I would love love LOVE to have someone to train with/under. Unfortunately, there's really not many in the area. If I wanted to train hunting dogs to bring back ducks o track deer, I would have 100 good ole' boys to go to. But as far as other training, there's not much. Heck, most of the people in town tie their dogs out front or don't even confine them at all. And of course they're not neutered/spayed. But I digress, there is a working Malinois breeder about 2-3 hours away but I haven't established any kind of relationship with them to know if I could train with them.

On another note, could you guys help me know what to look for? I have my own place, I work 8 hours a day, I have an off-leash area just round the block, I don't spend my time on the internet, o playing video games, and I have friends but we mostly do stuff on weekends. I want to make a career with animals and am super interested in training. And I love the working/herding breeds.

I just ask because when I go looking I just can't seem to find what I want or what would fit me. :-/

Laurel, have you thought of a different breed? Mals are all kinds of flashy and stuff but that's not something you want to tackle in your back yard without guidance.

A Border Collie, perhaps? Highly trainable and won't turn on you and bring your house down?

There are a lot of similarities and for somebody who wants to learn about dog training and is serious about it there is no better breed to start with. Especially considering you are not interested in the protection part.

eta: or a Corgy?

Edited by Ana Kozlowsky (11/09/2010 10:49 PM)
Edit reason: eta

Lol, I've thought over and over about a Corgi, but I think I'll save them for a house dog for later in life, I just think they're cute. But I hadn't really thought about a Border Collie, I know they're super trainable, but like Mals I heard they could tear your house down?
Also, the border collies I've met have always seemed weak nerved/flighty, is that a breed characteristic or just my sampling?

Corgi - a house dog? They are cute but there is a lot of dog there

If you are not ready to take on a BC you shouldn't be thinking about a Mal either. It is quite obvious from your posts that you are more into "trainable" than "powerful and intense". They are nervy and flighty but that's exactly what makes them so easy to train - they notice things.

You might want to get a dog whose temperament will make it easy for you to get another one as you get better with your training. Because if you are into it you'll want another one

Gotta be careful with the BC's IMO.... they can be just as high drive as a Mali-nut, but less mouthy (if you're lucky!) A well bred border is a working machine, and can drive many good people insane with the need for a job. They can be nervy- depends on the lines as with any breed.

Corgis are also super trainable! Very smart, big dogs in a small body.

Training gun dogs is still training dogs Laurel. lol

I'd be surprised how much you can learn and translate to any discipline when you can teach a dog to give you a bit of tasty food instead of scarfing it down.
In fact there's many areas of gun dog training that do cross over to almost any venue you care to mention. As OB is OB no matter what you're doing.
If you want to get started into training dogs it's as good a place to start as any.

Don't know a lot about breeds? Don't know what fits for you?
Volunteer at a local rescue working with some dogs there. Or do some fostering yourself.
Once you get a range of dogs under your belt, you'll find your breed without a doubt.

My hired man just got a cardigan welsh corgi, 5 mos old, free from a rescue. He is absolutely the nicest dog, a big dog mind in a low size. He is smart, seems already trained, has an adorable prick eared expression. He can go all day, or on rainy days he seems happy to just collapse at your feet. He's very smart, and fun.
I never considered that breed for myself before, but I sure would now.

The Corgi is the top spot for me for my next dog. I really want a GSD but feel like I don't have the space and experience for the one I really want.

HIGHLY trainable, intelligent, and portable! Not to mention cute as a button

A good gun dog is a beautiful thing to watch, we have friends with a pair of chessies that are simply amazing, and tough as nails.

A well bred field lab or Golden also makes a wonderful training partner without the fear of them coming up the leash or being a liability.

 Quote:

I would love love LOVE to have someone to train with/under. Unfortunately, there's really not many in the area. If I wanted to train hunting dogs to bring back ducks o track deer, I would have 100 good ole' boys to go to

I agree with Randy. I would take advantage of this. Have you seen the video a member posted of his GSP playing tug?
http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=168&Number=264387&Searchpage=1&Main=25288&Words=+JerryWalker&topic=0&Search=true#Post264387

 Quote: randy allen

Training gun dogs is still training dogs Laurel. lol

I'd be surprised how much you can learn and translate to any discipline when you can teach a dog to give you a bit of tasty food instead of scarfing it down.
In fact there's many areas of gun dog training that do cross over to almost any venue you care to mention. As OB is OB no matter what you're doing.
If you want to get started into training dogs it's as good a place to start as any.

Don't know a lot about breeds? Don't know what fits for you?
Volunteer at a local rescue working with some dogs there. Or do some fostering yourself.
Once you get a range of dogs under your belt, you'll find your breed without a doubt.

Best piece of advice I've read in a long time. I'd never imagined having a Lab, I never really liked the big louts. My dog changed my mind when I met him in the shelter. I'm grateful that the experience taught me to judge a dog by his character and personality rather than breed.