*Warning*-Really stupid Sieger/ScH Question - Page 1

I was watching the youtube videos of the dogs doing the protection stuff or bitework.

Why are they wagging their tails while attacking?  Weird!!

I would think they would be all business but most of them are happily wagging their tails while doing the protection stuff even while barking menacingly!!  They are showing their teeth but wagging their tails!! Not what I expected at all!  

I know ZERO about this stuff (forgive my ignorance). I just thought it was an odd observation!  Are they just so happy to be biting or just happy to be out there or something?  For some reason, in my head, I expected them to be like attack dogs and very serious!!

A wagging tail just means a dog is excited.  There have been plenty of people bitten because they assume the wagging tail means the dog is happy and friendly.

Margaret N-J

Margaret,

Oh, Ok!  Thank you!  That does make a lot of sense!!  

I guess I just pictured them all focused and business like and serious and ready to attack!  I think I am watching too much tv!!

Thanks and told you it was a stupid question! 

One more thing to you or anybody else out there...do these dogs just focus on the sleeve padding or would they be able to attack someone in real life if they weren't wearing the sleeve? For example, if that same guy that was running and waving his stick tried to do that on the street would the dogs recognize that the guy was bad? If so, would they still try to attack the arm or would they not attack at all?  I only ask because it looks like the dogs really focus in on that arm sleeve thing.  Again, I ask because I looked at a video of a police dog attacking and he bit the guy's leg and held on.....

Depends on the dog and the training.  As a rule, the sleeve is only there to protect the helper, without it, it's kinda hard to find guys to work your dog,,,,,,more than once.  Usually what you will find from the better trainers/handlers is a dog that is balanced between prey/defense and can switch drives several times during the work.  In many cases, dogs baring their teeth aren't necessarily strong dogs but rather the opposite (contrary to public perception).  If I had a nervy dog that hackled in the blind and showed it's teeth, I would sell it,,,,,,,,,to a police department.

Duderino- hahaha..good point!! Yeah, I guess the helpers would not like to do bitework without any protection!! Ouch!!

Thank you for the information!!  So, you think the dog that bares his teeth is unbalanced. Got it!!  Very interesting. I am still learning about all of these different drives.... :-)

Duderono,
Good to know, now I won't look at any dogs you are selling for police dogs.  Sell them to a ring sport guy.

Nah, PSA, I'm guessing the next candidate for National Champion.