Schutzhund Clicker Training | High Drive Puppy Foundation

Building a Solid Working Foundation Through

The Natural Instincts of the Dog

Dog Training Page - Promoting the fair treatment of sport and working dogs

Angus av Stavanger Aka Curly - German Shepherd Fussing - heeling

Dog training - luring - imprinting - Kennel Stavanger

Dog Training Foreword

First off our dog training page was developed to share the methods we currently use to work through the sport of Schutzhund. Our hopes are that this page will bring greater awareness about the working dog we breed and to also be a helpful training guide for anyone looking to improve their dog handling skills.

We have learned over the years that a solid working foundation will be the result of balanced dog training methods. To help people understand how dynamic dog training really is, we have posted general training concepts, recommended reading as well as videos through out the site.

Although this is not a step by step dog training program, we do want to provide the following insight; dog training requires the same basic principals humans use to achieve skilled abilities. They are as follows: Motivate to perform the task, clearly define the task, give feed back and train repeatedly. The best training results are accomplished when we focus on our relationship with the dog. Trial readiness and desired scores will be the result of dedicated training and a strong bond between you and your dog.

Basic Principals	Positive Methods	Negative Methods
Motivate to perform the task	Positive Reinforcement Reward based training	Negative Reinforcement Compulsion & Force Training
Clearly define the task	Allow the dog to observe either a human or a dog performing the task. Lure/entice the dog through the task. Reward only the offered behaviors that lead to completing the task	Physically force the dog through a task & punish wrong behavior through corrections *This doesn't really define the task it simply teaches the dog how to avoid painful corrections. Through continuous sessions the dog picks up on the training pattern...the desired task becomes an imprint, but is never clearly defined.
Give feed back	praise and/or reward	scold and/or punish
Train repeatedly	Practice with determination - Ability improves with practice! always start a training program using Positive Reinforcement - only add corrections once the dog is clear about the task Remove all corrections when introducing the dog to new places and distractions - reintroduce corrections once the dog is clear	Repeatedly training through compulsion & force will only create an unhappy dog. In the end you will have a dog that works for you, but not because it wants to. Minimally used compulsion shows that the dog is clear about the task; compulsion used repeatedly shows that the dog is not. When the dog shows training problems we should ask ourselves where we have gone wrong and not simply blame it on the dog.

	Dog Training Links

Clicker Dog Training	Balanced Dog Training	Compulsion Dog Training
Clicker Myth	Drive Building	Rewards
Leadership	Living with a High Drive Dog	Training Library & More

Training Support and Influential People

David Dembouski

We have most recently worked with David and his training partner Kelly Graham. David is well known for his positive reinforcement techniques during training for the protection phase. In addition he is also an excellent resource for helping handlers understand how to use the negative markers and reinforcers for greater effectiveness. He has opened new training doors by helping us better understand the importance of clear communication on both ends of the training spectrum. We are also seeing the advantages of not advancing the dog to quickly and waiting until he or she is clear on the task.

Stanislaus County Schutzhund Club

While working with with SCSC their club came together to help us in all three Schutzhund phases. For us this is what the sport is about...club members helping one another achieve their training goals. Over the last few years we have learned that we need more experience in a variety of locations for ourselves and our dogs. We want to thank Gary and Peggy Park for opening up their club to us .

Menlo Park Schutzhund Club

Our home field and the place where we became introduced to the sport of Schutzhund. Without the support of this club we would not be where we are today.

Glenn Hansen my husband and the one who introduced me to the amazing German Shepherd and the sport of Schutzhund. My training partner, photographer and videographer. He is also the one that gets me out there to track.

Denise Fenzi of Sprite working Belgian Tervuren

A successful breeder of the working lines as well as a Nationally recognized obedience coach. She has placed at the Top of AKC events numerous times and is a well achieved Schutzhund competitor. She did an excellent job helping me lay a solid obedience foundation on my girl. We will continue to integrate her methods into our puppy training program.

Joel Monroe of Big Valley Dog Training. Menlo Park Protection Helper, Northwestern Region Training Director and National Schutzhund Competitor. He put the protection foundation on Gjeter and got her pups off to a good start.

Dave and Randy of Witmer Tyson Imports

founders of Menlo Park Schutzhund Club. Always making sure that we have a great place to train. Randy has been instrumental in maintaining the importance of conformation in our working GSDs.

Claudia Romard - 2006 Vice National Schutzhund Champion and trainer. She gives an excellent seminar and truly does it for the love of the dog. She has always been generous with her advice and we greatly appreciate it.

Arthur Witmer of Stoffelblick Kennels - One of the best German trainers for all three Schutzhund phases that I have had an opportunity to work with. His methods are tried and true.

Northwestern Region of United Schutzhund Clubs of America

Of course there are many more generous and knowledgeable people within the region that we have been fortunate to work with. Without a National organization such as Schutzhund USA, a supportive Region and club; the path to our success would have been much more difficult.

Training with David Dembouski - Angus av Stavanger Aka Curly - Schutzhund Protection

Alfred av Stavanger Aka Larry - Focus /obedience during the protection phase

info@germanshepherdk9.com

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