Post by AmyJo27 on Jan 10, 2013 13:58:01 GMT -5
As many of you know, I have been considering getting Capone trained to do some kind of protection. Perferrably just standing and barking on command
So Friday we left our house at 1 AM to meet a few trainers (Who is from Illinois) in St. Lois, MO (They were there training a breeders dogs, they go there every other week)
We brought Capone with so he could be evaluated.
There were 4 trainers, and they all evaluated Capone at the same time. Putting him in multiple situations to see his reaction. Once it was established that he is indeed a sound dog with a great temperment they took the test a little further, (At this point they informed me that they were hoping to get a little stir out of him) All four trainers would pace around us and one of them kind of squatted down and lunged in his direction--- It was priceless and I was SO proud of my boy --I wish it would have been videotaped.
So imagine this 4 people pretty much instigating a dog. Pacing around doing things to make him uncertain--This guy lunges at him. What does Capone do?? Zoomies!!!!! I had him on a long leash and he lunged right back at the guy (In a playful manner) hit the end of his leash, tucked his butt and zoomed around! lol
It was determined that Capone could indeed make an excellent Personal Protection Dog-- Hes very drivey and outgoing but it would break his spirit because that is not who he is! He doesnt even want to bark in the direction of someone. He he is very true to his breed and that he is everything we love our breed for.
They asked if we were interested in watching them train the other dogs that were there since we made the trip and I of course was dying to see what all happened to make a PP dog! So, we put Capone in his crate and headed over to the training field.
I had PP all wrong. I thought they took a dog at a young age, pretty much torment it and train it to attack on command.
All wrong. Its takes a special dog (Sound, great temperment etc) then tons of obiedence, socialization, and building of confiedence.
This breeder bred Presa Canarios. They had a three 6 month old pups out there then 4 adults.
The pups they were just building prey drive with using tugs and dangling small bite sleeves and training obiedence.
The adults first of all were IMPRESSIVE! IDK if anyone else has ever met a Presa in real life but in pic and videos on the internet you can tell that they are big dogs that are rather intimidating.
In real life- They are HUGE GINORMOUS beasts that are scary as h#ll!
I am not afraid of big dogs. Never have been. When those dogs came up to sniff me all I was thinking was "Amy, dont be afraid, dogs can smell that, if they pick up on that they may bite....its just a dog, its just a dog" Lol. I was scared.
Im not exaggerating--The 2 males, their bones on their front legs were thicker than my 2 arms together. Their head were WAYY bigger than mine. Huge beasts is all I can begin to describe them as.
After moments passed and each dog sniffed us to its hearts content they trotted off sniffed around the field. Eliminated themselves than began to play. Thats when I began breathing again. One of the females then came back over to me and I petted her. That of course, got the attention of the other 3 and they all came running back over to Kris and I. This time around, I felt more comfortable and gave them all a little petting. Kris on the other hand, did not lol.
The trainers let them have some fun then put each dog on a lead and secured 3 of them while the breeder would hold the one that was going to be trained. The trainers got into body suits and the training began.
It was unbelievable watching these dogs that I just petted that the man in the bodysuit just petted change from a dog playing in a field to an animal with a duty. The eyes of the dogs never left the 'agitator' (The trainer in the bodysuit) Yet, when the breeder instructed them to do something, they obeyed. I was fasinated. The dog could one minute be biting the trainer then instructed to quit and the trainer could pet the dog. It was as if the dogs had an off and on button.
There was a level of trust, obiedence, and up most respect between these dogs and their owner. I have never witnessed such a thing.
They didnt obey because they were afraid not to, they obeyed because they WANTED to. It was pretty awesome.
Then the breeder/owner packed up all his dogs and we headed over to his house. His wife made lunch for all of us and we talked. I learned so much from these people. Rel--Who owns and breeds the Presas was such a down to earth guy and the trainers were very easy to relate to.
Overall, we had a wonderful time and I learned a new respect for people who own and raise protection dogs CORRECTLY.
I could say at that point, we packed up our dog and left for home but it didnt end there!!
