I imported a 21/2 year old Schh3 female primarily to serve as a family companion. Let me tell you that we know very little about Schutzhund until I found this site. We were told that Schutzhund means “protection dog” and that she had her PHD in Schutzhund. I being naïve… thought that meant she was a protection dog, but I take responsibility for not doing all my homework first.

She has been here about 6-7 weeks and is doing awesome. The first few weeks she was very jumpy and nervous but she arrived in heat with a vaginal infection. Since then she has relaxed completely and is doing great. She is very well socialized and extremely obedient. Until she came out of heat she seemed a little depressed. I called a local animal behaviorist to get some advice on breaking her out of her depression. I explained her history and he invited us to watch a local protection training class.

When we arrived I saw the most incredible transformation come over this dog… you could just see her excitement, but she was totally relaxed. She was the bell of the ball… most of the other dogs were pulling and barking and showing aggressive behaviors… she was relaxed and confident. I enjoyed watching the class but most enjoyed seeing how happy it made my dog.

I have been browsing the site for weeks and bought 3 of Eds videos just to get a feel for the sport. I never bought her with the intentions of training her but now I think I might try it as it the sport seems very exciting and I know my dog would enjoy it. I just don’t know where to start. I don’t want to mess this up. She was trained in Germany so we have a huge language barrier. I know a few of the basic German commands but I am reluctant to start training her because I do not want to confuse her with unfamiliar English commands or sloppy translations.

1. Can anyone point me to a good schutzhund training video that is based on German Commands? One that trains not just the dog but the handler as well. She is trained… I am not.

2. Does a titled German dog have to start from Scratch in the US and be re-titled or are the titles transferable.

I would love some comments on a few behaviors I see it the dog. I am just wondering if they are appropriate. Again… I am an inexperienced.

3. When we are out in public if another dog is in the area she is fine… she doesn’t pay them any attention as long as they stay out of her space, but if they walk up and start sniffing her out, the hair on her back goes up. A couple of times she has politely raised half a lip but didn’t even growl. I am just wondering if this is appropriate. I was always told when a dog’s hair stands up… watch out.

4. If I walk up and give her a firm pat on her side… she doesn’t seem to care for it. She hasn’t done anything inappropriate… but I just get the sense that she doesn’t like it. I am wondering if she might associate a firm pat to the side with a stick hit.

5. There have been a couple of male strangers that have come to the house and the hair on her back goes up in addition to a low growl. Is there a German command I can give her to let her know these are not bad people and will defuse her quickly?

6. When she arrived she seemed really thin to me and even the vet commented on her being to thin although he contradicted himself. Before he weighed her he said she should weigh between 70 and 80 lbs, but when we put her on the scales she was 73lbs. To me she seems thin. She is a KKL1 can anyone tell me what a good weight would be?

7. Can anyone tell me what techniques Germans use to train their dogs… i.e. rewards, electric collars, prong collars…

I am sorry for so many questions. I really appreciate your help.

 Quote:

1. Can anyone point me to a good schutzhund training video that is based on German Commands? One that trains not just the dog but the handler as well. She is trained… I am not.

I'd learn the German in this case. most of it is close to the English word. here's a link to common Sch commands and audio files on what the word should sound like
http://www.uwsp.edu/psych/dog/languag1.htm

You'll need quicktime player

Sounds like a nice dog. I'll take on #6 ... I did get the lecture from Bernard Flinks about having a fat dog. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

If your vet thinks the dog is too thin, then she is probably at about the right weight. Vets are used to seeing fat dogs and it often colors their perception.

The dog's last few ribs should be visible. The tummy should be well tucked and the loin should be sharply defined, Looking from above, you should see a definite wasp-waist.

As you spend time around a schutzhund club, your perception of 'proper weight' will likely change. You will come to see the lean, fit appearance as the proper condition. Remember, these dogs are hard-working athletes.

If not already, the dog should be on a raw diet or, at the very worst, one of the kibbles like Innova. Her teeth will remain cleaner, she will stay healthy longer and her energy level will remain good. You probably spent a lot of money on that dog. Don't squander it by giving her a bad diet.

Keep the dog on the thin side. She will live a longer and healthy life.

