dog nock helper down in the long send - Page 3

Anyone who has put on the sleeve for any amount of time has had days like this! For me, as a training helper, I don't see a need to do long bites on a regular basis with an experienced dog. 20 yards at the most to maintain timing and minimize risk of injury. DeWalt, a safe long bite catch is one in which the forward force of the dog is absorbed by the helper. The helper does this by spinning either stick side or sleeve side once the dog is on the sleeve. I have been taught/trained that the dog determines the direction. Complications and accidents arise when the dog comes dead center or you try to steer the dog to one side. Just like in tennis some people prefer to hit forhand and run around the backhand. Helpers also have a preffered side they like to catch on. Once the dog is caught the dog should be placed back down on the ground as safe and fast as possible. I hate seeing a catch where the dogs tail end is above the helpers shoulders. It looks exciting but the helpers elbow was up on the catch. The dog now has a longway to get back down on to the ground (safety). Long catches are all about timing. Dogs that come dead center forces the helper to get his body out of the way. This allows the dogs body to continue on its path without impact. Helpers have to be fast on their feet and develope skills to decrease reaction times. This can only occur with practice. Which means more people need to allow helpers to develope their skills. Which means the new helpers need dogs to train and practice. I hope this helped DeWalt. Kyle

I agree with zdog.

Very nice Mark..

Very nice Kyle. Some dogs give away direction of hit early, some don't. If you're in a trial and haven't seen a dog before you can be easily fooled if he leaves the ground late. On the other hand, there are dogs out there that will counter if you move too early.

I fully agree with zdog. It is esy to criticize and say that somebody is bad helper but go out there and stand in front of the dog who actually "calculates" how to inflict as much as possible damage to you and he/she is very serious about it.

Thanks Kyle for the excellent post.