My response was intended to point out the merit of using a command word, not on how/if the training can be done.
Thank you Scott for your wonderful compliment.
I will try, but I will have to think about it. It was a long time ago.
Steve, Great question.
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Fantastic, and one reason I haven't responded yet.
I've been thinking on how we did it, because you are right, no way is a dog going to be focused like that with just treats.
I did the training on the dog 17 years ago, and want to spend some time thinking on it for a while.
Jake was fully protection trained, so much so, that the Military wanted to buy him for their school...yes, I'm bragging,
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I loved that dog, and he was a true friend.
So with him, yes Steve there was the bite reward.....But we had him trained to "watch him" before he started on the sleeve...I know...its backwards from what I would do now, but I followed the MP's lead, and since Jake was going to be a PPD, we did some things really differently from what I've learned here.
I ended up with a fantastic dog, but I know I would do some things differently now...heck, Marker training was for sissies back then....
We didn't start sleeve work till later in his training. We did other prey building things..I'll think about what we did and write it up.
They didn't use a jute sleeve with him often, they usually used a blind sleeve. They said that they didn't want him to become sleeve fixated, and wanted to "keep it like a real situation....civil"
I do know that they were Leerburg fans, some of the printouts they gave me were off Ed's site....The first article I read from them, was a print copy of "Training defense before prey is stupid!!"
That said, I think that it is possible to train a dog to be a bluff dog, and in this particular case, where the owner is armed, and has her carry permit...I think it is a good choice.
In my opinion, for most people a bluff dog is a good option, as long as the owner knows they are going to have to protect themselves. That is assuming the dog can be engaged and in drive enough to not flee in avoidance. It would take a certain type of dog, that's for sure.
Let me remember how and what we did...and then you can all tear it up and tell me what I did wrong!
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But maybe when we are done we would have a workable plan.
I appreciate the questions that some of you have been asking in pm's and the compliments on the boards.
I do know that there are others here with a bunch more knowledge and experience, and I wonder what they think.
I could be totally off my rocker, but I seem to remember a thread on bluff dogs yeears ago when I was on this forum.
I think Will had some good things to say? or not?
Ahhh can't remember.
Willie