Dog is 7 months old. No helper yet, probably gonna take a
while before we can make it to one. Building drive at the moment, teaching him focus and grip per Bernhard Flinks' style. I'm wondering how far I'm supposed to take him on my own, what stuff I can teach him to make the helper's life easier in the future...send away, bark and hold, etc.? Will it be okay to do sleeve-work in prey by myself (or on a friend)? I've introduced him to the sleeve a couple of times, just to see what his reaction was, and he bit it naturally, really full bite, seems to like it more than the dinky tugs I have.

Oh, and earlier I made a fat tug out of jute (all the things I have are french linen), since he seems to like stuffing his mouth with something like the sleeve. He bit it but kept regripping and mouthing and once he won it he wouldn't hold it and kept spitting it out. Strange for him. Should I get worried, or was this probably just something he needs to get used to?

My goal for him is Schutzhund first, just enough for titles, then hopefully onto personal protection.

Sounds like you need the video Preparing Your Dog
for the Helper. It should answer most of your questions

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I didn't realize there was something like that. Thanks.

i just finished watching that video. i swear it was worth every penny. every question you just asked is answered in it. i agree, give the video a try. i mean we could sit here and tell you what you are possibly seeing but, by watching the video it will teach you more then we can explain. it well be worth it trust me.

I have watched that video as well. From it I did indeed learn how to take my dog beyond the content learned in the grip video. There is tons of info in there but I don't really recall the video answering Kristine's exact question. I am also curious about the answer for my own training. So.. when do you stop training your own dog in protection and REQUIRE the assitance of a helper? What type of proficiencies or signs do you look for? I'm sure this is one of those "grey" answers that vary from dog to dog but hopefully there are a few hints here on the forum. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

This has become one of my favorite video's ( I was at the seminar where much of it was filmed ), you can save yourself a lot of field time and frustration by following the information provided in the video.

Preparing Your Dog
for the Helper
"The Foundation of Grip Training"

with Bernhard Flinks

DVD 310-D

Will,
I agree with your comment, this video has been invaluable to my training. But I am wondering when enough is enough and it is time to move on to a helper (same as Kristine I think)? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I have been considering The First Steps to Bite Training for this, as the summary, on the Leerburg main web site, mentions this point specifically. What do you think? Also, how do Ed's "Flinks Tapes" tie in with the above mentioned video?

The last question is for any takers. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Kristine regarding the question of moving onto a helper well,that really depends on the dog, my husband trained our one bitch on the sleeve, she loved it, she was a an easy dog high prey drive medium defence drive, the other bitch we had was the opposite good balance of both, but had tendency to get a bit dirty,drop the sleeve and start looking at the legs <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> so I worked her with an experienced helper, she was also more bonded to me, and if my husband so much as raised his voice at home she would position herself next to me and growl, we had to work on this
otherwise we would have both been looking for new homes <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />If you feel that you have done the foundation work, well and the dog is biting full and holding well,
you may need to start looking for a helper.

i really think that as long as you are keeping it in all prey easy fun for the dog you can decoy yourself. there is no real set, ok the dog is 12 mo go to a helper now. once the dog reaches MENTAL MATURITY then you can start with defense. NEVER work your own dog in defense. it is a very bad idea. if you are just playing with no stress on the dog then you should be good to go. heck even work on bite gipping until that maturity or leg bites.

 Quote:

But I am wondering when enough is enough and it is time to move on to a helper (same as Kristine I think)?

When the dog can :

-Strike the prey item good
-carry and hold the prey item without mouthing
-run in a circle without mouthing
-come into our arms and stand calmly without mouthing
-has a firm hold on the prey item
-out the prey item in a manner that does not promote chewing
-And when the dog has learn the technique of the escape, attack and courage test without mouthing

When all this is done you add a second handler to work the prey item. This would be the first step in adding in the helper. The video also shows how to do this.