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Posts Tagged ‘dog training’
Tuesday, August 24th, 2010
 One of the most important aspects of a good protection dog is good nerves. If you’ve ever seen a pet get spooked in a loud thunderstorm, you know how loud noises can often throw an animal off-guard. Even most humans jump at the sound of a large bang. For police officers, recognizing the sound of gunfire, being able to remain steady and calm, and being able to act quickly and effectively to neutralize the threat are all life-saving necessities. The exact same is true of protection dogs.
In French Ring sport, there is an exercise intended to test the nerves of a competing dog, and how it performs during gunfire. In this exercise, the decoy/helper is given a gun that fires blanks. The dog is instructed to take a bite on the decoy, and the decoy fires the gun twice during the approach. The decoy fires once more during the bite, and then freezes, at which point the dog lets go and begins to guard the decoy. The judge then signals for the decoy to attempt two escapes, during which the dog will take two more bites to prevent escape. Finally, the judge signals to the handler to disarm the decoy and end the exercise.
It is important that protection dogs be trained around gunfire, and this exercise certainly accomplishes this. However, French Ring dogs are being trained with a fatal flaw that could end disastrously in a real-life situation. The third shot fired by the decoy is made after the dog has already taken a bite. In a real-life situation, this would be fatal to the dog. A criminal with a gun is not simply going to fire blanks into the air during a real confrontation; he’s going to aim at the dog biting him. A true protection dog should always be trained to target the weapon-arm as a first priority. Waiting for the handler to disarm the opponent is simply absurd, and could quickly end in death. The sooner that the gun is out of the criminal’s hand, the more of a chance there is that all involved will survive without serious injury.
The Belgian Malinois, and German Shepherds that compete in French Ring exercises are certainly impressive, but when it comes to true, functional protection work, you need dogs that are trained for real protection in real-life scenarios.
Tags: Belgian Malinois, dog training, Firearm, French Ring, German Shepherd, Guard Dog, Protection Dog
Posted in French Ring Sport | No Comments »
Tuesday, August 17th, 2010
 Hundreds of years ago dogs were only kept on farms, and were not permitted within the confines of city life. Today, it is a very different story; dogs are seen accompanying humans in all places and filling a variety of roles in human society. While different dogs perform a variety of different jobs, they all have one form of training in common: obedience training. Obedience is the key factor that has allowed us to integrate canines into our society so effectively. Without obedience, there is no control, and without control, your dog cannot reliably perform its job. Schutzhund emphasises the importance of obedience training in all of its exercises. Sch3 titled dogs are required to show exemplary obedience. Unfortunately, other sports such as KNPV allow for obedience that is just good enough to pass. While protection work and agility are certainly very important, obedience should always come first.
Unlike protection work and tracking, which take advantage of the natural tendencies in canine behavior, obedience training is very unnatural for a dog to learn. Because of this, training obedience can be very stressful on a dog if not done correctly. When we deliver our personal protection dogs, we tell all of our clients to perform quick ten-minute obedience exercises with their dog each day. This not only improves the dog’s obedience, but also helps build a strong bond and sense of leadership between the handler and the canine. In a ten-minute training session, the dog should be able to complete a sit, down, come heel and stay, about 20 times each. Keeping the sessions short and quick helps reduce the stress on your dog. Remember to use a strong and commanding voice during these exercises. Done five times a week, this becomes 100 repetitions of each command; over a month, it becomes 400. Keep doing the math, and you will find that this leads to a happier, more balanced dog with very strong obedience.
I am very fortunate to have the luxury of walking my dogs each and every day on the street. I walk my dogs at least five miles a day, and not a day goes by that I won’t someone won’t pass us with their own dog. Although my dogs don’t pose as a threat to those who walk past us, people always react the same: they immediately stop, and tighten the lead. This reaction is the exact opposite of what one should do. By doing this, one only builds suspicion in their dog. One must use common sense when walking their dog. This means having a loose lead and to have movement, not to stop. Remember: a loose lead shows control, a tight lead shows no control. To some, this is common sense, but common sense is often not so common.
Tags: Canine Protection, dog training, K.N.P.V., Obedience, Protection Dog, Schutzhund
Posted in Training | Comments Off
Thursday, August 12th, 2010
 French Ring Sport is a European dog sport that originated in France during the 1900’s. It shares a common history with Belgian Ring Sport and has a similar set of rules. Although the idea of dog sport began as a way to test the working ability of participating dogs, French Ring and Belgian Ring have always been somewhat of a spectator sport, intended to impress on-lookers with feats of canine agility and bite-work. This has lead to the development of some of the most physically demanding exercises of all dog sports.
