Chicks doing helper work? - Page 4

Keith, I think (and hope) what Jeff was saying is, it is critical that a helper learn to read the dog to the level that he/she can make quick adjustments even during a training session. We can teach a lot of folks to give a bite, but most don't want to be bothered with the work involved in reading a dog or even in planning training sessions. (A lot of people just don't have the ability.) No offense meant to anyone.

I've been known to put the sleeve on.  I just started lifting again... it's a must if a "Chick" is going to do this work. 

go melanie!  love it!

So I need to start with the titled, experienced dogs, eh?  GREAT!  That means taking a bruising from "Nando".  This dog has got to be way more than half my body weight.  Oy!  Can I work the puppies now?  Please?  PLEASE???

Yvette

This is what I call "taking the dog for a walk" the hard way.  I think I got a looooong way to go before I get my "running drive" down pat.

Yvette

P.S.  Didn't someone ask to see pictures of chicks doing helper work, oops I mean ladies doing helper work?

"chicks" rule!

Quote:

No offense there Jeff but without proper techniques you will never be able to teach a dog correct targeting. Period. Granted there are plenty of things a helper can do without a sleeve but to say a the last thing a helper should learn to use is a sleeve is a might melodramatic don't you think?

I know so many helpers that just go through the motions, and cannot read a dog. If I were to train someone properly, that is how I would do it. What good is proper sleeve technique if they cannot read a dog to know when to reward???? I don't need a trial decoy 98% of the time, but I do need a training decoy that much.

Besides, what is the hurry? So it takes a bit longer to get them catching dogs, so what??? : )

What did I tell you women?  Stop all the talk and get out there and do it!  If not go back to the kitchen!!!!!!!!LOL

Sorry, my multiple personality disorder has kicked in again.  Time for those pills!

I see where you are coming from even just from watching my own dogs when sometimes the bite is given either too soon or too late.  timing is everything.  or when to "push" the dog or when to let the dog "push" you.

Quote: Good post.  Talk to me about reading dogs.  I'm a novice, right?  So how do I learn to read dogs?  This has got to be a tough one to verbalize, as there are not likely any kind of clear "rules" involved.  So how do I develop "the knack"?

Set up a blind, and get a young dog, see if you can from a distance get the different reactions from the dog. Try to get all of them, with the reward being that you run away to the blind. Do this with a bunch of different dogs, until you can get the response you want fairly quickly from each dog. Then get a new set of dogs and do it again ! ! !  LOL

Sleeve presentation is super easy, I know that some people seem to have problems with it, but this is something that you can do without a dog.

That is the easy answer. You need to know what body language will ellicit what response, what dogs switch to defense really easily, what the signs of avoidance are, and what disaster got you that close. This way when you are working a dog you can push them a bit when needed, or back off when needed, and it is such a bonus to have someone that at least can tell you what went wrong or right, and why.