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My current bitch is 4 and she didn't start the sport until she was three, so last summer we had our first taste of any bite work.
Flair and I had been training in Obedience, tracking, agility etc...So it is hard to say if she would have been so successful in Sch if she hadn't already been training in so many other venues.
I think the biggest draw back that I have noticed with having started Flair so late in life is that she can sometimes be a little reserved in the bite work due to her extensive obedience. She has gotten so much better, but little things like pulling on the leash was something we had to re-teach to her as being ok to do in protection.
I also started her tracking with a S&R club, so obviously that is not transferring over very well to the stylized Sch tracking that we would prefer from her. For sure, the biggest issues for us will come from her early foundation in tracking and air scenting. That is just too hard to undo so I will just have to accept the lower scores in tracking for this particular dog.
The bite work progressed very fast. She just seemed very natural - has a ton of prey drive and amazing grips. She needed practice mostly in her striking skills. She would bite nice and hard and full though, so things sort of just sped along in this area.
Last weekend, we attempted our first shot at a Sch1 - it went awesome, all except for the tracking LOL We got 61 in tracking but the other phases were great, and I was really happy.
Overall, I would think starting an older dog might be easier than a puppy. At least with Flair, there was never any freaking out about her development. With the new puppy, that was bought with intentions in competing in the sport, I about had a nervous breakdown every time he did something new LOL
I certainly wouldn't trade my experience with Flair for anything. She is totally awesome. Will we ever win a national? No, likely not. But, her first trial was at a regional and we did pretty good, certainly not the worst team there by far so I think we will hold our own in the sport while having a good time. Most importantly, I will be learning as a handler for the next dog!!
Tamara Champagne and Flair
UCD Multi HIT Ch. Trymine Xzotic Flair v Domtom
CDX, CGN, TT, ROMC, VCX, RL1, HIC, BH, TD, RA, Am RN, Am CD, TDI, CGC, WDS TT, OB1, AGNJ
