K-9 Training
Herding, Working, and Sporting Dogs
When it comes to canine training not everyone can do it. Some folks are better at teaching than others. If you needed K-9 training, then who better to teach than a teacher? I'm a Delaware educator and a dog trainer. I have worked with many different types of dogs and in as many different venues. My canine training has been with stockdogs, with young retrievers, teaching basic puppy obedience, and by far the toughest and most hazardous canine training job has been in canine personal protection.
During the mid 1990's, I got involved in the sport of Schutzhund and in canine personal protection training. My interests went from a weekend K-9 handler to one as a nationally tested and certified Schutzhund-DVG, Level 3, Trial Helper and a Qualified Training Director. Today, I no longer train for any K-9 sports, instead I am the co-trainer for the DELMARVA WORKING DOG GROUP in Harrington, Delaware. I enjoy working and training with my very good friend Andy Larrimore of Windywoods K9 in Trappe, Maryland.
The DWDG is not a K-9 sport focused organization. We train using real life conditions and mock scenarios. Many of our training elements are designed for practical street and for law enforcement applications. The dogs which we train are from real working lines and not show lines animals. Some of the breeds of dogs that I have worked in my private practice are the Rottweiler, Giant Schnauzer, Bouvier des Flandres, Malinois, Boxer, Pit Bull Terrier, Cane Corso, Dutch Shepherd, and the German Shepherd.
Many folks have a big misunderstanding about personal protection dogs. Some think that because they own a German Shepherd or other large breed that it can do police or security work, or offer the homeowner some form of K-9 personal protection. Not all Labradors are good swimmers or natural retrievers. I have worked with folks who had herding dogs (Shelties, Border Collies, and BC crosses), they were shocked that the dog would not work sheep. Other folks are equally shocked when their "personal protection" dog will not "save them" in mock scenarios. It all centers around good genetics and training.
Good trainers work with a full understanding of their client's need and the dog breed which is presented. Not all Border Collies have the mental strength to move sheep. Not all handlers are good "coaches" or dog owners. Stay away from any trainer who tells you not to come around for several weeks until the dog is "finished." This should be a BIG RED flag and you better know this outfit very well! I have had countless calls from folks who have made that type of mistake. They leave their pet with someone who claims to be a master trainer or who has worked for this agency. When they get their dog back, Fluffy is a basket case.
Ask questions about the training style and any contracts used. Remember, it's your dog and the train must fix your need.
Protection Trained Dogs...My thoughts on the need for a trained canine.
In the United States carjackings happen at a rate of approximately one every 26 seconds. Carjackings are a felony crime, one in which the outcome can result in some form of violence. In order for a carjacking to happen, there are usually three basic elements which must take place. There must be some form of criminal intent, there is an ability by the bad guy* to carry out this action, and there must be an opportunity...a victim is needed.
The victim situation can result from an "interview" the bad guy is having with the victim; some type of basic questioning with you and now he is sizing you up. Once the bad guy feels like the vehicle can be taken, BAMN!...you're had. The solution to this type of problem can be one of the following: One, never go out in public and reduce any contact with human beings...erh, not likely. Two, many states allow their residence to carry concealed firearms, provided that you meet the criminal background checks and have undergone some form of firearms training. Or the third option is having a trained personal protection dog.
The bad guy can't get what he can't have! Drug users don't want a fight and don't want to get hurt. Their main goal is to get the car or the money and score their next fix. With a trained personal protection dog, this makes carjackings and theft a whole lot harder to carry out. Who in any mind frame wants 900 pounds per square inch of bite pressure on their arm or crouch?
Personal protection dogs can be used in almost any scenario. Try these on for size: you need to make a nightly deposit at an ATM machine, you operate a towing service, you own a package store or mini market and are open 24 hours a day, or you do property management for seasonal clients. The scenarios are endless and the canine soultions are too!
Remember, trained personal protection dogs are like owning a firearm. You must know the tool and the outcomes that can be generated. Be careful how you train, who you train with, and what you need a trained dog for!
*bad guy- a human being who was once a nice person, a man or woman who has lost their freaking mind, a scumbag who totality can't get their act together and needs to screw with honest folks, a dirtball who at some point in their new criminal occupation will have their a$$ handed to them in a most painful way.
