Opinion on Schutzhund prospect.. - Page 2

Its simple. He is a normal dog. Spend more time with him!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Geez.

The problem (or so i see it) is the more time I spend with him, the more dependant he is on me. I've done trial weeks where I wont spend time with him and it seems to get better, and then weeks where I spend as much time with him as possible and it gets worse. So i'm getting alot of varying advice on whether to spend more time or not.

In the time I spend with him, what should I be doing to help build his confidence in himself? He knows he can win at the game of "Pocken" against either myself or the trainer. But how can I help him gain confidence in himself in overall situations?

Also, is the serious obsession and fixation with my other dogs normal? Hes the only one (of the 4 dogs right now) that is like that, and hes the only one Ive had for show/sport that does that. Will it just get better as he matures?

Crating the dog the day before training can help build drive but I only do that the day before training. High drive dogs built for working sports tend to go a little nervy and crazy if crated too often. I have 2 in our area alone, including my cousins that spent too much time in a crate and devolved bad psychological problems. My cousins dog snatches at invisible flies ALL day long, it is almost as if all that drive an not enough interaction broke his soul to work.

The dog sounds like it has some insecurity issues, it is really hard to make a call on what the problem is or how bad it really is without seeing it. I would certainly have your local dog club members work with you on what the problem is. You have to worry though if so many dogs having issues is in some way related to you personally as a handler. I am not bashing on you in the least however this particular breed is known for its handler sensitivity and it cannot be ignored. If you keep failing at a relationship human or otherwise it is time to take a step back and say "hmm maybe it is me?".

On the bright side nothing you have describes seems to be utterly serious and the dogs strong attachment and obsession to you is likely linked to the same behavior you have concern about. Maybe building the dogs confidence, going to new places, new sounds, new smells as well as ample praise for his little wins could help him significantly. Set him up for success do small exercises that he can't fail and praise the hell out of him when he wins then move up to bigger and harder. He is still young and depending on the lines far from mature. Not meaning to flame it is not my style. :)

i kinda agree with LMH


My trainer has advised me to not give him any attention except on training days, to basically keep him in the kennel and he only sees me to clean/feed. With my other dogs, this seems to work...but with him...it gets worse.

Thank you Fenrir.

Now that you use the word "insecurity" it seems you hit the nail on the head in what I was trying to describe. I do beleive he is insecure. I just dont know how to go about working with him to help build the confidence.

Yes, I understood you have a club and a trainer who advised you to only take him out of his kennel on training days... my suggestion of trying several trainers or clubs was my gentle hint that I don't personally agree with that. ;D my personal belief is the more time and effort you put into a dog the better the bond and relationship will be. Trying to get in your dog's heading and figure out how to draw out the best. When there are issues, I look to myself and figure out how I can communicate clearly what I want, imo, issues that come up are opportunities for me to becomes a better handler and dog person.

anyway u can re home him or sell him to a person that would give him the attention that he wants so bad?

Yes, thank you clee!

That is one of the reasons I posted here, to get an overall opinion on what to do to help both him and myself excell.

There are a few local trainers/clubs I can go to, I just figured here would be an "all over" the world resource from other trainers/styles of training.

I have a few videos from Ivan Balabanov on obedience, that I used to help do his foundation obedience, and it has worked the way I wanted it to. He is really a great dog, I just want to work on his insecurities and wanted some advice from people how. :)

Destiny,

Its not a matter of being able to give him the attention he deserves/wants, because i CAN. Ive heard different trainers opinions on how to help the obsession part, I spend alot of time with my dogs, he just seems insecure in HIMSELF and more dependant on me that he needs to be. There are differing opinions on how to help that, one was to not pay him much attention except when training, others are to spend time with him on a different level. I'm trying it ALL, trying to find what is going to work for him and benefit him and help him build confidence in HIMSELF.

That is the advice im looking for, there are lots of different "tricks to the trade" and i was asking for some, and will be willing to try.

Good luck with him, do not to baby him if he seems uncertain just make sure you're not inadvertently encouraging the uncertain behavior, but encourage him when he shows wanted behavior. Perhaps others have more suggestions, remember, he's young and he's learning every day how to view the world with your help.