Michael Ellis 2-Week Protection Class - Part 1

320 Videos | 18 Hours of Content

Over the past 16 years, we have produced a number of excellent training videos with our friend Michael Ellis. Up to now, we have never released a comprehensive course on protection dog training.

Some years ago, I went to The Michael Ellis School for Dog Training and filmed his 2-week protection class. I came back with 43 hours of excellent video. We are releasing this class in a 2-part series. There are a total of 733 videos totaling 43 hours of training in part one and part two.  This is the most extensive course on training protection work anywhere. Leerburg has close to 300 hours of work in filming, editing, and building out this course. 

In 2023, Michael retired from running his school for dog trainers in California. While he continues to do occasional seminars, he no longer runs his immersion program, his intern program, or his school. This course allows trainers to take advantage of what used to be offered at the school.

This comprehensive course is designed for dog trainers, handlers, decoys, and enthusiasts interested in the specialized field of protection work. Students will explore the fundamental principles, techniques, and equipment used in various protection scenarios, from personal protection to sport training. 

This course is ideal for dog owners who wish to compete in various biting dog sports, professional dog trainers, new law enforcement personnel, and dedicated dog owners looking to enhance their knowledge and skills in protection work.

Course Topics:

Introduction to Protection Work

    - Definition and importance

    - Historical evolution and current applications

    - Overview of bite work techniques and their roles

Understanding the Types of Protection Work

    - Personal protection: Techniques for individuals

    - Professional protection: Training for police and military

    - Sport protection: Competitive aspects and regulations

    - Essential protection equipment: Overview and selection testing

    - Understanding aggression types and terminology used in the field

Equipment Mastery

    - Leash pressure techniques and their applications

    - Bite work equipment essentials

    - Understanding equipment bias

    - Overview of additional gear and its purpose

The Role of Your Decoy

    - The importance of the decoy in bite work

    - Familiarization and targeting techniques

    - Practical skills: Leg sleeve, arm sleeve, and bite suit work

    - Working with hidden equipment

Handler Dynamics

    - Key roles and responsibilities of the handler

    - Effective posting and carrying techniques

    - Training protection skills without a decoy

Puppy Bite work

    - Understanding developmental stages: pre-teething, teething, and early adolescence

    - Puppy imprinting and play/tug activities

    - Criteria for selecting the ideal biting puppy

Young Dog Bite Work

    - Focus on post-teething adolescents and aggression development

    - Strategies for building drive and engagement

    - Teaching controls and practical exercises for young dogs

Adult Dog Bite work

    - Teaching advanced techniques in capping and control your dog's drives

    - Methods for building intensity and assessing older dogs

    - Implementing corrections and evaluating maturity in protection work

This new course is designed to teach the skill set needed to be able to design a training program in protection work for a dog.