Schutzhund Seminar and Practice in Edmonton
Look at that happy face! Caden has not done protection for nearly two months while I focused on his obedience and control and let him mature a bit. At the Edmonton club on Sunday, following a helper's seminar, we were able to work dogs and it was time to get him back into his protection work. Boy, has he grown up in two months! 
He was so much more serious about barking at that guy with the tug. It is all a great game - loads of barking "at the bad guy" so that they get to play with their favourite toy. The "bad guy" (the helper) jumps around and teases them to really get them going so that they really begin to bark seriously. And at that moment...
The tug swings around for them to catch it! 
Relief! There is nothing like a fun game of tug for Caden. It is truly one of his favourite things. I have to hide his tugs at home (in the car).
Caden has a deep, full grip too. A highly desired thing, so I have learned. Tugging like this for Caden is so rewarding. He just loves it. After a good tug, the helper lets him "win" and he gets to carry it around and we all tell him how wonderful he is. 
These are the helpers-in-training, working towards their certification by the GSD Schutzhund Club of Canada. Wade Waters (facing the camera) was an excellent instructor. He is the one who works with Caden (in the photos above) and his wife Melissa beside him took these photos. Wade has a GSD, but Melissa trains really nice Rotties.
Caden's favourite person in the world (next to me) is Dan Waters, who helps us with our training as he also lives in Red Deer. Dan is president of the Calgary GSD SchH Club and with his dog Ali was in the top 5 in SchH at the Canadian Nationals. Here Dan and Ali vom Daeschael SchH 3 are helping at the seminar. The "pretend bad guy" has to put on an act and the dogs are trained to leap for the sleeve which becomes a huge reward. This is where things go - from Caden's tug, to the full sleeve which is really just a bigger toy. 
Ali is so proud to have WON the sleeve! Some day Caden will progress to this level. In the meantime I am really lucky to have such great people around to help with his training (and MINE).
Ali is so proud to have WON the sleeve! Some day Caden will progress to this level. In the meantime I am really lucky to have such great people around to help with his training (and MINE). It is really something to see German Shepherds and other breeds demonstrating their abilities in the three phases of Schutzhund - TRACKING, OBEDIENCE and PROTECTION.
Hmmm.....maybe they need to add HERDING!
Category Article Caden, Schutzhund
