SDA Decoy Question for Tom Cawood

[W.Oliver]

Tom,

Since we've somehow got you sucked-in on the forum, I'd like to take advantage of that and pick your brain.

Tim Wild has been my mentor in catching dogs, and with his guidance, I have secured my Basic Helper Classification with USA.

Tim has also been coaching me with SDA Decoy work, and at the Priemier, I had the opportunity to meet Wayne Dodge, where he offered several of us a bit of a training session.





My question to you and Tim as well, is......

What are the Certification Levels of SDA Decoys? I do not view myself as an extraordinary decoy....My goal is simply to be safe & not hurt a dog, and to relieve Tim so he does not have to carry the entire load at our club. Is there a place for that type of mindset as an SDA decoy? I am not suggesting my effort or my apprach would be half-ed....but at the same time, I am not some macho guy who is going to be a national level decoy or helper....I simply want to learn and catch dogs safely.

Thank you in advance for your thoughts/comments for me and anyone else who may be interested in becoming and SDA decoy.

[TomSDA]

Hey Wayne,

Just got in from our monthly club meeting.

In an attempt to try and answer your question, I too kinda fall in the same catagory as your self. I will never be able to perform the helper work for the upper levels required at a SDA trial especially with the changes that are forth coming this year in the PD titles.
With that being said I think Wayne will probably be setting up a system to certify decoys who would be qualified to work the P1 and the front half of the P2 & P3 routines. Then certifications for decoys who can work any of the protection routines (P and/or PD).
This year the PD titles will have a frontal attack/catch much like the KNPV stlye and you have to keep in mind that SDA does allow dogs who have been trained to take leg bites so the decoys have to have experience in doing this.
Also you have to remember SDA puts alot of emphasis on the decoys ability to present a very threating demeanor when testing a dog. This is something I find most decoys are not capable or not comfortable in doing, they may have the physical capabilities and the know how to properly & safely catch the dogs they just do not have that strong threating demeanor.
There will be a certication for the highest ranking decoys that actually perform a 90 or better on a scale of 0 to 100 and these decoys will be considered Honor Decoys and will work the two or three Honor trials we plan to hold.

[onyx'girl]

Tom,
Do you have interest in people training to be decoys? I am a bit worried that some clubs (SchH included) have a lack of helpers so therefore cannot go forward.
The last club I was affiliated with just had their helper/TD resign. I hope there is interest in those certifying!

[TomSDA]

Fortunately yes we do, just recently we have had several new and very capable decoys contact us who want to get involved with SDA.

[W.Oliver]

Originally Posted By: Tom CawoodWith that being said I think Wayne will probably be setting up a system to certify decoys who would be qualified to work the P1 and the front half of the P2 & P3 routines.

That sounds like where I will set my sights....Tim has the skill, and ability to carry our club, and I can strive to play a support role.

I am looking forward to the training in the spring and becoming a Certified SDA Decoy.....(If I can pull it off!) LOL

Thanks for the feedback Tom.

[Wayne Dodge]

I spoke with Tom and he asked me to stop by and answer some questions that you or anyone else on this forum may have. So in turn if there are any questions I will do my best to answer them.

I would also like to Thank every SDA decoy who volunteers their time and effort to this program.

[cliffson1]

What's up Wayne....good to hear from you.....Decoy program is in good hands with you at the helm!!!
Cliff from SJWDC

[Betty]

Hi Wayne!

[Wayne Dodge]

Hi Cliff and Betty, nice to hear from the two of you.

Thank You Cliff for the compliment, I will give it my best effort.

We will be holding two decoy seminars at least this year, one in Ocala on the 18th thru the 21st of March and another in the Michigan area in July some time. I hope to have you all attend, it will be a Good time with some solid decoy work put in each day.

A lot of changes are coming down the pipe over the next year and I hope that we will all have a better program for it.

Wayne

[W.Oliver]

Wayne,

Thank you for jumping on the forum....I think it is good for SDA that you and Tom have invested the time. I know for me personally, I am jazzed you guys are fielding questions and offering insight to what 2010 holds for the organization.

I know it is early in the development of the decoy program, but can you describe the number of certification levels for an SDA decoy?

Will the Michigan training session be tied into Dan Williams club?

You can sign me up now for the Michigan training session....where do I send my check? My SDA membership is due for renewal in February, I can send my decoy check at the same time.

I want to tell you about how hot it is in Michigan in July, especially in a bite-suit, but given you're from Florida, I think I will skip that part of my comment, it would simply sound whinnie!

I don't want to speak for Tim & Chris, but I am excited Liberty Working Dog Club is heading toward becoming an SDA club.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Wayne

PS, try not to forget my name!