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Most people in the world...that take their dogs hiking...most homes that have dogs, in underdeveloped nations...in fact, the vast majority of dog owners...don't either.

Don't what? You lost me.

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If you don't know what to do with a pup, you may also have problems with a bona fide PPD!

Why? Just because I don't have knowledge of how to pick out and bring up a puppy for PP work doesn't mean that I can't be taught how to handle and work with a dog that's already been trained.

Kristen, when you purchase an older dog, already PPD trained, is there any training/work the new owner has to do? And is there any type of weekly/monthly/yearly updates or training you need to go back for (to the original trainer/owner).

Or do these dogs really need to only be well trained initially and then kind of know their job forever? Are there cues/words and all the handler needs?

I've never known anyone who purchased an already trained dog, so have no idea what is involved for the new owner (if anything).

I'll answer this because Kristen may not know this.

If you buy a ppd from a *REPUTABLE* ppd trainer, you will end up training with the dog on-site for a minimum of two full work days ( a week being more preferable it the new owner can fit it into their schedule ). This time will also serve to show you if the trainer really knows what the h*ll they're doing.
Nothing, but *nothing*, pisses me off more then when I hear about gullible ppd buyers buying a ppd that they have never seen, getting the dog shipped to them, and having a *video* to train themselves with the dog!!!!

ARRRGGHH!!! How STUPID can people be !?! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />
And I mean that about both the naive buyers and the unethical scam masters posing as ppd trainers!!

For Cripes sake folks, just do some research!! Check the credentials and some references of those make believe ppd trainers and you'd save yourself a ton of sorrow and a crap load of money!
The ppd field is the most fly-by-night, scam ridden area in the world of dogs. The number of idiots with almost zero experience trying to pass themselves off as professional dog trainers/ ppd trainers is *amazing*. And scary.
And ya'll let them get away with it because you don't check them out before hand. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

Rant off.

Will,
Do you think that Ed guy will be all right? Hope so cause he told me he was & I am on a wait list for a pup lol

Yes, everything Will just said is correct. Our plan was to go to whatever kennel we wanted to buy a dog from and check it out, see some of the other dogs as well as the dog we were interested in, and work with the trainer so that he could teach us how to handle the dog (and see if the dog was worth a $&^! or not).

How do you actually go about checking up on a trainer, Will? I mean, I know you need to check into the dogs that they have trained in the past and all that, but how do you actually go about getting that information?

Will/Kristen, how much additional training needs to be done AFTER the dog gets to it's new home? Weekly brushing up? Any training needs at all? Or just the initial 2 days to a week when the dog is first purchased?

It's about the same as if you just had a regular dog - you CONSTANTLY reinforce and 'practice' everything he's learned, whether it's asking for a sit before you feed him, or a wait at the doorway, or a down-stay during meals, or whatever. You can't just teach a dog something, and then not practice for a month or longer and then expect him to be just as sharp as he was when you first taught him - he's going to be rusty unless you work with him daily.

With a PPD, though, you can't exactly practice his bitework daily unless you have your own personal helper at your beck and call, which I don't. For me, brushing up will probably be with the Schutzhund club, unless I can get one of my friends to learn helper work (HA! That's pretty funny! None of my friends are even dog people! lol).

Training, no matter what kind, is always an ongoing process. You're never actually finished completely.

Will, I'm still drawn towards Iras von Haus Katernburg, off the Kraftwerk site, for some strange reason (he caught my eye from the very beginning). I managed to locate his PEDIGREE on pedigreedatabase.com. What does the AD stand for after his name? I know what the BH is. What/How can I learn from his pedigree?

Hmmm...that "Ed" guy. That's a toughie...
Let's see now......
The dam of Fetz is a Leerburg dog. And he is quite literally the "once-in-a-lifetime" dog. You hear that phrase used all the time, but it's true in this case, and I'd say I have enough witnesses to back that up... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

And..oh yeah, *I'm* on the waiting list for a Leerburg puppy also... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

So yeah....I guess he's ok, <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I just found out what the AD is. An endurance test. I never knew there was such a thing - but hey, you learn something new every day! I can tell you one thing; *I* wouldn't want to do it! lol