Post by Andy on Dec 30, 2009 6:00:52 GMT -5
Hey everyone....Thank you guys sooo much for your input and all the information. I did want to respond to some things though to hopefully give everyone a better understanding of my mind-set.
Up until about 3 months ago I was training with 2 different clubs. I was training each dog at the club in bite-work and at home in obedience and tracking. We were training 5 days a week. 2 days a week at each club and then going to the helper/decoys home and training some as well. The helper/decoy was also training at both clubs at that time. However, Due to myself having a very strong opinion that I should NOT be taking a bite from a Schutzhund I dog (when I haven't NOT been in this sport long enough to correct, read or even gauge a dogs habits) I no longer belong to one of those clubs. I am looking for others around my area who train as well. I do have to agree with some of the comments I have read on other posts that you have to work with what you've got.
As for the "Rose Colored Glasses" comment. I do see both sides of that. Until about 5 years ago, the club I am currently at was STRICTLY GSD ONLY!! until someone else took over and then other breeds were allowed.
I am the ONLY person there with a Doberman that shows up consistently and I do hear comments, All dobermans are, are GSD on Chemo. All the comments are said in fun and nothing meant personally.....But i guarantee you.....everyone would love for me to get a GSD.....and I don't take things personally, i can give it just as well as I can get it.
The guarantee.....I do NOT expect to get the same guarantee that Kimbertal offers. I honestly don't even expect to get a guarantee at all. However, the reason I purchase the guys from Kimbertal was because of the guarantee. Yes they may become crippled or get ill from something and then all that time I have spent training them has in essence been wasted. BUT---On another note---If they do become crippled and need surgery....etc.....I would have peace of mind that I didnt have to shell out another 3k for another puppy. But i do understand that I will not be getting that guarantee from another kennel.
As for re-homing a couple of my dogs....THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN. I took on the responsibility of these dogs when I purchased them and I do NOT plan on shoving that responsibility onto someone else. That is NOT an option.
I am 27 years old and I have YEARS to live (hopefully) I am wanting to ADD TWO more puppies within the next 2-6months. These will be my last puppies for hopefully 8-14 years, depending on how long everyone lives. The reason being for this is, is I am hoping that all the dogs will get along if raised together at an earlier age. If i need to segregate anyone, I am prepared to do so, and that will probably be the case if I am getting working line dobes because each dog needs to be the dominate one and there cant be several Top Dogs.
I have 5 acres here that is fenced in with an underground fence. ALSO---The dogs have a doggie door. I have sectioned off and concreted a large section and fenced that in with chain link (i got tired of mud being tracked in the house) THEN, i found that diamond, my red female was breaking the chain link and letting everyone else out. so i put a cattle fence (electric on the inside of the chain link to keep them from getting to close.) This solved that problem. So I am prepared to do what it takes to solve the problems that may arise in the household with the dogs. The dogs have plenty of time outside to exercise. Also, on the days that we are not at the club training...We go to a couple of the local dog parks. I also take them to Kincaid Lake and A J Jolly State Parks and allow them to run around and play in the lakes. ITS WEARS THEM OUT SO THEY SLEEP LONGER hehehehe :-) I pretty much spend 24/7 with my dogs. They aren't just my dogs......They are my kids...They are all I have.
I have seen people train with electric cattle prods, electric collars....and FORCE training their dogs to do what THEY want them to do. This is something that i will NEVER entertain doing with any of my guys and gals. I firmly believe that if the dog cant/doesn't want to do it, then don't force them. All these people have accomplished is that they have created a monster. A dog that isn't of sound temperament and isn't capable of going up to a stranger and letting him/her pet them.
Seminars: I have attended 2 Seminars.
1) being with Koos Haasing
2) Thomas Lapp from germany.
If I missed anyones comments I am very sorry.....I tried to give a response to everyone. Sorry for doing it all in one large post.
Any other suggestions and comments would be GREATLY appreciated..........I know EVERYONE in this sport has an opinion and they aren't afraid to voice it :-) All I can do is take what everyone says and use what best fits me.
