resources for decoys, where can i go with this?? - Page 1

trying to build confidence in my decoy to put up some opposition to my dog, not as easy for those that have never been on that end of the leash. any decoy training clips/links?

this is what it looks like, not pretty.

http://www.lulu.com/shop/girard-bradshaw/controlled-aggression/paperback/product-3477690.html

I've heard good things about this.

Personally, it'd give me more confidence working a dog with proper gear. That leash looks to be a rope tied to the harness... not really trustworthy IMO. Outside of that, some people are just naturals while others have to work to get a smooth and fluid movement. The best thing he can do is watch as many videos or other decoys as possible and get out there and work the dogs. Hopefully in time he'll loosen up and relax a bit. Again though, he needs to trust not only himself, but that your handling ability and the gear will keep him safe.

Where are you located?  PSA clubs often offer decoy camps or developmental training.

Here's one my club is having in NJ
http://psak9.org/rsvpmaker/psa-developmental-decoy-camp-bushido-k9-new-jersey/

thanks for tips guys, will prolly buy the bradshaw book and fan check my 20, i am in rural oz so am excluded from all the good seminar stuff - i am jealous, hope you have a good one, post vids.

cheers

That´s definetely not easy ... make your "helper" watch as many youtube videos as possible.
To become a good helper you need years of experience with a lot of dogs under your belt.
...
but given the circumstances I still like your dog.

The "make like a tree" or "be like a post" phrase is based on two important principles.

Safety; the helper always know's where the dog is and where its limits lie through the length of the line, if the helper mis times an element, stumbles or the dog gets lucky there is a "safety net" in place established through the fixed distance of the line.

The second principle is the Helper works the dog not you, the helper will work the dog with the line tense and with the line soft or not under tension depending on what he is trying to achieve, mark behaviour, apply stress or release the pressure through prey drive or bite reward.

The helpers in dog training are second only to the breeders in importance, as a handler you don't have much of a role in comparision. My own Helper and I, in order to develop our skills flew to Germany and spent 5 days training, he was being coached as helper, I was making notes and not being under the same pressures of learning new skills whilst dogs are in full flight I had more of an objective perspective. During the evenings we drank plenty of beers and debriefed the good and the bad; this was the beginning of a long road. I'm lucky, my Helper is on his 2nd SWAT K9 dog and we have managed to established sincere contacts in Germany.
You might have to think about finding some coaching within a sensible distance.
Dog training is all about time and money, with a lot of hard work and even more luck.

all the best

Ronin

good info thanks, BTW the moving thing was not planned, i moved cos the decoy forgot the brief and i needed to direct him, the rag on the ground was the mark where the bite was to occurr and i wanted to position myself so the camera was not viewing my back. whole plan went to shit...oh well.