Doberman Gang
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Friday during IGP practice at the Fall Classic, Blaze and I were asked if we could go back to the host hotel and do a protection demo for a group of AKC Judges and future Judges. Craig Fowler, a helper from the Flint Hills WDC was asked to do the helper work.
This was all taking place in a conference room of the hotel, on carpet with tables and chairs around. There were also tables on ends of the room with food and drinks on them. This is not really an optimum working scenario. Strange room, strange people, food smells and a helper Blaze had never seen before. During a lengthy introduction, where the work ability of the doberman has been lost in conformation and that protection did not mean aggression, I was proud that Blaze sat next to me with his head up and didn’t move. So far so good, now I was asked to send Blaze to guard the helper. I did not feel this was really the best idea that would show how the doberman can work. I interjected had stated I would like to have the helper show aggression towards us then send him in to guard. We did this and after a short guard I had Craig give him a grip and fight with him for a short time. Then we had Craig lock up and i asked Blaze to our. He immediately let go and went back to guarding. I then called him back and into Fuss position. We then performed a short side transport, a short escape bite followed with a drive and stick pressure on the dog. After the lock up I outed Blaze again followed by me heeling him away.
We answered many questions about train, the dogs ability to perceive a threat and know the difference. I talked about the use of ecollars, explaining the stimulation being a muscle stim and not an actual electric shock. How it was extension of training first done on leash then paired with the collar to enable our training to be done at a distance. One of the judges asked if Blaze could be allowed to walk around the room with neutral people to see how he was with other strangers in the room. I walked him front of many of the judges while Craig explained how as helpers we are acting aggressive and in a normal situation, even after working with a dog, the dog should be stable and not see him as a threat. I had him come over and he stood next to Blaze and was petting him. The judges were all impressed, many had been snapping pictures and taking video.
I feel this was a great way to express to the AKC and the working Judges that breeding of the doberman has gotten away from there ability to work. It was expressed that breeding pretty only dogs so to make it easier to sell puppies was not the correct way to preserve the breed. That the doberman could still look beautiful and elegant but perform the job they were designed for and succeed in the show ring.
This was all taking place in a conference room of the hotel, on carpet with tables and chairs around. There were also tables on ends of the room with food and drinks on them. This is not really an optimum working scenario. Strange room, strange people, food smells and a helper Blaze had never seen before. During a lengthy introduction, where the work ability of the doberman has been lost in conformation and that protection did not mean aggression, I was proud that Blaze sat next to me with his head up and didn’t move. So far so good, now I was asked to send Blaze to guard the helper. I did not feel this was really the best idea that would show how the doberman can work. I interjected had stated I would like to have the helper show aggression towards us then send him in to guard. We did this and after a short guard I had Craig give him a grip and fight with him for a short time. Then we had Craig lock up and i asked Blaze to our. He immediately let go and went back to guarding. I then called him back and into Fuss position. We then performed a short side transport, a short escape bite followed with a drive and stick pressure on the dog. After the lock up I outed Blaze again followed by me heeling him away.
We answered many questions about train, the dogs ability to perceive a threat and know the difference. I talked about the use of ecollars, explaining the stimulation being a muscle stim and not an actual electric shock. How it was extension of training first done on leash then paired with the collar to enable our training to be done at a distance. One of the judges asked if Blaze could be allowed to walk around the room with neutral people to see how he was with other strangers in the room. I walked him front of many of the judges while Craig explained how as helpers we are acting aggressive and in a normal situation, even after working with a dog, the dog should be stable and not see him as a threat. I had him come over and he stood next to Blaze and was petting him. The judges were all impressed, many had been snapping pictures and taking video.
I feel this was a great way to express to the AKC and the working Judges that breeding of the doberman has gotten away from there ability to work. It was expressed that breeding pretty only dogs so to make it easier to sell puppies was not the correct way to preserve the breed. That the doberman could still look beautiful and elegant but perform the job they were designed for and succeed in the show ring.
Congratulations!
Of course we know they don’t do that, but that crowd might have been imagining the worst, lol, so good on both of you for bringing your A-game.
