small bite question :)

[LORHEL]

I know officially (at least I think) :D that there is no chance for a rottie (or any other breed) to do "bitework" officially, and please I am not even a novice at this only merely interested in it in general...we have had our girl for a year now.... I have not encouraged nor has my husband any tugging, etc...as we have been getting to know her personality...as I suspect we will always be learning to some degree, but for the most part she has settled in...

let me also say she is EXTREMELY sensitive.if I so much as raise a voice she is down, very submissive, but not a urinator or that extreme.....however, she DOES know the difference between "playing with her teeth" and a real threat....and never ONCE since my husband has started doing this, ever challenged him, she always submits... AND we ONLY do it once a week AND FOR ONLY ONE MINUTE then its BACK TO NORMAL " with a release word"... OKAY in a animated voice... she is a HUGE bluffer we have learned and quite the clown.

For those of you who remember, I have now went from having a fear biter BYB dog, to a almost 3 year now, old spayed female...very loving, and I HAVE TO SAY THE BEST TEMPERED DOG I WILL EVER OWN... I am EXTREMELY FORTUNATE!!! I doubt even the person who owned her first, could have done that much with her... I truly feel in my heart she is FROM GOOD STOCK and that because of her severe underbite, she was "no good" if you will...(only meaning in a SHOW aspect.

My question: is this okay to encourage a even tempered dog, or do you feel there is any DEGREE of uncertainty with her, that maybe I haven't picked up... P.S. I AM THE ALPHA, however, she is very loving with both of us... I could do this if I wanted to, and I don't hesitiate, when she has "her baby" a rottie stuffed toy with a ring on it... to pick it up, but I DO IT ONLY ONCE OR TWICE EVERY OTHER DAY, JUST TO MAKE SURE SHE KNOWS I CAN DO IT... I TRY TO RESPECT HER, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I SHOW NOT ONE BIT OF FEAR OF HER...

THANK YOU FOR ANY REPLIES!!!

P.S. (OF COURSE I FORGOT SOMETHING) I wanted to say the reason I know the difference in the fact this girl will not bite, one of us, my husband accidentally STEPPED ON her previously fractured leg...which is still very sensitive to this day (one year later) and she thought he was trying to hurt her, only OUT OF INSTINCT!!!!! and not once while his head (well part of it, it is a huge skillet/metal plate LOL...) was in there, did she even THINK of biting him... SHE REALLY TELLS US, HEY GUYS I AM NO THREAT....PLEASE

[Judi W]

I guess I don't understand the question at all. There are a number of venues for a dog to compete "officially" and that involve bitework. In general, most rescues forbid using a rescue in any type of bitework as the background is totally unknown which is not a good foundation for that type of work.

You say "since your husband has started doing this" but you don't say what "this" is?

[LORHEL]

Sorry Judi, I didn't want to ramble too much LOL... All I wanted to know is IF Makita had been blessed with a correct "bite", and with the "temperament" she has, would she have been a good canidate for SCH activities. Club type only, not police work etc...;) (And I just wanted to emphasize, that because she is "pet quality") and we actually adopted her formally through the shelter,she was there one day..she went from an "okay owner", to the shelter, bonded with a few of the ladies there, and our behaviorlist RVT (from Zeke) where she was at for a month, recommened her to us, we didn't actually go through "rescue" and temp test etc......They were going to put here there if last option and no personal friends would take her because they knew then she was a "gem"

sorry, I really wanted to just ask this without all of you having to get into too much detail...:D :D

We would NEVER do any work with Makita....I am just interested in the whole sport ....and realize it takes an extremely even tempered dog to even be considered for that.... believe me, right now, no way, maybe in 10 years...LOL...

Were going the therapy route at this point...but we need to work on people dropping crutches, people in wheelchairs, things of that nature, but some of those are present at my mom's complex, where she has won over the hearts of some 90 year olds... she is great with all walks of people...even some with hats at this point,
we have much work to do with the "odd" things she might encounter.... and she and my husband play for a minute literally and she does not ever put teeth on him, only to play.....she knows the difference and at never growls, snaps, totally submissive...she seems to enjoy it....and she loves to "bluff" with him (after Zeke I never thought a play growl would be music to my ears)

sorry to ramble again... trying to get quality post in here...lol

[Burnsway]

Originally posted by LORHEL


We would NEVER do any work with Makita....I am just interested in the whole sport ....and realize it takes an extremely even tempered dog to even be considered for that.... believe me, right now, no way, maybe in 10 years...LOL...

