Very interesting phone interview done by the Marino Cane Corso guy, and interviewing the man from Rock of Ages Canis Panther Michael "Gypsy" Stratten. You'll recall discussion of the Stratten and the Canis Panther from this thread.
Key points of interest to me:
Teach your dog to go for the weapon hand. This aligns with what William Koehler said many years ago. If you have your dog latched onto a sleeve and the helper is smacking it with the rubber baton, maybe the dog should neutralize the hand that's using the weapon.
Yeah, this guy speaks against sport bitework training, including sending your dog to chase people.
He advocates not socializing your dog except with people in your family. I guess this takes a pretty sheltered approach to life. With my first Dobe, this is what I did. He indeed would bite by default unless I took control of the situation. Yes, it was stressful, because I did not just shelter my dog in my house and my yard. This really reminds me of years ago when I had that first Dobe at an obedience competition in Maryland. (Yes, he could handle this even with his poorly socialized state). I had him in the parking lot and a well-dressed black man who had two Dobes on leashes asked me if he could pet my dog. (He was a conformation handler). I said no. He asked why. I said because until I could have him protection trained, I did not want him to think everyone is a nice person. He didn't like this. I asked if his dogs would protect. He said of course. I asked why. He said "Because they are the real deal." I said "You haven't told me anything."
Also advocated is muzzle training instead of sleeve training.
He also advises against playing tug with your dog or having it bite a tug toy you're holding. He said do not have your dog fight you with its mouth. He said when he touches the article, he expects the dog to drop it. This most certainly confirms as a no-no ever having your dog bite a sleeve that you are wearing, which I hope not many informed people are doing.
But first, before any of this, Stratten stresses: Teach "No." And teach "Come."
