Working dog trainer

[Duetsche_Doggen]

I'm having a hard time finding a working dog trainer. While I have been lurking forums and reading articles for years I still have no luck finding someone I can trust. I would like for Thor be involved in some bitework or defense work, my ultimate goal would be a Sch1. PSA is pushing it LOL.

Its so easy to ruin these guys so I'm no willing to train with just anyone. I did ask around on other boards but nothing is nothing remotely close to me.

I know this has been discussed some what with Northernmastiffs post about Daisy. However I thought I would start a thread for others that might be interested.

Any suggestions?

 

[Tiger12490]

Good luck they seem to be more abundant on the east coast though I'm not sure where you are lol

Tapd on my skyrocket

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

I'm about 30 miles south of Richmond.

There are lots of trainers but how many have experience with molossers?

 

[Tiger12490]

O yea that's right and have you tried a club instead of a trainer? I personally like the atmosphere better plus you can kinda see where your messed up and look at what everyone is doing also there are normally a variety of dogs also cost less too lol getting someone that has worked mastiffs before is hard but someone whos worked a great Dane is going to be really hard for a lot of people they don't most commonly have the temp...I can't wait to see Thor on a sleeve

Tapd on my skyrocket

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

I found one club close to me but I don't know how the guy is with dogs. He says he has some sessions with Neos. He also owns american bulldogs. He was the one I was orginally supposed to have an evaluation with before my deal with the rental property. Just curious how much does an eval cost usually? He quoted me $60 which was no problem however he told me that the DAY OF our evaluation.

 

[Tiger12490]

Yea that sounds about right ...and I would check it out go see a couple sessions talk to the people before the eval because some so called PP trainers are wack jobs and can ruin a good dog

Tapd on my skyrocket

 

[BlackShadowCaneCorso]

I think there is a corso working club in VA, or there was I think it was all-star cane corso.

http://allstarscanecorsos.com/default.aspx

This is the link. I don't know if they are open to all breeds or if they are even still running (some of these guys I think go out to working weekends I have gotten to see while in NY) but they might know of clubs or trainers that are qualified to test your boy and are family with molossers.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Thanks BlackShadow, I emailed them that day you sent the link. Can't wait to hear from them.

Tiger exactly! That is why I am hestitant to let anyone touch Thor.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Well I thought we were going to be tested today but no call no show. This was from the first guy BTW.... Truly is annoying. With the exception of one I have not heard anything else back from others.

Like the quest for a good pup my search continues for a trainer.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

So update I finally had Thor tested today, he's the biggest coward there is LOL!!! I knew that show he does with the barking and growling was for nothing, I'm just glad to have it confirmed.

The guy came in and pretended to "attack" me Thor ran in the other room only making a few noises. He came back out a few seconds later circling the guy even when the guy was petting him he didn't do anything. Even when the guy tried to boast his confidence by "retreating" Thor still backed away. Thor came around alittle bit but for the most part he was still unsure and nervous. Its sad what's been done to these dogs its a crime......

 

[AKBull]

Bummer!
Now you've got me interested to see how Junior would do...

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Won't hurt maybe Junior will surprise you! I just had a feeling Thor was all "talk."

 

[Tiger12490]

Lol well at least you now know iv heard of very few solid nerved danes

Tapd on my skyrocket

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

There's some out there got a few videos of some, its like a totally different dog.

 

[AKBull]

Not so sure I'd be surprised actually. A couple of weeks ago some shady looking guy at the dog park popped out from the woods (with no dog) right in front of us. He asked me a couple of questions about Junior (who was slowly wagging his tail) and then asked if he was friendly. Sure is! As the guy got within a couple of feet of me to pet Junior, Junior's tail stopped and he slowly looked up at the guy... "I think I'll leave him alone". One of the more weird things Junior has done. I know that look, and what was going to happen probably wasn't anything good. He pretty much ignores people. He'll see someone, start wagging and head in their general direction. As they bend over to pet him he'll just keep going right by. Never acted like that before though.
I'll have to see if anyone in town does these tests.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Wow good boy Junior, they really do know things that we don't. Random dude in the woods something is up.

Prior to the test Thor gave people the stink eye and stared them down if he didn't like them but it was a very few. Even after the test is over and done with he still growls and barks at the door ( where the guy came in) Now like the rest of the big guys I'll let his size do the "work."

Let us know if you do get it done. Would love to hear the results, and there's no shame if he pulls a Thor.

 

[bonesnsasha]

Reading this reminds me of the day I was loafing around my parents house and someone knocked on the door and of course my pit goes into the who's there mode as soon as someone she doesn't know pulls up. If she's outside she'll just cirlce the person wide and wait to see what happens if my niece or son is outside though there is instantly a barrier and no one is going to get close to them. Anyway back to story someone knocked on the door it was Johvah (spelling) witnesses (also no offence to the religion) I get annoyed easily with these people and I don't know if she could tell my annoyance but they just looked at her and said we can see your busy as i was pushing my leg back to keep her out of the door way. I can tell though as she gets older she is getting more and more protective. Especially of my dad who's still a fiesty son of a gun but has a list of medical problems. I think it's sweet. I also find it interesting she HATES cats but as long as they stay across the road she'll let the them be one paw touches my parents yard though and they're fair game! lol She will just sit there watching them waiting for them to come into "her" yard. She also has never had any training to stay in the yard and doesn't normally she's out in the pasture area or walking along the ditches looking for moles or whatever it is she does she doesn't go bothering people though unless they're outside then she'll approach them if they call for her (she's pretty favorited).

 

[tchvt]

Hello,
I live in Moyock, NC just across the border of The Hampton roads area of Virginia. I have a degree in animal behavior and veterinary medicine and I work with several molosser rescues. I also have working dogs. I currently have 2 Tosa Inus and 2 Pits. My female Tosa is protection trained and ring sport trained. There is a group in the area that I have worked with and there are Presas, Canes, and Ambulls in the group. It is one group that is not prejudice to the mastiff to join and work with. I found in a lot of clubs if you didn't have a GSD, Rott, or Malinois you weren't really welcome, this group has a vast variety of breeds in it and although they are intimated at times by my Tosa they will work with me. I trained all my dogs I just needed a aggressor since moving from San Diego to the East Coast and it is hard to find people that will take a hit from a 130lb dog that has been trained to knock you down not pull you down. Let me know if yo would like more info on the group.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Thanks for the offer, the guy that worked with Thor has Am Bulldogs he was very open to the mastiff breed. He said he had pits before. The group seems very friendly however Thor is a lover not a fighter. So he says just work on him building up confidence at the door. My next pup I want to do schutzhund with since I figure its "easier." However it will depend on the temperament.