You bring up a very interesting question as to how much you use the bite suit, muzzle etc. One of the problems I have noticed over the years as a K9 handler is the same old scenarios for every maintenance session.

This in of itself would cause several problems. It is best, in my opinion, to get an inservice dog as much maintenance training in real type scenarios. One way of coming up with these type of scenarios is by looking at old usage reports for the various officers in your training group (both succesful and unsuccesful) and use those as a source of ideas for setting up training scenarios.

As far as how much you use each of the tools you mentioned would depend somewhat on your dog. One item I don't like to use a lot is the hidden sleeve. I like it as a tool, but if over used it can become a prey item for the dog and not a true test of whether the dog will engage a suspect on the street in a real situation.

Along the lines of a hidden sleeve something that works well under clothing is an old piece of fire hose. This is an item I have seen used on younger dogs that are just adapting from initial training to the street. It will bruise the decoy, but will not in most cases puncture the skin. It does not have the smell of jute that alot of hidden sleeves have. The only caution with this item is that it is an item to be used in transition and not on an old street dog that has been involved in a lot of combat.

Originally posted by Ptlm. Matthew Grubb:
For all the police handlers/trainers:

During your bitework training sessions, what percentage of time are you spending between Bite Suit, Hidden Sleve, and Muzzle Training? Not taking into account problem solving issues as that is a specific usage. Just general training.

X+Y+Z= 100% *********************
I would say that our training group spends the majority of its training time (65 - 70% ballpark) on what the main function of the dog is....a locating tool. Tracks, building search, area search, dope work. Obedience (general and tactical) would probably make up another 20% and bite work probably 10 to 15%. Those are rough estimates. Some sessions may be exclusivly working on any problem areas that an individual may have.
During the bitework phase we probably do 70% suit and 30% muzzle. Dont really do any sleeve work. Probably should be doing a little more hidden sleeve work, but some of the dogs in our group are leg biters. We need to increase the muzzle work and are trying to do more of it.
John

John,
Try building searches in total darkness, with simunitions and night vision. Its a blast as well as a tactical eye opener.

Originally posted by Howard Knauf:
John,
Try building searches in total darkness, with simunitions and night vision. Its a blast as well as a tactical eye opener. ************
We've done it in total darkness but without night vision (no $ for it). Obviously had to rely on what the decoy told us about how the dogs did. Some did well, others did not care for the total dark the first time out.
John

John,
The neat thing is that youve done it and saw how the dogs react, good or bad. Doing this line of work puts us in this type of scenario all the time. Now you know what to expect and can fix any problems youve seen. Howard

With the old fire hose, do you just call up the local department and ask if they have some available or is it more complex than that?

Nevermind, I asked a fairly stupid question and figured out the very simple answer when I called the Chief and he gave me some hose. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Forgive me for coming into this discussion late.

It seems to me that every piece of equipment has a specific or a specific set of purposes.

Sleeve--Facilitates repetitive exercises when the training objective isn't the bite (detaining, guard, frisk etc in their beginning stages).

Bite Suit--Bite targeting only. Acclimate the dog to back, legs, etc.

Hidden Sleeve--This is a proofing tool if used properly. It is no more of a challenge than an exposed sleeve unless the scenario is set up properly.

Muzzle--Teaches the dog to fight and to work without equipment concerns.

No Equipment--Also a proofing tool. Decoy, once located, can run to equipment placed outside of the search area.

What percentage should each be used? It depends on where you are with your training.

Eg. car chase to foot pursuit to detain to escape and bite. All but targeting can be initially trained with the exposed sleeve (Kindergarten). Teach targeting with the BS and when the dog is proficient, move to realistic scenarios with a hidden sleeve or in muzzle (assuming that you have developed these skills away from the scenario work).

I like to match the equipment to the training, not vice-versa.