Schutzhund is a canine sport done by bigger dogs, I think it's mainly German Shepherds but I think Rottweilers and other large breeds can also compete. Basically there is tracking (finding a scent on a trail), obedience (self-explanatory) and protection where the dogs are taught to bite a sleeve that fits over the helpers arm. You can go up in difficulty and more is expected of the dog, but we're still at the basic stages.
Have you ever read the children's books about Biscuit? Well, my Biscuit has that same happy-go-lucky, I love everyone disposition. So imagine my HUGE surprise when I find out that this dog is a natural for protection (I shouldn't have been SO surprised since his father has multiple titles), but I was.
To compare and contrast the 2 sides of Biscuit:
Here is Biscuit running around and barking under the trampoline as the kids are jumping. He is actually TRYING to get them to jump on his head. No, I don't understand where that instinct comes from. He's weird.
What is that in his mouth you might ask? (and please ignore the state of the trampoline- Ginger eats her way in so she can jump too)
Well, sheesh, it's a trashcan lid. What else would it be? He's weird. Notice his pink nose? It's from him scraping it along the bottom of the trampoline.
This is home Biscuit. Weird, airheaded but an absolute joy of a dog.
Here is Schutzhund Biscuit. This is the breeder/main trainer helping my challenged self get the harness on. (I've been doing this FOREVER, I can't get the damn thing on without help. Sad, I know!)
(please notice my nice thigh, the rest of me is disgustingly chubby but my legs are hot!) sorry
Here is Biscuit as we bring him on the field and he starts prancing with happiness while on the line. I'm telling you this dog LOVES this sport!
Here he is starting to bark. Once they see the helper (dude in the body suit with the sleeve, who is a little bit my hero) they are to bark "convincingly". This dog has a gay bark day-to-day, but when it comes to this BIG.SCARY.BARK.
Hard to reconcile this dog with a trashcan lid carrying, gay barking dog who TRIES to get his head jumped on, isn't it? Notice his paws though- he's still prancing. I stick my hands in that mouth all the time with no fear. He is very well trained.
Now here comes the helper. The dogs go crazy for this point. It gets their prey drive going full force (and they know that ONLY the helper is the one to go after -we have a few dogs who might attack the rest of us because you can over breed that protective trait, but my dogs aren't part of that contingent)
Look at his perfect targeting! It has nothing to do with the idiot on the other end of the rope (me) this is all Biscuit.
And finally they are to hold on to the sleeve while they are dragged a short ways and then "given" the sleeve.
The funny thing is Larry is wearing a puppy suit for Biscuit, he's that convinced he won't bite him. Larry did Biscuit's initial training. All kudos go to him.
And finally the reward: Biscuit gets to run in a circle with the sleeve that he "won". This is his happy ears back dance.
Did you enjoy this trip through Sschutzhund defensive training? These dogs LOVE it, we don't force any behaviors, if they don't like it or they don't get it, we just don't train them on it. I absolutely love it, although the kids get bored after a couple hours. Silly kids.