Oh, yeah. My dog weighs much less now. I can definitely see the difference in his agility and stamina.

 Quote:

1. Can anyone point me to a good schutzhund training video that is based on German Commands? One that trains not just the dog but the handler as well. She is trained… I am not.

2. Does a titled German dog have to start from Scratch in the US and be re-titled or are the titles transferable.

I would love some comments on a few behaviors I see it the dog. I am just wondering if they are appropriate. Again… I am an inexperienced.

3. When we are out in public if another dog is in the area she is fine… she doesn’t pay them any attention as long as they stay out of her space, but if they walk up and start sniffing her out, the hair on her back goes up. A couple of times she has politely raised half a lip but didn’t even growl. I am just wondering if this is appropriate. I was always told when a dog’s hair stands up… watch out.

4. If I walk up and give her a firm pat on her side… she doesn’t seem to care for it. She hasn’t done anything inappropriate… but I just get the sense that she doesn’t like it. I am wondering if she might associate a firm pat to the side with a stick hit.

5. There have been a couple of male strangers that have come to the house and the hair on her back goes up in addition to a low growl. Is there a German command I can give her to let her know these are not bad people and will defuse her quickly?

6. When she arrived she seemed really thin to me and even the vet commented on her being to thin although he contradicted himself. Before he weighed her he said she should weigh between 70 and 80 lbs, but when we put her on the scales she was 73lbs. To me she seems thin. She is a KKL1 can anyone tell me what a good weight would be?

7. Can anyone tell me what techniques Germans use to train their dogs… i.e. rewards, electric collars, prong collars…

I am sorry for so many questions. I really appreciate your help.

1. Any of the videos Ed puts out, will be helpful. I like the Flinks videos, but have many of the other videos as well. Some of the videos geared for training the dog are going to inadvertantly train you. The first steps of bite training would be more for you than for the dog, but you will see terms that you will hear on the training field. I learn more from videos than I ever could from a book. Ed's videos really help bring you up the learning curve.

2. If you have her scorebook it is good here and she does not need to re-do her titles. If you did not get her scorebook, then you have no proof, and you will have to re-do. (and if you have no scorebook, you might want to question the person who sold you the dog, red flag)

3. Hackling stems from arousal or excitation- what it means is individual to the dog. As you have known her longer you will learn what HER hackling means. Generally speaking it is stemming from some sort of a threat, though that is not always the case. It does not always signify forthcoming aggression though. Many people believe it, those same people seem to think if a dog is wagging it's tail it won't bite you.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

4. Doubt it has anything to do with the stick hits. Bond with your dog.

5. Phooey, Aus, Platz. Yes, all of these are obedience commands, but dogs who are uncertain of what to do are CALMED by being TOLD what to do. Dogs and kids need rules and boundaries.

6. KKL1 has nothing to do with weight. 73 pounds is a good sized bitch. Depending on her frame it may be an ideal weight. Most of my bitches are smaller and would be tubs-o-lard at that weight. Charlie is right, once you get around a club you will be better at judging weight. Most vets are used to looking at coffee table labs all day. Flat wide back with a leg at each corner.

7. Germans all train differently. Fact is they have good dog trainers and crappy ones too. No matter what the previous owner did with this dog, you need to bond with her. Find out what she likes and earn her trust and respect. Without talking to the trainer that titled your dog, no one here will be able to tell you how she was trained.

Thank you all for your very sound advice, I am off to purchase finks video since two of you recommended it. The link to the audio for the commands is EXCELLENT also... I was trying to listen to what the handlers were using for commands on Eds 2002 DVD, but I couldn't find anything consistent. I do have her score cards, pink papers, koran, x-rays, and a bunch of other stuff that is in German and I have no idea what they are. I did have a GSD breeder here review her stuff and everything seems complete.

We are definitely bounding. She seldom leaves my side and her eye are always on me and what I am doing. Extremely attentive but not overly pushy. I have never had such an intense love for a dog like this one… then again I have never had a dog that was that loyal to me. It really feels good.

The raw diet idea is new as well. I will do some research on this and repost with questions should I have any.

Again... I absolutely appreciate all your advice. This forum is a blessing.