VGP age

[pixie bee]

I have noticed that some dogs pass VGP before 2 years old. Does this make a breeder consider a dog like this more so when choosing a breeding?
I would think this happens more with experienced trainers and requires the "right" dog. What is different about dogs that pass under 2years old that makes a VGP I possible?

Francine

[dutchie]

I think that a dog that goes through the VGP before th3 age of 2 would be a combo of 3 things...

Mozart like Natural Ability
fairly experianced handler (3+ dogs through the events)
and a VERY quick learner with the handler being able to extensivly train 1-2 hours per day every day

I was reading about a stud dog that was a VGP1 at the age of 17 months, But that was a breeder that was training him and had bundles more time then someone like myself... and put more hours in with that dog then his other ones

not that I am saying that is a bad thing i just don't have as much time as a this pirticular person so I am fairly confident that my dog will not be going until 3-4 years old!!

dutchie

[Manny]

Since I have not done it, I guess can only assume. I think many dogs could do it. That it requires dedicated training and experience.

Not only experience in training but in reading dogs. I do not feel every dog could do it. Some mature later, some can not stand the pressure at a young age.

Some dogs might never pass a VGP no matter the age. Sometimes it is just the handler.

I think a primary difference would be that to get a dog through the VGP at a young age that every bit of training you do is for the VGP. That from day 1 when you start training your goal is a VGP dog.

So many of us train a dog for the test at hand the Derby, then we train for the Solms then hopefully for the VGP.. Were as we should decide our goal to begin with and shoot for it. If somebody wants to go to Harvard they can not wait to prepare until they are ready to enter college. So it is with our dogs, if I want a young VGP dog or a VGP dog at all the training should be for that from the beginning..

Just thoughts by somebody who has not done it, but this would be my game plan if I was to do it.

The main think in testing a dog In VGP at the age of 2 years old i think is starts at very 3-4 months old the VGP IMO,Takes allot of time and experiences by the handler, is most about how obedience the dog is,
Obedience will help you to go through everything from A to Omega at list this is what I know from my own experience
Obedience can be don in the back yard or in the family room and they will move on in tho the field, and the dog have to have some ability's also
Most dogs will fall on blood track or receives in VGP.
if you force fetch the dog very well you not going to have a big problems
in the only category you need to have a 4 is the blood tracking on some areas you can get 2 and still pass with price 1 as long as you meet the minimum points,
The other thin I know is most handlers will panic if they get 3 on pointing and 3 on water,the dog can read the handler and everything start to go down heel

If a dog can pass the VGP in 3-4 years old it is nothing wrong with it

Manny

[Jorg-Kalt]

Dogs cannot be admitted to the VGP in the same year they are whelped.

If you can get through the “blood tracking”, FF with the larger “fox” and “steadiness” while teaching a dog the other basics. A Derby-Solms-VGP training year is do able.

I think a tall order for us normal trainers.

Notice how many dogs do the Btr during February - March in Germany before their first Derby.