After we ate we all went outside to his yard where he keeps his dogs. Capone got to play with his 2 females and the 3 pups. Rel was telling me all about his dogs. Their temperments, attitudes, and dogs hes had in the past. He pointed at the 3 6 month old pups and said hes holding them back because he cant decide which one to keep for himself. The males temperment & attitude is perfect but his tail seems to want to curl, the females temperment & attitude is fine - He said hed like her to be more 'drivey' and shes on the smaller side and the other females head is a little small and she simply will not bite - Wont actually bite a sleeve, a tug nothing.
We got to talking about my future goals. (Someday I would like to do dog boarding, grooming, and training at my home --when we live out in the country...someday)
We were getting ready to leave, Kris was loading up Capone and Rel & Tony (the main trainer) were putting away Rels dogs.
We were saying our goodbyes, thank you for letting us join you guys today kind of thing and Rel cut me off. He said him and Tony would like to propose a position to me. Rel then went into explaining that they have 2 trainers that they work with here in Iowa, they could get me to join in with them. They could train me, and I could begin training dogs with them. I told them I wasnt so sure that I am comfortable with having these dogs attack me lol. He said I would be doing obiedence and bite work with the pups. I told him I would need some time to think it over (Due to the fact I work a full time job, have 2 kids etc.) But that odds were Id take the position.
They both said that was fine. Then Rel told me he had one more thing to offer me. He said, take the pup home with you that wont bite. He said Work with her. He said hed give me a list of tasks to complete with her (Training tasks) and when we meet again, they will base my pay off of her performance. He also informed me if I get her to begin biting a tug or sleeve, hed consider paying me what they would pay a trainer that has previous training experience. Kris and I talked it over and took the 6 month old pup with us.
I told Kris when we left, I WILL get this dog to bite.
Once we got home, it was obvious that this pup had taken a special liking to Capone. She really likes him.
The next day which was then Sunday I was working with her, one on one. I tried playing with her with every tug toy we have (We have probably 10 of them ) She wanted nothing to do with them. Even if you threw it, she would run after it, sniff it then trot away. Later on Sunday, I grabbed a rope just a normal anyday rope and began dragging it around the ground and shed pounce on it and throw her head around it but would not bite it. I decided to give up for the day so I let our crew of dogs out. (Bola, Capone, & Bella) Capone immediately grabbed the rope and began shaking it and running around with it. As soon as she saw Capone with it, she grabbed it! She began playing tug with Capone. I grabbed the rope she immediately let go. I held it up, and Capone jumped up and grabbed it. Once he let go, she jumped up and grabbed it.
She wouldnt play tug but she was biting.
Gradually she is starting to bite on her own. Today, she pulled the tug out of my hand. Biting, Check!
I was so proud of myself so I called up Rel this was Monday evening, and told him she is now biting and that I definetly want to begin training with them! I asked him when he wanted her back. And he told me that was up to me. He said I could have her if I wanted, to keep for good. He decided to keep the male and is going to sell the other female. If he takes her back he will more than likely sell her anyway. I informed him NO Presa experience, at all. He said he could send me a bunch of good breed info and he would help me along the way. Kris and I talked and decided to keep her.
Weve now named her Neva (Which means snow storm in Spanish) we thought we would go with a Spanish name since Presas are from Spain.
Last night I met up with the trainers that are from Iowa. There names are Steve & Mike. Steve breeds and trains dogs then sells them to be police dogs. Mike is his helper.
We had a really good time. I brought Neva with me and they had German Shepherds and a Rott. We did obiedence, bite work, and they are going to teach me how to train for tracking. Right now, they are training me before I train dogs which makes me feel more comfortable. My pay is going to be per dog and its really good. NEVER did I realize how much money is in training dogs!!!
We are meeting again this weekend for another session.
This past weekend opened a whole new chapter in my life and I am very excited to see where it takes me.
The people I am working with are very good. Good with the dogs, a good with me.
I obviously have a ton of questions and am a pain in the a@@ because I do not know what I am doing.
