Dragon's Black Diamond, If you ever make a trip to Glacier National Park let me know. I'll introduce you. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Tami, how did the training go. . .start to finish?

What type of methods did you use? When you mean protection trained you mean bites, holds, and outs on command right?

Finished??? Not hardly, he is 21/2 and very full of himself, he is very much a work in progress, but I enjoy every minute, let me say I dont know weather all akitas raised the way i have raised him would be as high drive (for the breed) and as extreme as he is or if i just got a rare one, as to bite, hold, & out welllllll, he loves to bite its his favorite past time, he does not see the helper as a big playmate however so bite work on this level is a recent thing, he will hold but not calm he will grip and shake, i dont know but i suspect this would be common of the breed as my female likes to shake and she is a pet (no bite training), his out as any who have been around this breed will tell you is not wonderful he will out but it has to be repeated and depending on how worked up he is i have had to make him out. as you can see a work in progress, i have been very very careful about this aspect of his training as i need him to still be able to go places with me without being a threat to anyone. untill recently i wasnt sure i would go this far with him, he is very extreme in everything he does and has no problem getting in someones face. i have however been told by all who have gotten to know him that there isnt a mean bone in his body, with all his friends he is a 110lb baby, with any and i do mean any child he turns into a big furry pile of goo. (LOVES kids)
since this is my first time doing this kind of training im taking it slow and very careful, so far he is doing very well, if i had it to do over again the only thing i would do differant would be to be better and more knowledgeable. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Kathy,
Try it, if you are like me and you don't you will always be wondering-could he have?? I wouldn't expect him to get it overnight or even in the next month, I do think it will take him longer than your GSD,Dobie, Rottie,etc. just because they are so bullheaded and stubborn, but as long as he is trained properly, has your respect and is obedient to you, anything is possible. I don't think however any small dogs would be able to do this... although it would be quite entertaining to see a Pom or Yorkie try its hand at Schutzhund <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Let us know how he does <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> And GOOD LUCK

Thanks for writing back. My Akita is extremly obedient. He respects and loves me, and, I would have to say, he is more obedient than most dogs, he listens to me at all times, even when there are gunshots, other dogs and kids playing all around him, any type of automobile or lound noise around him, horses, etc. He learnt all his basic obedienct easily and in 5 trys he listened completly. He is not dumb at all (but he looks it! Lol). He is a excellent tracker. I am going to try Schutzhund with him, even though I know it is going to be extermly difficult after reading what others wrote about Akitas, but I wanted to get into Schutzhund to do something with my dog that is difficult but shows the bond we have. Well, thank you everyone for writing back, bye.

Kathy,
Best of LUCK to you both. I sense a determined owner/handler in you. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I know that an AKITA can do the work if the drive and bond with the handler is there.

Will Rambeau gave AKC stats and I was lost with all the letters except the TD. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Just so you don't give up on your AKITA, not that many SchH3 dogs have the TD title either. Totally different type of tracking.

After reading your post I'm more then sure you will get satisifying results with your Akita.
Remember that taking him to the highest level he can attain will be the goal you both strive for.

This will also be a great learning tool for you as a newcomer to Schutzhund Sport world.

I posted a few post about my Akita and had negitive feedback so don't be discouraged , just prevail with your K-9 companion. Same type comments. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

YOU CAN DO IT!!! It will take a lot of hard work, but then look at the reward for all those hours spent with your K-9 companion.

Guess what, doesn't matter what breed you train and work with the COMMITMENT is the same and I think you have it!!!

Good luck and keep me posted.
Check your private messages.

AKC tracking and Schutzhund tracking are nearly identical.

Although tracking should be tracking, I've been to many AKC and Schutzhund tests and they don't look nearly identical. Just because a dog finds a glove at the end of a path doesn't only signify tracking skills.

God knows I don't support the AKC very often, but I'm going to defend their tracking for now. I have been the track layer this year at 2 SchH trials and 3 AKC tracking trials.
A TDX track (that's a Tracking Dog Excellent for those that get confused by alot of letters and are too lazy to look it up on the AKC website)
has three (3) articles. It has at least seven turns, and has two mandatory changes in tracking mediums ( like going from grass to woodline). The first turn is usually about 50 meters from the start, and the starting point is *NOT* marked- the judge shows you the general area and it's up to your dog to find it and start the track correctly.
Alan, I remember 15 years ago that the AKC tracking was much easier- it really was " just find the glove and you pass" but none of over a dozen AKC trials that I've been to in the past 3 years were easy - everyone of them was a real test of a dog's tracking ability. I wish I could say that about some of the SchH I tracks that I saw this year.

And I'll believe an Akita can do the work when I see the title. Until then the Akita is in the same class as a Cocker Spaniel or Pomeranian- it can do it's job, but it's job is not SchH or protection.
Kathy, love your dog and enjoy him for what he is. Your home is very safe from bears! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks Will, I hate the damn AKC more than anybody I know. . .but their tracking is very very similar to Schutzhund. That might have been different in years past, I don't know. . .

I don't spend much time at AKC events. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Really when you consider it, footstep tracking is footstep tracking. . .