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Date Posted: 12:13:28 06/16/08 Mon
Author: Michelle Convis
Subject: Tracy
In reply to: TracyT 's message, "Michelle" on 05:28:00 06/16/08 Mon

We've bred DDB's for 14 yrs. When we first got into the breed I almost got out of the breed because all the DDB breed wanted to do was fight. I couldn't handle that, as I saw some pretty bad fights between dogues I owned.

So I decided I would breed for softer temepraments, and I have succeeded in getting the temperament I now like.

My dogues have good watch dog skills. Some have good protection skills, but many do not. Most of my imported dogues from Europe tend to have more protection skills, but many of the dogues from my own line do not. And this is ok with me.

I have a .44 caliber revolver and an arsenol of other weapons to do my own protection with. LOL.

I would rather have my dogs alert me and be trustworthy with people, then to worry if my dogs are going to fight, get into a frenzy and then turn on a person.

I won't have that.

Temperaments are very reliable on our dogues NOW. It took alot of years of breeding the most doscile to the most doscile to get what I like.
My DDB's I now have do not fight. I can let 5 or 6 of them out together, all day long to play in the yard, & never is there a fight.
Now if I was to put a male DDB with my male BB... totally different story. But, the male aggression thing you can never get rid of.

We start our pups out at 4 weeks old, putting them on their backs, holding them in certain positions, to see what their reactions are.
Those who act alpha or even food aggressive or act fiesty, we watch closely.
Typically, any pups we feel still have that "edginess" at 8 or so weeks old, we require are neutered or spayed no later than 6 mos old.
We are strict on it. If it's not done, we go and repo the dogue.
With dogs we keep of our own, we always test them with food, treats, toys.... we'll even go and force ourselves into the dogs area (bed, crate, etc) and see if the dog gives us attitude.
If they do, we take the dog down on the floor, lay on top of it so it cannot move, we stare in it's eyes and say BAD DOG in a deep, stern voice.
We remain in that position until the dog completely goes limp, and submits to us by breaking the stare.

We've never had this not ever work.
With some dogs (particularly males) it may take doing this a half dozen times or so before it gets it through their head, but they always do get it.

I think alot of it has to do with consistency, how you treat the dog physically and what level or respect you command from the animal.

And, our breeding practices over the years have helped out alot in the dominance and stubborness.
But you can't discount how the dog is treated or trained.

I also am an AKC CGC Evaluator, so I know what a "good" temperament is considered to be by AKC standards.

They've always said that temperament is 49% genetic and 51% environmental, and I do firmly believe that.

Michelle

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