Defense.... In terms I can understand......: ) - Page 1

  I have been looking over some old threads on the subject of defense...Very interesting and informative, but also hard to understand for the novice... I know that for many on the PDB, these subjects are second nature...However, it is hard to understand for the novice. 

       Question,,,

             If a novice handler/owner would find themselves with a dog who is naturally high in defense, what would be some basic things to consider in training techniques, sport choices, and handling ....Also, how about a simple definition of  " high in defense "...Talk to me..

             Thanks.....Deanna...: )

 read my blog here

http://www.dogsutra.com/blog/2009/09/11/on-aggression/


cheers

 Armin Winkler has a good write up on the subject here

In simple terms...Ruger1...There are 2 very basic Drives...

Prey Drive: The drive which makes the animals CHASE down food to eat...

Defense Drive: The drive which is SELF PRESERVATION...To Protect one's self...

*The thing that we People's do in dog training...or in dealing with our dogs...Is to OVER-THINK things....
If we would basically think of our dogs as our children (which a lot of us do) then I think that people would better understand their dogs...

So if you were asked what it would mean if we were asked "What does it mean when we say a person is being very Defensive"...Then I think you would better understand the terminology...

We as people don't use the terminology Prey Instinct as referring to ourselves...But animals in the wild will chase down and kill their Prey to beable to eat...The drives which dictates this act is referred to as "Prey Drive"...

So in the terminology as it refers to our dogs and to their training...
Prey Drive is the drive that stimulates our dogs to CHASE...and to capture (as in catching food to satisfiy their hunger)...This drive can be satisfied...

Defense Drive is the drive which stimulates our dogs to Protect themselves or to Defend themself...As if another animal or outside stimulus is attacking them...and they need to protect themself to protect their life...

In each drive they're many sub-drives at which the dog operates...but very basically these are the two main drives...

~Bob~

             Vikram....Thanks.....

       What I hear is that Defense is a form of aggression...Yes, ??

        Two types of aggression are:

            1) Social Aggression 

                      and

            2)  Defense Aggression
                     a)   Passive Strong Defense is desirable... Yes
                     b)   Passive Weak Defense ( fear biter) is undesirable...Yes,??

          **Where does the Active Defense fit in here,,???

              Thank you,,this blog was very good.....

            Bob,,,,

              Question..??

          I can get a visual on a Defensive person very easily...They are reactive at the slightest offense....Most of which are only perceived offenses ( only in their mind)...I look at this as a flaw in human character. In a dog's temperament how can this be positive ???.....


             RLHAR...Thank you,,,,I will let you know what I think after I read it....

Dr Riesner wrote a book on it, and is now a main staple for
dog trainers...Armin gives us a translation of the book.
I am saying this because some people don't know about it.

The term Defense drive and pray drive belong to him .

Very good reading R1, ...$20.

 In a dog's temperament how can this be positive ???.

In a police K9 you want a level of suspicion.  After all the 'bad guy' isn't going to run around like a bunny in hope the dog's prey drive kicks in.

For the day to day household, unless you really know what you're doing I wouldn't think a completely defensive dog would be a good thing.

   MM...Thanks....

      RLHAR,,,LOL...

                      Point taken....thanks...