Has anyone out there noticed a improvement in a dogs working ability with age? For instance a 2 year-old SchH 3. Will the dog improve trial scores with training and age? So maybe when the dog turns 6-7 the scores reflect the time put into training? I know alot depends on what is in the dog and the foundation training, but will the dog be more confident in trials as it matures? What are some of your thoughts?

Brad

I remember something Bernhard Flinks said at his seminar regarding working dogs: 4 years training, 4 years trialing & 4 years retirement. That's pretty much the life of a working dog. It seems to me if you look at the "top" dogs that are consistently churning out solid performances, most of them are mature dogs in their prime which seems to be between 4 to 7 years old. JMO

that wasnt a bad description from Bernhard,but i really DO wonder about a dog with age 2 years SchH3.That s maybe a way to title showline dogs ,quick quick no matter what points only the title counts!
But if you train proper and build up the abilitys of the dog , it s to me a mission impossible to have the dog well trained and titled in this age.
But slowly i think i begin to understand why people ask me for dogs high competion level,KKL1 V,a normal and maybe shown on a LGA level and if you bring on the DOB which tells that the dog is 4,5 or 5 years old that they tell you No thats too old.
same with breeding females, titled to SchH3 ,proven producers and over 4 years ...no to old .
everyone who ever spend the time on training and breeding will know that this takes time
but back to Brads post
If you are concerned about the points ,think first about how a dogs personality develops and what it takes to have a foundation .
There are so many dogs which are even shown on a BSP in a very young age but they mostly only do one year then you do not see or hear something again.
My motto is that the time you take and get to train the dog in every section proper and solid to the SchH1 you will never get back in any time later in the dog.Because with a solid training with a dog with a load of drive it really doesnt matter later if he has 2 or 20 turns in a track 3 or 30 articles,dirt or grass,1 or 6 blinds , chew the dumbell or not ,accept a command because of understanding and will to work,take pressure find a release from it and a solution.
with the well trained dog it s more the need for the handler keeping up the excitment in the trial
Jutta