Dobermashka in childhood
Lovers of Dobermans
It is known that any breed is divided into two groups: breeding and user. The East European Shepherd Dog was bred in the USSR in the service dog breeding clubs of DOSAAF “for the needs of the national economy and the army.”
Adolescents practiced all-around with service dogs, a military-technical sport promoted by DOSAAF. The selection of dogs for breeding also met user-friendly tasks. In addition to exhibitions, competition competitions were held, where the dogs received a total mark for the exterior and work on OKD (general training course) and a special course (usually ZKS – guard-guard service). Even an animal that was excellent in exterior, but without “working” qualities, could not get a breeding rating and access to breeding.
Thus, we can say that the breeding work was with a user group of the German Shepherd breed, called the East European Shepherd. Continue reading
Dog owner training
When at least one exceptional dog is present in the ring, surpassing in all respects the best representatives of one generation, judges can significantly underestimate the ratings of other dogs (even if they were previously rated quite high), but this should not be a reason for scandal: against the background of the best, even good fades.
In addition, from exhibition to exhibition, dogs can have a different “shape”, and handlers can show them to the judges better or worse; it should also be remembered that each expert interprets the standard in his own way, attaching great importance to one or another characteristic as the same musical score is interpreted differently by different performers, although they all scrupulously follow the instructions of the composer.
One should not be surprised at the different evaluations of the dog at various exhibitions: a high rating at one exhibition can be called into question at the next, and this is precisely the interest in participating in exhibitions again and again. If the result were predetermined, there would be no reason to visit the exhibition more than once. Continue reading
How to handle a dominant dog?
Many people, including experienced trainers, misunderstand the essence of the problem of dominance in dogs. They believe that dominance can only be suppressed by force. Just crush the dog and end it! here is a common approach to the problem. In most cases, this approach is incorrect. In addition, many believe that dominance is a problem only in dogs of large breeds and are mistaken. For example, a large dog is able to send you to the hospital, the small of your child. Dominance in all its manifestations must be fought, and if the dominant dog cannot be completely subordinated, then it must be controlled no matter what size the dog is.
Doberman on the sleeve, photo dog training photo
Doberman. Grip on the sleeve. © Photo by Julia Boldinova
Dogs are pack animals, and the best way to learn more about dominance is to study pack behavior. For this, the study of the behavior of dominant individuals in wolf packs should be used first of all. In a wolf pack there is always a dominant pair of animals, which, without entering into direct confrontation with the rest of the pack, maintains a leading position exclusively with the help of various skillful tricks. The main role in maintaining a dominant position in the pack is played, in particular, by body position and posture. Continue reading
