I'd like to get a discussion going on the use of muzzles while doing civil work. Are frontal attacks on the dog by the helper a no no in this type of work? I don't believe using muzzles for civil work is a common training method or is it? Does anyone still work there dogs civily? Why or why not? Any off leash muzzle training being done for home or personal protection?

My experience is with SchH so I cannot speak from experience to PS or PP even though I have watched all of Ed’s videos on Muzzle work many times and found them fascinating. For SchH I have seen muzzle work or hidden sleeve work done on rare occasions to get a dogs focus from the sleeve to the man.

Does anyone still work there dogs civily? Why or why not?

Glen

Why?
We use civil work after prey work to see if we can get the dog to alert on the helper. We also use it before and after our actual bite work to build confidence, aggression and to understand that the man not the prey item,is his adversary.

Frontal zig zaging attacks that will start 15 yrds away, Moving to the more advance stage starting 15 yrds advancing until you are just in out of range they all end with the dog winning. The helper runs away, and it finally ends with a bite of a barlap bag bite, leg or arm.

It can also lead to muzzle work, which I've have not done any. Way to dangerous without a good muzzle, I'd like to try it.

Why not? Expensive and weak nerve dogs can be put in avoidence easily with civil. In the case of Expensive dog you can ruin him before you get any good out of him.
And weak nerve dogs prey is easier to work and build confidence.

I think all dogs, like its been mentioned in almost everybodies videos, especially Ed's.
Prey work is the best and saftest way to work your dog until their confidence is built.