Working Line GSD convert Working Dogs

I find it really difficult to explain, and obviously I can only go by the comparisons between my 2. Kofi is more intelligent (Sorry Shilah ) and picks things up quicker, he is more of a thinker and problem solver and there is much more intensity in his work.

For instance, this is when I first started teaching them to run around something (a cone initially). They were both running around the cone fine, this is the first time I ever asked them to run around something different (a tree).

Kofi is a little hesitant about whether he is doing the right thing but has a go at getting it right..

http://s767.photobucket.com/albums/xx315/kofipup/?action=view&current=080-3.mp4

Shilah....well he just doesn't get it...he can't easily make the jump from cone to tree.

http://s767.photobucket.com/albums/xx315/kofipup/?action=view&current=081-1.mp4

I both practice with them the same but now ( a few months later) Kofi will run around any object from probably 40 metres away. Shy will also now run around any object but I still have to be about 10 metres from it.

Another example is the ball going over the wall...

Shilah is physically capable of scaling the wall and would if I gave him a command but when the ball goes over, he doesn't think to do it himself. He isn't a problem solver at all..

http://s767.photobucket.com/albums/xx315/kofipup/?action=view&current=005-12.mp4

Thats the difference between my SL and WL but of course thats not to say they are representative of all of them!

Thanks, that does explain it quite well, will be interesting to see if the others find this too

I like his height too. I think he may grow a fraction more (as he is still only 11 months) but should fill out nicely over the next year or two, and will then be a very striking looking beastie indeed (imo of course!)

Thank you

It is so hard to quantify - as I am also on my first WL shepherd, but have known others in the past. You never really know how much is the type, the lines, the breeding, the environmental factors, the individual etc etc.

I can only give you my own take from my own experience so far.

Zak is less easily distracted, has strong nerve, a desire to please and more focus than any of the other shepherds I have owned. He would work and work all day, but equally he is happy just doing whatever I am doing. He really enjoys being with me, whatever we might be doing.

He came to me at 8 months, having not seen a great deal of the world and less socialising than any of my other GSDs have received and yet he has the steady nerve and bombproof temperament (so far at least) that I have always wanted in a GSD.

He is easy to live with and is very mature and sensible for his age. That is not to say that my others haven't been easy to live with either, as they have. There is just that special bit of "something" that sets Zak apart (not that I love the others any less). As I say, I wouldn't like to say that is down to his being workline or whether it is his breeding or just his individual nature - but he definitely has "it"

Haha love the little video clips. Shilah is definitely having a "d'oh" Homer Simpson moment or two Bless him!

It will be very interesting to see how Zak takes to agility in working trials. Yogi and I did an initial course in agility a couple of years ago and he just freaked on the dog walk and see-saw. He has a really sensitive nature and nothing could persuade him that these pieces of equipment were safe yet he did brilliantly on the regular jumps, the tunnels and the A frame.

Yogi is an excellent tracker and seems very focused on that task, and, as yet, Zak isn't as focused but I can see it will come and I think he may well surpass Yogi - simply because he is more "up for it" and is far more ball driven than Yogi. Yogi does have good drives for his ball but is more easily distracted by outside influences.

And interestingly, Yogi is more driven and focused than Flame, who was obedience bred. She would master tasks quickly, but then very quickly become bored of them. She didn't seem to have a particularly long attention span.

A few more photos just because (more of Kofi too please!)

A couple of early ones while he was still at his breeder's kennel





Beach babe

Zak is so scrummmmmy

I don't have any recent bitework pics of Kofi. Need to get some.

Here are a couple of videos...

Trying to get a bit of control in (sigh)

http://s767.photobucket.com/albums/xx315/kofipup/?action=view&current=010-15.mp4&mediafilter=videos

First time learning the hide search...(the hysterical high pitched barking at he beginning is me trying to get him under control over by the other hide :? )

http://s767.photobucket.com/albums/xx315/kofipup/?action=view&current=004-7.mp4

absolutely beautiful. thanks moobli. ( looking good champ!!!)

Love his positive attitude in his heelwork in that first clip - did I hear a clicker? I can't decide whether to use the clicker for more focused heelwork from Zak or whether to just continue to use his toy as the reward.

And I had to laugh at the hysterical barking - as that is one of the traits I do not wish Zak to follow. Yogi is a nightmare for that sort of high pitched barking when he is excited about tracking or going for a walk and it is soooooo annoying I suppose it shows they are keen Love it when he comes to stop and bark at the helper though, and he isn't distracted at all by the person with the camera. Brill - and I am so jealous. Wish I were nearer.

Kofi is looking splendid as ever

No worries - I need to get some up-to-date ones.

Love the vids Scout75

Sigh hopefully this time next year I'll be posting my own photos of my WL GSD

.......and me too

Woohoo!!

VERY exciting times :-D

Yes, all his bitework is done with a clicker. The trainer clicks though (not me) as she knows more what we are looking for. I think the clicker makes it clearer for the dog, for Kofi the click is for when he shuts up barking! So at first (in that original clip) he got it after a few steps of non barking heelwork and then the next time we asked for a few more and then a halt inbetween.

http://s767.photobucket.com/albums/xx315/kofipup/?action=view&current=015-13.mp4

He still can't help but let out a bark when he first sets off though!

I would try the clicker training with Zac, because then you could reward at the exact moment when he is giving you the best attention/position. (Oh and video it so we can see!)

The reward with clicker training could be his ball?

great dog. how focussed is that? looks briliant too. thanks.

Thanks both. I usually mark the behaviour I want by the word "yes" but will substitute that with the clicker, as I am sure it will be more precise and consistent.

Thanks

oohhhh loving the vidoes
Zak is smaller than what i thought he was but looking as stunning as ever, can't wait to see pics of him fully mature
Anybody know where i can find out if there are any schutzhund training or WT in leicestershire just out of interest reallly