Training for stick hits in protection work - Page 1

I’m a complete novice with regard to the protection phase in SCH & don’t really see myself getting involved in this type of work but I am interested in the training required for this discipline. So I wonder if we could get a discussion going regarding the attributes, preparation & guidance required for a dog to deal with the stick hits during the protection phase.

Do all dogs require training &/or conditioning for this and does the quantity of training have any bearing on the resultant performance? I was thinking specifically, if one dog doesn’t require as much conditioning as another would they be more or less susceptible to breakdown during a stressful round of this work?

Cheers,

AandA

The nature of the questions tell me that the Sieger Show is around the corner....

Lonewulf - nothing of the sort I'm afraid.

We're 'just pet' owners who do a bit of working trials for the enjoyment of working with my dog & am interested in all aspects of training used in all other disciplines.

You never know I might even learn something or perhaps want to progress if I can get a constructive answer...

AandA

Depends on the dog....my young male 9wks is being hit with a stick NOW...he doesn't even notice it. As a matter of fact,it pisses him off..making him play even harder. My bitch 16 months was never bothered by the stick...maybe because they always think it's part of everyday life..I'm sure it's breeding! I have chased dogs off the field during stick hits but, I don't think the stick hits were the problem but the culmination of things and the stick hits were the final straw:-) If your dog has a problem with the stick, it will always have the problem!

I like to get pups ready for stick hits by 'thumping' or 'patting' firmly while they're playing tug of war with a rag or tug. 

This way, they get used to having things over their heads, thumping them on their sides/backs and it is all part of the fun.  It never hurts them, and they don't let go of their 'prize' either.

Susan Griffin

the dogs need exposed to the stick just like you would expose your dog to anything else such as slick floors, stairs, or any other environmental stressors. If the dog needs to be continually trained for the stick hits then there is a problem with the dog and the owner should look at it as a deficientcy in the dog.

What birdwing said. I'll also push them with foot, try to nudge their feet out from under them, use one hand to mess with their ears, their tail, touch their face, try to push their mouth off the toy, yell, bring my hand in very fast then stop and the last moment and pet them. This is all done gently at first then more rigorously as the dog gets stronger in play. They love it, makes the game more of a challenge to them. None of my dogs have ever so much as blinked at a stick.

This is a great question AndA because you can literally ruin a dog if you’re not careful. I’ll tell you how I go about it and you can decide for yourself if you think it might work with your dog.

As I am raising my puppy I get him use to the tug and playing tug of war. Then I move him up to a larger tug that has three handles and looks like a mini sleeve. While I have him playing tug of war with this 3-handled tug, I start the over the head motion as if I am going to hit him but instead pet him on top of the head at the last second. I do this over and over getting more exaggerated each time until he shows no reaction to this arm motion.

Next, I transition him to the sleeve by putting a puppy sleeve on my arm and playing this same game. Once he gets use to biting the sleeve and this over hand motion, I duct tape a rolled up towel and continue his training using the towel as a stick. I do this over and over and over until he sees no threat from the towel and is biting the puppy sleeve so hard I can’t stand it anymore before moving on to a real sleeve and a leather stick. Also, I don’t let anyone else do this to my dogs until I have successfully conditioned the dog myself. If conditioned properly the dog won’t have any stress involved when he moves up to biting sleeves worn by somebody else.

Hope this helps and good luck

Interesting... so a dog either has or not and gradual exposure is the key.

When playing tug in the garden with ol' Nelson I'll usually make a grab for his front legs or pull him close and make a move for his back end. Sometimes I'll release early and walk away then suddenly turn around and really rush in hard & fast and grab & twist the tug and growl back at him.  He does really relish this play and will quite often stand outside with his favourite toy/stick growling and barking for me to join in.

I've also noticed if I really up the ante & go in quite physically I can see he's starting to get into some sort of 'zone'. I don't, however, progress from this point as I'm not padded up and I've quickly learnt that any second bite he may have is invariably indiscriminate (although not intentional)...

Thanks all,

AandA

 My puppies are exposed to the stick,noise,as puppies set and whatch the protection work if they get wound up whatching great, the helper will run over and tease them a little and run away, exposer in a safe positive manner is the key let them build there strength early and safley.