When training a dog?

Question

for something like agility, competitive obedience, Rally-O, retriever trials, earthdog, or even Schutzhund or NVBK, do you want your dog to work only for you, or to work for any competent handler?

Does the discipline you are training for matter? Does it matter if the training is simply for competition (ex. agility, Rally-O), or to produce a real working dog?

Answer 1

i would want my dog to work for me because it would be mor loyal

Answer 2

You know, I've tried having Max run with other handlers during ATs, and he just won't do it. He either ignores direction and speeds the whole course on his own, or he sits and stares at them.

He'll run for my fiancee, but he strays on occasion, but he's never missed a beat with me.

Roxy will run for anyone with a toy or treat in their hand, she could care less. But Max will NOT run for anyone but me.

And I only train for a fun competition, so the discipline isn't harsh when he ignores another handler. Thats just how he is, we've learned to accept that quirk.  

Answer 3

That's something I've just been wondering about with my belgian puppy.  H'e not yet 4 months old but absolutely loves obedience - knows sit, down, stay, come, does the finish, does long sits and downs for 45 seconds, heels (off-leash as well).  He's incredible!

But when strangers ask him to sit, like in the vet's office or in a pet store, he won't.  Given that belgians are supposed to be an aloof breed, in my mind that's acceptable.  He obeys commands from people he knows other than me, but not strangers.

Even my bearded collie who was the most out-going dog you could imagine, would not take commands from the instructor at the herding clinic.  The instructor's comment was that this dog didn't know him and had no reason to trust him, so he wouldn't work for him.  He showed me how to teach my dog and he did it.  

I don't expect my dog to work for strangers, but I do expect him to work for people other than me that he knows.

Answer 4

This is a great question- and seeing as how I only do competitive obedience and agility, I can only answer about that.  My dogs are not considered "real" working dogs.

Instead of answering, I'll tell you my experience- maybe that will be enough.

My first agility dog, we'll call her FBAO, was extremely dominant and independent.  She was a very confident dog and loved all people.  she would gladly (sometimes too gladly) work for someone else.  When the time came to get another dog to train, I wanted one that was a little more interested in me than anyone else.  During competitions, she was so worried about what everyone else was doing.  she saw me all the time- but that man over there in the brown shirt- he might have good treats.  And, that woman with the ponytail?  She hasn't stopped to pet FBAO's head yet.  So, keeping her attention during a competition was a little difficult.

So, in walks my next dog, we'll call him BMC.  He is a Momma's boy.  Would rather be with me than anyone or anything else.  This has its advantages, as he is not concerned about food or squeaky toys outside the ring.  

Now, if I am unable to run BMC in agility, due to  absence, illness or injury to myself- then he won't work for anyone else.  Good for me if I'm healthy- bad for me if I've got $150 in entry fees on the line and have a broken foot.

I think I would rather have a dog that is a little of both.  Prefers my company over all others, but confident enough in himself/herself to work with someone else.  If I absolutely HAD to choose between the 2 personalities- I'll take BMC every time.  He is unconcerned about dogs outside the ring, judges in the ring, ring stewards, or birds on the course.  He works for me- and does it happily and with a decent amount of success.

Answer 5

That would depend, first and foremost on the dog's temperament. As an example..the dogs I train for NVBK are hard, dominant dogs that are not very social and as a result will not take direction from anyone except me. I have had several, as a matter of fact that will actually attempt to bite you if you order them to do something.

That probably stems from their dominant side.

Other events like Sch require a more playful dog that is not as hard or as dominant and I have seen these dogs willingly take orders from strangers.

Of course all of these dog will have to learn to accept someone other then their handler if they are ever sold, but, that is a process that takes a while and a muzzle along with some careful work and a lot of patience.

With softer dogs I do not think that will be an issue. Personally, I want my dog to work for me only while he is mine and I select dogs that are not the most social creatures.

In my mind, it does not matter what the dog is being trained for, competition or real working dog, I like him to respond to me only.

Now, having said that...most dogs that are detector dogs as an example, will work for anyone, it makes no difference who is at the end of the leash because they are trying to satisfy their HUGE prey drive in a way that does not involve engaging a human.

If you do not understand this, please let me know and I will be glad to explain further!

Hope I helped.

Answer 6

Because this type of training is largely based around body language, the dog is most likely going to work best for the person that they have spent the most time with.  The subtle differences in body language from one competent person to another are going to throw off the dog a bit.

just my $.02

Answer 7

I have only ever been involved in agility, competitive obedience and Rally-O. I know my dogs inside and out. I know when they are having fun and I know when they're stressed and perhaps need to take a break. Others may not recognize those subtle signs.

For example, Reika would never in her life work for another person. She has never worked well with other people and I would never want to cause her stress in the hands of a stranger. She does not take well to corrections in general and when I ever do have to correct her, hard eye contact will usually get the message across. I feel comfortable correcting my dog in this manner. She knows me and although she knows I am not happy, she respects me and understands the message. I would never ask a stranger to even imagine correcting my dog in that manner.

Now Riggs is a Golden Retriever who would very willingly sit up or jump into a car for anybody with food. Do I like that specific characteristic? Sometimes. It's in his nature to love all people and love all people he certainly does. Now at home, he will listen to everyone and anyone. In Rally-O, he works only for me. He has never worked with another person in Rally-O and if I gave him over to another person, he would stress.

In all honesty, I prefer a dog to work for me and only me when in an agility trial or in competitive obedience. I would like my dog to be respectful of other people, but I don't expect either of my dogs to obey them without question.