Helper Work on Your Own Dog - Page 2

Good post 4pack. When I think about it, we all use tugs to develop the focus, drive, and confidence of young puppies, and we do this ourselves. In that case, the sleeve worn by the owner perhaps becomes a natural point in the evolution of bitework development? I had not considered this when I made my posts, so perhaps for a maturing puppy with "normal and manageable" levels of drive and focus. For certain puppies this might not work at all, hence the use of a skilled trainer. All said, perhaps in the early stages of bite development a sleeve on the owner's arm would be fine in order to build focus on the sleeve, not the wearer? I still want to hear more commentary, as I am certainly not a trainer myself, and remain convinced that different dogs have different needs. Bob-O

UVAR, I agree that helper wokr on your own dog is bette than a poor helper. but i know people w/ 20yrs of helper work experience that are terrible, and i know folks w/ 5 yrs of helper work that are great.

I think it depends on the dog, and how much you intend to do. I tried working my dog, we aren't going for anything other than her having fun and me learning, and thought it would be a good idea for me to learn some helper work as well. She was a little too defensive and we thought making it a little more of a game for her wouldnt' really hurt anything. Well she has no problem playing tug, no problem with anything, but when it comes to biting me with the sleeve, she puts her mouth on it, and then immediatly releases and jumps up on the sleeve and looks at me. Eventually I can get her to tug a little with me, with the sleeve, but I'd rather leave the "real" stuff for the real helper. I think i would have just confused my dog if I would have continued.

To wscott00: We all know those too, the ones who did many years of helper work and never learned. But, some of those can work under the instructions of a good helper and often function reasonable well. We have to avoid the helpers with the macho problem who like to tell the owner of the dog what to do with it, and we have plenty of those.

very true. most dont realize that helper work is thinking mans (or woman) game.

It really depends on your dog. Handlers would do alot of good if they imprinted the "game" and influenced the bite on tugs. Where it differs is the defense the dog offers strange helpers. If you have a strong bond with your dog, he obviously will not want to fight you the same way he fights the helper. On the other hand, handler helper work can help clear up many issues, faster outs, obedience for bites, etc... I have done this on two of my dogs that were both very good in protection and it didn't seem to hurt them. I have also known of at least two very high placing National competitors that routinely do their own helper work.

I have seen several people do this and their dogs were equipment trained. Were not going after the person at all.

This is what I've been doing for 15 years, and yes equipment trained. The owners, the dog and their handler of choice were rewarded. Not I. The end of this year will be the first time I trial with my own dog for rewards. A Cattle Dog named Sara.

I also know of a police canine trainer who does helper work and uses it in the program to help clear up outs. I don't think you would call any of those dogs "equipment" trained, considering they routinely bite people without any equipment. Again, it depends on the dog's temperament, experience level, how the dog looks at things and what you want. I don't think you can use blanket statements and say that it is entirely a horrible idea.

Desert- I can see exactly what you are talking about, but for the sake of sch. im not sure it matters. in a trial the sleeve will always be there. so id rather have a dog that plays sch. and is fixated on the sleeve and not the helper