I have felt that Levi has been progressing really well in the work...still,it has been said that if you don't have the right "kind" of dog that you can never trust that no matter how much training a dog is given, that he will protect you when the time comes...so, how does one know if they have the right "kind" of dog?

Here's a start:

http://www.leerburg.com/101-d.htm

The only way to tell is by having experience with dogs that are proven to bite, and then using this experience to evaluate the dog in question. Even this is an educated guess. Unfortunately, nobody who hasn't seen the dog can tell you whether or not a dog "has it", and inexperienced owners who don't really understand what to look for will be quick to say "my dog is for real" when the dog might not be that great.

If you trust your trainer then go with their input. If you think your trainer is stringing you along with false hopes, then see if you can find an independant 3rd party to evaluate the dog for you. Be careful though, the wrong person incorrectly evaluating the dog can set a dog back in training.

Mike,

What about the whole "hidded" sleeve routine? I agree with you but was wondering if that might work as well?

 Quote: carol boche

Mike,

What about the whole "hidded" sleeve routine? I agree with you but was wondering if that might work as well?

I was thinking along the same lines too, Carol..only at what stage in their training would you attempt this in order to get a correct assessment? Levi has only been training about 2 1/2 months and at 15 months of age wouldn't that still be a bit early to test or no?

What does your trainer say Robbin?

 Quote: Carol Boche

What does your trainer say Robbin?

Talking to him tomorrow...

I just like to have more than one opinion.

Ok, this is a response decribing *EXPERT* decoy and handling skills, it should in NO way be done by any party that is not a highly skilled dog trainer.
Overall there's likely less than 50 people in this country that can pull off this type of testing, so don't get your hopes up that your particular trainer has a highly skilled team that can do this.


This doesn't test "training", this tests temperament, which is a whole different ballgame.
That being said, I believe that a dog can be pressured by an highly skilled decoy without any protective equipment in a set up where the dog is restrained and the distance is *exactly* ( and I mean exactly, to the very *inch* ) know so that the decoy can pressure the dog into either standing it's ground and attempting to engage the decoy or fleeing, which is the more usual response.

The pressure put on the dog is intense and it's pure defense, this is not a pleasant test for the dog or handler.
I'm not going to explain it any further because I don't want someone injured trying to run a test that they lack the ability to run safely.

I've actually hesitated to put this into print for fear that people will try this without the hard won skill-set of knowledge and experience that is needed to pull this off.
If you are not a highly skilled handler/trainer with many years of experience, please - don't try this!!!

Will you should have written a small print disclaimer at the bottom, lol!

Okay, won't be trying that here...however, at what point does a trainer do this kind of testing? By this I mean, how far into their training, at what age, etc.

As you can guess, my first point is that no one is injured in training, and that includes the canines, handlers, and decoys.


Ok, as for your questions Robin, this testing in done on a mature dog that can handle the pressure - so usually after the age of two years old, but it does vary.
As far as the training that the dog has, I'd rather do it on an untrained dog - it's a test of the dogs temperament, not it's training level - There's a big difference there. I'm looking to see if the dog has the rare inner strength to handle a true confrontation ( or as true as i can make it appear to the dog ).

Hope that helps!!