Mike,
#10 feed the alligators is right, if they ever figure out how to use forensics to piece together people out of swamp dookie resting on the swamp floors they'll likely solve 80% of Louisiana's unsolved murders. I'll add a comment to take this back on topic
Everyone is right, I would endanger my dog as an absolute last resort, that is also why I have always taught to hit the bicept of the arm holding the weapon, maybe that would allow me enough time to help my dog before he is able to switch the weapon to a different hand.

Generally, Andres, should not trained to 'deal' with weapons, they are trained to IGNORE weapons and bite where appropriate (armpit, chest, legs, groin, etc...) A dog that is trained to look for a weapon will hesitate at the point of entry and lose precious momentum.

Realistic Options:
1. Two to the body, one to the head (failure to stop drills), repeat as necessary.
2. Run like hell is coming after you.
3. Send the dog and run like Hell is coming after you (You can always replace the dog).

I apologise for taking this off topic again but on a CNN link I saw how they actually handle armed assailants in Louisiana. News story

BEAUTY SCHOOL BEAT DOWN
Police: Beauty School Robber Beaten With Sticks, Curling Irons

A man who allegedly tried to rob a Shreveport beauty school was confronted by a group of nearly 30 women and one man, some of whom beat him with sticks and curling irons. The bloody suspect left the scene by ambulance. "I put something on him, baby," said instructor Dianne Mitchell. "He wasn't coming up in here and telling nobody he robbed us and got away with it."

Shreveport police were called to Blalock's Professional Beauty College, 5410 Mansfield Road, at 11:59am Tuesday. Witnesses say a man walked into the school and pointed a gun at an instructor. He allegedly demanded money from the business as well as the purses of the nearly 30 students and staff members inside. As the suspect grabbed the only other male inside, a student, and escorted him to the back of the building, Mitchell says she tripped the suspect. A group of women then grabbed curling irons and sticks and began to beat the man, police said. "The suspect was trying to get out of the business and, as he was trying to get out, they kept pulling him back in and beating him," said police spokeswoman Kacee Hargrave.

Paramedics transported the suspect from the scene by ambulance. The trunk of a Shreveport police car where officers handcuffed the suspect, was covered in blood. "He's going to need some stitches," said Officer Eric Swartout. "He had some pretty good swelling and knots on his head and a lot of lacerations on his face," Officer Swartout said. Police later identified the suspect as Jared Gipson, 24, of Shreveport. Gipson was charged with armed robbery. Police say the suspect was listed in good condition at LSU Hospital in Shreveport.

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Louisiana sounds a lot like here! jajaja! There's nothing like some sick humor to start off the weekend right!

The food's better in Louisiana, the beer's colder and the women, well let us just say I almost ended up with a divorce <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Pamela. . .
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I agree with Scott's answer. I don't train the dogs to target weapon arms, or to even recognize a weapon. If they decide to avoid weapon strikes on their own during advanced training while attached to the decoy fine, but I want the dog to streak in and take a huge hard bite of soft tissue and grip it like there's no tomorrow. . .because at that point there may not be. If the dog can also knock the attacker down, or drag him down, all the better.

If the attacker is armed, that will give the dog his best chance of nailing him and distracting him while you escape, get weapon, etc.

"II) What bite training scenarios should be construed for this?"


This isn't a bad question, but the scenarios and training progressions you go through are not aimed at "dealing" with a weapon, they should be aimed at building the dog's skills and drives for fighting a man no matter what.



Beyond dog selection, foundation work, and finding out in training if a dog actually has the desire and ability to really fight, these are some additional exercise progressions I run through before I call a dog "finished".

1. Ground Fighting (desensitizing a dog to hold a grip and fight a decoy who is on the ground)

2. Fighting two decoys (desensitizing a dog to another decoy messing with him while on a bite)

3. Massive environmental work. Taking bites in as many different locations, situations, environments, and using as many types of equipment as possible. . .on as many decoys as possible.

4. Decoy evasion (decoy trying anything and everything possible to escape being bit)


Besides being practical all of this work is mega fun to do as well. LOL

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Hold a grip vs. re-target? Always to hold a grip?