Gulls and Dumbells

Tracking - Dieters tracking training has decreased slightly in frequency due to season changes with the poorer weather and steady decrease in amount of available daylight. However we still manage to get out usually 2-3 times weekly and he continues to have encouraging progress. He almost 85-90% downs without a "platz" command for the standard schutzhund articles now. However he will often jump back up to keep tracking before given the command to do so. However at this point, his drive for the track and interest in the activity is more important then the control and we can always work on that once he begins to mature more mentally.

Recently one of the doberman forums I am a member of had a post regarding tracking by a fellow who is an accomplished schutzhund competitor with a female doberman from the West Coast German Shepherd Schutzhund club. He discussed the value of running "serpentine" shaped tracks with your dogs and his thoughts on how they have helped his training with his dobe. So although I had done them occasionally in the past, I have started more faithfully laying these "S" shaped tracking patterns and I have noticed a marked difference in Dieter's tracking abilities in just a few sessions. The only things I am still struggling with is remembering exactly where I laid the track and so tend to do these type of tracks when either there is still dew/frost on the ground or I have very specific geographical landmarks I can use as markers.

I also recently discovered the frustrations of tracking in urban areas that have resident gulls that love to steal bait off of tracks. I guess perhaps I had been extremely fortunate in the past at this location, however this past Monday, I lost probably 80%-85% of the food from the track after I had already started it leaving only a few meager morsels here and there. I was getting frustrated as I saw these dang birds diving down and stealing my hotdogs - however Dieter had pretty amazing focus considering all the action and he did awesome on the track. No, it wasn't as great as he usually does with his normal food rewards; however he got all the corners, all the articles (which he was even more heavily rewarded on) and he still wanted to keep tracking even after getting to the end. I was very impressed with him!

OB - Coming along well! Doing obedience work with food to continue to work on and perfect positioning. Also doing a lot of drive building for tugs/ball-on-strings. Dieter will do short sessions of focussed heeling as well as knows "here". He will also do a fairly reliable down-stay for approximately 45 seconds to a minute at this point, however is easily distracted. I have started dumbbell work as well. Using operant conditioning and motivational techniques, he is doing very well. Barks at me when he sees me remove the dumbbell from the bag and wants to have it. Check out this link - this girl who has an only 11 week old puppy is basically doing the same/similar to how Dieter is learning. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UDmKX0Qmkg&feature=related

He still enthusiastically runs over the semi-flattened A-frame at the club grounds and he would likely tackle the vertical jump as well, however we are trying to minimize the jumping until growth plates are closed and less risk to damaging them. He also continues to run around whatever he is pointed at for a "revier" command and I likely will likely start pointing him towards blinds and see how he goes.

Protection - He certainly has a strong aptitude for this work and probably his strongest area despite the fact there has been the least amount of time focussed on it at this point. He has a tenacious bark that doesn't quit and is quick and confident when taking the tugs from the helper. We have been very careful with him to ensure he takes everything safely and minimize the potential for any tooth damage being incurred at this point. The training director (George Mills) is especially impressed with him in this phase and made the comment that I might never find a doberman working prospect as strong as this pup! George is very experienced in the sport and doesn't throw around compliments easily (especially with his bias for the GSD...hehehe) so I am very thrilled by his assessment. We will likely continue to take things slowly in order to let his young teeth reach their full potential for strength. An added benefit is that hopefully I will gain further control via focusing more on obedience for now. Dieter is a red tornado when the helper and tug come out and so more control (even a slight amount) wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing ;-)