I wasn't sure where to post this question, but I was wondering,
what is the role of the whip during manwork?
and when should it be used and on what dogs?
I did a search on the forum but didn't find anything to answer this, so i hope that i'm not asking a question that has already been asked!
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Hi, well Im new to the Schutzhund world and my trainer has introduced my 15 month old GSD to the whip. He cracks it to make noise to get him used to the sound. In fact this is funny... my Kane is still real puppish. I didnt start training real early like some people and he LOVES the sleeve. Since Im doing protection he has to learn that the bad guy isnt going to be wearing a sleeve. So we are starting to introduce him to things other than the sleeve. When my trainer had the whip cracking he was barking but stood against me for comfort. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> This was all new to him... where was the sleeve? But the minute he brought the sleeve out... complete confidence... deeper bark etc. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />Basically you want your dog as confident as possible and used to different sounds, objects, etc.
Again Im new to this and I dont know it all but this was my experience.

Thanks for your experience <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> and lots of luck with your dog.
I guess that its maybe a silly question to ask and that the whip is used to build up drive in prey or defense, depending on how one would use it. but the thought of it popped into my head, of why should we use a whip or not, i mean is it better to use it in the training of manwork or doesn't it make a difference? i think that is what i mean <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> oh well, it seemed like a good question <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

This is a very hard subject to teach, especially on a web board. The whip is a tool for the helper to use when training a dog. You can use this wip to train in kill prey not toy pray, but you wouldn't want to make a crack with it. more of a swing movement to get the noise of the line slicing the air. Each dog is different and worked accordingly to where it is at and what it is giving the helper. I have seen dogs that have been poorly trained by someone who relies on the whip as there only tool in training. This is huge misstake. You can often acomplish a lot by the helpers body position, movements and good handeling. I can't really think of how to mention everything that goes into whip use. Some times it can be used to make a dog a little un sure, so that he can become stronger, sometimes it is used to make power in the work-make it more seriouse, sometimes it is used to aggitate them or make aggression, sometimes for kill prey. Useing the whip is like an artist using a paint brush, many different effects and paintings can be made from it, it is all in the artist useing it. Same thing for the dogs and the helper. It just depends on the dog and the knowledge of the helper. Not everyone can use a paint brush and paint a master piece, more often it is a mess. Same goes for whip use. Someone who has not learned how and when to use it can make a real mess, confuse drives, and make a hectick dog.

-Im not sure I was very clear for you, very tough question, and sooooo much to talk about in regards to it...
-best, Chet

I personally don't like using a whip - like Chet, I feel it's used too often, and becomes a cruch for lower drive dogs. I've seen *many* dogs that are very reliant on the whip to bring out their drive, and without a popping whip, they'll actually stand around just looking at a helper - needless to say, these dogs score poorly at trials.

If a helper can't envoke defense and aggression out of a dog just by using presence and body movements, that helper needs to work in prey only and leave the defense work to other helpers.
Just my opinion, of course.

Thanks guys!
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that is very clear and that is what i wanted to know <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />