A Couple Cool Training Opportunities [Archive] - Chazhound Dog Forum

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DanL
07-09-2007, 04:51 PM
Most of you know that Gunnar's trainer is a Police K9 handler/trainer. He's now in charge of the entire training program at his department. Today I was talking to him about this club I found not far from me that does more intense training for working breeds- elements of Schutzhund, French Ring, police tactics, tracking, real live situations, protection stuff. I was asking if he knew the people who ran it and what he thought about Gunnar doing it. They have Malinois, Rotties, GSD's, Bouvier's all working at the club. They also do herding as they are on a working sheep farm and have a bunch of Border Collies who work the stock.

After we talked about it, he said he has a new class of K9's that are going to start training in September, and he invited me up to participate in a few of their sessions! I'll jump at the chance to give Gunnar an opportunity like that. Not that he can do the real nitty gritty stuff, I can't pass it up. It'll be a great experience for us.

I'm supposed to go check out this other club on Sunday if I can get someone to cover my oncall responsibility for work. They are going to give Gunnar a temperament test and test his drives to see what kind of training will work for him, and to see what I want to do with him. I'm really just looking for an outlet for his ability and energy. I don't necessarily want a protection trained dog, but if doing some bite work is fun for him, great. He's never been pushed on any defensive or fight drives, so it will be interesting to see how he responds. My K9 guy says he's stable enough and mature enough to handle being pushed like that, so we'll see what happens. If he doesn't like it, or if he's not cut out for it, at least we gave it a shot. You never know until you try.

bingo27
07-09-2007, 06:35 PM
dude that sounds really cool. i hope it all goes well.

Lizmo
07-09-2007, 06:44 PM
Sounds neat! So do you have anything in mind that you want to try?

Good luck :) And get pics!

PWCorgi
07-09-2007, 06:47 PM
That does sound like a great opportunity. I'm sure you two will have a blast!

I agree with Jennifer, pics!! :)

adojrts
07-09-2007, 10:28 PM
Cool, you must be very excited (I know I always am when going some place new or trying other groups etc).
I have played around with the idea of doing some Schutzhund with one of my Jrts (I know a few people that have with jrts and with success lol).
Lets us know how you make out, looking forward to hearing all about it.

Lynn

DanL
07-10-2007, 10:22 AM
Yes, this might be real fun for us. That is, if he passes the tests they will give. They are real big on true "working dogs" and their web site has stuff about "we don't have AKC agility dogs and show dogs here", and "no fluffy pets" etc etc. Gunnar is a West German show line dog. Not something that is used for hard work, but he does have a lot of good dogs in his lines including a 1st place Seiger champ, a lot of Schutzhund 3's and IPO 3's, a dog who was a tracking champion, so it's not like he's a couch potato who will be in over his head. It'll come down to how far he can be pushed before he shuts down.

Lizmo- all I want out of it is to make he and I a well rounded partnership. I want to be the best handler I can be, and I want to give him the best chance to be the best dog he can be (and not have it be me that is holding him back). I want to challenge him mentally and physically, give him an outlet for his energy, and let him work as hard as he can. General goals of course, all going for a long term result. We'll find what he likes, find what makes him respond, and take it from there.

Of course pics will be taken! But it'll entail my wife getting up early and coming with me since I'll be handling him. I can probably bribe her. :)

elegy
07-10-2007, 12:48 PM
awesome! good luck with his evaluation.