This site is deader then Elvis. Maybe some pictures will liven the place up? 🤔

Andre said:
You look like the trainer in this. Everyone is watching you.

How'd Bomber do with that? He is completely focused on you in the photo. By the looks of it, it went well.
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He kills it every Saturday. He doesn't really need any more obedience. We'll keep it in the routine so we both stay sharp and there's some extras I want to teach but Saturday club sessions will be biting stuff moving forward.
 
MyDogBitz said:
He kills it every Saturday. He doesn't really need any more obedience. We'll keep it in the routine so we both stay sharp and there's some extras I want to teach but Saturday club sessions will be biting stuff moving forward.
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Was this something you have been doing since he was a puppy?

Sick! Been loving the bitework pics.
 
Andre said:
Was this something you have been doing since he was a puppy?
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Group classes? No. It wasn't, but I did a lot of socialization work on my own. It's really the foundation of my early obedience. IMO you can't do to much. Socialization isn't really the right term, I call it "environmental exposure."

I worked my ass of from the time he was 9 weeks old until he was about 6 months old exposing him to as many places and distractions as possible. Now it's just part of our regular routine.

Anyways, this group is ran club style. Meaning, it's a first come first serve style class and everyone gets a chance to work on anything they want to work on. Typically dogs are put up until it's their turn, unless someone requests dogs to be out OR you have really chill dogs that can just be out and decompress.

The trainers I work with came up with the idea. I think it was based on a conversation we had about how bad most group classes are. I'm having an absolute blast doing it. Nothing better than spending Saturdays with dogs and dog people.

I like working Bomber close to dogs any chance I get because he would definitely be a reactive dog without the work I've done with him. But again, most good German Shepherds will have a level of reactivity, they wouldn't be good protection dogs without it. JMHO.
 
MyDogBitz said:
Group classes? No. It wasn't, but I did a lot of socialization work on my own. It's really the foundation of my early obedience. IMO you can't do to much. Socialization isn't really the right term, I call it "environmental exposure."

I worked my ass of from the time he was 9 weeks old until he was about 6 months old exposing him to as many places and distractions as possible. Now it's just part of our regular routine.

Anyways, this group is ran club style. Meaning, it's a first come first serve style class and everyone gets a chance to work on anything they want to work on. Typically dogs are put up until it's their turn, unless someone requests dogs to be out OR you have really chill dogs that can just be out and decompress.

The trainers I work with came up with the idea. I think it was based on a conversation we had about how bad most group classes are. I'm having an absolute blast doing it. Nothing better than spending Saturdays with dogs and dog people.

I like working Bomber close to dogs any chance I get because he would definitely be a reactive dog without the work I've done with him. But again, most good German Shepherds will have a level of reactivity, they wouldn't be good protection dogs without it. JMHO.
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Seems like you got into a great club.

What are some of your most unique spots you've brought Bomber to for environmental exposure?
 
Andre said:
Seems like you got into a great club.

What are some of your most unique spots you've brought Bomber to for environmental exposure?
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Nothing really unique. When he was really small I took him with me every time I left the house. Literally, every time. Gas station, grocery store run, picking up the kid from school, different types of parks, lots of time in the car, I would expose him to noises, sites and sounds. Different weather, out at night, out during the day. I would slam dumpster lids while walking by them, kick trash out of the way, hang out by the side of a busy road, I really worked hard to show him a lot.

The key was, we always did something together when in these environments and I never let him self satisfy with the distractions. I would let him go explore on the end of his flexi leash and I would call him back and reward him almost immediately. I never let strange dogs approach him and I didn't let strangers just walk up and molest him.

He did meet dogs that I trusted but those interactions were short and positive. With people, if they stopped and asked to say HI, I would let Bomber go see them, but only if he wanted to. I never forced it. Again, super short interactions and then I would call him back to me and reward him. But I kept these interactions rare.

His nerves are rock solid. We can go anywhere and do anything. He's in his last fear period and starting to become a little suspicious of strangers (specifically with people walking fast, wearing hoods, things like this.) but that's breed and genetic specific and it's nothing of concern. You probably wouldn't even notice it.

He is friendly with dogs but he does get a little concerned with dogs he doesn't know but after a moment or two he goes about his business. If we're working/playing then nothing can distract him at all. He's 100% locked in.
 
MyDogBitz said:
Nothing really unique. When he was really small I took him with me every time I left the house. Literally, every time. Gas station, grocery store run, picking up the kid from school, different types of parks, lots of time in the car, I would expose him to noises, sites and sounds. Different weather, out at night, out during the day. I would slam dumpster lids while walking by them, kick trash out of the way, hang out by the side of a busy road, I really worked hard to show him a lot.

The key was, we always did something together when in these environments and I never let him self satisfy with the distractions. I would let him go explore on the end of his flexi leash and I would call him back and reward him almost immediately. I never let strange dogs approach him and I didn't let strangers just walk up and molest him.

He did meet dogs that I trusted but those interactions were short and positive. With people, if they stopped and asked to say HI, I would let Bomber go see them, but only if he wanted to. I never forced it. Again, super short interactions and then I would call him back to me and reward him. But I kept these interactions rare.

His nerves are rock solid. We can go anywhere and do anything. He's in his last fear period and starting to become a little suspicious of strangers (specifically with people walking fast, wearing hoods, things like this.) but that's breed and genetic specific and it's nothing of concern. You probably wouldn't even notice it.

He is friendly with dogs but he does get a little concerned with dogs he doesn't know but after a moment or two he goes about his business. If we're working/playing then nothing can distract him at all. He's 100% locked in.
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It's definitely evident Bomber has been exposed to a lot, he's a champ. Great teamwork :)
 
Kaia Murphy said:
I probably need a showline. What made you decide on a working one?
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- Health.
- Drive.
- Physical attributes.

I have a friend who is into Show line dogs and IMO they're not even German Shepherds anymore. It's like a totally different breed, with TONS of health issues. Hip dysplasia, DM, stomach sensitivities, allergies and so-on.

There's definitely nice pet-quality dogs out there. I would look for something like that. I think my dog would be far too much for most people to handle. He's a sweet dog but his drive and energy is on the upper end of what most people (who aren't dog nerds) would want - especially for the inexperienced. Bomber would steam roll a lot of people. LOL.
 
MyDogBitz said:
- Health.
- Drive.
- Physical attributes.

I have a friend who is into Show line dogs and IMO they're not even German Shepherds anymore. It's like a totally different breed, with TONS of health issues. Hip dysplasia, DM, stomach sensitivities, allergies and so-on.

There's definitely nice pet-quality dogs out there. I would look for something like that. I think my dog would be far too much for most people to handle. He's a sweet dog but his drive and energy is on the upper end of what most people (who aren't dog nerds) would want - especially for the inexperienced. Bomber would steam roll a lot of people. LOL.
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That makes a lot of sense, honestly. I’ve heard similar things about the health differences between lines, and the drive question is something I think about a lot as someone still learning.

Bomber sounds amazing, but yeah, I can totally see how that level of energy would be overwhelming for most first timers. It’s helpful hearing this kind of perspective though… it really shows how important it is to choose a dog that matches your lifestyle and experience.
 
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