Great to hear that you have joined a club where you can actively participate in dogs sports! Sure, I would be more than happy to provide input. What do you exactly mean when you refer to bite work “fitting” in?

 

I should have joined a Club earlier. The AKC classes were great,but he's gotten fairly non-compliant with food rewards. Working him with a tuggie is a whole new experience, and requires much more coordination on my part. It would be fun to work for a BH.

With the first bitework, he had minimal interest. There was alot of sand on the sleeve because winter practice is in an indoor arena. Second time he's pulling, barking and crying to get at the sleeve like his life depends on it. Then he bites hard, and hangs on, carrys it around, and exits the training ring. At that point he drops it and lays on it. My sweet boy acting like a savage!!

I know bite-work is part of the "control" aspect of the triathlon in Schutzhund sport, but it will take some getting used to on my part. What characteristics are being tested in this phase?

Ann WI
Gus

 

Well it sounds like Gus is doing all the right things. That’s interesting that he was rewarded with food when practicing Schutzdienst, we do not reward dogs with food when practicing Schutzdienst. I am not familiar with the English word “tuggie”; I only know the German words. We reward with food during the first few weeks/months with when practicing BH, but then gradually switch to a tuggie. It looks like a canvas sausage with a handle on each side (do you mean the same?). When the dog does the right stuff during its BH training we then reward it with the tuggie, but no food. The dog can bite into it and you can then let the dog pull on it or you can lift the dog, it’s allowed to play with it for about 20 seconds, we then continue with the training. We started BH with Quando when he was about 12 weeks and started Schutzdienst when he was about 15 weeks. We now practice both simultaneously. One just ha to be careful with the dogs milk teeth when they start Schuzdienst at 15 weeks.

When we start dogs doing Schutzdienst they are started on a lure, so a piece of canvas on a long cord, they run after that, bite it and tug. After a few weeks they then move on to a sort of small canvas pillow looking thing, also with a handle on each side. This is then the start of the helper getting personally involved with the dog. The helper will hold the “pillow” and let the dog bite and pull on it, the helper will then release it and the dog gets to run around the ring with it, it’s the dogs prey/reward. Depending on the dog and its progress it will then soon move on to the sleeve, but a soft one to start out on. Quando went to sleeve biting when he was about 5 Months. At this point in time the helper will increase the “agitation”. Gus is doing a good job if he pulling and barking, and wanting to get the sleeve. It should be given to him to run around the ring with (also before exiting the ring, so during training), it’s his reward. If he drops it then it should be taken away from him, he should not be allowed to play with it as though it were a toy. When the training is finished then the dog leaves the ring as Gus is also doing, good job!

Quando is almost 9 months; we are now training “Revieren”, so he is now learning to “attack” the helper and to bite the sleeve when he is given the command to do so. BTW it is my wife that trains Quando, not me, and about 90% of our club members that train the dogs are women, don’t ask me why but that is the way it is. J

So at the moment Quando has to sit next to my wife and look at her, and always look at her. The helper is also in the ring, she then gives Quando the command to “revier” and points to the helper, Quando will then “attack” the helper and go for the sleeve.

Sure, bite work / biting the sleeve is really the key issue. The dog really has to get a firm grip of the sleeve the first time it hits it, (but this does have to be trained) we don’t want to see the dog slipping on the sleeve or having to bite it a second time. This is where you also need a very good helper who has to present the sleeve in such a way that the dog can get hold it. If the helper pulls his arm away to fast then the dog will not hit the sleeve, if the helper does not move his arm when the dog hits then the dog can be injured. So a lot of good coordination between the helper and the dog is required.

 

A tuggie does look like a sausage (Bratwurst). Food treats were mostly used with the AKC training, but the club members all seem to use the tuggie instead. It takes some coordination to put it in a pocket, or under your arm. I understand it's not a tug for playing, but put away until training takes place.

The heel position is very different from what we've done previously. I understand it only means moving forward with the dog's eyes always on your face. I keep waiting for one to run into something. Have previously used Platz, along with a hand command. I'm only to use the vocal command. So much to learn.

There is some teasing with the helper going behind a blind at time. I guess I just have to get used to seeing that hard bite. I sort of shutter. Thanks for instructions given. Sounds like Quando is having fun.

Ann

 

Hi Ann-

I just got a European Boxer from a breeder in Wisconsin and I know his Dam had a puppy in a past litter named Gus. Did you get your puppy from a breeder in Wisconsin?

Look forward to your response. Also I plan to do Schutzhund with my dog as well!

 

We are fortunate to have three breeders in Wisconsin who are members of the US Boxer Association. The Markos, Renee, and Boxnen Boxers. Gustav is from Oona's first litter (Boxnen). We were looking for a male fawn, and he was the only fawn out of the eight pups. I think they all share some bloodlines.

It's well worth the drive to join a club that is training in Schutzhund, and has experience with Boxers working in Schutzhund sport. Do you have any resources nearby?

Ann WI