What methods do you use to train your Schutzhund dog? - Page 1

I am interested in finding out the different methods of different people in the sport of schutzhund and what methods they train in for the three parts. I also would like to know what line of German Shepherds, or what breed you are using these methods with. So I have a little questionarre. Please everyone is welcome to respond I want as many responses as possible!

So here it is:

What line of GSD or what breed of dog do you have?

What are you training your dog for? (breeding, just a fun activity for your pet, sport & competition?)

What foundation training do you put on your puppy for the sport before they attend a club, or before training becomes more intense, and at what ages? (all phases)

What primary drive do you begin training your puppy in for the protection portion of the sport?

At what age do you take your dog to a club or helper for the first time?

What do you specifically start your puppy or adult dog on when you take them to the club? (protection phase)

When do you first introduce any prey aggression or defense type training to your dog if at all? Why that age or why not at all?

What toy/tug do you start your dog on and when do you switch and what do you switch to until you reach the toy? (stories about different dogs trained different ways welcome)

Do you as a handler allow your helper to decide what is best for your dog in training or do you call the shots?

Do you use one helper or do you switch your dog between helpers?

Do you allow your helper to do any sort of pain tolerance with your dog? while dog is in drive kick sides, pinch nose anything like that? why or why not? what benefits do you find for your choice?

Do you use the table for any of your training? If so what do you find beneficial about the table and what do you specifically work on?

At what age do you begin teaching parts of the routine such as bark and hold? or running into a blind for a bite?

At what age do you teach the hold command and work on the retrieves?

What do you train obedience with, ball, tug, food (if food what kind?)

What method do you train your retrieves in? force? positive reinforcement? prey/play?

How do you introduce corrections to your dog?

When do you begin training obedience to your dog? Do you use force or positive methods?


When do you lay your dogs first track? (what age?)

What tracks do you start out on? (scent boxes, trenches etc.)

What bait do you use for your dog?

Do you attach a line to your dogs fursaver, harness, thick collar? Do you use two lines or one?

What type of surface do you start tracking in?

I use the Ferber method, but most of your questions can be answered by reading all three of the pages on this training board. Search those and come back with questions that aren't answered. Most of your questions of when you do something, depends on the dog. Your one question of helpers, I would stick to one that knows how to read the dog and that you trust for the first few sessions. I wouldn't be too scared to let someone work the young dog as long as I know their skills and I can trust them. As long as they do as I ask and don't try to prove something. As the dog progresses, I'd get him on more helpers.

I was asking a broad question to get an idea of what people prefer to do with their individual dogs. No one else has any input

Like I said, most of your questions depend on the dog, it's drives and maturity. Also, most of your questions can be answered by reading the 3 pages on this training board. There is no set age to do anything. It all depends on the dog. Ideally, I like to take a pup to the club as soon as I get him. Start him off on a rag that is leather. Possibly with the flirt pole. Get him to bark, build drive and teach to target. When he is ready, you go to a tug. You can attach a line. When ready, a bite pillow, then a sleeve. All of this is in prey for any discipline. Obedience is another story. Many like to start on food as they are young. I started my current pup on food and switched over to the all on a rope. Just a preference of mine, but you have to take the dog's preference into account also. If I was going to use a tug, I like the smaller, thinner ones with a handle on both sides. A lot of this depends on the dog and yourself. Same with the retrieves. Which way do you want to do it, and what works best with your dog? I know a lot of higher level competitors believe the forced is the better way, but it is completely up to you and your dog.

Right I understand everyone is different, both dogs and humans and preference. I am not looking for advice. I wanted to know about peoples experiences raising their different dogs. Thank you

Ok, where I am getting confused is the fact that you know there are different methods, but you want to know which people use. Like I have said twice, read the 3 pages on this board and most of your questions are answered. I know this because I started numerous threads to get this section going. Nobody has answered your thread because most of this is already addressed. If I have to, I'll bump a thread or two to get you started. I know it can be challenging to click on the different pages. Good luck.

I bumped some to get you started, but you can also go to the "Hot Topics" section and be busy for quite some time.

I do sport and I usualy start puppies. I do TONS of foundation for food. They mostly understand some basic positions at 7 months, No corrections. My dogs are tracked right away on any surface awailable, the best it one that had been ren over by people and other scents. I dont do the virgin tracking crap. I dont stump the ground, my dog is not an idiot. Helper is introduced at 8 weeks. Protection starts when the dog is ready otherwise it is foundation prey, grip work.
I summarized it. too many questions for one post.

And some people just hate questionnaires designed by strangers on the internet, who don't bother answering their own questions, first.

  Hi Karyn,
    I see you just joined the database. Welcome! I don't know if this is your first dog or not. I assume it is your first. People are willing to help you, if you are willing to learn. The most important thing is showing your dog love and fun and games. Think before you train/play. Good luck!