Material to help train my Dobie

1066 Views 12 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Adara, Sep 26, 2011

o0 sHaDoWoLf 0o

Discussion Starter · Sep 24, 2011

Okay so I bought a pet Doberman but the breeder said he was second pick for showing. In reality she was going to keep him if I didn't want him but she knew that I had my eye on him from the get go and I have been on her waiting list. So I bought him with the pet contract but said that I was really interested in showing. I wouldn't be handling him, she would. But I was wondering if there is anything I should be doing to help prepare him.

I have been getting him used to having everywhere on his body touched, his mouth open willingly. To stand and stay because he kind of taught himself to sit.
So is there any that I can read to train him, I have already been socializing him with people and having him comfortably exposing him to large groups of people.

And since he is only 11 weeks I have only been exposing him to dogs that I know for a fact are healthy and up to date on their shots.

Thanks

Save

1 - 13 of 13 Posts

zoomatl

· #2 · Sep 24, 2011 (Edited)

At 11 weeks you should start looking for handling/conformation classes in your area ... the atmosphere at my handling class is set up just like a real dog show ... and after several weeks your boy should be ready to go with the handler and be competitive in the ring ... most of all have tons of fun ..!!! Also teaching your dog to bait for food is another big plus ... I taught my boy Bronson to catch food out of the air when i toss it to him and this builds great concentration and can bring out some very intensely appealing characteristics of a Dobe's expression that can shine in the show ring...

also read all of these articles ... very good read..!!

http://dpca.org/BreedEd/kb/index.php/articles/35-conformation

Save

Reactions: 2

o0 sHaDoWoLf 0o

Discussion Starter · #3 · Sep 24, 2011

Thanks for the info much appreciated

Save

Murreydobe

· #4 · Sep 24, 2011 (Edited)

I'd talk to Kim and see if she really even wants you to take your puppy to a handling class. A lot of handlers really prefer that novices avoid stuff like that..it's easier for them to teach the puppy correctly from the getgo, rather than having to retrain the dog if the novice makes some kind of training error.

In the meantime, socialize, socialize, socialize.

Save

Reactions: 5

o0 sHaDoWoLf 0o

Discussion Starter · #5 · Sep 25, 2011

okay, just getting as much info as possible before I do anything ; )

Save

barb0604

· #6 · Sep 25, 2011 (Edited)

Murreydobe said:
I'd talk to Kim and see if she really even wants you to take your puppy to a handling class. A lot of handlers really prefer that novices avoid stuff like that..it's easier for them to teach the puppy correctly from the getgo, rather than having to retrain the dog if the novice makes some kind of training error.

In the meantime, socialize, socialize, socialize.

That's exactly what the handler we're using for Jewels told me...well she didn't give that reason, but she said no handling classes. She did stress that Jewels needed to be well socialized with all kinds of people in all kinds of locations.

When I picked up Jewels,Jody had told me to work on stand stay, allowing her feet to be placed, catching food; which I've done. Today, we met the handler at the dog show (it was the first time she'd seen Jewels in person, and of course, Jewels did not show), and she said to keep doing what we're doing because Jewels is doing great. The handler added a few new exercises, learn 'watch', 'step', and to get used to a lead up high and snug on the neck.

I will say that I didn't try stacking Jewels because I didn't want to screw her up, but when the handler stacked her, it was like she was someone else's dog, she was stunning...and people stopped to tell me how impressive she looked.

So, it seems to be working to do the basics and leave the showy stuff for the professionals....

Guess we'll find out when she enters her first show most likely in December.

See less See more

Save

Reactions: 1

Murreydobe

· #7 · Sep 26, 2011

Which handler are you using, Barb?

Save

barb0604

· #8 · Sep 26, 2011

Wendy Bettis, and I really like her a lot. At today's show, she handled Winner's Bitch, and her husband (Jimmy) got Winner's Dog & Best of Winners! Impressive! Even more impressive was that Jewels took right to her...

Save

Murreydobe

· #9 · Sep 26, 2011

Wendy's been in the dog game for a long time..there are pictures around of her as a junior handler. I used her (and Jimmy) for awhile with one dog close to 20 years ago now.

Save

barb0604

· #10 · Sep 26, 2011

I had no idea she'd been in that long, she looks too young! Many people at ringside told us stories of how she finished their dogs; it's great hearing all the positive feedback about her. It was impressive watching her (and Jimmy) handle a variety of dogs so that they looked just stunning.

Save

HarvestMoon

· #11 · Sep 26, 2011

barb0604 said:
Today, we met the handler at the dog show (it was the first time she'd seen Jewels in person, and of course, Jewels did not show), and she said to keep doing what we're doing because Jewels is doing great.

Hey!! Don't mean to hikack but couldn't resist asking... By any chance was that you that I met at the show in Cerritos yesterday and your darling pup played with my girl?? If so, wish I'd known it was you!

Save

barb0604

· #12 · Sep 26, 2011

HarvestMoon said:
Hey!! Don't mean to hikack but couldn't resist asking... By any chance was that you that I met at the show in Cerritos yesterday and your darling pup played with my girl?? If so, wish I'd known it was you!

Yes it was!!! I wish I would've known too! I've been telling everyone about your girl, she's amazing (Jewels loved her....

) and you're such a nice person!!

To the OP: I hope you'll forgive us for these digressions, but they do demonstrate how FUN it is to go to shows, and meet other Doberman lovers! I'm certain we'll all be looking forward to updates as your training progresses...

Save

Adara

· #13 · Sep 26, 2011

Some things to remember when you do train - make it FUN, make it short. If you are using a handler then do NOT worry if his feet aren't perfect. The handler can do that part. Your job is just to get him used to having his feet moved around. Also play "show me your teeth' and work on tickling his tail up. Some dogs have a huge issue with this, others not so much.

With puppies, we play "show dog". Move one foot YES happy dance give cookie, toss cookie, puppies runs and gets it and comes back to me. move a different foot, repeat. repeat. reapt until all 4 feet arem oved. DONE. Next session might be show me your pretties GOOD BOY toss treat silly play time, etc.

Save

Reactions: 2

1 - 13 of 13 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month