WAE in Perry, GA- May 9, 2026

[ABCDogs]

The Atlanta Doberman Pinscher Club is hosting a WAE in Perry, GA on May 9, 2026 at the Crossroads Cluster!

I’ve attached the flyer with details below. Entries close on the 30th, but day-of entries should be available! Whether you want to run your dog or not, we would love to see you there!

 

[BGpa]

The Atlanta Doberman Pinscher Club is hosting a WAE in Perry, GA on May 9, 2026 at the Crossroads Cluster!

I’ve attached the flyer with details below. Entries close on the 30th, but day-of entries should be available! Whether you want to run your dog or not, we would love to see you there!

View attachment 160171

Looks like fun, even if just to watch.

 

[Ravenbird]

Looks like fun, even if just to watch.

They are fun to watch! The DPCA has upcoming tests listed, you should keep an eye out for any that pop up in your area just to watch!

 

[JanS]

I think there is one coming up here near Minneapolis in maybe June so I should bring Olive down there. I believe it's a DPCA part of the show.

 

[ABCDogs]

Looks like fun, even if just to watch.

Lots of fun! I went last year and volunteered and took my dog through.

I really liked the way the evaluator described the WAE. She basically said it’s an information gathering resource, not a “test.” She said even if your dog doesn’t pass, you will learn all kinds of things about them.

My dog didn’t pass. He scored great on everything expect the aggressive stranger. When we got there he just stared at the decoy. But I had a reactive dog before him, so for his whole life I’ve been teaching him not to take things into his own hands when he feels uncomfortable. I’ve taught him to look at me and let me handle it. And that’s exactly what he did. So I was actually very proud of him.

By the end of it my dog was starving for feedback from me. The leash got looped over his head when the decoy came out and when I adjusted it off his head he took my slight hand movement as “stand down.” You’re allowed to talk to your dog, but you can’t give any obedience commands or cues. I didn’t talk enough. My dog is usually very clued in on me, so if I take him through again in the future I’m going to make it a point to talk to him more throughout the evaluation.

I’m going to be one month away from having twins this year, so I’m not taking him. I may take him next year though. He had just turned two when we did it last year. A lot of people recommended waiting until 3 or 4 years old so your dog has matured.

 

[Ravenbird]

I really liked the way the evaluator described the WAE. She basically said it’s an information gathering resource, not a “test.” She said even if your dog doesn’t pass, you will learn all kinds of things about them.

The evaluator I had said the same - "It's a pass or fail test, but there are no failures, just learning."

A lot of people recommended waiting until 3 or 4 years old so your dog has matured.

I was told the opposite - that the test is about evaluating your dog apart from the handlers influence, which is why the leash is held on the end with 6' of freedom and no commands. I'd think a younger dog would be more clear about his inborn instincts, where a 3 or 4 year old might be more bold because of training and mature confidence. And again, no failures just learning more about your dog - and if your dog wants & loves your feedback and support/guidance in strange situations that is perfectly OK and is a huge win for both of you to know!

I think it's an excellent exercise for any Doberman owner and especially breeders to learn more about their dogs personality since it was designed specifically for the breed.

 

[BGpa]

Lots of fun! I went last year and volunteered and took my dog through.

I really liked the way the evaluator described the WAE. She basically said it’s an information gathering resource, not a “test.” She said even if your dog doesn’t pass, you will learn all kinds of things about them.

My dog didn’t pass. He scored great on everything expect the aggressive stranger. When we got there he just stared at the decoy. But I had a reactive dog before him, so for his whole life I’ve been teaching him not to take things into his own hands when he feels uncomfortable. I’ve taught him to look at me and let me handle it. And that’s exactly what he did. So I was actually very proud of him.

By the end of it my dog was starving for feedback from me. The leash got looped over his head when the decoy came out and when I adjusted it off his head he took my slight hand movement as “stand down.” You’re allowed to talk to your dog, but you can’t give any obedience commands or cues. I didn’t talk enough. My dog is usually very clued in on me, so if I take him through again in the future I’m going to make it a point to talk to him more throughout the evaluation.

I’m going to be one month away from having twins this year, so I’m not taking him. I may take him next year though. He had just turned two when we did it last year. A lot of people recommended waiting until 3 or 4 years old so your dog has matured.

Thats the other good part about going to watch, to meet the people, decide if the group is a good fit, whether its a DPCA Chapter or one of the working dog or sport dog clubs, hosted by UDC or AWDF, doing the similar temperament tests. TT, ATT? I have to check notes to see which is which and how they differ from WAE, but the point is same- what can you and your dog learn about one another together with good mentors.

 

[ABCDogs]

The WAE is on! If you’re local, please come by and visit! Watch some pretty dogs show off!

 

[remy]

I was really hoping to make it to this cluster. Maybe next year!

 

[ABCDogs]

The WAE went very well!

Took about two and a half hours from the beginning of the walk through to the last dog, and I take a small amount of pride in that since I was running the expeditors station. Keeping paperwork in order and always having one dog “on deck” took a lot, but we had a great team of volunteers.

We ran 18 dogs and had a passing rate of 67% (12 passing, 6 non-passing).

See y’all there next year!

 

[BGpa]

The WAE is on! If you’re local, please come by and visit! Watch some pretty dogs show off!View attachment 160569

Love to be there in person and say thanks to you ABC...maybe in a couple three years when you've wrassled those new puppies under control...

And you are in attendance again.
Thanks for all the good tips here and the other webforum.

 

[ABCDogs]

Love to be there in person and say thanks to you ABC...maybe in a couple three years when you've wrassled those new puppies under control...

And you are in attendance again.
Thanks for all the good tips here and the other webforum.

You gotta move to Florida, BG. I know you’re a Florida man at heart.

We had lots of Floridians in attendance today, including Allforblitz!

 

[BGpa]

You gotta move to Florida, BG. I know you’re a Florida man at heart.

We had lots of Floridians in attendance today, including Allforblitz!

Yay! give @allforblitz a high five, miss her detailed posts but with figure with two high value accomplished show dogs and an ambitious set of goals I figure she is busier than a one-legged woman in a fanny kicking contest...

Have to catch up in person, and I will at a bare minimum check out BYB Bonnie against the scary bogeyman and the gunshot...
And learn more from the working dog folk up north, too. Thats a fascinating side of the breed, and best way is in person I read.

TBH Bonnie is a bit of a scaredy cat but surprises me at times when she faces down a perceived threat, all on her own and
I go "whoa, where did that come from", and "you go girl!"...

PS: Yes look forward to being "that guy" as the Floriduh Man, wrassling anacondas out of the back yard and bbq some iguana on the barbie as needed to protect the dobe(s) and BW.

Guess We'll have to re-up our snake aversion training to add cottonmouths and coral snakes to western rattlers ID to continue our trail adventures, and a two person kayak to fit in the big girl, to keep watch for me..."that's an alligator, leave it!"

Looking foreward to sweaty fun and bugs.
Well, kinda but been there done that, so...