Doberman WAE Test Training prep?

[matthewmitchell]

I'de like to run the doberman WAE with my guy when he is old enough to. I've never done or witnessed one so I'm not totally sure what to expect. What should I work on with him to ensure he is as ready and prepared as possible?

I've heard he has to attack a guy at the end with a chew sleeve thing. I'm still not totally sure how I train him for that without teaching him to attack people.

Any idears?

 

[doberkim]

No training is necessary, and most do not recommend it.

The test is a basic temperament test - a well socialized, mature doberman should have no problem with any of the stations.

Your dog does not need to attack the aggressor, he in fact, will get nowhere NEAR the aggressor - he simply has to alert and not back down from the aggressor. The aggressor wears a hidden sleeve just in case a dog gets loose, but he does not engage the dog at any point.

I did not train my dog for our WAE, we went through purely to see how my dog would do with the test and see his NATURAL response.

I wouldn't work on anything specific, I would work on training, socializing, and training again.

 

[hbwright]

Kim, you just have an extraordinary dog.

Really, I've been tempted to attempt it when Jordan is older just to see how well we've done at socializing and training and see what we need to work on more. From what I understand a well rounded dog with good temperment would naturally pass the test without special training. We've had to work hard with Jordan to get him socialized with strangers and are just now recently getting to the point where I'm seeing the results of his progress. I think the WAE would be a wonderful testament to his hard work and progress.

 

[matthewmitchell]

Ahh, ok. That sounds easy enough then! I'll just keep at what i'm doing.

 

[Doberluv]

I want to do that so badly with Lyric. I think he'd do great. But there doesn't seem to be a test anywhere near my area when I look at their schedule. They're all half way across the country.

 

[SizzleDog]

Ilsa goes through the WAE tomorrow - what kim says is true, they do not attack the bad guy. They have to stand their ground and alert.

They must also tolerate gunshots, an umbrella opening in front of them, and walking over an expen and plastic, along with the "easier" things, such as metting a neutral and friendly stranger, investigating a hidden clatter, etc.

 

[SizzleDog]

Here's a website that explains the WAE in simple terms and pictures:
http://www.dpca.org/waepic.html

 

[doberkim]

Kim, you just have an extraordinary dog.

Really, I've been tempted to attempt it when Jordan is older just to see how well we've done at socializing and training and see what we need to work on more. From what I understand a well rounded dog with good temperment would naturally pass the test without special training. We've had to work hard with Jordan to get him socialized with strangers and are just now recently getting to the point where I'm seeing the results of his progress. I think the WAE would be a wonderful testament to his hard work and progress.

while i think rah is definitely extraordinary and love him to death, and appreciate your lovely comment - he DID fail the WAE the first time he took it im ok with that, i know his strengths and weaknesses and also know 99% of the reason he failed was stupid handling on his owners part

 

[matthewmitchell]

I thought it was all the dog, what kind of handling did you mess up on to make him fail?

 

[hbwright]

i know his strengths and weaknesses and also know 99% of the reason he failed was stupid handling on his owners part

That is the good part of failing. Failure isn't always a bad thing when you can look at the reasons and fix them.

As far as the stupid handling by the owner, I swear sometimes I'm my dogs worst character flaw. My dogs are perfect, I need loads more work.

Matthew--Dogs feed off of us. We show them how to respond by our reactions and body positions. They know exactly how we feel no matter how hard we try to mask it. If we don't have 100% confidence in us or them then they don't have 100% confidence in themselves.

 

[SizzleDog]

If Ilsa fails today, it'll be because of handling error... unless she chooses to pull a fast one on me, every test in the WAE sounds like something Ilsa will handle wonderfully. Not sure about the gunshots, but we'll see!

 

[fillyone]

If a dog fails can they take the test again?