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PUPPY POOL PLAY
June 25th, 2009 · 1 Comment
→ 1 CommentTags: Puppy & Dog Selection
LONGHAIRED GERMAN SHEPHERD (COATED) RECOGNIZED BY SV 2010
June 17th, 2009 · 2 Comments
Written By: Cindy Jacobs (Cyd)
I had heard that coated German Shepherds were going to be accepted by Germany and they thought they would have their own show classes and breed books on them starting January of 2010. This date is not to far off. I found it interesting as my little Annie just might be a plush coat, time will tell for sure. I also knew that there were two types of coated GSD’s, a true longhair has no undercoat, and then there was another coat considered coated because of the hair around the ears and a little longer coat but had an undercoat, those most termed plush coats. [Read more →]
→ 2 CommentsTags: German Shepherd Breeding · Longhair German Shepherd · Plush Coat German Shepherd
TRAINING GERMAN SHEPHERDS TO HERD
June 16th, 2009 · 1 Comment
Written By: Amy Epperson
German Shepherd: Jax von Prufenpuden
Jax is listed on ARTC’s web site with german shepherd studs available for breeding http://www.animalresortstc.com/male-german-shepherds.html
We took Jax for a herding instinct test. When we arrived at the farm we were told to tie Jax to the fence where he could watch the sheep and other dogs and get excited. Jax paid no attention to the sheep or the other dogs and just relaxed in the grass next to the fence. After several dogs showed off their herding skills with Jax still paying no attention, a Rottweiler entered the field. I think because the rottie was the only dog to bark at the sheep, Jax finally started watching. We decided to take Jax in next. He spent about 2 or 3 minutes just sniffing the ground, never bothering to even look at the sheep. The instructor then had me enter and told me to walk around with the sheep hoping my presence would draw Jax’s attention. After several circles with the sheep all of a sudden the sheep about knocked me over because Jax was lunging at them. I exited the field and the instructor took Jax off lead to see what he would do. It seemed like a light switch had just been turned on inside Jax’s head. Not only was he chasing the sheep, he was actually bringing them in to the handler and listening to her commands to back off, slow down, or lie down and wait. This was a long way off from my expectation that Jax would just mindlessly chase the sheep around the field or worse, try to attack them. He looked like the happiest dog ever and it was amazing to watch Jax do the job German Shepherds had originally been bred for. After that he was raring to go and watched with great interest and barked his frustration at being left out of the fun. We can’t wait to take him again. Maybe there is a herding title in his future.
Jax, getting in the groove and taking instructions:
→ 1 CommentTags: AKC · herding training
CRATE TRAINING 101
June 11th, 2009 · 1 Comment
Posted & Written by: David Harris
I have answered the why crate train in this previous article: http://doggiedogblog.com/puppy-crate-training/#more-329 and discussed some of the pro’s and the con’s of crating. This article is more of an attempt to explain HOW to get your puppy to go into the crate willingly.
There are three stages involved in going from using bribery to actually using reinforcement training to teach the behavior of going willingly into a crate.
In stage one you are simply attempting to get the puppy psyched about getting into the crate. [Read more →]
→ 1 CommentTags: Advise · Obedience Training · Puppy Training
AKC OBEDIENCE TRIAL TRAINING AND COMPETITION TIPS
June 2nd, 2009 · 2 Comments
Written & Reported by: Amy Epperson
Corydon, Indiana Obedience Trial
We had five teams that showed this past weekend in Corydon – two Novice A teams, one Open A team, and two Rally Novice B teams.
The Novice A class is for dogs that have never been shown and for handlers that have not earned a title with any dog. [Read more →]
→ 2 CommentsTags: AKC · Current News · Obedience Training · dog training kentucky
CAN DOGGIE DAYCARE OR TRAINING HELP SOLVE CURAP?
June 1st, 2009 · 1 Comment
Posted by: David Harris
Here is a light hearted video produced by one of my canine friends addressing the ever pervasive problem of CURAP. What is CURAP? Watch the video, learn and enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dV6PWoRCkUk
Perhaps a trip to ARTC’s doggie daycare could help you avoid this syndrome with your dog or maybe they could break out of their CURAP with a few exciting and educational training lessons.
I feel that CURAP cannot survive when exposed to the light of fun and education.
