Van Camp is dead on. A dog that has a low defense threshold will fire more quickly and put on a better 'show' than a dog that is barking out of prey, IMO.

Luis, you'll see one tomorrow. Looking forward to your visit.

Happy and SAFE Training,
Scott

I have a dog that is very high in defense and V.C. is right....there is very little training that must be done, the show she puts on will make you have to change your underwear! The last thing she needs is to be trained in defense. Prey is a nice thing for these dogs (IMHO)because it gives them something to focus on, something that is fun and it can be used to train a disciplined way to bite. Other words i use it mostly as play. I am not training for any of the dog sports. She is for PP only.

hi. Luis .I just read your post on the trained bark dog and you asked what we thought . I would agree to a point that it could be very usefull .But i would have some problems with it for myself and my dog . The first thing is that I would not want to guess if the dog would or would not bite .I would think that just the bark would be setting you and the dog up for a dangerous situation .I would want my dog to be trained to be able to protect not only myself but hiself also . I sure woul feel bad if my dog that i didn't finish training got hurt bad or killed protecting me when i didn't train him to defend his self . Another thing that i would say is that in any event this kind of dog training and just guessing if he would bite or not the dog would need some very good OB training to be a little more on the safe side . If i was going to go that far in training then you would already be a long ways towards finnishing PP training .I realize that there would still be a ways to go but I would have enough time in him that i would want to go all the way and know that i would be defended as well as giving the dog a better chance .I have worked many years with a PP dog by my side in my line of work and you are right that the average Joe will avoid a barking dog. But what about the not so average ? Then You and your dog is at great risk .IMO all dogs should be very well OB trained for there good as well as ours so if i wanted a PPD i would not want to always wonder what if . As far as the liability goes ,when i'm faced with a case that i need protection then that takes secound place .Most any time you have a dog with you wheather trained or not if he bites then as far as the liabilitty goes ,check it out .Your going to be held liable in most cases regaurless .I'm not saying that what you are saying is a bad idea . It's certainly better than nothing .But i would have some issues with it . Please Don't take offece to this reply because i'm not basshing you just adding some more to think on along with some of the other grate repies . Good Luck : Rick

Thanks for the replies...there seems to be many points of view & feelings tied to this topic. I think it boils down to the percieved or actual threat level an individual faces day to day & no two people are going to feel exactly the same because of their present environment or past life experiences.Raised in South Bronx, NY in the early 60's, my life experiences with violence were probably different than someone raised in a less crime prone town. However, the level of personal protecton i needed then is completely different from what i feel i need now because i live in a much safer town. I agree with the pro trainers that offer different levels of pp dog training to their clients not only because there is a market for it but because we all have different protection requirements... whether the threat is actual or percieved doesn't matter, it's a personal decision dictated by life experiences.No offense taken Rick... I think everyone's views were honest & based on their own need for protection...Thanks again,Luis.