Mechanics of Working a Dog in a Suit

This series of training has two purposes:

• The first is to teach decoys correct and safe training concepts in a bite suit.
• The second is to teach dog handlers exactly what, why, and how a decoy should work a dog in a bite suit. We want to teach dog handlers exactly what decoys are doing with their dogs. We want dog handlers to recognize good training as well as inappropriate training. We want to give handlers the information they need to be able to discuss and communicate a training plan with their decoy.

OUTLINE

1. General Observations
• Dog Being Worked
• The Dog and Decoy Are Sparring Partners
• Theory of the Dog Controlling the Fight
• Equipment Use & Purpose
• Sensitivity Recognition and Awareness
• Safety and Precautions
2. Basic Body Position & Stick Technique
• Posture and Awareness of the Point of Impact
• Purpose of the Stick
• Basic Stick Technique
• How and Where to Strike the Dog
• Practice Drills
3. Working a Dog on the Legs
• Movement and Feel
• Grip Development and Countering
• Touching the Dog as Reinforcement
• Variations
4. Working a Dog on the Upper Body
• Movement and Feel
• Grip Development and Countering
• Variations
5. Introduction and Maintenance of Environmental Accessories
• Importance of Accessory Introduction Pre-Bite
• Application and Relief
• How and Where to Use the Accessory
6. Application of Decoy Pressure
• Basic Postures
• Application & Relief
• Status vs. Hectic - When and Why
• The Out & Releasing Bite
7. Dealing with Sensitivities
• Dealing with the Individual
• Methodical Conditioning
• Application and Relief
• Overdoing It
8. Conclusion

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR, MARK KEATING

Mark is a professional dog trainer at Red Star Kennel in Hudson, WI. He is also a French Ring decoy, handler, and trainer. Mark has over 15 years of experience training dogs in obedience, protection work, and behavior modification.

As a Ring decoy, Mark has decoyed over 30 trials in the US and Canada under several American and French judges. Mark was the US winner of the North American Ringsport Association’s Decoy Super Selection, and also decoyed the 2009 regional championship. As a handler, Mark has titled a Dutch Shepherd mix to Ring I, and his Malinois, Lot du Loups du Soleil, to Ring III. As a coach/training decoy, Mark has developed the entire program on over ten dogs ranging from brevet to Ring III. Notable achievements would be the world’s first Ring I Presa (Red Star Lutiy) and the US’s first Ring II Bouvier female (Briarlea’s Luna). In addition, Mark has taught technique to countless dogs of various disciplines of various breeds, and also taught seminars in French Ring around the midwest.

Mark, along with Irina Shimko, breed working Presa Canarios, Belgian Malinois, and Miniature Poodles at Red Star Kennel.