Let me jump in here.
First, the technique you discribe of lifting the dog away from the grip most likely is the technique called tactical release (vs. a release and guard or a release and return to handler).
It is one of several means of controlling the dog based on the circumstances in which a law enforcement handler might find themselves.
The tec release is used in close quarters when an arrest team makes contact with a subject captured by the dog. This controls the dogs head and prevents the dog from reengaging the suspect upon release and is used to minimize injury.
Another form of using a left from the grip is to make sure that the dog does not beleive that every time its handler approaches it is to let go. Simply by grabbing the dog's collar we don't want the dog to release his grip on the suspect either. To show the animal that there are numerous possibilities in an encounter we grab the dog and the collar and if the dog lets go the suspect flees frustrating the dog and allowing us the oportunity to prevent anticipation fo the release just due to handler contact.
This is not what the thread was initially about. It was about people helicoptering dogs as a a punishment or at least the perceptions of a animals rights activist in the use of techniques she discribed as such.
I am sure that she would see my tactical release in which I control my dogs head by lifting up with my hands in the collar and telling my dog to open his mouth as some weird vision of punishment and cruelty. The dog doesn't see it that way and the reasons for its use are very appropriate in the context of real world application.

 Quote:

hi everyone:
I have observed SchH training, as well as k9 demos several times. With the SchH training I wathched, all dogs were on flat collars (no pinch, no choke) and no dog was ever strung up or kicked. The K9 demos I have seen, all the dogs have choke collars on, and many times, repeatedly to show how strong the dog's grip is, I guess, the handlers will, once the dog has the sleeve, will pull on the choke collar enough so that the dog is off the ground. I must say, I don't see the point, but then I am a complete neophyte. The dogs seemed to not be bothered by this, but I did hear murmurs from the audience that it looked harsh.
What is the reason for this if any? One thing I have noticed is that over the years, they have employed the use of toys more for reinforcement (most of the dogs are young).
Julie

i will throw something out here from my own vault of experiance with aggressive dogs.

I had a lab (it became to stressful in a multi dog house hold to keep her so i rehomed her) that was dog aggressive to the extreme, gave no warning of her intentions to attack just attacked. Now then i tryed every none correctional method from clicker to praise to just straight food etc, basically everything that these so called "animal rights activists" sugest.

Do you know the only that worked. correcting so hard and so fast that the only thing that was going her mind was " holy chit what the hell just happened and am i going to survive this."

basically like Ed says you have to put the fear of god in them if you don't you are walking a time bomb.

Iahad to be pretty though with my last boerboel female to.She wanted to eat other dogs when she saw one.She was so focused that a correction that workded in other situations did not work at that time.I put her on the ground on the side,while saying that what she did was wrong.
SOme people accused me for being cruel to the dog.But maybe they wanted my dog to bite their dog instead?
My dog got the message.
I tried everytjing else before:i tried ignoring,i tried walking another way,i tried distractions with treats,toys.I tried splashing water at her.It did ot work.
I had to be tough for the dog to get my point.

I realize this post is old but when it started I had a scary thougt as my last name is also Marston. Which compelled me to email this lady. Below I have copied that email and her response. Which I just recieved this evening.

My Email to Sue:

I just saw your web site, My name is Mike Marston and am here to say one
thing.

Marston is not a real common name so I pray I am in no way related to
you. You are obviously very uninformed on what you are seeing in the
world of police K-9. Your site appalled me in so many ways I cannot fathom.


You should take time to really and I mean really understand what you
think your seeing.


And yes i am too am a police K-9 handler, 9 years worth. >>

Sue's Response:

Yes, that is another technique I have encountered...in addition to denials
and justifications, tell someone YOU REALLY DIDNT SEE WHAT YOU THINK YOU SAW.
In addition to the cruelty, the mind games that are played are amazing.


The sneaky, underhanded, mean and cruel retaliation I received for speaking
out at my workplace showed the true mentality of the people who are doing these
things. It was just another manifestation of their unevolved consciousness.

 Quote:

I realize this post is old but when it started I had a scary thougt as my last name is also Marston. Which compelled me to email this lady. Below I have copied that email and her response. Which I just recieved this evening.

My Email to Sue:

I just saw your web site, My name is Mike Marston and am here to say one
thing.

Marston is not a real common name so I pray I am in no way related to
you. You are obviously very uninformed on what you are seeing in the
world of police K-9. Your site appalled me in so many ways I cannot fathom.


You should take time to really and I mean really understand what you
think your seeing.


And yes i am too am a police K-9 handler, 9 years worth. >>

Sue's Response:

Yes, that is another technique I have encountered...in addition to denials
and justifications, tell someone YOU REALLY DIDNT SEE WHAT YOU THINK YOU SAW.
In addition to the cruelty, the mind games that are played are amazing.


The sneaky, underhanded, mean and cruel retaliation I received for speaking
out at my workplace showed the true mentality of the people who are doing these
things. It was just another manifestation of their unevolved consciousness.

a manifestation of their unevolved conciousness?! someone is trying far to impress people.
if the situation she described as the dog laying there being behaved happened as it did that seems ridiculous(she says until he becomes unconcious could that be necessary in even a situation where the dog is misbehaved?)