Joined
·
124 Posts
Seems pretty unanimous that muzzle training adds all sorts of positives to bite-training. My question is...
Can you train a reliable PPD through mostly muzzle-work?
Assume the dog has the genetics for it, and is desensitized to the muzzle. Could you get away with doing 90% of the protection training in a muzzle? Obviously some training/testing on a sleeve or suit to make sure the dog outs without the muzzle.
Since I ditched the sleeves and upped the muzzle-work, my dog's learning curve has sky-rocketed. I think the reason this has worked so well for me are:
1. My dog never had much drive for equipment, despite a lot of drive building.
2. The inexperienced helpers that I often work with seem more comfortable working the dog in a muzzle then posted with a sleeve. (My dog will come right under/over/around a sleeve if you let him.) Wish I had consistent access to a bite-suit, but I don't.
Looking forward to others' thoughts.
Simon
Can you train a reliable PPD through mostly muzzle-work?
Assume the dog has the genetics for it, and is desensitized to the muzzle. Could you get away with doing 90% of the protection training in a muzzle? Obviously some training/testing on a sleeve or suit to make sure the dog outs without the muzzle.
Since I ditched the sleeves and upped the muzzle-work, my dog's learning curve has sky-rocketed. I think the reason this has worked so well for me are:
1. My dog never had much drive for equipment, despite a lot of drive building.
2. The inexperienced helpers that I often work with seem more comfortable working the dog in a muzzle then posted with a sleeve. (My dog will come right under/over/around a sleeve if you let him.) Wish I had consistent access to a bite-suit, but I don't.
Looking forward to others' thoughts.
Simon