Tracy,
It's the new UKC "Protection" title program. It's basically a revised schutzhund, I don't necessarily find it better or worse than schutzhund, but it is strikingly simular. I do support it because it is nice to see a major kennel club recognizing bite sports and training. Hopefully they will get behind a more indepth program in the future, but you have to start somewhere and I say support them. Hell if nothing else, as an alternative to the "getting lost in the sauce schutzhund organizations". If you are into hard core reality training this may still seem a bit boring, but like I said, I plan to support it because:

1) They are not AKC <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
2) They do alot more to promote working dogs than AKC
3) It is a step in a great direction for a major kennel club

BRIDGE SchH AND POLICE TRAINING?!?


Are you KIDDING ME?!?
This a bunch of people that aren't even skilled enough to be do SchH but felt the need to make an easier sport so that wouldn't be left out.


Think that's a harsh statement? Watch one of their "trials" and tell me that the level of work being done deserved a "title".

The 84 entry number looks a lot less impressive when you break it down.
Out of those 84 entries, 50 of them were in their "Family Obedience" class ( which is *much* easier than an AKC CGC test <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> ).
Seven dogs were in the "Protection Alert" class
which consisted of the dog barking at a threatening helper. Read the rules, that's pretty much the entire title...Not a real difficult title to get.

And 27 dogs in the "Protection I" class.... they actually have the nerve to claim that their use of bitesuits "closes the gap between SchH and Police dog training"
What complete and utter horse cr*p. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />


May this "sport" die a rapid and justly deserved death. The UKC has been completely scammed by some wannabe trainers that are total beginners and they're going to be the laughing stock of serious dog trainers everywhere.

Now Will, Chris has some good points.

It's better than a whole lot of NOTHING. . .which is what the AKC has for protection work.

I'd like to see more and more interest in working dogs, no matter where it comes from. Why? Because it will eventually lead potential trainers to the more serious training, dogsports, and working dogs. . .or so I hope.

I think we need to see more growth of legitimate working dog training in the US, period. Unless this backfires because it's a bunch of dirtbags scamming people, then it will be good.

I agree it is a start at least.(sorta) But where are these people going to go? Here in the U.S. the biggest dog sport is shutzhund. Then that wasn't good enough so they got french ring. When that was just getting off the ground bad things happened and so they started all this other stuff. This is another title that isn't a title. I can liken it to CGC or that STUPID therapy dog title. Oh wow my dog can get petted and not rip some 80 year olds hand off. Sooooo impressive. I wish that dog people were not so scattered to the 4 winds all the time. Weeeellllll I can't do schutzhund so I will make up a sport that you don't have to work so hard for like this PSA. yuck. Great your dog can bite....sorta. I see all these dogs biting halfway down the arm from the pressure being to much. Dat dere dawgs got im sum o thet there, whatcha call it... fight drive. Yeah, thanks.

Have I mentioned ring, sport of the future? Might as well just give in to me right now and we all will do ring. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The UKC isnt any better than the AKC in the respect of breeding true working dogs. I have watched them in the last 10yrs ruin coonhounds, doing a hell of a job ruining beagles and they allready accomplished it with the APBT dating back to the 1940's.
Face it guys. The best way to combat this is for groups of like minded individuals to ban to together and breed/cull working dogs in bite sport to their own high criteria. Is quite a task given the current legal, moral climate and expense which goes along with this endevor <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Good luck

"Unless this backfires because it's a bunch of dirtbags scamming people, then it will be good.'


Well, I wouldn't call them dirtbags, but when you're offering a title for:
A dog getting into your car
A dog walking through a gate
A dog lying down while you prepare it's food dish


I'd say you're into a scam....... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

And no, those are *actually* tests for their titles.
I'm sure that they'll be offering a "housebreaking level I* title soon.

From the website, this was the first official UKC/SDA protection trial. I don't know anyone who competed there or were involved with the trial. So, I won't comment on the level of dogs and handlers.

Granted it looks like a watered down sch. It looks like they are targeting the novice. Maybe, this is what it takes to bring more people into protection dog sports. Hopefully, the UKC can do something SCH orgs haven't been able to do. Get the breeders of different protection breds to band together and start all-bred clubs and get their customers interested in training.

I like the fact you can get a protection title without tracking. Being in a wheelchair, the tracking requirements would keep me from handling my dog in a sch trial depending on terrain and weather.

I like the fact they are stressing the bitesuit again I have trained Ava for personal protection. She tends to bite helpers that don't give perfect presentations in the crotch. That's my fault taught her leg bites from day one.

I wish them luck. Hopefully, it won't become a playground for scam artist trainers.

Will, from reading their website the Family Obedience Title you described as

Quote " Well, I wouldn't call them dirtbags, but when you're offering a title for:
A dog getting into your car
A dog walking through a gate
A dog lying down while you prepare it's food dish


I'd say you're into a scam.......

And no, those are *actually* tests for their titles.
I'm sure that they'll be offering a "housebreaking level I* title soon." Quote ends

It is their entry title. It is to introduce new owners and novice to basic obedience. I don't see the problem with it hell, I think anyone owning a dog as a pet should be required to pass it.

The test is for a 9 month old dog that must be under control while: reporting to the Judge,heeling off leash,sit out of motion,down & recall,long down,walking through gate,loading in/out of vehicle and food preparation exercise. You can see the full test here http://www.servicedogsofamerica.com/family_basic.htm

"And no, those are *actually* tests for their titles."




That's pretty damn funny stuff. LOL