Indicators of possible success?

[Jennifer089]

Welcome to the forum, it's really great to have you here. I enjoyed your website, especially the pictures of your Great Dane doing protection work. I also appreciate and admire your enthusiasm for the sport. :)

Now, I'm sure you've been asked this a million times and if you've written on it somewhere, feel free to direct me there. Dave said there are no stupid questions so here it goes...

First, when you evaluate a puppy, say a one year old such as my own, what do you look for in determining whether or not it will be successful in your training program? For instance, personality, energy level, willingness to please, intelligence?

And second, are there certain behaviors observed in every day puppy life (ie; play) that serve as good indicators of a dog's possible success?

Thanks in advance,
Jennifer

[ButchCappel]

WOW, talk about great questions!!! I told Dave that as I had monitored this board I had been impressed with the level of competance and good sense of all the participants. Thanks for keeping me accurate.

Now, as to what I look for in a dog to be succesfull? Well first you must remember that I train for anyone that asks me to train their dog. I know it is not a common way of thinking, but for me every dog must be succesful, or I don't buy beans! In training PP dogs for real life I have had fewer than a half dozen that were not effective PP dogs, I know the number because each person got a complete refund.

You, however, are probably asking more about dogs with the potential to be competitive in trials, as well as the top of the heap in all possible protection situations.

I really look for the assured dog that is comfortable
in a lot of situations. Dogs that are comfortable in a lot of situations with a lot of different people and animals tend to be clear headed and confident.

If I am in a fighting situation, with a dog, the dog will surely be more intensive in it's fighting if they are taking on someone that they are not nervous about (if you scare me I dont want to fight you). This will also apply to the trial field. Confidence is success!!!

This "confidence" also allows the dog to ACT on my commands, vs. RE-acting to the stimulus of the street, trial field, or showring. Since in any of those situations, I am the one that knows the desired outcome. The dog must be listening to me instead of being frantic and toooo high in prey drive.

So I guess what I look for is that self assurance with a desire to work with a handler.

Fortunately for all you Presa & Molloser folks, that desire to work with the handler is an anciently (is that a word?) inherent quality that is high in your dogs (and herders). They are also not consumed with "prey" drive, a high degree of "defense" keeps them thinking. So your biggest goal is that self confidence a lot of that will come with maturity, some can be helped along by you.

Hope I didn't get to lengthy here, and I really hope this made sense and helps a little. sometimes I know what I think, I just don't know how to say it.

Thanks again for a great question.

[Jennifer089]

Butch,

Please be as "lengthy" as you want. I really appreciate the response, no matter how long (or short) it is. :)

You mentioned:

"So your biggest goal is that self confidence a lot of that will come with maturity, some can be helped along by you."

She has been and continues to be socialized in a variety of settings and she does well. The winter weather has kept most (sane) people and their dogs inside which has made socialization somewhat difficult for us. The two of us are out *daily,* rain, snow, sleet or shine. It's warming up now so this should change soon. In addition, we start our next level of obedience classes in March.

My question is this:

Is there anything besides socialization in a variety of settings that I can do to build her self confidence? For instance, activities such as games or exercises to make her *think* or solve problems?

Thanks again,

Jennifer

P.S. Okay, I had to come back to edit/add something here because it seemed like a cheesy question. I *know* she'll never solve the New York Times crossword puzzle. :P But I was thinking about people training chimps to use sign language. They made the exercises *fun* which in turn made them try harder and subsequently *learn* it. That was my line of thought...

Forgive me...

:oops:

[josebrwn]

"You play chess with your dog?
He must be very smart!

Oh no, he isn't.
I beat him most of the time."

[Jennifer089]

:P

That's a funny one, Joe.

Who said that? It seems like I've seen that quote somewhere before...

Jennifer

[ButchCappel]

Jennifer,
"Games to play" to make your dog an Einstein or at least a chimp?
Well, it has come to be known that all early problem solving will enhance
the brains ability to process and work efficiently in maturity.

But what is a good "problem" for a dog?

How about "hide & seek". When your dog is not watching or concerned about you, go hide. Then start calling your dog to you. Use different rooms or areas of the yard so your dog has to not only find you but maybe overcome obstacles to get to you.

Don't just teach your dog to "shake" teach Right from Left so the dog begins to consider spatial differences.

"Speak" seems like a very simple sort of "trick" but what if you employ the command when the dog wants to go outside, ask for a treat, go for a ride, whatever!! Just so long as it is required so the dog understands that we use "verbal" comunication and they can too. Unless of course they then get into discussing the whole Super Bowl halftime show, which we have all heard waaaaayy to much about.

These are just a few guidlines hope they help.

Joe, I'm upset, your dogs are playing Chess, Mine can't beat me in checkers!!