I've been talking to someone who wants to test Dieks for a possible working dog and I think with some training he could excell at it. My concern is, he doesn't engage well with strangers. He is still coming into engagement with us. Is there some way I can foster his engagement to blossom a little more than higher value treats or movement? These are working some, but I was hoping to find some more ideas to help him focus longer. (He's well excercised before sessions and hungry) I think he would adore being a working dog, but 1.) I don't know what to expect from testing (Tester headed S&R teams for the area) 2.) I don't know if things I am working with on him are going to help or hurt him 3.) Is fostering engagement cheating or training? He would get a really great home if he fits the bill, but I don't even know what that bill is!

Are they coming to see him soon?

IMO, If the person interested in him has good experience with working dogs, then they should have a pretty good idea of what they're looking for - Even with a "raw" dog. They'll also know how to best engage the dog and should be able to figure out if he's got what it takes for what they want to train him for.

We're meeting up on Saturday. I'm excited/scared/nervous with a hint of sad. Glad to hear they should be able to see what his potential is even if he is untrained. I'm praying hard for him to have it!

Like Mara said- if the evaluator is experienced they'll have no problem seeing through some short focus/lack of engagement. Other evaluator's are silly, and miss big ol' glaring things at times, from what I've observed. (like someone from a local PD k-9 unit saying Koenig lacked drive... huh??)

The tester is looking into Dieks as a potential SAR dog?

Personally, I'd work on having FUN. Just make any kind of interaction with you 100% positive. Super yummy treats, tons of play. You know that though.

 Quote: amy vandeweerd

... He's well excercised before sessions and hungry ...

Don't exercise him before the session. Exercising the dog helps to bring the drive down and is mostly useful with pet dogs that need to learn manners. With working dogs people usually want to keep the drive up and channel it into the "work".

Hungry is good
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Hungry can also mean loosing fingertips, when combined with low exercise prior to work.... so wear gloves!

Wow, good point Ana *slapping forhead* I don't want his drive down before testing his work potential!

Kelly, yep, S&R testing! If he doesn't have it, the guy still says he'd like to help find him a home. Yes, gloves are a must with Dieks if you aren't tossing the treats. You may loose a finger with him, hungry or not!

Well, my "he doesn't engage well with strangers" was shot to hell yesterday We went to our test, I was a nerve bag. Even more nervous than on my wedding day by far!
Dieks was doing well, he greeted everyone there, ran through the tall grass, jumped in the tester's car, responded well to the unfamiliar noise of a bowl dropping. (Made me fly out of my skin!) and did really well, until the engage with a toy part. I was so nervous, I forgot his favorite toy, couldn't think to save my life and was about the most boring handler on earth. He wanted nothing to do with me and my fumbling. We tried on two seperate occasions and nothing. Flatline response. Once again Lerrburg forum people to the rescue!
I had the pleasure of meeting Sarah and Elizabeth and Sarah got Dieks to engage her (with a toy he's never seen) in about 3 seconds. These two ladies are awesome! Videos don't do justice to watching them with their dogs in person. It was very inspiring to see how they have worked with their dogs to be so amazing. During the passing a dog test, I swear they didin't look in my dirrection once. Dieks was not so well mannered.
Dieks ended up being in the 5% of dogs that actually complete the test, and the tester will report that he has potential for S&R with an experienced handler. He (I) need to work on better toy engagement to get him there, but I have been using a couple things I picked up watching Sarah and have tried a couple things she told me and it's getting a little better already! Ordering "The Power of Playing Tug" this minute and a real tug. Also packing a "go bag" with everything a forgot to bring yesterday. (Extra water, a bowl, squeaky, long line) too bad I can't pack an extra brain! I must have looked like the world's worst owner, and everyone was still so very nice to me. I have a renewed vigor for training today after being a little drained this last week and can't wait to see what we accomplish!

Not at all Amy, you and Dieks did just fine. It sucks to work a dog in a group of strangers and believe me, we've ALL been there!

HERE is a video of my first experience working with a group, talk about a nervebag! Should make you feel a little better.

You looked completely at ease But it does make me feel better that I wasn't standing in front of Michael Ellis