I am thinking about getting my Border Collie into schutzhund obedience and other non bitework training. I'll probably go for the DVG AD, BH and the obedience titles; I don't think I have the resources to work on tracking currently.

What do most people think of those who opt to avoid bitework training? Will I run into people at training sessions and/or trials that might behave negatively toward my choices and nonstandard dog breed? Have any of you gone this route? If so, any thoughts/suggestions?

Thanks!

What do most people think of those who opt to avoid bitework training? Will I run into people at training sessions and/or trials that might behave negatively toward my choices and nonstandard dog breed? Have any of you gone this route? If so, any thoughts/suggestions?

If you encounter this to a degree where it is not comfortable, then switch clubs. I know at our club I would just think that it was a dog that I didn't have to run for. SWEEEEEEEEET! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Just curious, why (general and specificlly) would you NOT want to do bite work?

Several reasons:

- Maggie is a rescue and I don't think she has the steady temperament necessary - she was severely undersocialized when I adopted her, though she is now 100 times better.

- Maggie is 6 yo and I don't know how easy it would be to start training at this point.

- Maggie and I are Delta Society Pet Partners (therapy dog team) and the organization will not certify dogs who have had bitework training. Maggie enjoys her visits and I wouldn't want to take that away from her.

I had considered working in bitework with her several years ago, but w/ the question about proper temperament and the distance to training clubs in my area, I decided against it.

I may be getting a GSD (from an uncle's breeding: German/US lines I think) or an AmStaff (from a line that has produced at least one dog currently in Schutzhund)upon graduation in 2 years, but until then I figure that Maggie will be my guinea pig dog: the one that tries a bit of everything so I can find out what I want to do and what mistakes to avoid when I get my puppy.

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Will I run into people at training sessions and/or trials that might behave negatively toward my choices and nonstandard dog breed?

Not at the club I'm with. My Max is not suitable and a little weak nerved for Sch but the club members help me anyway. I've been doing all the other stuff just for the experience. I got "Erika" from working lines for bite work and tracking.

How your accepted will really depend on the club you go to. We have GSDs, pitts, Pressas, Rotts, Dobe, ACD. A couple will never be more than well mannered pets but they come on a regular basis, and put in the effort with their dogs. Another club in this area looks down on ANYTHING but GSDs, and if you or your dog can't take a good ass chewin/kickin, it ain't worth training. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />