I have a question that needs an honest answer.
Have a young gsd, approx 18 months, that in the beginnings of bite work training did exceptionally well. Unfortunately, we ran across a trainer/helper that had no clue on how to handle a young dog. He tried working the dog in defense way too early and caused long lasting damage to the dog. Needless to say, he was never allowed to work either of my dogs again. I moved on... but the dog didn't. He began to show signs of avoidance to strangers(mostly men), fear of loud noises, and excessive anxiety. After awhile, his issues were deemed unfixable by other trainers. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> After six months+ of heavy socialization and lots of work, he is back to being the dog he once was. Lightning quick obedience, high drives and eerie cat-like agility. He handles everything from gunfire, fireworks, crowds of strangers, etc., like an old pro. Is it possible to start this dog over again from the beginning? Or am I opening a can of worms with this one? <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

It all depends on the dog and the amount of work that you will put in him. You wil have to start all over again and build things up slowly, build up his confidence again. Have you already found another trainer to help you out?

I have no problem with putting the work into him. He is well worth it to me. Finding a good trainer in my area is close to impossible. Seems to be a lot of schutzhund clubs, if I wanted to go that route, but that's not my cup of tea. Looking more along the lines of ASR. It seems in order to train with anyone out here, you either have to be a man, be extremely wealthy, or fit into their clique. Sorry, but none of those apply. I just want to train my dog to be the best he can be. Sorry if I sound a bit frustrated but I am. I know the dog has the ability and is fully capable, just not sure if it's the right thing to do after the damage he already went through?

<img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Whats not right about it ?????? It just happens that you are in America and any dog sport/PP type training isnt popular. You are in the same boat as the rest of us. I dont understand your questions ??

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<img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Whats not right about it ?????? It just happens that you are in America and any dog sport/PP type training isnt popular. You are in the same boat as the rest of us. I dont understand your questions ??

Brad. My original question was is it possible to take a dog that has been damaged, rehabilitate him, and get him back into the bite work? And once a young dog has been shut down by being worked too early, is there any going back to square one?
I was not stating that pp training or sport is unpopular. I was venting. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> I have been looking for someone that has the patience to work with this dog and it is becoming obvious that unless you fit in, you won't get in. So if I confused you with my vent, sorry.

Depends on the dog. Without seeing the dog and the way the dog was worked it is hard for anyone to give advice.

Maybe the problems were all to do with the trainer, maybe the problems caused were half the trainers fault - half down to the dog (some good dogs, no matter how *bad* the work are good enough to bounce back and blow it off.. others with a slight nerve issue will hold on to bad experiences).

Find another club (what area are you in?) and keep at it, only time will tell.