I will keep you guys posted on this journey!
And pics of Neva will follow!!!
So Friday we left our house at 1 AM to meet a few trainers (Who is from Illinois) in St. Lois, MO (They were there training a breeders dogs, they go there every other week)
We brought Capone with so he could be evaluated.
There were 4 trainers, and they all evaluated Capone at the same time. Putting him in multiple situations to see his reaction. Once it was established that he is indeed a sound dog with a great temperment they took the test a little further, (At this point they informed me that they were hoping to get a little stir out of him) All four trainers would pace around us and one of them kind of squatted down and lunged in his direction--- It was priceless and I was SO proud of my boy --I wish it would have been videotaped.
So imagine this 4 people pretty much instigating a dog. Pacing around doing things to make him uncertain--This guy lunges at him. What does Capone do?? Zoomies!!!!! I had him on a long leash and he lunged right back at the guy (In a playful manner) hit the end of his leash, tucked his butt and zoomed around! lol
It was determined that Capone could indeed make an excellent Personal Protection Dog-- Hes very drivey and outgoing but it would break his spirit because that is not who he is! He doesnt even want to bark in the direction of someone. He he is very true to his breed and that he is everything we love our breed for.
They asked if we were interested in watching them train the other dogs that were there since we made the trip and I of course was dying to see what all happened to make a PP dog! So, we put Capone in his crate and headed over to the training field.
I had PP all wrong. I thought they took a dog at a young age, pretty much torment it and train it to attack on command.
All wrong. Its takes a special dog (Sound, great temperment etc) then tons of obiedence, socialization, and building of confiedence.
This breeder bred Presa Canarios. They had a three 6 month old pups out there then 4 adults.
The pups they were just building prey drive with using tugs and dangling small bite sleeves and training obiedence.
The adults first of all were IMPRESSIVE! IDK if anyone else has ever met a Presa in real life but in pic and videos on the internet you can tell that they are big dogs that are rather intimidating.
In real life- They are HUGE GINORMOUS beasts that are scary as h#ll!
I am not afraid of big dogs. Never have been. When those dogs came up to sniff me all I was thinking was "Amy, dont be afraid, dogs can smell that, if they pick up on that they may bite....its just a dog, its just a dog" Lol. I was scared.
Im not exaggerating--The 2 males, their bones on their front legs were thicker than my 2 arms together. Their head were WAYY bigger than mine. Huge beasts is all I can begin to describe them as.
After moments passed and each dog sniffed us to its hearts content they trotted off sniffed around the field. Eliminated themselves than began to play. Thats when I began breathing again. One of the females then came back over to me and I petted her. That of course, got the attention of the other 3 and they all came running back over to Kris and I. This time around, I felt more comfortable and gave them all a little petting. Kris on the other hand, did not lol.
The trainers let them have some fun then put each dog on a lead and secured 3 of them while the breeder would hold the one that was going to be trained. The trainers got into body suits and the training began.
It was unbelievable watching these dogs that I just petted that the man in the bodysuit just petted change from a dog playing in a field to an animal with a duty. The eyes of the dogs never left the 'agitator' (The trainer in the bodysuit) Yet, when the breeder instructed them to do something, they obeyed. I was fasinated. The dog could one minute be biting the trainer then instructed to quit and the trainer could pet the dog. It was as if the dogs had an off and on button.
There was a level of trust, obiedence, and up most respect between these dogs and their owner. I have never witnessed such a thing.
They didnt obey because they were afraid not to, they obeyed because they WANTED to. It was pretty awesome.
Then the breeder/owner packed up all his dogs and we headed over to his house. His wife made lunch for all of us and we talked. I learned so much from these people. Rel--Who owns and breeds the Presas was such a down to earth guy and the trainers were very easy to relate to.
Overall, we had a wonderful time and I learned a new respect for people who own and raise protection dogs CORRECTLY.
I could say at that point, we packed up our dog and left for home but it didnt end there!!
