Obedience/Competition Dogs:
Competitive obedience dogs have a range of temperaments and styles. A very good trainer can handle a stronger and more challenging dog than a novice, and these dogs in the right hands can make some of the best dogs.
Overall, the most important characteristics of competitive dogs:
• Inquisitive: A problem solver, curious dog makes an excellent dog to train as he is always thinking. As long as you can channel his thoughts, he will do well.
• Focused: This is a key component for most types of training, but you want a dog that can maintain focus on you rather than the environment.
• Highly motivated: Competitive dogs can be either food or toy/prey motivated, but a high level of motivation is important to overcome the repetitive nature of competitive practice. Many Schutzhund and agility dogs are primarily toy/prey drive motivated dogs.
• Good nerves: While these dogs aren’t always on the same level of unflappable as service dogs, the more secure the competitive dog is, the more reliable he will be as a performer.
• Biddable: A dog that wants to work for you and/or the motivation makes a good training partner. Independent dogs are far more challenging to work with and are not ideal as competitive dogs.
Working Dogs: Police, Military, Search and Rescue
These dogs are usually ‘harder’ dogs. By this I mean they are not always the soft and gushy dogs that are loved on. Many of them would not make ideal pets and are better suited to this line of work.
The typical working dog in this capacity is 100% toy/prey driven usually to a point of annoyance in the average person. The two most important characteristics in these dogs are drive and focus.
The best way to describe it is this: These dogs live to play. They would play toys with any person, including a stranger, in any location with anything happening, for as long as possible without tiring of the game. The key is that the dog maintains such a high level of focus so as to block out external stimuli.
These dogs can keep their minds on the job or task at hand, even highly repetitious work and be very reliable because they are so motivated by toys. They know that they will be continually rewarded with their toy.
In addition to focus and drive, a few more traits these dogs should possess:
• Stick-to-it-ness: These dogs finish the job no matter how tired they are.
• Courageous and confident: In the face of danger, they will continue on. These dogs willingly put their lives on the line for handlers without thinking twice.
• Super strong nerves: These dogs are not easily flustered at all. They can handle a high level of stress on the jobs without breaking down.
Every puppy starts out with a base level of abilities, and then it is up to the new owner to develop the puppy to its ultimate potential through socialization and training. It is important to note that puppies do go through personality changes up through 6-9 months of age, so always learn about the parents of your puppy and its pedigree to make sure it is line with what you are looking for.
Many nice dogs come from shelters and rescue groups and make excellent training and working partners. It is easier to judge these dogs starting at 6 months as the base genetic personality is obvious, and you can see what you have to work with. Many government working dogs are obtained from shelters between the ages of 6 months and 1 ½ years of age.
First determine what kind of working dog you would like to have and then seek out the dog that best fits those traits. Look for a puppy or dog that is interested in food and toys, seeks you out for the motivation, attempts to figure out how to obtain it, is not easily bothered by the environment and appears adaptable.
Then it’s up to you! All dogs can be trained, but remember some are better suited to certain tasks, so select the most appropriate dog for the job.
