Bite Work and Protection Skills Development with Joaquim Dovat

By Leerburg  |  Last modified: July 14, 2026

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Joaquim Dovat's June Seminar Recap — And He's Coming Back in October!

On the weekend of June 6 & 7, 2026, Leerburg was thrilled to welcome back world-class decoy Joaquim Dovat for another Bite Work and Protection Skills Seminar. It had been a number of years since Joaquim was last at Leerburg, so it was a treat to have him back — and we're even more excited to announce that he's already scheduled to return this October 10–11, 2026.

Over the two days, Joaquim worked in depth with a small group of five handlers, giving each team plenty of one-on-one time. The range of dogs and goals in the group said a lot about how versatile Joaquim's instruction is: we had handlers preparing for ring sport trials, a cute young puppy just getting started, grown titling dogs working toward their MR1 and MR2, and even a brand-new decoy who got to jump in the bite suit for the very first time.

A Master of His Craft

Joaquim is an excellent instructor and a true master of his craft. He tailors every session to the dog and handler in front of him, teaching simple, trial-ready ways to build the behaviors a dog actually needs — not a one-size-fits-all script. Every time we get to watch Joaquim work, we walk away having learned something new, and this seminar was no exception.

Joaquim Is Coming Back This October

We're so excited to have world-class decoy Joaquim Dovat leading another seminar at Leerburg! Join us as Joaquim instructs trainers of all levels — from brand-new handlers to experienced competitors — with bite work in action that'll prep you for protection training.

This seminar is great for anyone interested in protection sports like Mondioring and IPO/Schutzhund, with both working spots and decoy spots available. If you're registering for a decoy spot, we recommend bringing your own suit if you have one.

Joaquim has a clear goal in mind for every student. He'll break exercises down into smaller pieces to build clear understanding between you and your dog, and he'll demonstrate exercises you can practice at home without needing a decoy. You'll learn how to read your dog clearly and develop a structured training routine based on your dog's genetics, personality, and training level.

Good bite work is a team effort — it takes more than a great dog. It takes a handler who can read their dog clearly and structure training around that dog's genetics, personality, and training level. This seminar is built to develop exactly that skill, giving you practical tools to train with more clarity, less conflict, and better long-term results.

Seminar Details

Dates: Saturday, October 10 – Sunday, October 11, 2026
Location: Menomonie, WI
Open to: Handlers and decoys of all levels

What a Seminar Day at Leerburg Looks Like

On Saturday and Sunday, Joaquim will lead instruction and demos with attendees registered for working spots. A typical day runs roughly from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (times may vary — we'll email attendees with more details), with a break in between to grab your own lunch.

Leerburg is located in an area with a great walkway, and our facility has ample parking so you can keep your dog at your car whenever they're not working.

About Joaquim Dovat

Joaquim Dovat's journey as a world-class decoy began in 1999 at a dog club near his hometown in Switzerland. In 2005, he was recruited by the Swiss Army, where he spent 14 years training and selecting some of the country's finest military defense dogs. Always eager to expand his skillset, he also became an expert in training narcotic and detection dogs for annual deployments and defense missions.

Today, almost 25 years later, Joaquim has been selected to decoy for more than 80 Mondioring, French Ring, and IPO competitions around the world, including 6 World Championships. He has shared his passion and knowledge with hundreds of competitive sport dog teams during seminars and workshops across the US, Europe, China, and Russia.

Watch Leerburg's interview with Joaquim Dovat »

Working spots and decoy spots are available — register for the October seminar here »

View hotel and lodging information in Menomonie, WI »

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About Author

Leerburg

Established in 1982, Leerburg is a family-owned business that first started as a video production company. It has since expanded and now curates quality dog training equipment, online streaming services, and online courses led by expert trainers like Michael Ellis. Leerburg caters to trainers from all walks of life, whether they are a beginner with a new puppy to an advanced dog trainer competing in protection sports. Learn more about Leerburg here.

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