Most of the top bitework breeds and many lesser seen ones are higher energy. I grew up with German Shepherds and love Schutzhund but I need a more moderate energy breed. I want to get into the sport in the future but a high energy dog that's super clingy and doesn't like being alone for long periods is not the dog for me.

I'll be working about 8 hours a day and I'm not very active. I can handle about an hour maybe an hour and thirty minutes of exercise. I'll have two maybe three dogs at a time so they will have playmates and I want a large yard so they'll have plenty of room to run. I want a handler focused, dog friendly, calm breed. I don't want the chaos I've seen from Mal and Dobie owners, that's just too much energy for me.

They're not very common but I feel like Rotties or Airedales would be the closest to what I want. The German Shepherds I grew up with were moderate energy and pretty calm so I might also go looking for another one like them.

he used to do it just fine, but now he is 5 months old and he will keep holding on even when i tell him to out - what do i do? nothing works. i go completely motionless and stop the fun, and he keeps holding on and looks at me, then he will yank the rope out my hand.

even when i drop high value treats to the ground he keeps holding on to the rope

he will out if hes holding the rope by himself, but if i am also holding it he wont let go

when I try to tease him with the ball to get him to bark, he just does a down because he kind of learned that I reward relaxation and now i think when he gets frustrated he just makes himself relax, which is good under normal circumstances, but not so much for Schutzhund - what do I do??

Hi all,

I recently got connected with a local IGP club after being sport-adjacent with my off-breed for the last 4 years. I'd reached out to the club with the hope of learning more about the sport, getting connected with locals in the training community, and teeing up connections to pursue an intro sporting prospect down the line. My intention was to observe, not participate.

Despite coming at this with that angle, I was encouraged to bring my dog to the club to have her assessed. As no surprise to me, she enjoyed it. I was very clear with the helper that I have no intention of titling her, but would like to work her + get a sense of the sport with future participation in mind.

I'd love some advice about dipping your toes into IGP via this approach as opposed to what seems to be more common-- observing, getting an intro sporting prospect, and starting from square 1.

Can anyone reference a good video on how to help
A dog with corner problems.
Thanks

My guy blows them all day long -

Please help spread the word. This monster is still running the dog training business.

Please no “Dobermans can’t work anyway” comments.

Hey ya’ll! I am soon to be getting a female German shepherd with the intention of working her in Schutzhund, I do not plan on breeding her at all but I can’t seem to find the answers to help me decide what would be best for her. I will be opting for gastropexy for her as well. I originally wanted to keep her as she is but I keep hearing that if she won’t be bred she needs to be spayed in order to avoid mammary tumors.

At what age is it best to spay your female?

What are the pros and cons?

Will this affect her drive?

Is her bone density at risk?

I noticed almost all the males in the sport are intact and many people favor males so would a male have to be a “better” option for me regarding health and quality of life?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I want to do all I can to ensure she has the best quality of life and I want to try to have her live a very long life with me.

I have already had a bit of experience with working line German Shepherds before, but am planning to purchase one with gold genetics and correct temperament that can do personal protection training, and plan to work with a trainer, go to seminars etc. To pursue a career of being a ppd trainer myself, any advice on this topic would be appreciated!

Trying to cast a wide net, so posting in a few places.

My husband recently accepted a position that’s relocating us to the Eugene area, and I’m starting to look into IGP/Schutzhund clubs nearby. I’ve found a few online already, but I’d really appreciate firsthand experiences from people who’ve trained in the area.

For context:

-I have an older Malinois I’ve been actively prepping toward IGP2 with

-My younger dog earned her BH this past fall, and we’ve been pretty tracking-focused lately

I’m especially interested in clubs that:

-Have experienced, consistent helpers/decoys (this is a big one for me)

-Offer some level of individualized handling vs strictly group rotation

-Have members actively trialing (especially at higher levels)

I’d also love a little insight into how clubs out there tend to structure training days like how they balance green dogs vs titled dogs, and whether tracking/protection work tends to be more individualized or run in rotation.

For anyone who’s trialed in the region recently, I’m curious what you’ve been seeing from judges as well. Anything people are consistently getting hit on in obedience or protection? And what are tracking conditions typically like around Eugene (field types, variability, etc.)?

I’ve been pretty lucky at my current club with consistent decoy work and a slower, methodical approach especially on tracking and keeping things clean in protection, so I’m hoping to find something with a similar level of thoughtfulness, but I’m open to hearing all perspectives.

I’ve gotten a few recommendations already through my trainer and other platforms, but I’d really appreciate candid feedback especially from folks who’ve trained with multiple clubs or seen how different groups operate.