One of the toughest exercises in French Ring is known as the palisade. It is considered an advanced agility exercise, and is only required for Ring II and Ring III titles. The palisade is essentially a vertical wall that the dog is expected to scale. The palisade must be jumped twice in a single exercise: once over, and once more to return to the handler. The minimum height for a palisade is 1.7m (5.5′), but an additional 2 points are awarded for extra 0.1m of height added to the palisade, for a maximum of 2.3m (7.5′). To put this in perspective, most municipalities impose a limit of about 2m (6.5′) on fences surrounding residential property.
The palisade in French Ring is built from horizontal planks of wood stacked one atop another and held in place by two wooden posts. During training, an incline is sometimes added to one side of the palisade to allow the dog to descend easily rather than dropping the full height of the palisade to the ground. This incline is, of course, not present in official competition.
To train a dog to scale a 2.3m palisade is certainly an impressive feat, but one should keep in mind that impressive feats in sport do not always translate to effective protection in real life. A dog that can take on a palisade with a smooth wooden top may have a great deal more difficulty attempting to scale an uneven chain-link fence. Respect should be given to those who put in the immense amount of dedication required to train their German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois for French Ring, but true protection work should be left to dogs who have been properly trained for protection work in the real world.
Tags: Belgian Malinois, dog training, French Ring, German Shepherd, Palisade, Protection Dog, Ring Sport, Sporting Dog
Posted in French Ring Sport, Sporting Dogs | Comments Off
Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010
 Schutzhund is a dog sport originating in Germany as a way to test the working ability of German Shepherd dogs during the early 1900’s. Since then, it has involved into a popular sport, and is enjoyed by canine enthusiasts worldwide. The sport itself offers titles to dogs who compete favorably. Teams of handler and dog can compete for specialised titles that focus on one specific area, but the standard Schutzhund titles demand proficiency in three areas: tracking, obedience and protection.
The purpose of obedience is to test a dog’s loyalty, intelligence and ability to be trained. Obedience exercises are performed in all levels of Schutzhund training, and are especially important during the preliminary Begleithunde (BH) stages. One such exercise is known as the “send out” exercise. While the basic concept of Send Out is fairly simple, this exercise is considered one of the more difficult to train for, especially for inexperienced handlers. In the exercise, the handler gives a “send out” command (typically “voraus”), to which the dog must respond by running in the direction signalled by the handler. After about 30 paces, the handler gives the “platz” command, to which the dog must respond by immediately stopping its run and entering a down stay.
As with all distance exercises, it is best to start training at short distances, and gradually increase the distance until it is above 30 paces. Before training the send out exercise, it is important that the dog already be trained for to down stay with the platz command. Begin the send out training by having the dog simply run out, and then gradually add in the platz command. Many trainers begin training by placing a toy in the field and having the dog run to the toy. However, the effectiveness of using a toy is debatable. Regardless of how training begins, one should keep in mind that no toy or object will be present in the Schutzhund ring during judging. Speed is important in this exercise, so it is important that you train for the exercise when your dog is well rested and has energy.
Whether you have a German Shepherd, Dutch Shepherd or Belgian Malinois, obedience is the most important factor in successful training. If a dog cannot consistently follow basic commands, there is no way it will be able to complete complicated protection exercises. One should also keep in mind that Schutzhund training is effective only for sporting dogs. If you want a true protection dog, you need a dog that has been trained specifically for real-world protection from the very beginning.
Tags: Belgian Malinois, dog training, German Shepherd, Protection Dog, Schutzhund
Posted in Schutzhund | Comments Off
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010
 The burger bite, meaning “live bite” in Dutch, is a very serious bite to train and test in the canine world. We at Command Control K9 test all of our protection dogs before we deliver them. One would be very surprised by how many personal protection dogs there are in the world that will not take a burger bite. The majority of the dogs that we test are equipment orientated. This is fake security; even if one uses a new hidden sleeve, the dog can smell the jute. We all know that a criminal does not come into your home with a bite suite on. We at Command Control K9 have no interest in a dog that is fixated on the sleeve or bite suit. It may look good in the sporting world, but it has no purpose in the real world.
 To test for a burger bite, one must be a very experienced decoy, also known as a helper. This is not something one would fool around with. I’ve seen too many people get seriously hurt with these exercises. To do the exercise properly, the decoy/helper will take an old, thin phone book and wrap it around the forearm with duct tape, then take an old sweater, or jacket, and slip it over. It is very important that you not only use a lead, but also have communication between the decoy and the handler.