David Harris
Owner
Animal Resorts and Training Center
→ 1 CommentTags: Advise · Current News · German Shepherd Breeding · Health & Wellness · Obedience Training · questions
BREED SELECTION
May 25th, 2009 · 2 Comments
Posted By: David Harris
How do I know what breed I should select? Well, I was hoping to cheat on this question and send everyone off to one of those breed selection quiz sites. Unfortunately, before I could do that I decided to take the test myself. I went to four different sites, followed the instructions carefully and took the quiz. None of the sites I went to even came close to selecting dogs that were suitable for me (In my opinion). None of the quizzes I took selected German Shepherds or Dobermans. I have owned German Shepherds all of my life, breed German Shepherds for close to twenty five year and know more about GSD’s than any other breed and I know a considerable amount about most breeds, so that is saying something. In the last four years I have began training and breeding high quality working line Dobermans as well. But, as I said, none of the breed quizzes selected either of these two breeds for me.
So, that leaves me doubtful as to their validity as a selection tool. [Read more →]
→ 2 CommentsTags: Advise · Dogs for sale · Puppy & Dog Selection · Puppy Training · questions
NEUTERING QUESTION
May 22nd, 2009 · 2 Comments
Posted by: David Harris
I often get questions about neutering. When, why, how old, and how will it effect behavior.
This is a questions I received today:
Hello there, have just read your article on crate training and thought it was brilliant, there is so much bad information out there.
My question is, would you get a male GSD neutered at 6 months of age or later? I don’t want a full on dog, just one that would guard by instinct, I’ve only ever had a female GSD, who was the best behaved dog that anyone could own, but she passed away 4 yrs ago and I now have a 12 wk old male GSD, who is getting a bit naughty but will be starting Schutzhund training shortly. I do not want to end up with a dominant dog, he’s very good just now though and learning basic commands. Your advice would be most welcome as everyone I have spoken to has their own opinion! By the way none of these people I have spoken to have never owned a GSD or been trainers! Thank you so very much for your time and patience and I do look forward to hearing from you when you have time.
Yours Sincerely,
Marion
Later. Much later. This is a very personal decision, but coming from a training point of view I feel that neutering has very, very little effect on behavior. I have nothing against neutering as long as you let the dog develop normally first. The hormones involved will have an effect on the dogs physical stature. Chest, head, torso development will [Read more →]
→ 2 CommentsTags: Advise · Breeding Questions · German Shepherd Litter · Puppy & Dog Selection · Puppy Training · Schutzhund Training · questions
Puppy House Breaking
May 21st, 2009 · 21 Comments
Written By: Cindy Jacobs (Cyd)
I have been ask how I house train my puppies so fast. I decided to write about it and post it on the blog. All I can do is tell you what I have done for 35 years, it has always worked for me, as all of my dogs are pets and live inside the home however, I am home all day with my pups. I am sure there are other methods you can search on the net to find, when you find something that works you tend to stick with it.
Puppies are very systematic in the times they tend to potty. They also prefer not to potty in their house, this is also natural for the puppies. If a puppy lives outside and has a doghouse, that puppy will leave the doghouse and go outside to potty. Our goal then is to teach the puppy, that our full home is their house, as well as their crate.
→ 21 CommentsTags: German Shepherd Puppies · Puppy & Dog Selection · Puppy Training
SCHUTZHUND PUPPY SOCIALIZATION
May 17th, 2009 · 20 Comments
Posted by: David Harris
I am often asked questions about socialization for puppies that are intended for personal or Schutzhund protection. This week has been particularly heavy in that category and I have been swamped by questions from people who have the notion that if you socialize a young puppy it will ruin its potential as a protection dog.
Here is an example of a question I recently recieved:
hi: saw your 6 month old in training. I was wondering how you felt about socializing dogs before 6 months old and doing any sort of puppy obedience if youre going to use your dog for schutzhund. I’ve been told that socializing my puppy before 6 months of age can potentially ruin them. How else can they learn bite inhibition?where did you learn how to train for schutzhund?paul
I wish I could say this question is uncommon, but it is not.
Ok, Paul and anyone else reading this post here is how I feel about socializing puppies in the first six months of their life.
→ 20 CommentsTags: Advise · Obedience Training · Puppy & Dog Selection · Schutzhund Training · questions