Schutzhund 4 Beginers

[Ryan]

Help, I need to do some quick studying! I have joined a club and began training. In the last 3 weeks I have realized how detailed, preicise and complex this sport is and my mind is blown. I need some recommendations on books or videos so that I can become a quick study of the different methods of training. I want to be able to converse inteligently with my TD about my options - both short term and long term.

First dog - 8months old, mixed breed
first club
Currently working on fundamental obedience training
Goal - sport dog, BH, dog that judges like

Training up until now has been informal. We've been keeping it light with lots of play. I realize that I may have missed out on critical training periods by not undertaking a structured program. I have been trying to promote prey drive but had no formal instruction on it.

I now feel that I am starting at the beginning of Schz training I'm now training for quick response and consistency. Sit, platz, attention with play breaks.

Some concepts I need instruction on are:

Options for early Bark and hold training? Should I be training for a focused prey driven tug obsession with a bite when she starts to bark?

When does that helper get introduced? At this age? later on? pros and cons of early and late?

Hopefully you guys can point me in the right direction of books or videos that can broaden my overal knowledge of the sport and its training techniques.

Curt - the gang at club all say HI! and hope that all is well with you and the dogs. We all look forward to seeing you at the upcoming trials and seminars!

[ed]

There a lot of good books but Training with the Touch is one that covers it all. Tom's a DVG judge now but still trials and is one of a dozen or so great sport trainers.

tomrose.com/zen/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1

"Should I be training for a focused prey driven tug obsession with a bite when she starts to bark?" Yep

[Ryan]

Ed - Thanks for the book recommendation.

Curt - See you at work week 2007. ;D

[Ryan]

Sept 8-06 Update

Working Ryka 2-3 times per day on basics. Sitz/Aus (sit/out) one day and platz/aus the next. Been encouraging a solid prey bark for future bark and hold training.

Last night I back-tied her with a bungy line. I told the TD "she will be in prey drive but most likely silent"..... well, was I ever wrong. She was barking for that tug like she was possessed. More than i could have hoped for. I worked her back-tied and then moved to sitz on the field.... the club members all said she is looking good - much better than 3 weeks ago!

its great to see the initial results of a structured program.

[lacypsa]

Ivan's video (obedience w/o conflict) is really good too.
www.otvitosha.com
Good luck

[lacypsa]

sorry,
forgot that domain was hijacked. Try this one.
www.malinois.com/otvitosha/

[melanie]

Also, Gottfried Dildei's "Training in Drive". Excellent book.



[glow=red,2,300]Mel[/glow]

[Ryan]

Thanks for the recommendations everyone! I'll be checking these out.

Sept 24-06 Update

Training on Tues and Thurs for obedience (plus at home almost daily) and tracking on Sundays (soon to start mid-week).

At the club I have been still working on sitz with attention. Sitz, attention, break and play. Adding some distraction here and there. When she is 'warmed up' I sit her, and I move into the fuss position. When she looks up at me, I say "fuss".... "good fuss".... and while I still have attention - eye contact, break and play.

The goal is to have her understand the fuss position and when she does I'll then move slightly, 1/8 turn, or a half step backwards, and then coax her to move back into fuss. Once she does, break and play. Eventually, she will be so used to moving back into fuss that I can take a step forward and she will move with me.... once that happens we will be moving forward! and the sky is the limit. Our TD admits that it's a slow process but swears that it's a tried and true method.

Problems encountered - when I give her a leash correction for not sitting, or not sitting fast enough, she will sometimes hop backwards a step or two on the sit. When I move into fuss and expect eye contact attention and she looks away I give her a leash correction - well she thinks she is getting corrected for sitting improperly and she hops backward. To fix this I have to anticipate the hop backward and stop her just as she makes the move - to do this I tighten the leash and prevent her from moving while reinforcing the sit command - it seems to be working. Her attention while in fuss is really quite good. 3-5 seconds of eye contact and I break and play.

I have also been working on Aus - 2 meanings 1) is out 2) is bark for the prey (tug). She has picked this up quickly and is now a barking machine - once I get 3-6 barks I break and play and do it again.

Also doing backtied bungy work. This is fun for both of us.

I also put the sleeve and scratch pants on the other night and took a few bites from an experienced but 'easy' dog. That was cool too.

Tracking is puppy tracks - sepentines with lots of food. Again, she is catching on quickly.