[Woody Taylor]

Hi Connie

You know how new I am, but I really like the criteria that was in Schutzhund: Theory and Training Methods. I'm in Boston right now so I don't have it in front of me. It seemed quite clear and in addition to Bob's stuff seemed to stress retrieving (indicative of willingness to please) and tendencies to get its nose on the ground.

That's what I remember, this probably sounds dumb, but the more I read about it and the more I \"see\" it in my own dog and other dogs I'm pretty high on retrieval as indicative of overall willingness to please in sport. You probably already know this!

 

[Woody Taylor]

Hey, don't take my advice!!! :roll: I'm new and I just read a lot of books. All theory, no practice.

It's a good book but from what I understand from others reviews as well as the text itself (compared with you all on forums like this) it's basically (I am writing this from memory, I don't have it with me):

1. Overview of Schutzhund and Schutzhund breeds, Schutzhund history
2. Dog selection
3. Sections on obedience, tracking, protection...really nice \"theory of...\" on each of these, and each Schutzhund objective and rule broken down and very detailed

There is a lot of specific instruction on individual dog training but I don't think it's detailed enough for this forum's needs (I remember the \"send away\" section being pretty much \"Send Away is a pain in the ass to train!). But it's got nice photos, nice commentary by the two authors (one is a motivation then cumpulsion advocate, the other is motivation 99% of the time), nice diagrams. I like it, it seemed as though they worked very hard to put out an objective point of view on the sport.

 

[Woody Taylor]

The book you are talking about is a rewrite from a book that was published in 1978. They are almost exactly the same, and thus pretty archaic. I do see way too many Sch clubs that train that way, and I just can't watch. Kinda like fight drive discussions.

I think it's a good book and it's well-written and well-presented. It has a good ear and appreciation for history, objectivity (with honesty) about lots of breeds, and stresses pleasure for the dog and the human involved...I have not read the 1978 version from Susan Barwig (who co-wrote this one), but they acknowledge that this book is an extension of that (although an improvement, as well). I like any book that gives me different options for interaction with my dog that also makes me appreciate my dog and our relationship more. I think the book has great illustrations...one guy is working what I think is a German Wirehaired (I am probably wrong but I have no idea what else it is), another a Cheasapeake Bay retriever, some Tervurens, Rotts, etc. It is archaic in the sense that not every picture is one of a Malinois tearing someone's head off. I think these authors still believe that GSDs are not poodles. I think it's a very thoughtful book.

Connie, forgot to post this, these are their considerations for a very promising Schutzhund dog...

1. ...show both interest in searching for its handler and a tendency to immediately use its nose in order to do so

2. be very interested in playing with or retrieving objects thrown for it

3. be either undisturbed by the approach of a friendly stranger or overtly friendly toward him

4. show both an eagerness to follow its handler and stay near him as well as a tendency to go off exploring on its own

5. be frightened by very little, and when it is frightened by something it will soon lose its fear and forget the incident

6. immediatly and vigorously bite and object like a burlap sack that is moved rapidly past it and be oblivious of any attempt to frighten it

7. move very strongly toward a menacing stranger (when the dog is at least one year old), trying to make physical contact with him, but not exhibiting any signs of hysterical or fear-motivated aggressiveness..

Just posting it, thought you would find it informative/interesting.[/quote]