PSA Training question - Page 1

Hi folks,

When only offered the leg he has no quams about taking it, but as soon as the upper body is available he will re-grip to it.

Okay or not okay?

Regards,

Melanie

Hi GSDfan,   I'm new to the message board and will tell you up front I'm not real familar with the PSA trials, have only been to watch one. My thought is I would rather train my dogs to target the upper body anyway as if in a real life situation very few people would be trying to keep a dog off of them by kicking at them it's just  not natural to do this. And it is not natural for the dog to come on the hepler in this way, so I think your dog is re-gripping to the upper body because that is what feels natural to your dog.

While we are on the subject of other protection traing than Schutzund I would like to here the thoughts of others on different orginizations such as PSA or SDA. 

Sounds like Andy is doing what he is comfortable with.  Remember height means something to the cannid psyche.  Andy was conditioned on arms.  Taking a leg bite then moving onto an arm is a transfer bite.  As long as the bites are full I would not make it an issue.  He may perceive the arms as a threat when he is on the leg.  Which in a law enforcement application is possible, ie. knife, club or gun.  Try findind a stairway with the decoy at the top of the steps,  send Andy from the bottom,  when he reaches the decoy the leg bite is the first thing he can grab,  does he go for it or try to reach for the arm.  Enjoy your training.

Kyle

Hey Kyle!

He always goes for the upper body, the only time he goes for the leg is when he's restrained from a backtie and the leg is the only thing he can reach. 

I have this happening on video, I'll try posting it tomorrow.

Thanks

yes the dog he doing what  he suppose to do if no uper body he should bite the laeq or any where els avelabele the maine thing is to bite

Thanks waleed.

Here is the video:

You guys are so lucky to have that type of training available to you.Here in Canada that does not exist anywhere.We do have sch clubs but are quite limited in the Ontario area .As far as training methods etc,well thats another whole story in itself and the reason im doing nothing right now.Good luck with your training.It looks like so much more intense than schutzhund.By the way thats a nice dog you got there.

Domenic. Quit your whining. You have 10 clubs near you. Most people on this site would be estatic to have 1 club so that they could train. Perhaps you are one of those that come to the sport knowing all? I do know most of the clubs near you and there are some very good ones. So, I hope I do not read of you knocking all these clubs and people again. Bob

Melanie,

As far as PSA goes, I would keep him up top since that is where his foundation is and what he is comfortable with.

In PSA you get big points for a full grip and the "hard hit". Most of the dogs are trained to take the left upper arm. The reason being is in a suit, the left upper arm provides an area that is conducive to a full mouth bite. If he takes a grip then transfers, you will lose points, so I would not even work him on legs if you are doing PSA.

There can be some advantages to leg bites in PSA but I would not do it if he is already an upper biter. You want to train for heavy environmental pressure and serious distraction in the OB.

I encourage you to go for PSA. It is a fun sport.

If you want, shoot me a PM and I will try and answer any questions you may have. I would be happy to give you an idea of the scenarios you will see, how you will be judged, and some training tips that may help.

Good luck.

GARD

Good to see ya back!

Melanie

I wouldn't change anything at this point of the game.  It would be like asking me to pick my nose with my left.  It just wouldn't be effective.