DJ:

I mixed up two posts. Sorry. Pick up first steps of defense from Ed.

Vince P.

Again we are talking in general terms. I hope you can be more specific. You said to teach her a few basic concepts. What are these few basic concepts?

It is mentioned that I concentrate on socializing the puppy. But somewhere in the tapes it is mentioned that prey drive should be developed at a young age. It is also mentioned that the puppy should be handled right in her first year of training lest the dog be ruined forever because of trainer's mistake.

Basically what I am looking for is a specific training program for my nine week old GSD, not general statements like a few basic concepts or train her in socialization. If it is not too much to ask from friends in this board, a step by step program would be gratly appreciated.

Thank you again.

Mackie,

A step by step program to a protection dog is impossible. Every dog is different. I would follow Bite Training Your Puppy, and pick up the first steps in defense for down the road a bit. Decide if you want to do strictly PP or some sport work in addition. The book Purely Positive wouldn't be a bad acqusition either (God...I am starting to sound like Vince?????).

The other thing you need to do is to find a trainer that trains for what you are interested in. Watch them work and talk to owners of the dogs they train. Watch some training sessions with the dogs they are training, and if possible see some of the dogs trial. If you are going to do the Purely Positive route find some one that trains that way. Not a trainer that got a 15 min degree at the local pet shop, but some one that has titled dogs in protection sports or AKC/UKC obedience with this method. You may want to use different people for obedience and protection. The trainer for each is critical for a PP dog. If you can find it in the same person so much the better.

Right now concentrate on making training fun, building prey drive, getting obedience established, and socializing the crap out of the dog in any place you can whenever you can with everybody you can. After that it is all easy???!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I will give you one word of advice with puppies - less is better. If I had two equal puppies at birth and I gave each one to a different home at 8 weeks of age. The first being someone who trained him every day for an hour a day in obedience until he knew every command. And the other I gave to a person who just took him everywhere he went and let him play and explore without even teaching him his name. When the puppies were 6 months old I would take the second one EVERY time!

Quick follow up to the non-socialization issue. I got more into the reason behind this trainers previous comments about not touching his pup. I think now it was meant to be more along the line of Vince's previous post. He is letting the pup explore un-inhibited. He doesn't want a stranger pushing it down off them when it gets to mouthy or telling the pup "no" impulsively. He also doesn't want the pup to enjoy others company more than his since he is the only one that will hand out the corrections. That's it. In short, I don't think the guy is a complete psycho. It's not a touching issue, it's a bonding issue.

Scott:

Right idea. Wrong solutions. You can accomplish both goals. You do this by never letting a stranger touch your dog before explaining exactly how you want it done. "Sure you can pet my puppy but he is very mouthy so if you do not like being nipped please just speak cheerfully to him and don't touch him. Also please do not lift him off the ground or pet too rough." Then I make sure the affection is just for a couple of seconds and we move one. He only gets extended affection from me. I do this EVERY time before someone pets my dog. And for his other concern I am the only one who plays ball with my puppy, gives him any commands, or EVER feeds him food/treats. I now have a super social puppy that looks only to me for approval and affection without any concerns that your friend has.

Thanks. Makes good sense too me. This trainer also said that no one should ever pick up his pup. I'll follow your advise since I am taking one of these little monsters home this week. Scott

My dog is now going on her 12th week. Socialization is on top of my list. I take her with me every opportunity I can. To date she only gets to play in confined areas without leash.
Thru clicker training she now knows the sit, the down and the come commands. To start prey training she also gets three to four bites on a piece of towel daily. I also excite her with a tennis ball. Am I doing alright?

Now I would like to leash train her. I want to take her out on a leash. I am told that at twelve weeks, I should never give my puppy a leash correction. How can I get my puppy to follow me rather than have a pulling contest with her. I trained my other dog, a lab by going the opposite direction and/or a prong collar correction everytime she pulls. What other training can I introduce my dog to?

Again all replies are very much appreciated.

Mackie,

There are several things you can do. Most use the puppy's natural desire to be with you and to be at home. Put the leash on (only when you can closely watch the puppy) and just let it drag as you walk around the house. It will get the puppy used to the feel of having the leash on. You could also do this when you are doing your training. Another thing to do is take the puppy out in front of your house and hold the leash as the puppy walks back to the house.

Once the puppy is used to the feel of the leash, hold the leash and follow the puppy around a bit. After that, hold the leash and encourage the puppy to follow you. All of this work is done on a buckle collar.

Last night my 11 week old Malinois got attacked while on a leash walk. The other dog was a male golden retriever that "slipped it's collar". My dog is o.k., I'm more concerned with my pups confidence getting shaken. Any comments? How far can we legally go to defend our dogs? I remember the mace thread but can't find it. If this happened with a 2 yr. old Mal it would have been ugly.