After we ate we all went outside to his yard where he keeps his dogs. Capone got to play with his 2 females and the 3 pups. Rel was telling me all about his dogs. Their temperments, attitudes, and dogs hes had in the past. He pointed at the 3 6 month old pups and said hes holding them back because he cant decide which one to keep for himself. The males temperment & attitude is perfect but his tail seems to want to curl, the females temperment & attitude is fine - He said hed like her to be more 'drivey' and shes on the smaller side and the other females head is a little small and she simply will not bite - Wont actually bite a sleeve, a tug nothing.
We got to talking about my future goals. (Someday I would like to do dog boarding, grooming, and training at my home --when we live out in the country...someday)
We were getting ready to leave, Kris was loading up Capone and Rel & Tony (the main trainer) were putting away Rels dogs.
We were saying our goodbyes, thank you for letting us join you guys today kind of thing and Rel cut me off. He said him and Tony would like to propose a position to me. Rel then went into explaining that they have 2 trainers that they work with here in Iowa, they could get me to join in with them. They could train me, and I could begin training dogs with them. I told them I wasnt so sure that I am comfortable with having these dogs attack me lol. He said I would be doing obiedence and bite work with the pups. I told him I would need some time to think it over (Due to the fact I work a full time job, have 2 kids etc.) But that odds were Id take the position.
They both said that was fine. Then Rel told me he had one more thing to offer me. He said, take the pup home with you that wont bite. He said Work with her. He said hed give me a list of tasks to complete with her (Training tasks) and when we meet again, they will base my pay off of her performance. He also informed me if I get her to begin biting a tug or sleeve, hed consider paying me what they would pay a trainer that has previous training experience. Kris and I talked it over and took the 6 month old pup with us.
I told Kris when we left, I WILL get this dog to bite.
Once we got home, it was obvious that this pup had taken a special liking to Capone. She really likes him.
The next day which was then Sunday I was working with her, one on one. I tried playing with her with every tug toy we have (We have probably 10 of them ) She wanted nothing to do with them. Even if you threw it, she would run after it, sniff it then trot away. Later on Sunday, I grabbed a rope just a normal anyday rope and began dragging it around the ground and shed pounce on it and throw her head around it but would not bite it. I decided to give up for the day so I let our crew of dogs out. (Bola, Capone, & Bella) Capone immediately grabbed the rope and began shaking it and running around with it. As soon as she saw Capone with it, she grabbed it! She began playing tug with Capone. I grabbed the rope she immediately let go. I held it up, and Capone jumped up and grabbed it. Once he let go, she jumped up and grabbed it.
She wouldnt play tug but she was biting.
Gradually she is starting to bite on her own. Today, she pulled the tug out of my hand. Biting, Check!
I was so proud of myself so I called up Rel this was Monday evening, and told him she is now biting and that I definetly want to begin training with them! I asked him when he wanted her back. And he told me that was up to me. He said I could have her if I wanted, to keep for good. He decided to keep the male and is going to sell the other female. If he takes her back he will more than likely sell her anyway. I informed him NO Presa experience, at all. He said he could send me a bunch of good breed info and he would help me along the way. Kris and I talked and decided to keep her.
Weve now named her Neva (Which means snow storm in Spanish) we thought we would go with a Spanish name since Presas are from Spain.
Last night I met up with the trainers that are from Iowa. There names are Steve & Mike. Steve breeds and trains dogs then sells them to be police dogs. Mike is his helper.
We had a really good time. I brought Neva with me and they had German Shepherds and a Rott. We did obiedence, bite work, and they are going to teach me how to train for tracking. Right now, they are training me before I train dogs which makes me feel more comfortable. My pay is going to be per dog and its really good. NEVER did I realize how much money is in training dogs!!!
We are meeting again this weekend for another session.
This past weekend opened a whole new chapter in my life and I am very excited to see where it takes me.
The people I am working with are very good. Good with the dogs, a good with me.
I obviously have a ton of questions and am a pain in the a@@ because I do not know what I am doing.I will keep you guys posted on this journey!
And pics of Neva will follow!!!
I look forward to learning much here