Starting dogs in defense vs. prey

[islandRott]

Why don't you like to start dogs in defense when developing a protection dog?

[judgemenot]

I like to do it actually. I believe there is a certain dance to it and has definately become a lost art form in alot of dog training today. That said, I don't normally do it till the end of training a dog as sometimes it can give you a very nervy dog who puts itself into a defence role long before handler needs it there. Also I like to get the dog started at around 4 months with bite imprints and you have to have a pretty well aged put to even work in defence.

[islandRott]

First I'll state that nowadays I will not train a dog that I do not feel has the potential for the work. Years ago I felt it was my duty to bring every dog I've taken on as far as it could go. I no longer do this. I have predetermined expectations and if in my evaluation I see that the dog has less than what it takes I refuse to train it. I'm not only talking about dogs that would be a danger if agitated because they're unstable in the first place. I'm talking something as simple as a client who wants to have the security of knowing their dog will engage a would be assailant and I know that at most I can produce a threat dog. Sometimes I can't make this determination until I start training and it is precisely by starting in defense that weaknesses become apparent.

I hate working weak dogs from all aspects. I don't like it when progress reaches a standstill and I know that no matter what I do the dog has hit the bottom of the barrel as far as what it has to offer. And they take much more effort to work.

Having said that it is apparent that as a prospect I will be starting with a good dog that I will be looking to develop into a good protection dog. To achieve this end I will start it in defense.

I gotta turn in for the night and will post some more tomorrow.

[judgemenot]

Of course all dogs should be tested to see if they even have the nerves to do proper protection training prey, or defence started. I think most properly experienced trainers are doing at least that before starting these days. I know I test a dog in defence, I just step over to the other side of it when they test good. Also again, its tough to test and work a 4 month old puppy in defence but you can get their grip right and ready in prey.