Hello Everyone,

This is by far the most active board on GSDs on the web. Leerburg site was recommended to me by the breeder of my future GSD pup.

She is a wonderful woman who loves her GSDs and is actively engaged in Schutzhund training. Although I want the dog to be a companion dog, I am intrigued by the sport. Since we live in the middle of nowhere, she must travel over an hour to reach the nearist Schutzhund club in Claysville, PA. I live another hour away. Although I do not want to speak for her, it appears to me that she would really like a training partner for her home training. As she called it... she needs a "bad" guy. LOL

I am very open to this, I joined this board to learn as much about the sport as I can.

This leads me to my first question.... My lab Nuke and I had so much success with obedience training that I am reluctant (but not opposed) to switch techniques with my new companion.

Although, I am willing to learn the new training techniques as they relate to the sport of Schutzhund. At this time I am only considering the sport as a hobby and sport for the dog.

Is it possible to obedience train my dog in the method that worked for me and Nuke, then train the dog in Schutzhund seperately as just a hobby/sport and maybe some low level competition?

Of course I believe my decision on whether or not to take up Schutzhund will have an impact on the puppy my breeder will recommend for me.

Hope I am not too confusing. Any thoughts will be appreciated.

Thank you.

Jim

I am looking for a GCD puppy to train in SAR. Do you know if she has any good prospects for that

There's really no set technique for obedience in Schutzhund Jim. You still do what works for your dog with a goal of what your trying to teach. I'm a little more then an hour from my club too.

Depends on what method you used with Nuke.
Drive-suppression, for example, is usually counter-productive in Schutzhund.

If you plan on doing helper work for the breeder, you owe it to the dogs and yourselves to get proper training. It's a bit more than putting on a set of Carharts, a sleeve and waiving the stick around.

Without the proper instruction, you run a very real risk of injuring the dogs or yourself. If you read the dog poorly, you can instill some very bad habits in the dog or get yourself severely injured.

USA has a very active helper training program with experienced teaching helpers who provide instruction on how to safely work a dog. Their helper development program has been copied in a number of other countries.
http://germanshepherddog.com/members/helper_program.htm

Check USA's event page for a list of helper seminars, or you can contact the Chairman of the helper directly for more information.
http://www.germanshepherddog.com/events/Club_Events.htm

If you are planning on joining a USA club, your membership dues are kind of free right now. See USA's home page for details.

I don't know how you trained in AKC obedience but Schutzhund training encourages the building of the dog's drives. The German judges call it the 'Happy Picture'. Many AKC obedience dogs I've seen seem to have had whatever enthusiasm they ever had mashed out of them.

BTW, Sugar Run is a very nice club -- lots of good folks there.

Thanks Aaron & Steve.

Jennifer - I see you posted your question to the board. I'm sure you'll get good advice there.

Charlie, thanks for providing the links and the advice. The breeder has invited me to accompany her to Sugar Run to introduce me to the sport. I beleive I'll take her up on that before making any decisions.

Jim

It can quickly shift from a hobby to a lifestyle.

Have fun & say "Hi" to Yvette.