Includes a new chapter on indicating without biting.
Learn how to:
• Choose the right dog and training method.
• Train dogs that will out reliably in all situations.
• Solve common problems in aggression-control training.
Aggression control training requires dogs to think while they are excited and under stress, which is no easy task. Dr. Stephen A. Mackenzie has been teaching and using non-compulsive methods for aggression-control training for more than 30 years. His techniques have worked for hundreds of dogs, and have been used and adapted by many skilled trainers and decoys for their individual circumstances.
K9 Aggression Control provides a flexible approach to aggression control that is rooted in obedience training. You may be someone who uses a muzzle, sees a role for toys and games, and works with a decoy who likes to drop the sleeve, or you might not want a muzzle, toy, or dropped sleeve anywhere near your dog—either way this book has options for you. It details techniques and variations so you can choose the options you prefer. Dr. Mackenzie also gives decoys sound advice on controlling a dog’s excitement level, working with handlers, and making the best use of equipment.
A new chapter in this revised and updated edition shows you how to train dogs to indicate a person’s location without biting—essential for the search and rescue trainer and a real plus for modern police forces looking for ways to reduce liability.
Dr. Stephen A. Mackenzie has been a deputy sheriff for more than 20 years and has been training and handling police service dogs for more than 30 years. A popular seminar instructor, he has testified in both criminal and civil cases as a court-recognized expert in animal behavior. He is currently a professor of animal science at the State University of New York at Cobleskill.
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K9 Aggression Control Teaching the "Out"
Although the book has been written with the GP police dog in mind this should be required reading for all dog handlers, trainers, instructors, decoys etc involved in “protection” sports. It would certainly benefit not only themselves but, more importantly, the dogs! Chapter One focuses on the selection of dogs for this arena and how calmness is one behaviour that is often overlooked. Stephen goes on to introduce the Yerkes-Dodson Law which examines the relationship between arousal and performance. The author emphasises the importance of not confusing wild, uncontrollable dogs for highly motivated ones and recognising those whose arousal levels are optimum as well as individuals with levels too high for good performance. This is followed by what is at the core of many of the issues facing bitework enthusiasts, obedience and how compliance can be fun for the dog. Handlers are set up as someone who takes things away from the dog rather than a problem-solving partner and this is usually the root cause of problems with the “out”. There is a handy table which directs the reader to the appropriate section of the book depending on which method they are focusing on. Chapter Four looks at what is often called the Hold and Bark, useful for SAR scenarios including positioning of the dog. The Self Out is not only something that can be taught to green dogs but also to experienced dogs which have developed bad habits due to conflict. The writer goes on to explain his beliefs that some dogs have a genetic predisposition to pain induced aggression and others for redirected aggression and how the Self Out avoids the potential consequences of both. The use of the muzzle is discussed “When the teeth are part of the problem, the muzzle may be part of the solution” Toys and Games are investigated at length, not just as general motivators but with the goal of control, necessary when teaching protection and clear examples of how and when to use them as well as real life studies where they have helped dogs which have been almost ruined using compulsion. I wish all decoys/helpers would read the section devoted to them! As Mr Mackenzie says, they can make or break dogs. The final chapter is on problem solving. If I had one piece of constructive criticism about this publication it would be that a couple of diagrams may clarify the instructions on the bite drill outlined in the section on decoys.
