any pics from the usa sieger show in san jose? - Page 10

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Tess good dogs can deal with some pressure from their handler without hitting the deck. I have only had one GSD that practicly pissed himself when I raised my voice but he was a rescue, (who knows what he went through before me) neutered ( I'd never breed to a soft dog like him, no matter how much I loved him) You can't and really shouldn't make excuses for softness in our breed. Unless dogs are taking 2x4's in the head, they shouldn't be bobbing and weaving/avoiding the handler or helper.  These are suppossed to be GSD's, a working breed of courage and valor. The mentality I am hearing sounds we are breeding toy or fancy breeds, like the Bichon Freis.

It is tough watching a dog get stepped on in a trial but this is not uncommon. From what I understand this happened at the AWDF this year by a very experienced helper also. This however does not open the door for the judge to say I felt sorry for the dog or here have a do over. It is a trial and it is what it is. It is just a shame that this SS is what it is. The great devide of the GSD begins at trials like this. If the judges cannot step up to the plate, the breeders and handlers themselves have no reason to bring better dogs onto the field. It is disgusting to watch, but more than that is that its permissible and acceptable by so many.

V Xara vom Ecknachtal got stepped on in the NASS one year. Cost her V-A. She was good dog in the bitework, but had bad luck.  We couldn't even watch the closing ceremonies, so disappointed and pissed off.  It was her last show, sadly retired on a bad note when she should have been basking in glory on the podium. I forgave the helper, but it took me awhile...

Sometimes you eat the bear....

How is it the helpers fault that the dog got stepped on?  I've been training with one of the best helpers in the NE for the last year.  During that time I've worked with arguably 3 of the best in the region on several occasions receiving coaching and working dogs with them all day.  I've worked with Ivan for about 2 hours after a seminar on only helper work. I've even been to a seminar and watched T Floyd work dogs.  All of these guys on an occasion have stepped on dogs.  Furthermore, I don’t even begin to call myself a helper at this point, but have as good a foundation as anyone.  No one has ever mentioned during all of this that it was the helpers responsibility to not step on dogs feet.  Obviously there is a common sense expectation to avoid them, but with so many dogs fighting to stay out of the pocket, either because they've been trained to fight the helper and it gives them a mechanical advantage, or for those just stick wary or feeling too pressured to stay in, it is damn near impossible to ensure the dog does not get stepped on. Dogs take mis-steps, helpers are only human (therefore are by nature imperfect) and I’ve seen a number of dogs get stepped on and not release the sleeve – so is really the helper s fault if a dogs comes off when it gets stepped on as will happen from time to time?

Hell, if a helper stepped on the toes of one of my boys, it would only intensify their fight drive.

My dog  has been stepped on - pisses him off and makes him bite harder, sometimes to the point where he is slow to out :)

From what I saw in the video, the dogs that were stepped on, had already released the sleeve, lurched backwards (away from the helper), flipped over tummy-up and rolled around under the helper's feet.  Total avoidance on the part of the dog, getting stepped on only because the dog was prostrating on it's back under the helper's feet. 

molly