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I apologize in advance for this being a long question: We have three helpers at our club (SchH/IPO), that have three different philosophies pertaining to the working of a young dog (8 months to 16 months):
Helper #1 believes in not staying in kindergarden with a dog. He believes in moving a dog from tug to intermediate sleeve (no bite wedge or puppy sleeve in between) fairly quickly because either the dog has it - or does not have it. He will not back up in training or provide animation to build the young dogs confidence. His philosophy is the dog will learn to bite whatever presented or else he's done for the day.
Helper #2 believes that you should not work a dog in protection work or obedience until the dog is at least 16 months old.
Helper #3 believes if the dog is not biting the tug hard and full, bite pillow, puppy sleeve then wait until the dog is consistently biting hard at each step (rag, tug, puppy sleeve etc) before moving to the next item. His philosophy is keep the dog in "kindergarden" until it is ready to advance to the next higher level - at all stages. He believes in providing animation until the dogs confidence level is built.
Being fairly new to the "dog sport" world, maybe I am missing something.
I don't understand the first two helpers philosphy - even though I have heard them explain it many times. I don't want a 16 month old Mal, or any other dog for that matter, running around without any obedience. I don't understand why I would want to force feed a sleeve onto a dog that obviously does not understand "the game" or is conflicted. Needless to say, I only allow Helper #3 to work my dog.
What are your thoughts or experiences concerning which helper you would choose.
Thanks in advance for all replies.
Helper #1 believes in not staying in kindergarden with a dog. He believes in moving a dog from tug to intermediate sleeve (no bite wedge or puppy sleeve in between) fairly quickly because either the dog has it - or does not have it. He will not back up in training or provide animation to build the young dogs confidence. His philosophy is the dog will learn to bite whatever presented or else he's done for the day.
Helper #2 believes that you should not work a dog in protection work or obedience until the dog is at least 16 months old.
Helper #3 believes if the dog is not biting the tug hard and full, bite pillow, puppy sleeve then wait until the dog is consistently biting hard at each step (rag, tug, puppy sleeve etc) before moving to the next item. His philosophy is keep the dog in "kindergarden" until it is ready to advance to the next higher level - at all stages. He believes in providing animation until the dogs confidence level is built.
Being fairly new to the "dog sport" world, maybe I am missing something.
I don't understand the first two helpers philosphy - even though I have heard them explain it many times. I don't want a 16 month old Mal, or any other dog for that matter, running around without any obedience. I don't understand why I would want to force feed a sleeve onto a dog that obviously does not understand "the game" or is conflicted. Needless to say, I only allow Helper #3 to work my dog.
What are your thoughts or experiences concerning which helper you would choose.
Thanks in advance for all replies.