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Originally Posted by David Feliciano  I agree with Brodster. Dean Calderone always says that the dog will let you know when he is ready to start protection work. This is what he means by this statement. Once the dog gets to the age where he starts to show aggression in the yard, house, crate, perceived threat, etc. he is showing that he is mentally mature enough to start the work. |
Whilst I agree with this is part it is not always true to suggest that a dog reacting as described is showing that he is coming of age and can handle pressure etc it can simply show a lack of nerve development and that it's threshold to perceived threat is to low creating a defensively aggressive dog that cannot handle real pressure. An experienced helper/handler will easily pick the difference but to the uneducated this can be a confusing signal as they see their dog showing an aggressive responce to people walking etc and they perceive that this is a strong responce as apposed to one showing a low threashold to threat and a lack of real strength. I do agree with a dog showing signs it is ready to be worked just that one should not see a scenario as described necessarily that the dog is ready. I may show that the dog will never be ready.
Mick.