Aric Buss wrote 04/01/2014 08:30 PM Decoy questions. #389922 - 04/01/2014 08:30 PM
Aric Buss Webboard User Reg: 10-14-2013 Posts: 219 Loc: Canada, Alberta Offline	Hello everyone, I have been sponsored to start formal decoy training. So I have a few questions, such as is there anything I need to do before training starts? I have a decent amount of experience working with dogs for obedience ect. However this is the first year of getting into working dog training. I will primarily be doing schutzhund, personal protection dogs, and police apprehension work. In say 5 years time I wish to be a patrol dog handler,how will going through all of this training give me an advantage for that career field? Any other information you all can provide would be very beneficial. Thanks for reading. Aric.
Top
Bob Scott wrote 04/01/2014 11:33 PM Re: Decoy questions. [Re: Aric Buss ] #389930 - 04/01/2014 11:33 PM
Bob Scott Moderator Reg: 06-14-2002 Posts: 7417 Loc: St. Louis Mo Offline	Get/stay in shape. Endurance is a biggie for a trials helper in particular. Anything to improve your coordination and timing. old dogs LOVE to learn new tricks
Top
Duane Hull wrote 04/02/2014 11:12 AM Re: Decoy questions. [Re: Aric Buss ] #389939 - 04/02/2014 11:12 AM
Duane Hull Webboard User Reg: 09-23-2011 Posts: 2692 Loc: Marrero, LA Offline	Watch, watch, watch. Then ask. I was fortunate in that I have a very good TD. He made me pay attention to the helper work, even before I took an interest in learning to be a decoy. He called me over to where he was working, rather than let me stand off to the side BSing with the casual owners. Most importantly, he asked me if I knew what I was seeing, and he corrected me when I was mistaken. First and foremost, he made sure I had a good read on the dog and understood the work from four perspectives; Helper, handler, dog, and layperson/onlooker. There are a lot of good clips and videos showing helper training, but, IMHO, the good training tips are useless if you don't understand the work and have a good read on the dogs. Sadie
Top
Anne Jones wrote 04/02/2014 05:22 PM Re: Decoy questions. [Re: Aric Buss ] #389942 - 04/02/2014 05:22 PM
Anne Jones Webboard User Reg: 04-29-2004 Posts: 3825 Loc: Northeast Offline	Good physical shape, like Bob mentioned goes without saying. 'Catching' dogs is very physically demanding. Just plain hard work. You can't last very long on the field if you are not in GREAT shape physically AND mentally. Number 1 for a decoy is to be able to READ a dog well. You can't work a dog that you can't understand what & why he is doing what he is doing & thinking. Pups can be the hardest to work. Unfortunately, not all decoys can work pups well. Bringing a very young dog along can be the most difficult aspect of working dogs. Working 'established' dogs is a lot easier then pups. Good pups can be ruined with bad decoy work & any dog can suffer a career-ending injury with poor decoy work. MY DOGS...MY RULES
Top
Aric Buss wrote 04/02/2014 06:16 PM Re: Decoy questions. [Re: Aric Buss ] #389946 - 04/02/2014 06:16 PM
Aric Buss Webboard User Reg: 10-14-2013 Posts: 219 Loc: Canada, Alberta Offline	I have been told by the trainer that I will not be put on the field as the decoy until later in the training. As as you mentioned she doesnt want to risk a dog or myself getting hurt. I will also only be working seasoned dogs to avoid possibly ruining a young pup. Im in decent shape, however when im trying to move around with a 60 plus pound dog on me I may be in for a bit of a reality check. Im pretty good at reading dogs, understanding what drive they are in ect. As Duane said i will need to learn to read dogs correctly as the decoy vs being an onlooker. Im extremely excited for this opportunity and greatly appreciate the responses.
Top
Bob Scott wrote 04/02/2014 11:08 PM Re: Decoy questions. [Re: Aric Buss ] #389964 - 04/02/2014 11:08 PM
Bob Scott Moderator Reg: 06-14-2002 Posts: 7417 Loc: St. Louis Mo Offline	As to you or the dog getting hurt. A good TD will put a green handler with an experienced dog and the green dogs with an experienced helper. Green on green is a disaster waiting to happen. old dogs LOVE to learn new tricks
Top
Connie Sutherland wrote 04/02/2014 11:12 PM Re: Decoy questions. [Re: Aric Buss ] #389966 - 04/02/2014 11:12 PM
Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005 Posts: 31571 Loc: North-Central coast of California Offline	"A good TD will put a green handler with an experienced dog and the green dogs with an experienced helper. Green on green is a disaster waiting to happen." Just want to highlight this, and also say how many pros have echoed this.
Top
Aric Buss wrote 04/03/2014 02:14 AM Re: Decoy questions. [Re: Aric Buss ] #389972 - 04/03/2014 02:14 AM
Aric Buss Webboard User Reg: 10-14-2013 Posts: 219 Loc: Canada, Alberta Offline	Yes, the trainer has made it VERY clear I will not be working with pups, or untrained dogs for quite some time . This sunday I will be observing a decoy, his name is Henry Lee (if im not allowed to post names please notify me). Is there anything In particular I should be extra vigilant about watching?
Top
Duane Hull wrote 04/03/2014 06:39 AM Re: Decoy questions. [Re: Aric Buss ] #389977 - 04/03/2014 06:39 AM
Duane Hull Webboard User Reg: 09-23-2011 Posts: 2692 Loc: Marrero, LA Offline	Watch to see if you can recognize changes in drive. Also pay attention to how the helper varies the personal pressure he puts on the dog, and why. Sadie
Top
Kelly wrote 04/03/2014 09:26 AM Re: Decoy questions. [Re: Aric Buss ] #389985 - 04/03/2014 09:26 AM
Kelly Moderator Reg: 06-03-2005 Posts: 1495 Loc: Offline	Aric, if you haven't already seen them, I would highly recommend the Mark Keating Decoy training DVDs that Leerburg has made. http://leerburg.com/bitesuit-mechanics-dvd.htm http://leerburg.com/bitesuit-presentation-dvd.htm http://leerburg.com/bitesuit-catches-dvd.htm
Top

Previous Topic

Index

Next Topic

Page 1 of 2 12>>

When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.

Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional. The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.

Copyright 2010 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All photos and content on leerburg.com are part of a registered copyright owned by Leerburg Enterprise, Inc. By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.