Tags: burger bijten, burger bite, Canine Training, dog training, live bite, Protection Dog
Posted in Bite Technique, Training | Comments Off
Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010
 The Koninklijke Nederlandse Politiehond Vereniging, or KNPV, is one of the most popular dog sports in the world. Handlers put an incredible amount of time and effort into training their dogs to participate in KNPV, and often do so strictly out of enjoyment, and passion for the sport. Once a dog has received its first title, known as KNPV PH1, the handler has a choice of either continuing training with the dog in order to attempt to gain more specialised titles, or to sell the dog as police protection dog.
While KNPV was originally created in Holland as a way of training and testing potential police dogs, the reality is that the training a dog receives for KNPV isn’t sufficient for real work alongside a police officer, or as a personal protection dog. The dog essentially has to be re-trained in order for it to make the transition properly.
The first step in re-training a KNPV dog for personal protection is to fill in any gaps in obedience training. While KNPV dogs are taught to heel properly, many are never taught to sit. Training for obedience takes time and patience. It is best to start slowly, leaving the dog in a “sit-stay”, and only taking a few short steps away. Gradually work up to greater distances and more distractions.
Correcting bite-work in KNPV dogs is extremely important. In KNPV, a dog is allowed to continue biting as long as the decoy moves, so having the dog correctly release on command is essential. Start by having the decoy stop moving when the release command is given, and gradually begin adding more movement in order to associate release with the given command rather than the level of movement. Upon release, a KNPV dog will have been trained to guard the decoy. In a real life situation, this is unnecessary and may interfere with the police officers’ attempts to subdue and handcuff the apprehended criminal after the release command has been given. It is important not to immediately correct the dog for behavior it has been specifically trained to do. This will only create stress and anxiety in the dog. It may be necessary to put the dog on a long lead, and calmly pull the dog out of guard after a release. Being able to call off the dog is also very important.
Finally, a KNPV dog must be re-trained to correctly track and search. A KNPV dog will have already been trained to track human scent from the ground, but must be re-trained to do article searches, and to indicate at the article rather than mouthing it.
Whether you’re training your German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois to be a guard dog, police dog or personal protection dog, it is important to remember that KNPV is just a sport. Working in the real world requires training for real world scenarios.
Tags: Belgian Malinois, dog training, K.N.P.V., Protection Dog
Posted in Training | Comments Off
Wednesday, December 30th, 2009
 When making a home delivery, there’s always a lot to talk about. In addition to showing the client how to handle their protection dog, I offer advice ranging anywhere from nutrition, to bonding, to ensure that you’ll get the maximum security benefit from your dog.
One bit of advice that always seems to surprise our clients is that you should not reveal the name of your protection dog to anyone outside of your inner circle. Not many people have heard this. It seems like the most natural thing ever, like introducing a member of the family. However, knowing a dog’s name allows someone to exercise control.
My point was proven a few years back when I had a Dutch trainer at my kennel along with a new Belgian Malinois. The Malinois was in an enclosure and we were standing outside it. I commanded, in Dutch, that the dog ‘come here’. The dog looked at me but did not come. Using the dog’s name, I said “Troy, come here”. The dog immediately responded and came to me. Knowing his name made the dog feel less defensive. The trainer left having learned a lesson.
Protection dogs should be trained not to cue on name but on the handler’s vocals only. The handler’s voice is as important as the command. We also do not teach our dogs using hand signals (as commands) for the same reason. When we deliver a dog, we teach him or her to take command from your vocals instead of ours.
Here at the kennel, we do not use names in our training. We have one name for males and another for females. It’s not uncommon for us to train multiple dogs at the same time; during this time, we only control the dogs through voice commands and eye contact, not through the use of names. Although all of our dogs have a given pedigree name, they are delivered without knowing their names. I have several clients who never use their dog’s name at all.
So next time you are walking your dog and someone asks you what your dog’s name is, keep in mind that the truth may not be in your best interest. For security purposes, maybe “Max” will do?
Tags: Belgian Malinois, dog training, Guard Dog, Protection Dog, Security Dog
Posted in CCK9 Policy | Comments Off
Friday, December 18th, 2009
 Many people make the mistake of assuming that their dog sees the world the same way they do. We all know of a dog’s great sense of smell, and many of us have heard that dogs are colourblind, but few of us really know what this means, or how a dog’s vision may be different from ours.
