Wow, it seems I haven’t updated you all with the latest pictures of my dogs!

Here’s Schatzie, my 8 month old GSD bitch. This picture is actually about 3 months ago, but I’ll post new pictures soon!

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Here are a few dog training commands that I use. They are German commands, and used in the sport of Schutzhund:

• Achtung! (Ahk-toong’): Watch! Attention!
• Aus! (Ows): Out! Drop It! Let Go!
• Bleib! (Blibe): Stay!
• Bringen! : Bring! Fetch!
• Fass! (Fahs):Attack! Take hold!
• Fuss! (Foos): Heel!
• Gib Laut! : Bark! Speak!
• Hier! : Here! Come!
• Hopp! : Up! Jump!
• Nein! (Nine):No!
• Pass auf! (Pahs owf): Pay attention! Heads Up!
• Pfui! (Foo-ey): Shame! Stop That! Drop That!
• Platz! (Plots): Down! (Place)
• Setz! , Setzen! (Zetze’n): Sit!
• Such! (Zook): Search!
• Voran! (For-ahn): Go forward! Take the lead!
• Voraus! (For-ows): Go forward! Run out!

Not only are they “cool sounding”, but fun to use as well!

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photo credit: MonkeyMike

By training your dog in defense too early because of his age, or training him in defense when he doesn’t have the genetic quality for it, can ruin a good dog. What I mean by ruin is that your dog will be forced into “fight or flight” by this type of training in which he’ll respond by loosing his nerve and running away, or become very nervy after you’ve done so.

Working dogs, and sport dogs, at a very young age – should be given a good training foundation in prey drive. Training your dog in prey drive is basically using the dogs genetic need to chase and catch prey – and is fun for the dog. No stress involved. Defensive training does involve stress, as the dog is put in a training situation where he realizes that “the game” is serious. A good helper (one who wears a bite sleeve and bite suite that “catches” your dog’s bites) will bring your dog to this point, but only after a good foundation is set in prey.

photo credit: MonkeyMike

There are other training philosophies that deal with little or no prey drive work, and all defense, but that is up to a real professional. I would not recommend the novice or hobbyist trainer to do so. You could ruin your dog!

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