Raising a puppy to be a working dog

[JamieHalverson]

So I have always rescued in the past and am getting my first (yes, responsibly bred) puppy in June. Not only my first puppy, but my first Bullmastiff. I have owned Rottweilers in the past and currently have a 2 and a half y/o Am Staff/Mastiff X.

I have a gazillion places I plan to take the pup, puppy K classes and beyond lined up, and have spoken to my current K9 Nosework trainer about introducing the pup to K9 Nosework and scent games, but am wondering if anyone has suggestions for specific games or experiences or resources that help build and encourage drive and working ability in a pup? I know those things have much to do with temperment, don't get me wrong, but what we do now, counts, too! I'll be focusing mostly on providing good experiences and working on the initial obedience stuff through puppy k, but I do hope to title this dog in at least one sport, depending on what her strengths are. So far, I particularly like Rally and K9 Nosework, but we'll see what SHE likes. Essentialy, I want a bomb proof dog, well rounded, who likes to work and learn and we'll figure out the sports later, so anything that contributes towards that!

 

[DennasMom]

I think the key with puppies, is recognizing that they are learning from DAY ONE... just by watching you and others in the house, and making links between what they do, and what happens next.

Along this line of thinking... I signed up for dog trainer Susan Garrett's newsletters a while back...

She just sent out a video on "strategically planned coincidences" for getting puppies to learn what you want them to, just "naturally" - I can't find a link to it, but she explains it a bit, here: How Teaching Puppies Is Just Arranging Coincidences | Susan Garretts Dog Training Blog

Yes, she's playing with border collies... but I think there may be something (a lot) to this...

And, besides, this one was also hilarious to watch!

[video=youtube;yzqs54qMgQA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzqs54qMgQA[/video]

 

[JamieHalverson]

OMG I laughed so hard my boyfriend had to come see what I was watching and then we both laughed! I'll have to look into her more, Thanks!!!

 

[ayecaps]

From my experience so far with my Dogo who will be competing in ring. Raising a working pup is very different than a regular pup. There are a lot of things I don't do with him that I do with my rest of my dogs. They are very minor things but will make the biggest difference when we compete.


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[JamieHalverson]

From my experience so far with my Dogo who will be competing in ring. Raising a working pup is very different than a regular pup. There are a lot of things I don't do with him that I do with my rest of my dogs. They are very minor things but will make the biggest difference when we compete.


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What are those things?

 

[ayecaps]

Things like dog parks are definitely a no no, along with people bringing new dogs to my house. I do not let people pet him or call him over when we are out in public. When we play fetch he's not allowed to drop the ball and roll it to me. He must always bring it to me, sit, then release when I grab. Just little things like that but it totally changed the dynamic of my training, since I've always raised pet dog I've never been this strict about training.


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[JamieHalverson]

Things like dog parks are definitely a no no, along with people bringing new dogs to my house. I do not let people pet him or call him over when we are out in public. When we play fetch he's not allowed to drop the ball and roll it to me. He must always bring it to me, sit, then release when I grab. Just little things like that but it totally changed the dynamic of my training, since I've always raised pet dog I've never been this strict about training.


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Gotcha, yeah, dog parks are totally off limits for any dog I own. Are you training in protection sports? I would not allow my dog to respond to people calling them over, but would allow pets while sitting next to me.

I've only had pets, also, and have always rescued. So until now, just training a nice loose leash walk and a sit has sometimes been a major accomplishment with an adult dog with no prior training.

 

[ayecaps]

Yes we will be competing in French ring as I am also in the process of becoming a French ring decoy.


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[Molossers R Us]

Yes we will be competing in French ring as I am also in the process of becoming a French ring decoy.


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I hope you continue to post about your experiences competing with your Dogo. French Ring is good stuff and you will have a blast being a decoy. Especially if you are an adrenaline junkie, LOL

 

[ayecaps]

Obedience wise Kratos is doing awesome. Bite work on the other hand is another story, he's biting but not with the vigor or intensity I had hoped for. His drive is more focused on live prey type items is what I've noticed, he goes crazy when he sees rabbits, coons, or opossums. Not to crazy when it comes to biting the suit. I'm hoping that as he matures (he's only 1 and a half) I'll be able to channel that drive from prey to the suit. And so far decoy work is a BLAST I love getting into the suit! Nothing more fun or exciting in my opinion haha


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