Thanks for reading
Andy
Up until about 3 months ago I was training with 2 different clubs. I was training each dog at the club in bite-work and at home in obedience and tracking. We were training 5 days a week. 2 days a week at each club and then going to the helper/decoys home and training some as well. The helper/decoy was also training at both clubs at that time. However, Due to myself having a very strong opinion that I should NOT be taking a bite from a Schutzhund I dog (when I haven't NOT been in this sport long enough to correct, read or even gauge a dogs habits) I no longer belong to one of those clubs. I am looking for others around my area who train as well. I do have to agree with some of the comments I have read on other posts that you have to work with what you've got.
As for the "Rose Colored Glasses" comment. I do see both sides of that. Until about 5 years ago, the club I am currently at was STRICTLY GSD ONLY!! until someone else took over and then other breeds were allowed.
I am the ONLY person there with a Doberman that shows up consistently and I do hear comments, All dobermans are, are GSD on Chemo. All the comments are said in fun and nothing meant personally.....But i guarantee you.....everyone would love for me to get a GSD.....and I don't take things personally, i can give it just as well as I can get it.
The guarantee.....I do NOT expect to get the same guarantee that Kimbertal offers. I honestly don't even expect to get a guarantee at all. However, the reason I purchase the guys from Kimbertal was because of the guarantee. Yes they may become crippled or get ill from something and then all that time I have spent training them has in essence been wasted. BUT---On another note---If they do become crippled and need surgery....etc.....I would have peace of mind that I didnt have to shell out another 3k for another puppy. But i do understand that I will not be getting that guarantee from another kennel.
As for re-homing a couple of my dogs....THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN. I took on the responsibility of these dogs when I purchased them and I do NOT plan on shoving that responsibility onto someone else. That is NOT an option.
I am 27 years old and I have YEARS to live (hopefully) I am wanting to ADD TWO more puppies within the next 2-6months. These will be my last puppies for hopefully 8-14 years, depending on how long everyone lives. The reason being for this is, is I am hoping that all the dogs will get along if raised together at an earlier age. If i need to segregate anyone, I am prepared to do so, and that will probably be the case if I am getting working line dobes because each dog needs to be the dominate one and there cant be several Top Dogs.
I have 5 acres here that is fenced in with an underground fence. ALSO---The dogs have a doggie door. I have sectioned off and concreted a large section and fenced that in with chain link (i got tired of mud being tracked in the house) THEN, i found that diamond, my red female was breaking the chain link and letting everyone else out. so i put a cattle fence (electric on the inside of the chain link to keep them from getting to close.) This solved that problem. So I am prepared to do what it takes to solve the problems that may arise in the household with the dogs. The dogs have plenty of time outside to exercise. Also, on the days that we are not at the club training...We go to a couple of the local dog parks. I also take them to Kincaid Lake and A J Jolly State Parks and allow them to run around and play in the lakes. ITS WEARS THEM OUT SO THEY SLEEP LONGER hehehehe :-) I pretty much spend 24/7 with my dogs. They aren't just my dogs......They are my kids...They are all I have.
I have seen people train with electric cattle prods, electric collars....and FORCE training their dogs to do what THEY want them to do. This is something that i will NEVER entertain doing with any of my guys and gals. I firmly believe that if the dog cant/doesn't want to do it, then don't force them. All these people have accomplished is that they have created a monster. A dog that isn't of sound temperament and isn't capable of going up to a stranger and letting him/her pet them.
Seminars: I have attended 2 Seminars.
1) being with Koos Haasing
2) Thomas Lapp from germany.
If I missed anyones comments I am very sorry.....I tried to give a response to everyone. Sorry for doing it all in one large post.
Any other suggestions and comments would be GREATLY appreciated..........I know EVERYONE in this sport has an opinion and they aren't afraid to voice it :-) All I can do is take what everyone says and use what best fits me.
Thanks for reading
Andy
