Can't decide! - Page 3

Ms. Shepherd Woman..

What is TDI... any other way  to test the dogs temperament... ???

Marci:

TDI - Therapy dog international is a test to evaluate your dogs ability to become a "compassion dog".  TDI dogs can go to hospitals, schools and nursing homes.  Libbt has been to our local kindergarten as well as a local nursing home, just visiting and letting them pet her.  2 of my dogs have this and Molly is scheduled to be tested next weekend.  The evaluator is going to combine the Canine Good Citizen and the TDI test together.  The TDI portion incorporates a few more exercises but is very similar to the CGC requirements.  This test will be perfomed on Sunday - September 16th in Spring City, PA - so if anyone is interested in having their dog tested, just let me know.

In addition - the Delaware Valley German Shepherd Dog Club hosts a German Shepherd Dog Club Of America Temperment Test every other year at Khun's Day Camp in Horsham, PA.  Two of my dogs have passed this test as well.  This test evaluates your shepherds "natural" instincts in comparison to how a german shepherd should react.   I wish I knew of another club that provides this test, as I would love to test Molly now, but have to wait until next October.  Shepherd Woman - this test does not contain meeting another dog like the CGC and the TDI test do, so dog aggression will not = a failure.  You should try this one if you find a test in your area.

Cheryl

Chaos does have his CGC.  He got that at 6 months old.  The TDI he did later, and was feeling his oats at the time of the test I guess.  He went up against another male dog.  He does go to nursing homes etc. and is great when we go.  I am working on the dog aggression stuff and hopefully next time out he will pass his TDI testing.  I will wait until I'm completely sure I can trust him though, rather than drive the 2 horus again, not being sure!

Hi Marci,

Go to www.atts.org/

I try to get this on all my dogs, it only comes around my area every other year.  Your dog must be 18 months or older,

it costs $25  if you do not pass they let you know what you should work on.

I've never had a shepherd fail but I had a labrador retriever fail cause she was afraid of umbrellas!
That's when you start feeding you dog it's dinner on an umbrella!!!

www.vonryansgermanshepherds.com

The GSD may be in the herding group, but they were derived from herding dogs to be a multi purpose utilitarian dog. I've done my homework, years ago.  Guess we all better quit doing SchH and every other dog sport and focus on our HGH.

My point is a breeder should be able to prove with at least some kind of degree/title/certification that their breeding stock has some kind of working ability. Terribly far-fetched, I know.

Kczaja,  good point,  and well written.   I do agree maybe instead of sch titles being the absolute,  maybe Herding Titles should be the absolute then if you care to do sch as well go for it,  But prove your dogs breed worthiness and genetics by proving what should be his/her #1 instinct,  Herding.

oh boy some of these guys are gonna croak when they read this...  LOL

Those who want to argue the capt. this and the capt. that,  well step up to the plate,  get some herding titles then some sch titles and really prove your point !!

Before there was the AKC herding group, the GSD and most other herding breeds (collie, shelties, aussies, malinois, the Belgian breeds, etc) were included in the working group. There was a big debate as to which group the GSD sholud belong to, herding group won, but it could have gone either way due to the versatily of the breed.

I meant the versatility of the breed. I wish we had spell check on this board .

Out of curiosity,  are there any statistics available regarding how many GSD's in the US have earned HGH titles? How about dual titled dogs  with Sch III and  HGH titles? I know of one, but there must be more.

You don't have to make a decision at all, Shepherd Woman.  Americans are obsessed with spaying and neutering, but they forget that not everyone is irresponsible with their unaltered pets.  Just because he has testicles does not mean you must either breed him or neuter him.    He can also develop stronger secondary male characteristics if he is still growing..isn't he just a year and a half now?  So his head might get bigger if he is allowed to mature a bit longer.   Good luck with what you decide to do.  Veronica