I've noticed Ed really doesn't like dogs to form a pack. But I've seen ppl training bite work using pack instinct. They mix high and low drive together, let them do the group bite at first so that low drive dog will get the idea. what do you all think of this method?

Shon,

I have had some success with this method with dogs that just didn't get what they are supposed to do. If you have a low drive dog it is a low drive dog and there isn't anything that is going to change that. Working with another dog may stimulate some competetive instinct in a dog, but if the dog has low drive it isn't likely to have enough of a competetive nature to try and "dominante" the other dog and it may even make the dog back off to avoid a compition for a more dominant position. I have had situations where a dog wasn't sure what to do and worked them with another dog and had the compition and desire for dominance stimulate the dog to do as the other dog is doing. This was how I got the puppy on the sleeve. I put her out with the Giant and when he bit , she bit so they could compete over possesion of the sleeve.

I have seen many trainers that will use a "bull-ring" for training new dogs. There is some stimulaion of an individual by the group, but I think that those dogs would have picked it up any way. It is convienent for the trainer because it is quicker for the trainer since all the dogs are busy wearing themselves out whithout direct interaction with the agitator. In addition this type of training rewards indiscriminate barking. That may be helpful for some applications, but I don't like it for a protection dog. The dog needs to learn the behavior of the agitator directed towards the dog/handler team is what stimulate aggression, not the mere presence of a person in the area.