Thread: Working dog info

I want to work security.
I had 3 sheps and did training with them but they where the family pets and did nothing along the lines of working training.
I realise that I dont have that much experience, but I am keen and more then happy to go to trainers etc to improve my skills and try and get more experience. My end goal is to be able to work in the security industry as a K9 handler and I will do anything I can to help me achieve that goal.

Edit** Just like to add that I am not trying to be confrontational in any way just that I am really keen to make this happen

Well Michael

I was brought up on GSD back in Europe.
I have found very hard to get the type of GSD that we used to have.
I found that I could very easy get that type in an Malinois.
But these dogs are not for every one. If you get a good one they are demanding and a little different to a GSD.
I find that a lot of GSD trainers struggle with the Malinois, unless they change their way of thinking and train using different methods.

Noe to your question. Puppy vs trained dog.

There are advantages to both. If you choose a pup yes it would be easier to bond with it and to train it the way you want it from the start (providing that you or your trainer knows what you or he is doing. That also leaves a lot of room for mistakes to be done on a young dog if you don't know what you or the trainer is doing. Picking a pup is also an art form you have to have a lot of knowledge to pick one that will be good, and not a lot of people know haw to do it.

On the other hand a mature dog has its own problems.
Sure there is no mistakes to be done by training it the wrong way and you can see the final product before you buy it, but there is always the bonding issue if you are inexperienced and also the What are you buying issue. If you don't know what you are looking for you can get done over, where some one sells you a dog that is a piece of shit but they make it look good. Bad habits and bad learned behaviors through pour training and lack of socialization, are just some of the problems a mature dog might have.

Then there is the price a good pup with papers will cost you about $1500 give or take a little.
A good mature dog will cost $5000 +++++

the best advice that I can give you is to go and look at some trainers and their dogs and start learning and comparing. and then pick one that you trust to advise you.

Adam Vipss

Michael

After a lifetime of GSDs, owning and training Malinois (in the last three years) is very much a learning curve. I enjoy working them and they are a breed which certainly enjoys and needs to be worked, however unless you can get some good advice and see what’s involved with this breed, I’d say stick with the devil you know. Now it’s quite true that getting a good working line GSD is not that easy, but it’s not impossible and there are a few breeders on here who breed good WL GSDs.

You also have to be realistic about your situation at home; have you got kids, are you going to kennel outside, are your neighbours whingers, can you devote the time to training, etc. Just some of the questions you may want to ask yourself.

I’m not trying to be off-putting, I just think that working bred dogs of either breed are a totally different proposition if you’ve never experienced them before; especially Mals.

Before you make any decision, as Adam says, do your research and speak to as many people as possible, see as many dogs as possible, and when you decide try to take an experienced person with you before making any commitment money wise.

Finally, IMO I’d prefer a pup than a trained adult. You at least know what you’ve put into it, so called “Trained Dogs” come with their own problems which some "trainers" may be reluctant to enlighten you about.


Good luck, and take your time.

Thanks for the advice guys.
Yeah I am in no rush to get a K9 at the moment and the info is more for the research side of things. I want to make sure that I know what I am getting into with each breed and the requirements and time needed to make sure I can have a dog that will not only I can trust, but know inside and out. I know there are some handlers that will rush into things out there and that are giving the profession a bad name from the stories I have seen and heard from people and its my goal to not become one of them.
Really I am prob going to look at getting a dog at least 6months from now mabye more, I just want to have that solid knowledge base.
But I am really enjoying just learning all I can at the moment and its fascinating to me that breeds that share so many qualities or traits (Sheps, Mals, Dutchies etc) can be totally different in drive and other areas. But thats genes for you I guess lol

That's Great Michael that you will first educate yourself on what breed and the difference amongst them, in terms of breed/ bloodlines.

Good Luck! You have come to a Great place to start from.....

Cheers
Amy

Originally Posted by John Evans

Michael

After a lifetime of GSDs, owning and training Malinois (in the last three years) is very much a learning curve. I enjoy working them and they are a breed which certainly enjoys and needs to be worked, however unless you can get some good advice and see what’s involved with this breed, I’d say stick with the devil you know. Now it’s quite true that getting a good working line GSD is not that easy, but it’s not impossible and there are a few breeders on here who breed good WL GSDs.

You also have to be realistic about your situation at home; have you got kids, are you going to kennel outside, are your neighbours whingers, can you devote the time to training, etc. Just some of the questions you may want to ask yourself.

I’m not trying to be off-putting, I just think that working bred dogs of either breed are a totally different proposition if you’ve never experienced them before; especially Mals.

Before you make any decision, as Adam says, do your research and speak to as many people as possible, see as many dogs as possible, and when you decide try to take an experienced person with you before making any commitment money wise.

Finally, IMO I’d prefer a pup than a trained adult. You at least know what you’ve put into it, so called “Trained Dogs” come with their own problems which some "trainers" may be reluctant to enlighten you about.


Good luck, and take your time.

Hi John,

I don't agree with the assumption that a working line dog, and I am speaking primarily with reference to the GSD is a "totally different proposition" having never experienced it before. I do agree that there is a difference that a good working line dog is easier to train, more intelligent with better handler focus and willingness to work, but I take that as a positive and not a special feature needing experience to accomodate. A good working line Shephered I would recommend to a first time owner/handler of the breed than I would a supposed softer dog of lesser genetics.

Although I get the picture of what I think you are talking about possibly in reference to working dogs of hyper activity, head strong and dominant with high levels of civil aggression which take experience to handle and raise, but dogs like this in GSD bloodlines are not good examples of balance in the breed IMHO.

Cheers
Nev

Thanks again guys!!
Can anyone PM me some good GSD breeders that they know of so I can start to look into the lines etc.
I have looked at Von forell and Home - Vonammerberg German Shepherds, Breeders and Trainers of Working German Shepherds..
Any help would be great.

-Michael