First of all, dogs are not completely colourblind. Vision in both humans and canines is measured by photoreceptors known as cones and rods at the back of our eyes. Cones are able to pick up fine details in colour, whereas rods are able to better pick up motion and dim light. The ratio of cones to rods in our eyes determines whether we are better at picking up fine details and colours, or better at picking up motion and seeing in the dark. Dogs have significantly more rods than humans, and as a result, they are much better at seeing in low-light situations, but less cones means they are less able to perceive colour. Dogs are still able to see some colour, but cannot distinguish between greens, yellows, oranges and reds. To those of us with guide dogs, this information may be troubling, as one starts to wonder how a guide dog can differentiate between a green light and a red light at an intersection. However, there are a number of other queues that a dog will pick up on, including brightness and position of the light, as well as noise and traffic.
Secondly, the lack of cones in a dog’s eyes affect the level of detail with which they can see. As a result, they are less able to visually distinguish objects that are far away. While humans with ideal eye-sight are said to have 20/20 vision, a dog may only have 20/75 vision. This means that a dog has to be 20 feet away from an object in order to see it with the same level of detail that a human can see 75 feet away. Many working dogs, such as German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois or Dutch Shepherds, have been bred for better senses, including vision. Your protection dog may have better vision than a house pet, but it would still be less than that of a human. Of course, vision is not the only sense at a dog’s disposal. While your dog may not be able to see you sitting still at the other side of a field, he may be able to hear you, and can almost certainly smell you. On top of this, any amount of movement will be picked up by your dog’s rod-heavy photoreceptors.
Keeping these factors in mind is important in effectively training and working with protection dogs, guard dogs and security dogs. You have to know your dogs strengths and weaknesses, and how to employ your dog at its absolute best.
Tags: Canine Training, Canine Vision, dog training, German Shepherd, Guard Dog, Protection Dog, Security Dog
Posted in Canine Health, Protection Dogs, Training | Comments Off
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
 As the leaves have changed colour and fallen, and we are experiencing our first winter storm of the season, we at Command Control K9 change our training tactics. With winter upon us, it gives us an opportunity to work our protection dogs in a winter environment.
We do less agility, and focus more on man – scent tracking in the deep, snowy, cold winter nights.
A good protection dog has to be well rounded and able to work in all conditions, whether it is in extreme heat or cold, day or night. This is why we at CCK9 only breed train and sell German Shepherds, Dutch Shepherds and Belgian Malinois, for they, unlike any other breeds, can climate themselves from extreme heat and extreme cold.
Winter is also an exciting time, for this is the time when we not only celebrate the holiday season with our family and friends, but also a time of the year when we breed our female, for a new generation of fetcher personal protection dogs.
Tags: Belgian Malinois, dog training, German Shepherds, Guard Dogs, Protection Dogs, Winter
Posted in CCK9, Training | Comments Off
Thursday, October 29th, 2009
 A group of German Shepherd trainers in the south of Norfolk County, England are preparing a select few of their German Shepherds for work as guide dogs for the blind. The Labrador and Golden Retriever have been the symbolic breeds of guide dog work for a long time, and while the work is not exclusive to these breeds, the symbol of a black lab is synonymous with charity organizations associated with funding guide dogs. However, what many people don’t realise is that German Shepherds were the first breeds to be used as guide dogs before Labradors and Retrievers became more popular.
Karen Jannece, the current trainer of and 18-month old German Shepherd, speculates that the use of Labradors and Retrievers over German Shepherds is a matter of size, and that there may be undue prejudice against the larger German Shepherd. “German Shepherds made better guide dogs, but took longer to develop,” explains Karen, “German Shepherds are very intelligent and very loyal. They are more attentive than Labradors.” The use of German Shepherds as protection dogs and guard dogs by the police is another reason why people might be unnecessarily intimidated by the breed.
Pathfinder Dogs, the small charity organization responsible for the reintroduction of German Shepherds for use as guide dogs, already have 90 blind people on their waiting list. Unfortunately, training any dog to be a guide dog is a long and expensive process. It costs about £36,000 ($58,955 USD) to purchase and train a puppy. We hope that the kind donations of caring citizens will help bring more German Shepherd guide dogs to more people who need them.
Tags: dog training, German Shepherd, Guard Dog, Guide Dogs, Protection Dog, Seeing Eye Dogs
Posted in German Shepherd, German Shepherd Puppies | Comments Off
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