Schutzhund Foundation?

[DNeff]

I am taking on the training of a beautiful rottie bitch who comes from pretty good working lines. She is only 6 months right now and she will be coming to stay with me periodically in the coming months.
I'd like to start laying a foundation for her so that when she is old enough she can start working towards her Schutzhund titles.
Can you all suggest books, videos, articles, etc... that discuss starting a puppy off right. Are there games or other exercises I should or shouldn't work to get her started on the road to pursuing Schutzhund titles. Tracking and obedience I have a pretty good handle on, but the protection phase is where I'm kind of at a loss.

There is no one in the area to work with so I am really on my own with this for the foreseeable future.
Thanks in advance!!

Dawn
U-CD Cammcastle's Mystic Riven CDX OAC OGC NA NAJ NJC TT CGC
http://members.aol.com/dplantier
http://members.aol.com/rottweilerworld

[valdes43]

Dawn,

Was she always intended to be a schutzhund dog? Reason why I ask is because I want to know if she has a history of being taught bite inhibition. I would work on building her prey drive and making everything very non confrontational.. meaning: moving laterally and away from the dog when working it. No eye contact either. Always rewarding the dog's strongest efforts. "The first steps of Bite training" from ???????? is a decent video that goes into putting a prey foundation on your dog. Although there are some things that are a little outdated. (one example is so much empahasis on the counter aka regrip.) Prey promotion foundation is the most important thing right now for beggining bitework. Generally, most rotties (not all) will pick up defense work in a second so there's really no rush at all to do it. All play, all fun.

I would, If I were you though try to get with a schutzhund club. It's easy to make a mistake in the bitework.. Come on over. ;)

[valdes43]

Oh yeah, and go to the www.schutzhundvillage.com website and check out Armin's articles. And if you want to pick up a book, one of my favorites is "Der Schtuzhund" by Helmut Raiser.

[DNeff]

Originally posted by valdes43
Was she always intended to be a schutzhund dog? Reason why I ask is because I want to know if she has a history of being taught bite inhibition.

No, her current owner did specifically intend her for Schutzhund work. Since the sire is Sch III, both the owner and the breeder hoped she might get her SchI at some point, but she was really purchased as more of a pet. If it doesn't work out, no big deal either. (Nothing like taking the pressure off!) I would assume she has had a tiny bit of bite inhibition work done with her, but not much. Her owner is not physically able to work her, so that's where I fit in.

I would, If I were you though try to get with a schutzhund club. It's easy to make a mistake in the bitework.. Come on over. ;)

Don't worry, I have no plans to start bite work on my own, I know better. My problem is the closest club is about 3 hours away (Podium), and I'm not sure I'm that dedicated yet. :D I will definitely find someone to help us once she is old enough to start working, but I wanted to get her foundation off to a good start, since it will be another year or so before she could start any bite work.

Thanks for your suggestions, this will give me a good place to start!

Dawn
U-CD Cammcastle's Mystic Riven CDX OAC OGC NA NAJ NJC TT CGC
http://members.aol.com/dplantier
http://members.aol.com/rottweilerworld