above board. In other words, he is in the right “frame of mind”, when it comes to the traits desired from a PPD…IMO.

As for answering the latter part, well it’s a good idea to get a dog for self-defense, that is trained, especially a GSD, and secondly, if it is well socialized and trained, then you are on a very-very good par. Training without socializations is like shoes without socks, you are bound to pickup fungus. This in my mind is a sensible way of becoming a dog owner. As for integration into a family, with a two year old, the dog has already formed some sort of “personality”, so his temperament could be predicted with a greater amount of certainty, when selecting an ideal candidate, compared to a younger dog for instance.

The other consideration you should take in mind is that the dog will only respond to commands, it is programmed for; iow, if it is done with the same tone and authority the trainer did it with. Be sure to spend some time with the trainer and dog, to get a feel for this, if possible. If not, ask him to id a trainer for you. Dog commands are unlike speaking and understanding – referring to you and your daughter’s interaction when communicating. Its more to do with trust, body language and bonding, if the dog does not know you from a bar of soap, don’t expect to much, these things take time. Many people are disappointed with new - trained dogs, - referring to off the shelf trained dogs, trained out of sight – and then delivered. They just do not understand why the dog does not respond equally well to them as what they did to the trainer. Speaking of which, consider that the trainer had spent some 400 hours - plus - with the dog so they are bonded, some one explained it like this. Its like a marriage, the longer you are into it, the more confident you get, the closer you get, the more you get to know each other, and the better the conversation, and communication become ( we are sighting a perfect marriage here).

There are several other considerations, but I think this answers some questions.

Hi Dave,
Are you going to use the dog for work purposes or just as a family dog? Dont forget that these dogs have had a special training and they can be pretty sharp and if you have little or no knowledge of what you are bringing into your house you might be up for surprises.
Integration into the family shouldnt be a problem but you wil have to be consequent with him in all ways. Big question is do you have enough knowledge to do this? When you are away does your wife have the same knowledge to continue the same strucutral line with him?

Just out of curiosity........what is the price over there for a PPD dog?

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />Hillary, hi, just this, i had three trained real working police dogs on my property at one time, we were building kennels, so they needed a place to stay. My wife loves dogs, but shows no interest in their training, and within a week, she had all of them in the house with the kids, freaked, but realized that it is more a question of trust, and dogs are not stupid, they know who brings the food home. So this BIG THING that every one is so “concerned” for other safety with PPD. Is just too overrated imo, just a sales gimmick, the perception that woman cant handle trained dogs - if they them selves have had no formal training- is a myth. It’s a dog for crying out load, and how many commands are there, this is a monkey see monkey do business, like any other dog, its just knows some tricks, and they understand the principle of don’t bite the hand that feeds you. To strengthen this point, the big breeders have casuals that clean and feed the trained dog, they don’t get wiped out. Yes you have the odd hooligan dog, but the norm is that PPd, are not programmed killing machines, unlike other disciplines. Be careful, but don’t be fearful, is the massage.

I agree with what your saying and yes your right, but its not the safety thing i meant......more with the consequent structure training line seeing as the dog has been trained and knows what he can and cant do with the owner that he has now. Many workingdogs that i end up rehoming are dogs that come often from other owners or they are "problem" dogs. Problem is most of the time not the dogs but the owners, and the reason they cant handle them is that they are not consequent in their training and upbringing. You give a mali a finger and they take both hands <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
It is more a comment or question really from my work point of view to see how many people really know what they are taking on. Of course every dog needs a consequent training but having a "ready trained" dog doesnt mean that it all stops there. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Hill, you are spot on with that one -"having a "ready trained" dog doesnt mean that it all stops there." Now i get where you are comming from, also true. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />Having maybe a bit of problems here reinier with the ole english <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> to make myself understood haaaaaaaa and to think that this was born in the UK <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Hi all,

Thanks for your contributions and helping to reassure me somewhat. I have spoken to the trainer and have already arranged to regularly meet up with a friend of his to continue the dogs bite training - he has also advised that we continue the obedience training for 10mins each day. We are looking forward to meeting the dog and continuing with his training. The trainer has also said he will coach me over the phone on how to keep the dog sharp and teach it to guard our vehicle etc after a few months of bonding if we require.
Hillary - The dog from this trainer is approx $5500 and he is expensive compared to the others in the UK who are charging approx $3000. But the national body have stated that he is the best so I don't mind paying the extra money - especially as he has looked after the dog for 2 years.
Thanks again for your interest guys. I'll keep you posted on our progress.
Dave

What type of bloodlines are those dogs from?



It always worries me when I look at a website that sells PPDs and they are advertising very young dogs, dogs without proven working bloodlines, and the working photos seem contrived.

For that kind of money, you could get your hands on a good titled working line dog that could be selected to do PP work from Europe.

Before you buy a dog from them do some research on selection testing the dog and make them prove the dog can perform prior to purchase.

If possible, find someone (other than the dog vendor) who has trained PPDs to test the dog away from the vendor's home or facilities.


If there isn't anyone, it takes very little know-how to put the dog in a muzzle, let him loose in a dark alley, and charge his handler with some serious violent intent to see the dog's real reaction.

Make them prove the dog's worth of $5500.