OK, here's my takes on starting defense training:

Defense training, or even testing a dog for its defensive level, needs to be done when the dog is of an age that it's mature enough to handle that type of stress - do this wrong, and you can do *IRREPARABLE* damage to the dogs ego and drive. I have seen plenty of dogs that scrapped out entirely due to this step being done wrong!
It's nothing to take lightly.

You need:
A dog of the correct age and maturity to handle the stress of defense ( and there's the trick, you need to be able to accurately read your dog for this, it will vary with every dog ).

A helper/decoy that actually knows how to induce defense out of a dog from a sufficient distance that the dog won't feel overwhelmed. This requires a smart/experienced helper that knows how to bring the dog to the edge, and then back off so the dog appears to win - this is *CRITICAL*.

A physical set-up that will allow all the parties involved to do their job correctly ( that's the dog, handler, decoy, and possibly coach or training director ).

If any of the above parties do not know what is required from them and the exact plan of training this situation, *DON'T* proceed - it's that simple.


I hope that helps, go slow and think od the dog first, please!

Well said!

Very good post, Thanks Will.

I certainly won't be taking a risk of upsetting a very nice 16 month old rottweiler.

Ben good post,thanks ,have learnt quite alot.
Your right Schutzhund 3 is my goal.