My question relates to the question of building the dog's confidence.
Can agility work help to build a dog's confidence in its bite work?
It's been told to me that a dog can learn to work through and overcome stress on dificult agility obstacles and that this carries over to its confidence in bite work.
Do you believe that to be true? Thanks. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
There is a point where you no longer promote prey drive in your training for a practical dog. You will also find this true of many sport trainers.
There is never a time when you would promote only self defense behaviors in a dog for practical purposes although a few experiences can be show a dog that it can still survive a difficult situation.
Kevin:
Your statement holds true if you work your dog in fight drive. How many of us do you think work their dogs in pure fight drive? I have seen at least 50 - 100 different dogs train for SchH work. Only one was worked in pure fight.
Anything you do with the dog to build confidence will carry over into bitework. I work my dogs in agility because its a great confidence builder and its fun. Where possible, do the obstacles with your dog - its great for building trust and is also good for the handler so the handler learns how to take stress and work with the dog under stress. Its also great for conditioning (both handler and dog).
I also start pups early on handling stress - its done gently and they're not forced. Remember though, not to get into a routine and don't rush the pup or dog. And never use force. I hate to state the obvious but I see so many people get frustrated and try and yank their dogs through it.
Thank you gentlemen for your input. Based on my very brief experience I have the impression that serious agility work does indeed build the dog not only its agility (obviously) and its bitework but as well in its obedience and communcation and trust with the handler, in my case, me. It's true that it's unlikely my dog and I will ever encounter a situation quite like some of the agility we've been on, together. But the lessons learned do, I believe, carry through.
In fact when teaching my dog obedience we did most of the training on a children's playground, the kind with all of the things to climb, go through, across and things that shake and clatter. Not only did my dog learn obedience and simple agility, we had a great time! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Ellen & Renee, your emphasis on one's relationship with their dog is not lost on me. Thanks for the lesson.
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