Have You Trained A Dog For Obedience Or Protection Work?

[Nijel]

Have you trained any dogs for obedience and/or protection work? If so, what titles have you obtained? What type of dog/dogs?

[Clyffton]

Two of my three Samoyeds have had basic obedience classes. They've both obtained their Temperament Test titles, Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Dog titles. The youngest one has also obtained her TT title. We're hoping to get the other ones with her as well, but she needs to calm down a little more first. She's still a bit on the rambunctious side. I guess that's what comes from being young!

[Aganju]

Yes, Basic Obedience Two of my three Samoyeds have had basic obedience classes. They've both obtained their Temperament Test titles, Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Dog titles. The youngest one has also obtained her TT title. We're hoping to get the other ones with her as well, but she needs to calm down a little more first. She's still a bit on the rambunctious side. I guess that's what comes from being young! Sources: Personal Experience ilvmydgs 73 months ago Please sign in to give a compliment. Please verify your account to give a compliment. Please sign in to send a message. Please verify your account to send a message.

[Derreck]

Many dogs I have trained many dogs in my time, and many cats, birds and even children. ;)   My first job was working as an apprentice to a professional dog trainer, when I was a young teen. After a few years I got good enough to be a paid assistant. Later, I did professional training on my own. Though most of the training I have done involved training owners how to train their own dogs in classes, I have also worked with individual dogs(this is actually the easier of the two) in obedience, and in troubleshooting various problems(digging, house breaking, etc). I trained my own German Shepherd from Basic obedience training, through Open level and even through Utility. For a short time, I worked with a breeder who wanted someone to take her champion dogs through obedience competition. I did not enjoy spending so many weekends away from my family, so that didn't last long, though I loved the challenge of the competition. I have not done any work training for protection. I originally got into dog training because my Shepherd was too protective, and I needed to be able to control her or she could be dangerous.   Now, I only train my pets. My friends admire how well my pets behave, but few know that I used to train professionally(I don't much like people asking me for advice, or gratis training). I have owned a dozen dogs in my time, and have fostered a few that eventually went to other homes. Each has been trained in basic obedience, at least. All of my pets(thus the cats and birds) have learned several tricks in order to earn their frequent treats. It is always fun for guests to run them through their paces, and reward them with treats. It sure beats having an animal demand attention in less delightful ways, which they experience so frequently in other homes.   As to books that I recommend. When I started training, way back in the dark ages, there was only one tried and true method: The Koehler Method of Dog Training. It was harsh, but it was effective for your sturdier breeds, and I still fall back on these methods when confronted with a resistant animal. But the more modern methods(reinforcement training) are often just as effective, and effective with a wider range of animals(cats, birds and even Dolphins) and personality types(you can't use Koehler's method effectively on a Yorkie, or even a gentle Irish Setter without toning it down quite a bit). The classic text is Karen Pryor's Don't Shoot the Dog! though she has many more books out, and others have expanded upon her ideas. She was a Dolphin trainer, among other things, and so "Don't Shoot..." is about the basics of reinforcement training in its many applications. She has other books specifically about dog training, though I would still recommend this one first, mainly because you will find so many other ways to use the techniques besides on your dog(i.e. the children I mentioned above)!   I hope you enjoy it, dog training is very rewarding work.   Sources: Those listed, and my experience with training   AprilSage's Recommendations Koehler Method of Dog Training Amazon List Price: $17.95 Used from: $1.79 Average Customer Rating: 3.5 out of 5(based on 111 reviews) The book I started with. Recommended only for the hardened criminal of a dog(i.e. cat chasers, biters, and hard headed breeds like Pit-Bulls).   AprilSage's Recommendations The Koehler Method of Guard Dog Training; An Effective & Authoritative Guide for Selecting, Training & Maintaining Dogs in Home Protection, Plant Security, Police, & Military Work Amazon List Price: $24.95 Used from: $15.50 Average Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5(based on 32 reviews) Since you asked about protection training, you might find this useful. Koehler was the master of this in his time.   AprilSage's Recommendations Don't Shoot the Dog! Amazon List Price: $16.51 Used from: $10.75 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5(based on 100 reviews) Getting Started: Clicker Training for Dogs(Getting Started) Amazon List Price: $16.95 Used from: $8.99 Average Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5(based on 4 reviews) Reinforcement Training from the master of her technique. She has several others to choose from as well. But start with Don't Shoot the Dog! AprilSage 73 months ago Please sign in to give a compliment. Please verify your account to give a compliment. Please sign in to send a message. Please verify your account to send a message.

[Lyndsie]

I have trained many dogs in my time, and many cats, birds and even children. ;)   My first job was working as an apprentice to a professional dog trainer, when I was a young teen. After a few years I got good enough to be a paid assistant. Later, I did professional training on my own. Though most of the training I have done involved training owners how to train their own dogs in classes, I have also worked with individual dogs(this is actually the easier of the two) in obedience, and in troubleshooting various problems(digging, house breaking, etc). I trained my own German Shepherd from Basic obedience training, through Open level and even through Utility. For a short time, I worked with a breeder who wanted someone to take her champion dogs through obedience competition. I did not enjoy spending so many weekends away from my family, so that didn't last long, though I loved the challenge of the competition. I have not done any work training for protection. I originally got into dog training because my Shepherd was too protective, and I needed to be able to control her or she could be dangerous.   Now, I only train my pets. My friends admire how well my pets behave, but few know that I used to train professionally(I don't much like people asking me for advice, or gratis training). I have owned a dozen dogs in my time, and have fostered a few that eventually went to other homes. Each has been trained in basic obedience, at least. All of my pets(thus the cats and birds) have learned several tricks in order to earn their frequent treats. It is always fun for guests to run them through their paces, and reward them with treats. It sure beats having an animal demand attention in less delightful ways, which they experience so frequently in other homes.   As to books that I recommend. When I started training, way back in the dark ages, there was only one tried and true method: The Koehler Method of Dog Training. It was harsh, but it was effective for your sturdier breeds, and I still fall back on these methods when confronted with a resistant animal. But the more modern methods(reinforcement training) are often just as effective, and effective with a wider range of animals(cats, birds and even Dolphins) and personality types(you can't use Koehler's method effectively on a Yorkie, or even a gentle Irish Setter without toning it down quite a bit). The classic text is Karen Pryor's Don't Shoot the Dog! though she has many more books out, and others have expanded upon her ideas. She was a Dolphin trainer, among other things, and so "Don't Shoot..." is about the basics of reinforcement training in its many applications. She has other books specifically about dog training, though I would still recommend this one first, mainly because you will find so many other ways to use the techniques besides on your dog(i.e. the children I mentioned above)!   I hope you enjoy it, dog training is very rewarding work.  

[Shelden]

I've worked with doberman pinschers in training Obedience, Agility & SchH protection. I did a lot of starting dobermans up with their training, then placing them in their permanant home where the new owner would finish the doberman & get the titles. Every doberman I placed went into a home with a CGC, and a select few were TDI(therapy dog) certified. One of my TDI dogs went on to work with a lady in NY in a wheelchair due to an injury in active duty. Another dog got her CD, CDX(obedience titles through AKC). She's also shown in Germany & Canada, as well as the states. My best male accomplished all 3 areas except for the therapy. I've recently moved and made the big change from dobermans to a little chihuahua ;-)