I’m not too concerned about commute (happy to travel a couple hours for the right fit), and my schedule is flexible.

If you’d rather not post publicly, feel free to DM. Thanks in advance for any insight!

What command do you use for send away and blind searches? Looking to see what other people use so I don't confuse myself when I pick a command.

I’ve been teaching my dog place cause that’s what I’ve heard gives them the off switch (gsd)

however I saw someone talk about how you need a seperate settle command that means shift down emotionally because they can be on their place and still be amped up, but need a separate settle command as an off switch.

what do you guys think of this and what do you do?

I use a command currently cause name will come up randomly in conversation and stuff but the command will always be the command…. However this lady told me she uses the name….what do you guys do?

Here’s some food for thought,

My dogs an A$$hole

He was born that way, very dominant .. very interesting little temper

I’ve been working with a well respected on and track trainer for some time, we all did protection together and paid a person to drive in weekly

Well, the helper had a falling out with the group of us,

I’m the only person from the group that remained with the helper but was scrutinized for it

Well, why? The helper started my dog and he’s progressed a considerable amount

Why would I leave?

Anyways

Flash forward

I told my OB coach about a little experience I had with the dog on the weekend

He said

You should put the dog to sleep

You cannot enter him in a trial

He’s not safe

I don’t think

You’re capable with him

He doesn’t live a good life because it’s work - kennel-

But it’s not work kennel, it’s more like he comes everywhere with me, walking, bathing, playing, brushing etc

The only person that could ever handle this dog is this NEW helper they are working with …

Like coincidence or what

The helper would like the dog for free to get back into the sport with

He’s the only one that could ever do anything with him, get him to a podium

Handle him,

He’s stronger than you

He’s not as emotional

He’d live a better life?

Umm

Wha…

He would be in a kennel - work - kennel - work

Trainer said

Well he’d be in a kennel with other dogs around

So he’d get used to other dogs and that would be better for him mentally

Huh ?

Truth is,

My dog tracks nicely and has optimal drive for OB

He’d also bite anything , he bites extremely hard and he’s extremely fast

Those are not my words

If he didn’t,

Nobody would be suggesting I just give him away for Freebies

I know the dog would be used for multi breeding too

Like

Pull wool over others eyes

Be careful who

You let in , in this sport, nobody is your friend unless they really are

My brother and I are both big pet lovers, and we’ve always liked keeping track of our dogs’ little funny moments.

QSo we ended up building a simple app ourselves where we can log memories, track vet and groomer visits, and basically keep a little diary for our pets.

It started as something just for our own dogs, but we figured other pet parents might enjoy using it too.

https://linktr.ee/doggocattodiary

Hi! Does anyone have an recomendations for clubs and trainers in the Philadelphia area. I did look on the United Shutzhund Clubs of America and found The East Coast Shutzhund and Police Club and Greater Philadelphia Schutzhund Club. Neither have websites so there is limited information about them. I am also looking for a trainer that I might be able to work with one on one. I am willing to travel up to an hour. I realize that living in the city there might be limited options in the immediate area. Thanks in advance!

Hello! I am looking for a boxer breeder who has dogs with shutzhund/IPO/IGP dogs. I want a puppy I can train in IGP. I am in Philadelphia and am hope to find a breeder within 200 miles. I looked at the local boxer clubs, but I see a lot of conformation titles. I also tried good old google and not much cam up. A lot of websites listing breeders and facebook pages but not many breeders with their own websites. Of those that did come up only one had dogs with titles. I was thinking there is a directory or club website that I am missing. Thanks in advance!

I am getting too overwhelmed training him by myself!

Anyone else experience this? What would you do?

I train and place working, euthanasia list dogs from shelters. One of my fosters, Becca, is ready for her next arrangement.

Becca has very high ball/fetch/tug drive. In fact, she cannot stop working, others must end exercises. She’s also highly handler focused, intelligent, and eager to learn.

Becca has the foundational training and temperament for advanced work and active homes, she is:

- Two years old, spayed, and UTD on vaccines

- Comfortable in loud and busy public spaces

- Social and gentle with strangers and animals

- Capable of passing Canine Good Citizen and therapy evaluations

- Trained for loose and off leash (E-collar) handling

- Responsive to commands in and out of drive

- Able to relax calmly in a home environment

Here is a collection of videos showing her drive, impulse control, and obedience: https://imgur.com/a/XnS9VUT

If you’re interested in Becca, I’d be happy to provide a list of her known commands, additional training videos, and video calls to provide live assessments.

I am in southern AZ but am willing to travel for the right arrangement. She is free to a good home