the only time I want a firm calm grip is when I send her after a beer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I60KiVxIBWo

 Quote: Scott Garrett

Hmm. This topic is making me second guess SchH training.

No no, no need for that. SchH is a great sport just to get that top 10% is actually hard to obtain. You can train SchH and have a ball just learning about things. All depends what you want out of it.

 Quote: Scott Garrett

Hmm. This topic is making me second guess SchH training.

Don't. Get out there and have fun with your dog. Look at Dennis, does he look like he's concerned about Erica having any ill effects on the future of the German Shepherd? Enjoy what you'll do together.

Scott, it's a fine game/sport. What we were saying is that it should remain that, and be a test of a well-balanced dog w/natural drives/tendencies...and not the "be all, end all" GOAL of producing dogs.

If you like it, do it.

 Quote: steve strom

 Quote: Scott Garrett

Hmm. This topic is making me second guess SchH training.

Don't. Get out there and have fun with your dog. Look at Dennis, does he look like he's concerned about Erica having any ill effects on the future of the German Shepherd? Enjoy what you'll do together.

I found that teaching cute tricks from skills learned from Sch is the only way I kin get wimmin to talk to me

Yeah, but it depends on how they sound and what they're saying. You don't want your beer all shook up Dennis.

Good points. I think I'm just starting to prefer the Mondioring style of training from what I've been reading and watching but, there appears to only be three clubs in the entire state of California and the closest is a good 3-4 hours away in San Fran.

That said, I'm still going to check out the two SchH clubs that are semi-close to me. My pup isn't papered so we won't ever be competing. His ultimate "job" is to replace my 13 year old dog as watch dog and companion and hopefully be able to respond well outside of a conditioned sporting atmosphere...depending on his nerves and such, of course.

Check into French Ring as well Scott. Mondio and French Ring are close. The biggest difference is in FR there is more pressure from the Homme D'Attaque where in Mondio there is more environmental pressure. Then there is some slight differences in the jumps. There is 5 FR Clubs in Cal.

http://www.ringsport.org/clublist.php#California

Ah, good info. Thank you. There's a club about an hour and half away, which is only a half hour further than the two SchH clubs I'm going to check out.

I agree with most of the posts here...like I said, I don't mind the headshaking and growling. Mainly because I believe it to be caused by many of the positive things mention in the earlier posts...ie. frustration (need to bite), fighting for the prize that he feels he's earned, and basically just saying "Gimme its MINE"...with a mix of defense and some bossyness. Maybe I'm a little twisted too, but I'm ok with it ; ).

I guess I figure that a wild, crazy growling and headshaking bite or bites will cause an intruder more psychological and physical pain both during and after the fact. Kinda like a religious experience if you will : ).

Needless to say that was the last time that helper EVER laid eyes on my pup again. He did comment though that for a ten month old he was way ahead on his bitework. He thought he was like 14 or 15 months old, which kinda made me smile particularly because he has only had a couple of real bite sessions before that. (it was a schutzhund club and my pup is a working GSD if I didn't mention earlier)

I totally agree about the training and conditioning the dog to be something it's not. I'm gonna be doing it for the title and not soo much for the points I guess... Just kinda bring out his natural tendencies to show him for who he is and make him a well rounded and athletic dog. I'd much rather do Mondio or some other Ring sport, but I don't believe there are any of those clubs in the South GA area. Not that I know of anyways.

Possibly later I'll get me a female and teach her how to get me some beer like Dennis's pooch...lol.

Edited by Ray Fajardo (06/30/2009 09:45 AM)
Edit reason: addt'l info