This is normal training for most PSD's. It is something that should not be ignored as the possibility of such an incident is high on the street, especially for a PPD. It takes some real balsey thugs to gang up on a cop (then again, maybe not), if they'll do that then they won't think twice about doing it to a civilian. The thing about thugs is...most don't have the balls to go it alone. They prey in groups and on the weak.

The issue in this training is that it has to be constantly worked on as part of the training regiment. A lot of highly prey driven dogs won't disengage one perp to hit another. Dogs with good fight drive have the same issue but are easier to convert. Both sort of dogs are very happy to let their handler take a butt whippin as long as the dog has theirs (fun/fighting their own opponent).

I've found that a dog that enjoys the fight is easier to convert to multiple people than high prey drive dogs. Basically I teach the dog to engage multiple persons by having the second, or third decoy attack the dog while he is on a bite already. A civil dog that enjoys fighting will convert easier to the new opponent if that new opponent steps up the game over the one the dog currently has hold of. Its only a matter of more training after that.

After saying all this....Doing too much of this work will possibly negatively affect your dogs' performance later on. Too much multiple attacker work can cause the dog to be chewy, lose focus and later have commitment issues.

Is this training a must for PPDs and PSDs? Absolutely. Is it normal practice nowadays? I think so. To me its just another exercise to ensure of a well rounded protection dog.

I'll be starting a new thread in the Police section in reference to another must-do training exercise for Police and Civilian protection dogs. You'll be amazed at some of the real life outcomes of such training, and what some would predict their dogs would do in such situations.

Howard

Good post Howard! My question was exactly how would the dog react to multiple attackers in the sense of not just hitting one and then re-engaging to hit another. In a real scenario it's more than likely to have two or three attacking the dog at the same time especially if one of their buddies is getting chewed.

It's kind of movie-like to attack one, then another, then another, etc. Sort of like the old "karate" movies in which the bad guys attack one at a time.

Hi Enrique,
You have to remember that the goal of the scumbag is to do the crime fast, no witnesses and above all...no personal injury to himself. There's no reason for more than one person to attack the dog unless they are helping out one of their friends whom the dog has a hold of. A dog that will engage multiple threats lets those threatening take something extra with them...Pain. The infliction of major pain (and dog bites hurt like hell!) causes most people to run from that which is the root of the pain.

A person should help his dog out if the dog is getting whipped. Sometimes thats not possible. If not, then the dog has done his job and hopefully he survives the incident.I imagine that after the dog has let go of everyone in that situation that the bad guys will do one of two things....They will run away, or they will escalate into possibly deadly assault because the poor victim actually had the stones to stand up to them. In the latter, I always have a .45 ready to screw into their ear if they want to play rougher.

Responsible personal protection is a multi-layered affair. If you aren't willing to help your dog out then maybe the use of the dog should be reconsidered. Even a physically challenged person can pull the trigger on a firearm, stun gun or pepper spray.

So, not all incidents can be trained for but the training should be done none the less.

Howard

Awesome post Howard! Believe you me, I have my 9mm Glock ready for combat. I will defend those I love including my dogs. I am not the type to run away when my buddy's getting whipped .

Good post, very insightful. Thanks.

enrique

Here is a thought

Came from a K9 trainer of the french foreign legion, so i can't take credit from it but unfortunatly i've forgot the guy's name

In a worse case scenario a dog gives you 3 seconds to react. fight or run. 3 seconds is enough to overcome the adrenaline shock and react efficiently
In a best case scenario the precense of the dog will avoid the attack

If the bad guy goes for you he is open for attack from the dog
If he goes for the dog you can nail him

Greetings

Johan

Also very right Johan. My point was though the marketing of these dogs. Imo a lot people will buy a PPD in hopes the dog will take care of every confrontation. So my comment is more towards people selling dogs saying they can do such or such against these or so many attackers. I believe it takes a pretty special dog to do that...

True

 Quote: enrique muniz

Also very right Johan. My point was though the marketing of these dogs. Imo a lot people will buy a PPD in hopes the dog will take care of every confrontation. So my comment is more towards people selling dogs saying they can do such or such against these or so many attackers. I believe it takes a pretty special dog to do that...

Enrique, it's not like there are a sad lack of "special" dogs.

I will agree. I first stumbled upon this site doing some initial research on GSD's then PPD dogs from website search hits. If I had never run across this site I would be "in the dark" about some very important training and OB techniques!

I was first memorized by these sites that sell $35,000+ PPD dogs! No doubt that these dogs are awesome, but I have serious doubts that they can do all that they have been advertised to do? Especially with out the proper continued training and handling?!?!?

I always ask people in the know here and else where. If I have learned one thing; you can always find people whom know much more than I (or the above average dog handler) here on leerburg. I usually let the majority rule here. At least the majority of those individuals whom I believe to have REAL experience beyond sport (not to knock the sport guys here).

I hope I am not the only one here who thinks thi, but I must say... I love the dogs and handlers that have the time, drive, and tenacity to do REAL work in the field. I love sport dogs and handlers also (that is all I can ever hope to be), but I get chills when I think of that 0.0001% of dog/handler combos that can really "THROW-DOWN" when it needs to be done.

I just wish I could see more dogs like that in person, even if I can never handle or own one!! I know my limits and needs, but I can still LOVE them, right?

Not enough recognition given to those dogs, handlers, and trainers that do real-life work, outside of this site. You guys rock! Wish I had the time and aptitude to do it!! Rock on fella’s, and ladies??