what is the possibility - Page 1

How much is the possibility for the teeth of the dog to break or the gums to bleed in doing protection work.

How often is this and what are the remedies? How can this be avoided?

regards
 

Bleeding gums are always a possibility, depending on the material that comprises the sleeve. Jute fibre is excellent sleeve material, but it can become dry and sharp after a lot of use. Plus, a dog can accidentally bite his tongue.

A dog's teeth are rarely damaged or broken during protection exercises, but it does happen. Obviously the most visible teeth are the canines, and these are highly stressed during bitework. I know that it is not inexpensive to implant a metal canine, but I have seen dogs with this wicked jewelery. 
 
This is a bit of a tangent, but I think it is worth mentioning. During the BSZS a dog cannot take a VA seat if he is missing a tooth - even if it can be proven that the tooth was lost accidentally. The dog does remain eligible for the lower-scoring seats.

Best Regards,
Bob-O

 thx

cheers

 I have one more questions as a follow up . Is tooth loss and injury to mouth more there in sport like Schutzhund? Does it happen in other sports also? What about PPD dogs. Do their mouths also get injured because I feel the biggest perpetrator to the dog's mouth is the sleeve? Right?

Thanks

Vikram,
It is rare that a dog breaks a tooth in bitework, but it can happen in SchH, PP training or Police K9 work.  Spine and jaw injuries are far more common.  If a dog chews on his kennel, fence or rocks he can wear his teeth down causing the dog to be more prone to breaking teeth.  We have a GSD police K9 that has 4 titanium canines.  This dog would chew on the fence of his kennel and wore out the back of his teeth.  So they now have titanium caps.

Dogs may bite their tongues or cut their tongues or gums doing bitework.  This is far more common than broken teeth.  You will see some blood on the sleeve cover.  This is really no big deal and I've never seen it bother a dog.  

Bad catches and jams are harder on the dogs jaw and spine than the sleeve, IMO. 

FWIW,

Jim

Dog's teeth brake now and then. Usually fault of the decoy. Twisting and sideways jerks  and sudden jerks on a dog who does not have firm grip when the dog is on sleeve are most likely cause. Very hard sleeve in hands of inexperienced decoy who does not spin in timely fashion.. Enthusiastic dumbbell retrieve can also cause it. I have seen it many times. Usually dogs do not care. Vets make pretty penny with prosthetics though. Bleeding of the gums and tong bites are common. Dogs usually do not brake teeth on body suite.
Prager (Hans)
http://www.alpinek9.com