Insightful Test - Page 1

Here is a test, which I personally believe to be insightful. (the dog was 14 months old at the time).

For me, it gives a glimpse into the dog's psyche, and depending on results will dictate how much / if any training I will invest in him / her.

If you train / prepare for this - you are short changing yourself and the dog.

Scenario:

STERN COMMAND - To down and stay. (he knows from past experience if he breaks it - he is in serious trouble, we all know that by simply putting the dog in the down stay - could save there life, ie getting in and out of a cage in a car etc). All my dogs from a very young age are in no doubt the consequences of breaking this holy grail. (of course they all initially did as very young dogs, that is how they learned - not to do it again)

NEW LOCATION.

UNKNOWN DECOY,

SLIPPERY FLOOR.

DOG MUZZLED..

ZERO THREAT OF VIOLENCE. This is important and is obvious in the dogs relaxed / nuetral demour. He is definetly not scenting previous encounters re location /  bite suit / sleeves. (as this would prep the dog, and in my opinion - give a false reading re the dogs REAL intent)

CRUCIALLY -  the handler is  NOT allowed to call on the dog to help / intervene.

 

Objective:

PURELY to observe the dogs reaction / intent, at this stage technique is not important, remember this is NOT a training situation. Technique can be worked on, but in my opinion - only if the dog CHOOSES to engage.

Certainly the odds are stacked against the dog, will he adhere to the command to down and stay, and let his handler be pummeled. (result = obedient dog,  but a potentially dead / seriously injured handler)

Or will he think for himself, improvise, break the command - and try and protect. 

Like I said at the top - an insightful test. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy51v0wDY4A 

Regards

Gee 

 

Great video like all your scenarios outside the sport routine, today its a rare find people/breeders
testing dogs at this level, great job and a very nice GSD keep up the good work.

I put this scenario on the list thanks Gee

 

( Maybe)

Reward the dog  some fighting on the ground with the helper and let the dog win gives the dog

more self-confidence makes him more stronger  

 

 

Thanks for bringing this topic up for discussion. Interpreting what one views in this scenario is quite subjective. I see a dog that breaks his down position when he sees his handler being attacked. I see a dog continue to engage the attacker and attempt to chase the attacker away. The dog over came the slippery floor and changed levels to engage the attacker. The dog displayed a lot of confidence in this test. From what I observed I would continue to train this dog.

This dog is also very young 14 months. Some negatives that can happen during this test and possibly, adversely impact this dog, is injuring himself on the slippery surface. Either when walking, jumping onto or off of the platform.

I don't recall the attacker engaging the dog such as in a courage test.

During our training we place the dog in a platz, tell the decoy to back up. the handler walks passed the decoy. The decoy grabs the handler. We look to see if the dog engages the decoy and see what the bite looks like on the sleeve. We also do this same scenario with a hidden sleeve.

But like all tests this one scenario should not decide a dogs fate. Just something to build upon, especially at a young age.

I also try not to yell my commands. The dog is not deaf. Platz means platz. If I am doing a building search for a bad guy, loud voices gives your position away.

Kyle

@ Blackmalinois - thanks for the feedback, and yes your suggestion re decoy going to ground re reward is a very good one. (will build that into this test)

@ Kyle - thank you also for your articulate and constructive response - appreciated.

Yes you are right re one test not deciding a dogs fate, a test like this will only give you an indication re potential, and is not the be all and end all. (But certainly a step in the right direction)

Though I take your point re not yelling a command at the dog, that was done here deliberately, for me the sternness in issuing the command is an important part of this test.

Re bringing up this topic for discussion - you are most welcome.

Regards
Gee

Should also clarify - this video is a few years old, when filmed the dog was 14 months old.

I continued training him in many different environments/situations, he is a huge part of our lives/family.

Regards
Gee

 

For this kind of test it is very important  the dog is mental ready, 14 months is also very young for a GSD
but he is doing well.

 

Gee I said before I like your dog slippy floor a headache for many dogs and natural awareness and instinct a lot of dogs are missing . A lot of people will say there dog will do that but they won't . real dog for real suitation and none of the bullshit 👍

yogidog - good to hear from you, appreciated.

Regards
Gee

superb. following on youtube. not enough real life stuff like this. Agree personally id of allowed the dog to win the fight for confidence but nice to see a real dog doing real training.

Hi Fineline,
Thanks for watching, I do try and think outside the box, and to that avail put a lot off thought into my training scenarios. (long before they are executed)

I always have a clear single objective in why I am putting the dog in such a situation, and of course we as a team - continue to learn.

Regards
Gee .