It's nearly impossible to find good decoys willing and able to work a dog for protection around here. I think it's liability issues, but Toronto is really bad for it anyway. I train 3x per week in SchH which is nice, but a few times a year, for a week or so at a time, I want to get out to some of the BEST places for PP/civil work in North America.

Any suggestions for a place to get out to a few times a year for 5 to 7 days at a time to work the dog in suit/hidden sleeve/muzzle/etc. in various scenarios from vehicle defense to multiple attacker work? I am looking for somewhere that's got renowned training and helpers, and will really give me my money's worth when it comes to time spent on the field, progression through the training, etc.

When I come away from the training I want to feel like we really made progress, feel that much safer on the street, but most importantly feel like I cannot WAIT to go back again in a couple of months.

Thanks!

I'd post the website for ASR but it's down now while it under goes the big update. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Thanks! So you're saying like an ASR/PSA club? I'd be up for that. Most of the clubs I used to train at were PSA. There's no PSA up here though so it is not something you cannot train for regularly here. Closest is 4 hours away. I tried to start one up, but Toronto is petrified of dogs now with all the pitbull and biting scares.

I would have to travel like I mentioned for a week or so at a time, a few times a year. I'd still need recommendations on a good club/trainer. Just cuz a club is listed on the PSA/ASR site, doesn't make it a good club... Learned THAT the hard way. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Somewhere that could really focus on working with us for a week would be ideal. After training in this way for a few week-long sessions, I think I'd be up for entering PSA/ASR trials to test the dog. Mainly need the civil work to bridge the gap between the SchH foundation and those sports.

An ASR or PSA club would be a good place to start.

As far as private training, there are many, many trainers that will jump at a chance to take your money for this, but only a small number that can actually do the job.
Unfortunately, the uninformed consumer doesn't know what he's looking at in this field, and scams are a dime a dozen ranging from totally unqualifed trainers and decoys to poorly trained dogs sold to the unwary.
< shrung >
Smart people that do their homework don't get taken. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

We've had examples here in the forum ( on vidieo, etc ) of "protection dogs" do very mediocre work but receiving positive comments from posters who didn't have the experience to see the weakness in both the dog and the training method.
Folks like that are why the fly-by-night no experience ppd types can stay in business. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

I've said this several times ( and many people have agreed with me ) that personal protection training ( and ppd sales ) are the biggest source of scams currently in the dog world.
Let the buyer beware.

Your ability to tell the difference will be important to your pocketbook, and more importantly, to your dog ( and your personal safety )

"As far as private training, there are many, many trainers that will jump at a chance to take your money for this, but only a small number that can actually do the job."

And this small number? Who are these guys? I think this is what I'm looking for, in addition to whatever PSA/ASR seminars I can get out to. :-)

Thanks!

There a a bunch in our area that say they do personal protection dogs, but they do not have the feeling or the knowledge to do it.

If people ask, I send to Will......