| Re: Schutzhund?
Mick, by uneven defensive drives I mean, I've seen Pits that were seemingly impossible to put into avoidance but then if the handler gave a strong correction for the dog to out, the dog wouldn't re-engage and actually went into avoidance.
I think pits are not as reactive defensively as they are offensively. I've seen pits tear after another dog at a distance, not because they feel a threat and want it removed but rather because their love for the fight is so high. Pits are like a missile to me...point, shoot and it will usually blow up the target.
Speaking of only confident dogs biting a sleeve, I've seen many defensive and other wise nervy dogs bite the sleeve without issue. Raise a voice, give a hard correction, show them the stick and they run. Full calm bite doesn't always equal confidence from what I have seen. However, I do concede that you have much more experience that me. My statements are purely anecdotal.
Regarding Rotts snarling and growling... I was speaking of pits and was not comparing a pit to a rottie. After being in schH for such a short time, I can see why serious schH folk don't like Rotties. I can clearly see why most of them are not really suited for the work. Rotts are pretty sensitive when compared to GSD and Mals. The rotts remember the hard corrections and aren't so quick to forgive. Personally, I'm told I have a pretty nice Rottie and most people are surprised at his level of drive, so I'm considering myself lucky. After I'm done with this dog and if I decide I'm going to continue on in SchH or Ring then I would be replacing him with another Rottweiler. I'm leaning towards a GSD at the moment. BUT as a companion and house pet, to me nothing beats a good Rottie.  |