Ouch! Got a few nice welts after attending a training session w/my brother's DS and a few French Ring folks.

I remarked at how the slippery cement floor was impeding the dogs from really hitting the tugs/sleeves (training was being held in a warehouse), and my brother said "Why don't we put you in the suit and you can see how hard it is?" I said sure, why not.

What really surprised me was how heavy the suit was. After running around in it (with a dog attached) for about 30 minutes I was totally gassed. Though the trainer is about double my size, so he did say that if I had a properly sized suit I would have fared much better. It did warm me up though...before getting in there, I felt like my toes were going to fall off, and when I was done I was nice and toasty (and smelled like a goalie's jockstrap).

Was also surprised at how much I enjoyed it. It's not in this video, but I started getting creative and jumping up on the boxes and really making the dog work for it.

Here's the video if you are curious. Also, a big thank-you to Konnie Hein. I put my brother in touch w/her during his dog search, and although he didn't get one of her pups, she did refer him to this trainer, and his dog has responded amazingly well. Thank you Konnie!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0Iv4gI0v_0

I guess there's a "Do Not Feed The Trolls" ordinance in effect for my posts. I understand completely, but it's kind of a shame since I hear good decoys are in short supply and I would appreciate some guidance on how to explore this a bit further.

I don't remember you "P"ing in anybody's cornflakes recently but if you're close to Richmond you're welcome to come over and play with my puppies, hell, I throw in dinner and beer

Fun!!! My club just got a bite suit. It's about 10x too big for me, but still fun.

Hey Ross!
I think that you were given the commands correctly and you got back to your feet fast for a newie decoy, so you should feel pretty good about what's shown in that video!

I'd be glad to let Fetz work you on the suit ( once we got you into a helmet and hand protectors, and padded under garment, etc. )

RUN Ross, RUN!!!!!!

We did some running stuff too. 'Twas fun.

@Will--thanks, I appreciate the kind words. I agree about the commands; the trainer really does know his stuff. Again, can't say enough about Konnie's referral here.

@Dennis--I'm a bit far from Richmond (I live in Reston), but after this experience I am going to have to explore this side of the hobby.

BTW, the dog in question is no slouch! I looked up some of the NARA results and the dog and trainer both seem to be competing at a very high level. The trainer actually opened my mind to a serious question about where I want to go with Roger. I'll make a separate thread about that.

The last thing I need is another hobby, but I have to say, that was a hell of a rush and I'm ready for more.

 Quote: ross rapoport

I guess there's a "Do Not Feed The Trolls" ordinance in effect for my posts.

FYI, Quiet weekends are fairly common on most message boards. Posts that may get answered within the hour during the week may go half the day without a reply during the weekend.

I'm looking forward to seeing your video, but can't until I'm at work or school.

 Quote: Mara Jessup

FYI, Quiet weekends are fairly common on most message boards. Posts that may get answered within the hour during the week may go half the day without a reply during the weekend.

I'm looking forward to seeing your video, but can't until I'm at work or school.

I may have been being snarkily presumptuous w/that, but I know that I ticked a few people off in a recent thread and thought that might be tempering people's inclinations to respond. But, thread has been saved. Video is not much, just me getting knocked over by a pretty darned good dog.

Hey you're only 130 miles away, that's close for dog sports, cya tomarrow, we'll be waiting