PHEW!!!!!!!!! You had me really scared for a moment there!!!

[LORHEL]

Sorry Burns.. (p.s..caught you lurking LOL)

THIS IS A WARNING.....LORHEL IS NEVER GOING TO DO ANY SPORTING WORK WITH ANY DOGS ETC............................................... .............................I AM ONLY ASKING A VERY SMALL SO SMALL THE SIZE OF A DOT... QUESTION..........SORRY, DIDN'T MEAN TO CAUSE WIDESPREAD PANIC RELAX, HAVE ANOTHER CUP OF JAVA....OR A CIGARETTE HON.....;) REMEMBER, I STILL ONLY HAVE ONE DOG!!!!!!!!!!!!! I KNOW THAT IS ALL I CAN HANDLE............................................ ..............................;) :)

[lblax]

why wouldnt you do work with makita you can be in a schutzen club and not do any bite work you can title in obediance and tracking titles tracking is a ball. we meet every saturday at nine pm me i'll give ya directions andcome hang out a couple of saturdays and see what you think also they have a search and rescue unit. but you can definatly compete without the bite work and have lots of fun!!!!!!!!!!!

[LORHEL]

Hey there!! Thanks but like I said, I need to get ALOT more experience and time with Makita before that.......BUT HEY, WHAT A GOAL......heck she's only going to be three and I am just peaking at 31..LOL..there's hope for us yet....

Someday, I promise, we will come visit....:) Hockey season just started so no free time right now, but I mean it, I am very interested, even if just a spectator!! :)

Thanks!!! That is very encouraging.....We are far from done with Makita, but for now, enjoying her and possibly the therapy work officially....I truly feel she is made for this...she loves to nuzzle and just have people talk to her, especially calm "elderly" people...she seems to also make them feel much better and I know I could stand outside a door and wait for her at this point, or even be there with her and hold their hands....

But like I said we need to see what her potential is...and no options are being not "thought about"""


;)


***Also, I have hesitations with any agility, or "work" as she is very much tender with her joints (she was hit by a car last year) and I just don't know the severity of it all...to touch her side, she is still very sensitive...and the guy waited two days to take her in...

[Burnsway]

Actually I was going to suggest what Larry did. Join a club for some of the other activities and then you can hang out and about and start learning it from the inside....;)

I'm sure Makita would love tracking.....:D

[CajunsMom]

I'm still not sure what you are asking but I'll give you my perspective anyway. ;)

I got Cajun 6 years ago from a BYB. I never in my life (at that time) dreamed of doing bite work. After getting into it with a Malinois, I decided to try it with Cajun. My trainer, whom I trust implicitly, tested him and said she thought he could do it. So we began training so that I could enter him in the Iron Dog, which is an obstacle course but includes some bites. Cajun loves this work! I don't think I will ever compete seriously with him as we started a little late in life, but let me stress, it has not changed his temperment in any way at all. He is still a big lovable boob to everyone he meets. He does know that when someone puts a sleeve on that he can "bite" that. I also have been using a jute tug to motivate him a little more in his heeling in obedience. As a reward for a paying attention I will then play tug with him on the jute tug for a few minutes. It was done wonders for his heeling as he was a "lagger." A good protection trained dog is a very safe dog. The key is to find a very good, experienced trainer.

I'm not sure if this helps you or even answers your question but I hope it helps. :D I think I rambled too!

Also, I'm curious, why would you never do any "sporting" work? Dog love it and love having a job?

[lblax]

lohel we also meet weds nights at 700pm bring her along the trainer trains all kinds of service dogs for the handicapped and so forth the positive obediance we do you'll be suprized how much it will bring your dog into her own and you will end up with a better dog for it bring he when you wacth she can evaluate her and there are plenty of crates and kennels to put her in

[Judi W]

No better way to get to know your dog than to get out and do something with her. "Totally submissive" is not a dog I would do bite work with but there are a million things you can be doing at a club and no better way to get to know you dog and develop her confidence and a partnership with her. If she's got a brain, let's get her started using it.

