SchH OB Training

[Sammie]

As some of you know, I am new to SchH and new to training. I have taken great interest in the sport and find working with my dog very rewarding.

czechrott summed it up best by saying, "There are many roads that lead to Rome. The more you're familiar with, the less likely you are to get lost !"......and WorkinDogz had MANY similar things to say . http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/wink.gif

Well...I'd like to hear about the different roads that you travel to train your dogs in SchH OB. There are many paths to take....from motivation to compulsion and every step in-between.

How do YOU train SchH obedience....(in general of course ) http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif

[Carol Burke]

I have trained for AKC obedience for many years and just started doing SchH. From an obedience standpoint the methods are the same. I use motivation in the form of food and lavish praise. As they begin to get the idea I phase out the food and just use praise occasionally throwing in some food. When I am sure they understand the command I begin using corrections when they don't comply with the command, I still use lots of praise when they do comply. This method has worked for me and seems to produce happy workers. As you know, all dogs are different and some need a really light hand while others need heavier corrections.

My CDX dog almost never needs a correction and has been that way from puppyhood. When I do correct him I have to very careful as he will shut down. On the other hand, the dog I am working in SchH is like a bull in a china shop, he really tries hard to please, but there is just so much going on that I have to get on him to get his attention and he never shuts down when corrected, he accepts corrections very well and tries even harder.

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Carol
Darrlburg Rottweilers

[Katarina]

Great topic!

My training starts out motivational with lots of food and praise. Then once they get the idea, I'll play with them and then throw out a command and as soon as they do it they are released back into play mode. Of course once they fully understand what is expected, the compulsion/correction comes into play when needed. Then its mixed..sometimes we work totally in fun mode or sometimes in trial mode, etc. Rotties do have tendency to get bored, so mixing the training atmosphere a little keeps them guessing.

The one thing I noticed in training my dogs, is that the females seem to be more toy driven and the males seemed to be more food driven. Has anyone else found that?

[This message has been edited by Katarina (edited July 21, 2000).]

[FredAl]

I have a vest that I use to start obedience training. It has lower pockets (near the hips) and chest pockets. I stuff the lower left pocket with hotdogs and a "bringsel" (tug toy) in my left chest pocket. I balance his food drive and prey drive by rewarding him with either a hot dog or a tug play. He never realizes what will come next, so he's always motivated and focused on me.

[mark clark]

if you need toys and food to motivate your dog and if you correct your dog and he shuts down,then you need to revaluate your training.your dog if you want to be competitive in schutzhund obediance should get his drive and energy from you not some hot dog or toy,because these are the things that you can't brewak out and give on the competition field,so get rid of it,and work on your relationship or your bonding with your dog.

[Carol Burke]

Well, Mark, I am happy with my training methods. I believe dogs want to be paid for their work, same as people or will you work for a pat on the head from your boss?

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Carol
Darrlburg Rottweilers

[WorkinDogz]

The imprinting phase of obedience lays the foundation for all other aspects of it. The BH, SchH1 and SchH2 are less stressful than the SchH3 (in all respects).

If the dogs' foundation is solid (assume the dogs' nerve/temperament is too) then you can avoid scores of 265 in ANY trial, because you know you've done it "right".

If you don't think a solid foundation in obedience plays a MAJOR roll in the other 2 phases of the sport; you'd be mistaken. http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/wink.gif

[czechrott]

There are plenty of top dogs that work for food or a toy. Someone here is going to want specifics, so, from MY own eyes.

The 1988 World Champion Police (WPO) dog did his obedience for a tennis ball. I have also see two of our former WUSV team dogs work for a tennis ball in obedience. For those that don't know what the WUSV is, it's basically the World Schutzhund Championship for GSD's, [whom dominate the sport anyway]. Just my opinion, but I would consider making this team the highest of honors. I will not mention names, as I do not want to talk about someone else's training, without their permission.

Sneaking food, or a toy, onto the trial field has been transformed into an art of it's own. I learned many little tricks from German "Leistung richters". It's done at the Nationals, the BSP, DM, and those ever popular club trials. http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/wink.gif

[FredAl]

Mark,
Please read and UNDERSTAND what Sammie posted. He wants to hear the different roads (techniques) we take to train our dogs in obedience. Of course the bond should be there -- that's basic.
The replies to Sammie's original post should be about different training techniques to help him start his obedience training program, not pontificating and confrontational statements that offer no constructive worth.

[WorkinDogz]

Czech.....

So is shaving a tennis ball and sewing the shavings into the lining of your Team jacket.... Something I've "heard" that has been done.. http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/wink.gif

[czechrott]

C'mon,
Next thing, you'll be doing a show on FOX, "Greatest Schutzhund Secrets Revealed".

[Katarina]

FredAl

I was going to say the same thing, but ya beat me! Frankly, I think we should just ignore the boob! He's on a mission.....and it ain't about training.

[WorkinDogz]

Easily ignored Katrina http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif


Anyway...wherever the dogs drives lie....be it prey or food, the best method is the method that works for the DOG.

Some methods may produce behavior a little hectic in the beginning; but a skilled trainer can apply the proper amount of motivation/compulsion to clean the dog up and post some excellent scores!

I really think the dog tells you what method works best. I always try to encourage them to work for food however. I think it gives the handler a bit more control over the timing of reward...and keeps the dog from dislocating your shoulder trying to get the tennis ball http://www.rottweiler.net/rottie/smile.gif

[Sandy Caruso]

Originally quoted by WorkinDogz:

Anyway...wherever the dogs drives lie....be it prey or food, the best
method is the method that works for the DOG.

Right you are Workindogz!!!

Originally quoted by Mark Clark:

if you need toys and food to motivate your dog and if you correct your
dog and he shuts down,then you need to revaluate your training.

You may want to re-evaluate your statement.
Training is process. The dogs tells what works and what doesn't.

[mark clark]

lets see here,all that has been given advice to is how to cheat.and again people are giving advice about training,well how about putting some of that great training methods
that all of you have and come out and compete
with your balls and hotdogs,and all that good stuff and i will use my good old bonding and team work,and lets see which is better at the nationals.if you have to bribe a dog to work for you then i must question the dog drives in the first place.prey drive,and drive period when dealing with a dog starts from conception,the day that sperm fertalizes that egg,that is when your greatness in your dog starts,so i suggest that one begin in the dog
or line he chooses so that he doesn't have to resort to bribery,trickery,and good old fashion cheating.