Just starting out...

[nickqvh]

Hi guys. I just wanted to see if anyone had any recommendations for me.

I have a 8 month old female (my first Rotty). I have, to this point, avoided any real exercise, just trying to err on the side of caution when it comes to her quickly growing and setting bones. I do feel, however, that i need to start stimulating her desire to work at some point in the near future. We do quite a bit of basic obedience. We do some light tugging and fetching-all within the constraints of basic obedience. She will be starting a beginner's competition obedience class in january.

My question is what should my guidelines be as far as introducing her to significant physical and mental stimulation? What age is ideal? What types of activities and games have your dogs responded well to? What sort of activities would be good precursors to possible schtuzhund training down the road?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[Pumacat]

Wow, This is actually quite a "big question" and I am sure you will get many responses.

I would suggest getting a video tape called "Building Drive, Focus, Grip with Bernard Flinks"

It is a great fundamental tape and it will give you a good start on what you can start doing. Even how to "play" with a toy and how doing so correctly is important.

As for the bite work, I recommend you go to a club and work with a good helper. I don't beleive a beginner can do bitework excercises on his/her own. There are so many nuances to it.

[nickqvh]

I have actually heard about the Bernard Flinks tapes-I'll definately look into it.

There is a club locally that I have been dying to get to, but the weather has not cooperated lately. Visitors can only attend on Sundays and the last few have been awful. Hopefully I get a clear day and check things out on the Schutzhund front. Apparently, my breeder took her (qayla-my dog) to one of the classes, and she was excited and really wanted to take part.

[Mattweiser]

please do not misunderstand, that while Bernhard's tapes do have some good information....

1. They are geared towards GSD for SchH
2. There are some fundamental discrepancies in his tapes..

take everything (I mean everything) with a grain of salt.

[nickqvh]

i appreciate the advice. 1 thing about schutzhund that has always deterred me from it a bit, is how geared the sport seems to be towards the GSD. i am wondering if PP training and trials might be a better way to go. Most of my puppy's pedigree are schutzhund titled, but i am still not sure I am fan of the Rotty's participation in the sport. I know i love the sport in general, but for a Rotty-I don't know.

Again I am just starting to learn about this stuff, so any other info or opinions are greatly appreciated.

[Mattweiser]

well allow me to clarify my statement..

I have no problem with SchH... all I wanted to bring up is that when you are viewing a tape, book, etc that was geared for GSDs in SchH.. there are some very distinct differences that should be understood.... that is all...

good luck

[nickqvh]

I have no problem with SchH... all I wanted to bring up is that when you are viewing a tape, book, etc that was geared for GSDs in SchH

Like i said I am a fan of the sport-it looks like participation could be an incredible bonding experience with your dog, and as far as physical and mental stimulation-what more could a dog need. i can't wait to get to the local club and check everything out.

I just want to make sure that it's the best fit for my dog to participate in versus other options.

Thanks again for the heads up and the clarification.

[TrinityRun]

Originally posted by nickqvh
but i am still not sure I am fan of the Rotty's participation in the sport. I know i love the sport in general, but for a Rotty-I don't know

Hi Nick,

Could you expound on that a little bit, please?

Thanks!

[lblax]

Originally posted by TrinityRun
Hi Nick,

Could you expound on that a little bit, please?

Thanks!

being a rotty lover and owner i hate to say it but they really cant compete(except for a few) with a gsd or a mal. on the same level..... but they are fun to work in the sport..

ps. im putting on my fire retardant suit now lol

[Pumacat]

Originally posted by Mattweiser
please do not misunderstand, that while Bernhard's tapes do have some good information....

1. They are geared towards GSD for SchH
2. There are some fundamental discrepancies in his tapes..

take everything (I mean everything) with a grain of salt.

Mattweiser,

Could you please expound on this and also please explain what things in the building grip focus drive tape are geared toward GSD and not Rotts. Could you give us some specific examples. I think this would be very interesting discussion (which we all could use more of)

Not trying to pick a fight..but am simply curious.

[Pumacat]

Originally posted by lblax
being a rotty lover and owner i hate to say it but they really cant compete(except for a few) with a gsd or a mal. on the same level..... but they are fun to work in the sport..

ps. im putting on my fire retardant suit now lol

One of my issues with the Sch community is that people lead many people to beleive that if you are not going to compete, then you might as well not do it.

I think there are a ton of people who do and would just enjoy titling their dog and working their dogs towards titles who have no intention of ever competing.

I think these people are great for the sport and great for the breed and we should encourage more people to participate, even if they don't want to compete.

Now if I read your message wrong and you are using the word "compete" to mean that a rott does not have the same traits that a GSD or Mal has....then I would say that I don't necessarily disagree with you. Watching a rott do a routine after a Mal or GSD is like watching it in "slow motion" at times. However, I think Rotts bring a slew of other things that those dogs may not have. Power and strength is something that comes to mind at times.

Also, when you take a Mal or GSD dog home...how do you put up with all that high pitched barking they do. I love how rotts generally don't bark as much as those breeds (which I guess also can be a detriment in Sch training )

There are merits to all breeds. If you have a good club around, I would encourange you to check it out and learn more and work your dog.

[TrinityRun]

Originally posted by lblax
being a rotty lover and owner i hate to say it but they really cant compete(except for a few) with a gsd or a mal. on the same level..... but they are fun to work in the sport..

ps. im putting on my fire retardant suit now lol

No roasting, Lar....your thighs are safe. ;)

What I'm questioning is, why Nick feels Rottweilers shouldn't even participate in the sport.

[nickqvh]

What I'm questioning is, why Nick feels Rottweilers shouldn't even participate in the sport.

Lauren, I apologize if I made it sound like I don't think Rotties should participate in the sport-I definately do not believe that. When I said I am not sure I am a fan, I guess it was my competitive nature and love for the breed causing me to get a bit irritated seeing (most of the time) all of these GSDs and Mals excelling at such a higher level than Rotties at the sport. It's kind of like just coming to realize that my favorite NFL team (Miami Dolphins) stink, and me declaring that i just don't like football anymore (when I clearly i am addicted).

Back to the topic-my concern and question was really geared towards my specific situation. Because I would like to title my dog, and potentially compete, I want to make sure that the sport I choose is the best fit for my dog. But I suppose I really can't go wrong either way as long as Qayla enjoys herself.

Again, I know next to nothing about most of these issues, which is why I need to lean on you nice folks for the info.

atleast I stimulated some pretty good conversation!!!

Thanks again guys.

[Mattweiser]

Originally posted by Pumacat
Mattweiser,

Could you please expound on this and also please explain what things in the building grip focus drive tape are geared toward GSD and not Rotts. Could you give us some specific examples. I think this would be very interesting discussion (which we all could use more of)

Not trying to pick a fight..but am simply curious.

well... to go through the GSD vs Rott issue, we would have to sit and watch the tape together.... it is not gigantic things, but small nuances throrought the tapes...

keep in mind that Rottweilers do not think like GSDs, nor do they mature like one....

as for the second point... the main thing that jumps out at me is when Bernhard is teaching the "out" and he flanks a young dog that does not know him... then on the second time around, the dog becomes chewey and "auto-outs".. Benhard goes on to say that the dog has weak prey, and is unsure....

so I guess it had nothing to do with being flanked???

don't get me wrong.. .I am not saying that the tapes have no merit.. for the most part, they are great.. I just try to caution newer folks against falling into that "dogmatic" mindset...

[TrinityRun]

OK. I think I understand where you are coming from. Thanks.

Maybe it would help you to find your niche by spending a bit of time writing down what your goals are. What kind of time you are willing to put into them. Do you want to see payoff's (titles)sooner or do you mind waiting years? What is your idea of "fun." What venues are you interested in, leave out those you are not.

Clear as mud?