http://pw1.netcom.com/~endfeld/ruleschanges.html#foreword

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I noticed for the Sch1, there is no longer an attack on handler from hiding, just an escape bite with a rebite. Why is this? What kind of protection dog is one that's not required to protect his handler during a test? Because without an assault, there is no reason to protect. So where is the pressure? If the dog is only required to take a runaway bite followed by a rebite, it's like going after an innocent bystander(this could be Jon Doe going for a jog). Maybe I read it wrong? Fill me in.

Characterizing the 'reattack' as simply a 'rebite' is what's wrong. Yes, the escape is a prey bite. But if the helper is doing his job, the reattack is truly an attack and not simply a prey gesture of popping the sleeve while the stick arm remains motionless. A correct reattack with strong driving and stick hits is an appropriate test for a beginner dog at Sch1.

Would it be correct to understand that after the out, the handler gives the dog a sit command, then the handler can take the stick from the decoy instead of the step back stuff, as there is no longer a pat down. From taking the stick, the handler then can command the dog to heel, and heel the dog into the basic postion in order to start a side transport?

Thanks.

This just doesn't seem like a protection routine to me. I'd just like to know why these kinds of things are pulled out. What's next?

Originally posted by Mike Sanchez:
This just doesn't seem like a protection routine to me. I'd just like to know why these kinds of things are pulled out. What's next? What do you mean by this? I agree in part that the attack out of the blind was a very good test, but the re-attack is also a good test, if done right. It may be a little harder to get a dog passed an attack out of the blind, but as Lee pointed this is a helper problem, not so much a test problem. I for one thought the attack out of the blind was a bit harder on the dogs, and thus gave a little less room for the weaker dogs to pass, but you can unnerve a dog with the reattack just as much if done right. It also depends on the dogs frame of mind. If you have a big prey monster, no matter what the helper does, he could care less where the decoy comes from, or what he does. The sad truth is that I have seen in trials, decoys that simply walk out of the blind, with no real threat to test the dog. So when apllied like this, it really is of nomore use then any other test. It is up to the judges and the clubs that host trials, to have good decoys available to work these trials. It is up to the Organizations to have a helper requirement in place, as most National clubs have. USA is now molding their's it seems, but hopefully you will see more even helper work across the board. And I think overall we have in the past few years seen better club helper work. You don't need National level work at a club trial, but you need decoys, that at least look like they are following the rules, even if not so intense. The truth is if you are not a high level trainer, and you have a weak dog, on a new trial field, chances are your dog will fold with the new rules. That I think is what the rules are designed for. To say it is not a test is really not true IMO. I don't think that the new rule changes are going to impact the sport a great deal. Maybe it will be a little easier for protection as there is not so much of a display of Ob. but that is about it. Perhaps, since there is not so much of the downing and step backs etc, coupled with the fact that the judges cannot pester the dogs, or touch them, you may see dogs that are like what you would have seen or heard about years back.

hey,i kinda semi,understand the new changes in schutzhundI.I'll go to a trial n watch to make sure i do before i trial. Have to agree with lee on the reattack,it can show alot for a young dog.My
question is more on the BH.Now i have'nt trialed since 2000,when i received a BH on a male dog i was working with.Haven't been a member since 2001
of usa no dog to work n other things came up that were more important.Since this time i have purchased a new dog.Will i need to do the written test,before the trail,will it be then or is it going to be mailed to all new particapant.Isthere a copy of this test. Just curious

Since this time i have purchased a new dog.Will i need to do the written test,before the trail,will it be then or is it going to be mailed to all new particapant.Isthere a copy of this test.

If your new dog needs a BH, yes, you'll have to do the written test. My understanding is that it has NOT yet been developed, but that it will be taken at the time of BH, at the trial. Doubt it will be totally standardized cuz then everyone would just memorize the answers.

This doesn't seem like a protection routine to me.

What I mean is, before protection can take place, there has to be some kind of threat. Otherwise, it's just simply not protection. Who is the dog protecting? It couldn't be his handler because there hasn't been an assault on his handler. Heck, the dog is even making the first move now with the escape bite, just as the helper wiggles his toe. That's just like going after someone jogging down the road. If some dog took off after & bit me for no reason, I'd be driving & beating him with a stick too. Without a threat, I don't see it as a protection test. But it does sound like a helper protecting himself from a dog...

To me, the drives and stick hits aren't good enough alone. Because now, with those spiffy new rule changes, the handler decides how the helper committs the stick hits. You see where this is going? That's just a little too AKC for me, sorry. IMO, he either takes them, or he doesn't, simple as that. Remember, this is a TEST...or is it?

I can already here people in the background chanting, Yeahhh, the rules changed! The attack out of the blind has been taken out! Hey, that means we might be able to put a Sch1 and finally breed Fido, who cowered the last time the helper jumped out of the blind! Yeahhh! lol.

Why do I care? Well, because these dogs are being bred. These changes may not seem like much when talked about individually, but when they add up over the years, they put a huge hole in the sport. And with such a test that doesn't have very high demands, and with no test of defense drive, we wonder why it's so hard to find a good dog.

But like Jeff said, I want to see a few of these new trials in person to see how the new rules have really taken effect. Hopefully, I'm wrong.

I'd still like to know WHY these kinds of things are pulled out.