Just curious, what are the most common types of mistakes inexperienced decoys commit? And I'm referring to mistakes with fully trained dogs. Thanks.

Are you talking about in a trial? or in training?

Listening to someone that has never caught a dog telling them how to properly catch a dog. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Whether in trial or in training, I'd say the biggest mistake new decoys make is putting too much physical and environmental pressure on the dogs before they are ready. Another issue is absorbing the dogs impact so that the dog doesn't get hurt physically or emotionally. A good decoy has told me many times, "It's easy to destroy a dog, very few can build the dog". Good trainers make the dog think that he is ten times stronger than he really is. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

O.K., so I won't talk about the trial thing.

I find that new decoys take a while to get in the groove with the different handler/dog teams when working different exercises.

I also find that they don't read the dog, but do what they have seen others do. A lot want to see if they can push the dog, as opposed to doing what they are supposed to do, which is train the exercise.

I find that a lot of good decoy's mentality is "screw you dog" and not "how do I get across what we are doing" There is a lot of impatience, and wanting to do the fancy catches, instead of making the dog safe.

There are more, like not knowing when to reward, or how to reward properly.

decoys giving reward properly??? I thought handlers gave rewards.

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decoys giving reward properly??? I thought handlers gave rewards.

Dave, the bite is the reward.. and the bite is given by the decoy.

My dog gets "rewarded" for showing a nice guard (ie:he will get a bite after a certain amount of time), he gets "rewarded" for showing me a nice transport (ie: he will get a bite after a certain amount of walking around next to the decoy and not getting dirty), he gets "rewarded" for staying in his down position for a period of time whilst the decoy is running around him, throwing stuff at him, stepping over him.. My puppies get rewarded for a good strong bark.. with a bite on the tug.. you get the idea <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

What does the dog want most in all of this? A bite... who delivers that bite? The decoy..

I've just started helper work this year so I am in the process of making every mistake possible at this point. Trying to read the dog, work the appropriate drives and reward at the right time while executing with proper mechanics is making me feel like quite the klutz. If anyone has any mistakes they want me to try just let me know. I may have missed one <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

thanks sammy

A decoy is an actor, and a canine ESP specialist. He or she must read when to give a bite, how to give it, when to apply pressure, in defense or in prey, when to switch, how to use items of opposition, how to use environmental opposition, when to back off, when to give a prey item, when to reward with gasps, ugghhs!, or other sounds, when to fall down in defeat, when to run away, when to use eye contact, when to turn away, when to be furtive, when to be slow, when to be fast, when nad how to use verbal opposition. Also, the decoy must be a very good communicator with the handler, and viceversa.

The list goes ON AND ON...and this is not even about pups! which has its own set of complexities.

Common mistakes? I think being too stiff is one, moving too much is another, not being physically fit enough, also having zero idea regarding the dogs mind frame, and not knowing when a mistake has been made.

Even the most experienced decoys make huge mistakes...I think the main difference is in being able to recognize, define and correct them.

It's an art...good luck to you...and enjoy the pain!