my dog Bart sure didn't have a need to be social, he had a need to rip other dogs a new one...HE was happiest, and more balanced when i stopped letting him interact with other dogs.

Shawn, I hope you are not taking my posts as personal, but there are somethings that really stand out to me. What Alex said is true. Your dog will gain more benefit by learning from you. You are able to provide everything the dog need in her life to be a stable and happy animal. In the cases that Caesar takes on, these are dogs that have been messed up by their owners. He brings them in to “fix” them and sends them back to hopefully more educated owners. I think people can learn a lot from watching his show about how dogs are; the type of guidance that they crave and thrive in. I don’t recommend 90% of people try half of what he does, and I don’t think he should be taken for gospel.

Caesar has gift that is unmatched. That is nothing against your friend. I am sure they are great and have wonderful dogs. That does not mean that your dog needs to be social with other dogs to be fulfilled. A dog looks for guidance, companionship and fun from its pack, and YOU and your family are the dogs pack. You can provide all of it. Is it OK to let your dog have dog friends, sure, but in a controlled manner (by the pack leader) and in a manner that keeps you number one. Pups that bond more closely with other dogs and find them to be more fun will often have that imprinted, and will seek that need with other dogs before you. You will do what you want, and it sounds like you have made up your mind.

Now as the topic is Schutzhund, here goes.

The first thing I would recommend is to read, read, read. There are many books out there that are wonderful. I like Schutzhund Obedience, Training in Drive and Der Schutzhund they are two of the best out there. Also, Ed here sells many dog training DVDs, and a great one to get is Training Drive, Focus and Grip . Also the follow up, Preparing Your Dog for the Helper is great. After watching and reading these, go visit some clubs. Watch their training techniques. Do they follow much along the same lines as the books and DVDs?

Even upon finding a good club, I would still go visit a few more to see what else is out there. Be fair to your dog though, don’t work with five different trainers and expect her to gain confidence. She could easily get confused. Just go watch for a while.

The last thing I would want to do with my dog who is developing a lifelong bond with me is to send her away for ten days.

Even if I believed that "socializing" meant "live with dogs who are not in this dog's pack" (and I definitely do not), there is no way that I would disrupt that precious bond at this never-again age by leaving the puppy anywhere for ten days.

"Socializing" for me means "go everywhere with me, see the world with me, experience sights and sounds and smells and people and everything -- with me."

Never would I allow my dog to be trained (in anything at all) outside my presence, and never would I practically push her into forming a dog-bond when she should be forming a me-bond.

All JMO. I don't mean to sound confrontational -- just very very enthusiastic about spending these precious early weeks and months with the dog.

Thanks for the links Jessica. I'll check them out and that is a great idea to visit a bunch of clubs first to get a feel which would be a good fit for Gabbie and I. I am not taking any post personally(no sweat). I do want to add that none of the dogs that I personally know have any of the traits that everyone is describing on this thread from going away for dog socialization.

What do they have planned for your dog?

 Quote: Shawn Reed

... I do want to add that none of the dogs that I personally know have any of the traits that everyone is describing on this thread from going away for dog socialization.

What traits did I describe?

I am glad there was no offence taken.

I checked out the site, and I still feel strongly about my opinions. I mostly see a bunch of tired dogs (GOOD!) in a doggie daycare type situation.

I see a Westie being sniffed and her snapping out of fear. The speaker says that she essentially needs to get over it, I would say, the dog sniffing her needs to be stopped because it is not helping the Westie feel more confident, the sniffing pup could get bit, and the escalating tension could draw other loose dogs into the mix in a charged manner.

In another part of the same video, I see a cute pup annoying a Great Dane. The Dane is trying to get away and the pup is relentless. The pup needs to be stopped. Period. The Dane is giving all of the signals that she does not like it and wants the pup to leave her alone. By not stepping in, the Dane may choose to stop the pup herself. The pup needs to learn to control it’s self. Stepping in shows leadership and boundaries to the pup and shows the Dane that you will not allow it to be harassed.

I see other things too, like good calm dogs running around, and very few strong type personalities. It can work well until it doesn't. Let me repeat that; it can work well until it doesn't.

And it is not so much about traits that the dog can develop, (although that is an issue too) but also what can happen.

Like I said, do what you like, and what you feel comfortable with. Many here will disagree with your choice, but you are the one that lives with it day to day.



Good luck!

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

 Quote: Shawn Reed

... I do want to add that none of the dogs that I personally know have any of the traits that everyone is describing on this thread from going away for dog socialization.

What traits did I describe?

Connie, first off, I wasn't referring to you and I am really not looking to argue with people via internet. I just want to learn more about Schutzhund training so I can have a good productive time with my dog and fullfill her working breed nature for fun.....that's it.

Lol, Good play/Bad Play.