OK, all you guys out there that do schutzhund need to give me some feedback. I am doing some "market research" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Helpers, what brand and type of sleeve do you prefer and why? what type of sleeve would you prefer your own dogs to bite and why? How is the comfort for you while working the dogs? what are the differences you notice on the different arms while the dogs are gripping? What are the pros and cons you have experienced with different arms and how durable are they? Sleeve covers? Pros and cons....

To all handlers and trainers who buy your own bite equipment for use on your dogs, same questions.

I appreciate any and all sincere responses..

THANKS!!

Cindy,
I've tried 'em all. Currently i really like the Harddogs stuff. A bit pricey but I've been playing with a pair of sleeves, one that is a bit more than a puppy sleeve and another that is a step up from that one. Both give without allowing the dog to pull the covers down and the dog feels like it is accomplishing something by collapsing the sleeves a bit.
I have a puppy sleeve for the youngsters that is a Jan Koxx sleeve. Soft jute cover over what almost feels like temperpedic material. Very cushy and fun for the first grips for a youngster. definatly not a working sleeve but one to use to be sure of a good experience for a naive dog.
I have a handful of Schweikert sleeves for the adults that are pretty much done but I have found myself using them less and less until we're looking at trial time or if I have a PSD that is a real monster and I am working on him releasing then I use the hardest thing I can find until he learns the task. This is usually one of the Schweikert sleeves with a brand new cover. I don't remember the model number but it is quite hard. I used to use a Marburg for such animals but I haven't even seen one of those in a while. They aren't much use for SchH.

thanks Kevin,

I was hoping I would hear from you!

Anyone else?

Paul Horton makes sleeves ( and other equipment )that are so sturdy, they end up family heirlooms. Best made equipment that I've ever seen. I have used his "Euro" vesion for a decade now, and I'm sure I'll be using it for another ten years into the future.

Paul lives in Alabama, and is a bit hard to get a hold of - but the equipment is well worth the effort taken to get it.

I bought the Gappay sleeve (0110 or something like that) and sleeve cover because several helpers said it was very comfortable and well fitting. The only complaint I have had with it is the sleeve covers slips down some. My sleeve has held up well. My two dogs use the sleeve about 2-3 times a week. I tend to use my sleeve cover way after it's lived it usefulness. I would say working two dogs 2-3 times a week I would be changing it every 3 months or so. I wait for the big events that I am already going to and buy sleeve covers so I don't pay shipping <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

My experience with sleeves is limited in that the military seems to prefer buying Ray Allen sleeves. But, I recently purchased one of their new light weight sleeves and it's a keeper in my book. The sleeve weighs in at about three pounds and is very comfortable to wear. It also has a lining designed to keep you cooler and I noticed I sweat a bit less in this sleeve when I have to wear it for long times. I also like it for the first few times I'm teaching a puppy to carry a full sleeve after a puppy sleeve because of the light weight. The sleeve does not have a separate bite bar but has a formed barrel that crushes nicely. I haven't noticed any change, good or bad, in bite quality without a separate bar.

My experience has been primarily with Ray Allen products. IMO they have some nice multipurpose sleeves. My favorite sleeve of all time is a Schweikert. It was given to me by a group that went to a big schutzhund trial years ago. It's like putting on an old baseball glove. It has been through numerous cuffs but the one that has lasted the longest has been a blue syntec cuff from Ray Allen.

Will, I had a friend who had some Paul Horton products and I do remember them to be sturdy. We have many sleeves to choose from but I keep going back to the Schweikert. I don't know how long the duct tape will keep it together.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Cindy,
HOw is your market research going? Could you tell us which sleeve you think is best and why. How old does the puppy need to be to start on the sleeve? Hope your research is going ok. Look forward to what you have to say. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />