Just lookin for some people to work with in Miami or at least not a far drive from me. I would love to help someone out with training and work some scenarios in return.

snmtazz@yahoo.com
Sgt Matt

I'm a little too far North, but if you know of anyone in the Vero Beach area, plz have them get in touch with me.

I'm in Fort Lauderdale....right in the middle.
If you guys wanna meet each other half way, feel free to come over my house lol.....i could have coffee ready and everything!

That wouldn't be to far, I have some equipment. Any other people interested or closer?


Sgt Matt

I'm still looking for people or a decoy who wants to do some work. My decoy/helper has been out awhile because of an injury (not dog related).


Sgt Matt

I'd be interested, and have been thinking about it off and on since your post (but nothing more than "just thinking").

The reason for the "just thinking" is mostly because i am as green as they get when it comes to dog training --so i don't know if i would still qualify as a candidate for your dog. I've read in numerous threads that you pair up a green dog with a veteran agitator, and vice versa...a veteran dog with a green agitator. Am I right to assume your dog is a veteran at this? And that you, also, are a veteran (at this)?

Now that you've reposted, I'm re interested....

First, I'd like to run it by my trainer/agitator first. He's the dog expert, and has made such huge progress with my otherwise soft/submissive dog, that i would hate to screw it up. We have a session this coming Tuesday (August 21st), I'll ask him then.

Second, I'll have to run it by my wife. After all, she IS the pack leader

I am not a veteran by all means. I have experience but I'm learning all the time. I've worked alot of obedience but fairly new to protection/service work (2yrs). I just love the work.


Sgt Matt

Well, as far as you working my dog....I'm just itching to say yes...but it's something that I definitely have to discuss with my trainer first.

And as far as me working your dog, I would also love to just say yes too, but I guess its not that simple.

In the last 4 months of protection training with Cleo (the ONLY 4 months), I have always been on the "safe" side of the leash. As much as I want to learn the agitation side of the leash, I have to keep in mind that I have two kids in diapers ....and pushing 40, my illusions of immortality and bravado have almost completely left me.

I'm not trying to weasel out of anything here, I just need to feel reassured that what we're talking about here is safe. I can already imagine a 120 lb GSD bearing down on me off leash LOL ! And worse, I can imagine me not doing the right thing (my agitator showed me some sleeve technique a few weeks ago - not much, just enough to make me realize there's more to it than just sticking your arm out and feeding the sleeve to the dog)

Anyway...now the gears in my head are REALLY spinning!

So with all that ranting above....
How old is your GSD?
How long has he been doing protection/bite work?
How much does he weight?
You say you've been in protection for 2 years, how much of that time as an agitator?

Anybody else watching this thread have any wisdom/insight/opinions ?

AntonTopole,

Quick note, unless there is a problem with your dog, and your dog being soft might be big enough of a problem. Then I don't see why any trainer would want you to limit your self to one decoy. Now considering your dog is soft he might not want him working with anyone else *yet* because a lot of work can go down the drains with one bad catch.

Anyhow good luck to you two, wish i could help.

Hi Matt,

You might want to try and get hold of Tony Guzman with Metro-Dade K9. He's a civilian trainer and dog vendor with a lot of experience. Here's a link.

http://www.metrodadek9.com/page/page/1798209.htm

If we can wrangle enough interest, maybe we can have a meet and greet as well as some training in a location somewhere in cental/s Florida. I'm all for it.

Howard