I'm looking for other people's experience regarding the training of the bark and hold. I have a three year old GSD (working lines) who has just begun learning the bark and hold. My training director only likes to reward the dog if its butt is completely on the ground during the bark and hold. This is my first SchH dog and I always thought that if the dog was close and barking powerfully that that was good enough. My TD says that this method promotes a calmer dog and one that doesn't move around a lot in the blind. I don't think she's wrong, but are there other ways of training it? My dog naturally wants to perch on his hocks and bark. Thanks for any help.
Jackie and "Treck"
UCD Maximus von den wilden Rabbits BH, SchH 1, CD, NA, HCT-s, CGC
Robert VanCamp Webboard User Reg: 11-28-2001
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I think the sit and bark gives the dog a slight advantage for a better bite. If the dog is jumping or bouncing around a bite can be more difficult. . .especially if the helper WANTS it to be. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
If control is an issue, I've had better success keeping the sitting dog clean in the blind.
As far as what looks better or gives a better advantage in real work. . .after Schutzhund games are over. . .a standing bark is fine with me.
David Morris Webboard User Reg: 11-28-2002
Posts: 570
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You say the dog is just staring the B&H in the blind. I say give your trainer a chance to get this correct before you start looking for easier ways out. If the dog is sitting and not wasting any more energy than it has to it can focus better, target better, be more ready for ther bite. Like VC was saying there is less of a chance of it getting a bad bite on the sleeve. Another way to look at it is like a defensive lineman is better off down in his stance waiting for the ball to be snapped as opposed to a defensive lineman standing up, jumping up and down and waiting to react to the offense moving.
Stop making excuses for your dog and start training it!
If a dog can hold a position, sitting standing, etc. use it to establish the B&H.
Nothing in the rule book says anything about the position.
If waiting on the position is causing your dog to diminish in the picture you wish to present then it is a mistake to wait for it. If it helps with the picture you wish then use it.
What picture do you want? Strong convincing barking. Does the bark say the dog is warning the bad guy, truly guarding the bad guy? That's what you want, not barking to play, not barking to get his buddy to move his toy.
Look at from that perspective.
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