Quote: John Holtzen

After several weeks of frustration the trainer has readily accepted the return of the dog for either replacement or further training. So I am left with the following questions: Is it possible and practical to purchase a dog that is already trained and expect it to perform for us as it did for the trainer, provide a level of protection for our household, and integrate easily into our home?

No, I don't think it's that easy. My experience is that having a PPD is not exactly what you think it will be unless you are experienced with these dogs. I didn't even purchase my dog as a PPD, but I'm sure some vendors would have sold her as exactly that.

She was easier to live with than a true PPD would be, and it was still a life changing experience. I'd have to agree with what Will said. He gives very good advice. It's been almost three years since he gave me some very similar, very helpful advice.

From my experience, having a dog like that is like living with a constantly loaded weapon that can and will decide for itself when it needs to be used if the situation is right. At least with a gun, you make those decisions. When my girl passed away a year ago, it was heartbreaking after all the time we trained together....but deep down a part of me breathed a huge sigh of relief. It was a lot of work. It was a huge responsibility. There was nothing easy about it.

Alyssa, Katie and Steve, thank for the insurance information. Not that I am going into the PPD dog world but insurance is probably a good idea for all trainers and clubs.

Will, I wish I lived in Idaho... I'd be asking to work for you everyday till you said yes.

Great thread with lots of good information!

 Quote: Rick Massimi

Alyssa, Katie and Steve, thank for the insurance information. Not that I am going into the PPD dog world but insurance is probably a good idea for all trainers and clubs.

Will, I wish I lived in Idaho... I'd be asking to work for you everyday till you said yes.

Great thread with lots of good information!

Are you sure, Rick? It's 21 degrees here now with a predicted high of 33, snow showers through the weekend.

It's a bit warmer down were Will is. Ha! Ha!

Lee, it is already 64 this morning in the St. Louis Missouri area.

But like they say.... "if you do not like the weather.... wait a minute!"

We'll probably have a foot of snow tomorrow.

 Quote: will rambeau

I've included the websites for the best firearm training schools in the U.S.A. over in the "Links" section of this forum, take a look and figure out which one you can attend.

This forum has a "Links" section? How do I find it?

http://leerburg.com/links.htm

is the one I know, but Will might mean something different ....?

My PPD died about 4 years ago, and the main thing I can remember is how I always "felt sorry for her" in the sense that I would never allow her to participate in activities the other dogs were allowed to. If we were going to some kind of dog function or a dog beach, or whatever, she was never allowed to go. Whenever we had visitors over, she was put up. No one outside of my family was ever allowed to pet her. Ane whenever we went anywhere, I made sure she was leashed or muzzled. I never wanted to put her (or anyone) in the place of someone getting bitten for the wrong reasons. In the nine years I owned her, she never once had to bite anyone (her bark said it all). So when I got my dobe (who was going to be her replacement)and I saw how much of a mush he was, I just couldn't put him through the training. But I feel (or hope) anyone who may be looking to break in to my house, would look for an easier target after they hear my two GSD and dobe barking. Its enough to make you go deaf. And I make sure I walk them in the neighborhood often enouth so "everyone" knows where they live.
P.S. And yes, we have two guns and a taser in the house if anyone wants to break in.

I used to worry about break ins. We have a lot of electronic equipment. But Hans is loud enough, and scary sounding enough, that I don't worry about them anymore. He can be heard quite well from the street and I think anyone looking for a quick break in and getaway would go someplace else once they heard him.

 Quote: rich pallechio

I used to worry about break ins. We have a lot of electronic equipment. But Hans is loud enough, and scary sounding enough, that I don't worry about them anymore. He can be heard quite well from the street and I think anyone looking for a quick break in and getaway would go someplace else once they heard him.

Rich did it exactly right - a dog with a strong warning bark takes care of 90% of people's needs in a PPD.

And when you really think about it, that's pretty much the all the scam PPD vendors are selling - a dog that barks and bites a sleeve/suit. And that's worth at the most 3k. The trouble is, they fool the uninformed that the dog can do much more ( hint: it can't, but the uninformed will never know that ) and charge 15k.
So their little scam nets them an additional 13k in profit. And the foolish dog owners never know.

And this happens several times a day in America. There are even entirely bogus dog sports that exist to help con men sell their crap dogs at inflated prices.

"Let the Buyer Beware."

Hmm... Rich has no PPD and no guns...


Damn my integrity.