[TrinityRun]

Originally posted by LORHEL
Hey there!! Thanks but like I said, I need to get ALOT more experience and time with Makita before that.......

Well, time and experience isn't going to fall out of the sky! :D

Pack a lunch and some drinks, bring a lawn chair and enjoy an evening with friends. Go check it out and see what it can (or cannot) offer you. Bring your dog for folks to meet her. A good Schutzhund club will offer FAR more than just bitework. As Larry pointed out, there's obedience, tracking, socialization, etc. You have the added benefit of people willing to work with you on your area of choice.

You've got nothing to lose by checking it out and everything to gain.

[Muckdogs]

Originally posted by LORHEL
Hey there!! Thanks but like I said, I need to get ALOT more experience and time with Makita before that.......BUT HEY, WHAT A GOAL......heck she's only going to be three and I am just peaking at 31..LOL..there's hope for us yet....

Someday, I promise, we will come visit....:) Hockey season just started so no free time right now, but I mean it, I am very interested, even if just a spectator!! :)

Thanks!!! That is very encouraging.....We are far from done with Makita, but for now, enjoying her and possibly the therapy work officially....I truly feel she is made for this...she loves to nuzzle and just have people talk to her, especially calm "elderly" people...she seems to also make them feel much better and I know I could stand outside a door and wait for her at this point, or even be there with her and hold their hands....

But like I said we need to see what her potential is...and no options are being not "thought about"""


;)


***Also, I have hesitations with any agility, or "work" as she is very much tender with her joints (she was hit by a car last year) and I just don't know the severity of it all...to touch her side, she is still very sensitive...and the guy waited two days to take her in...

What better way to bond with the dog and gain experience with the dog and develop the relationship than on the field or at the club. No one says that you should have ot do bitework if you are uncomfortable with it. Just the mere fact of going to club, being aroudn esxperienced people that have one thing in common, spending time with theri dogs, is really what it is about. Beats the crap out of sitting around the house looking at each other. As someone pointed out, you can now title in OB and tracking without the necessity of bitework. It's a blast learnign new things together. I think a big misconception is that you have to know what the heck you are doing before you even go to a club. Not the case. You'll get a lot of satisfaction sharing the learning experience, and believe me, both you and your dog will be much the better for doing it, relationship wise.

[LORHEL]

OKAY EVERYONE, YOU HAVE TALKED ME INTO A ONCE A WEEK THING I JUST HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A SCHEDULE....

I AM GOING TO BE A LURKER!!!!!!! LOL... A GROUPIE..... AT A CLUB... NOW I'VE GOT TO GET BUSY FINDING ONE, BECAUSE (AND PLEASE DON'T FLAME ME) BUT MY A-HOLE NEIGHBOR DOES SCH WORK WITH HIS LAB.... AND I DO NOT WANT TO BE ANYWHERE NEAR HIM BECAUSE MY BLOOD PRESSURE STILL RISES WHEN I SEE HIM..... AFTER HE THREATENED ME LAST YEAR FOR NO REASON AND ETC....

SO, I know there are lots more clubs to attend, and ONWARD WE GO.... I will update with progress of course, later.... THANK YOU ALL..... SO SORRY TO CONFUSE ANYONE , WHAT I TYPE AND WHATS IN MY HEAD DON'T ALWAYS MAKE SENSE, AND LIKE I SAID, I CAME INTO A TOTALLY DIFFERENT DOGGIE WORLD IN THIS SECTION...LOL......:)

SORRY FOR THE ALL CAPS... I CAN'T FIND MY DARN GLASSES LOL!!!!!!!!!!

[lblax]

the 2 clubs that are in ft wayne 1 are basicilly sports people only!! like if the dog isnt performing they get another dog and if that is all your looking for well i guess theres nothing wrong with that . our club would only be a 30 mile drive for you and we all train together and it is very family orintated and every dog works and everyone realizes that every dog has its own individual set of problems and work towards there potential no pressure and the dogs always win very much fun. my dog has made a 100 percent turn around since ive been bring him here. you wont believe the confidance it builds and the bite work is nothing but a game it is totally diffearant than pp work and is fun for the dog and absolutly doesnt change there out look on life. but like i said bwefore if you dont want to do the bitework there is no problem as we know its not for everyone