| Discussions over the last few years
regarding the protection phase center around active
and reactive aggression. In these discussions the
importance of having a dog initiate the work is
generally agreed to by most.
The concept of having the dog initiate the work
is seldom discussed regarding the obedience phase
even though the same basic principle should apply
equally as well.
Most handlers fall victim to the dog reacting
to the handlers stimulation be it motivation or
compulsion. The dogs learn to wait or they expect
to wait for the handler to give a signal before
anything good or interesting happens. The dogs
are often stressed or tentative in the trial situation
because the handler is unable to provide help
for the dog to come into drive without losing
substantial points for handler help.
To have a dog sustain drive throughout the extensive
Schutzhund obedience routine it is important to
have the dog able to stimulate the handler into
work. This concept must be cultivated in the early
development of the foundation work.
The young dog can be taught that action starts
when it loads up. A simple exercise such as tying
your dog up to a fixed object, leaving it alone
and returning to the dog only when it barks, teaches
the dog that it can control situations by being
active. This calling the handler back exercise
leads the team into obedience exercises.
The start or sit position can be utilized in
the same manner. Having the dog loading in the
sit/start position is utilized by many handlers
to sustain drive throughout the obedience routine.
When a dog loads in the start position, it is
compelled to remain quiet and correct without
suppressing the drive, and then is released for
heeling or retrieving, the work has the explosive
and energetic drive that everyone loves to watch.
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FCI
Dobermann Standard: