The stickattack seems quite spectacular in the sport of KNPV, but how much courage and strong mentallity does it take to perform this exerzise?
Is this something that could be performed by a medium-dog or does it takes a strong dog? I guess the KNPV dogs are conditioned for this exerzice already as quite young dog, so maybe it is not so demanding like it looks like?

I heard an argument between two dogsporters here in Sweden who discussed which dogsport demanded most of the dog´s mentality. One person said that KNPV with the stickattack was more demanding than the swedishdog-sport which are done over here. The other person who trained the swedish-dogsport said that KNPV and also the intense helperwork in the frenchring-sport are something that the dogs are gradually conditioned for, therefore it may not be so hard that it looks like. He meant that the muzzlework in the swedishprogramm was more demanding, the dog should impact a powefull hit on a man running against the dog, and also guard a standing still man, which the dog are supposed to stop if he moves, which are tested three times with a muzzled dogs, and aslo some more work done in a muzzle. What do the expert thinks, does it takes a better dog to impact powefull muzzlehits, compared to the stickattack in the KNPV or the intense helperwork in the frenchring?

I have to agree with the comment about conditioning. I think the muzzle work is more of a true judge of character, because that is more the less the dog fighting. When you get into the body suits in French ring and the stick attacks, the dogs are somewhat conditioned through training. I've seen dogs first hand fight right through the courage test in Schutzhund (the helper runs at the dog with the stick, supposedly in an aggressive manner depending on the helper), but when it came to a simulated attack not on the SchH field with something other than the padded stick, the dog did not want any part of it. The dogs I've had expierence with in muzzle training, would bite me if they could. I could hear them chomping their teeth together. I guess what I'm trying to say is most of the sports are a fun game to the dog. The stick attack is part of the game. Then again you have those dogs that do take it serious and show it. I guess it's similar to Ed's comparison of the boy learning to fight. If he is really good, a real street fight might just be fun for him, whereas for me, it would not.

I agree with Jason that the Muzzle is a better determining factor if a dog will really bite or fight with a man. Simple example some dogs will bite the sleeve through the stick strokes, but have problem with civil training (on leash and a no sleeve helper) or off leash muzzle he may not actually attack. He is looking for the prey item, its still a game for him. But I will admitt the KNPV dogs do look tough. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

do some dogs know they have a muzzle on and that might be why they don't seem to be "real" dogs? i mean, if the dog realizes no matter what he does that the muzzle prevents him from biting, would he realize then that he is defenseless and thus won't fight?

There are others that can answer this better. I've only done muzzle work once. And it is terrifying to see this animal coming and coming, the scarieder you act or are the more aggressive she/he becomes.

Most the dogs I've seen and the one that was after me know they have the muzzle on but they still try to bite you, through it. If you happen to place your fingers too close or inside the muzzle there gone. They also learn to use all of their body to fight you with. They use their paws, head and hips and you can hear and see the snaps. It is amazing how powerful and fast a 90lb - 120lb dog is. You realize that this animal is just a step away from the wolves you see taking down deers and elks. You also realize how they can do it. I know one wolf can't take down an elk.

So yeah they know its on, and if the temperment is right they will still kick your butt.

You really are acting if you are seasoned, but if you are new to this it is not that much of an act (smile). The dog scrachted my arms up and punched me in the abdomen with its paws knocking me back down, butted me under the chin with its head. As I was acting (screaming) like he was hurting me.

I don't really want to do this again, I would but I won't want to. I think this is a better test of if a dog will actually fight a man not just bite and run or bite a man's arm, the stick strokes. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />