Protection work in the water

[hunterisgreat]

Seems I've seen a lot of pictures here and there of helpers with sleeves in knee-ish deep water with dogs.

I've speculated as to the purpose(s)... but, why are they doing this?

[ShenzisMom]

Physical workout, Training exercise in case of flood and riots ensue and a new distraction come to mind. Why not? Something new!

[carmspack]

we did this as part of the Campagne training -- tests the dogs courage and tenacity .

[hunterisgreat]

Originally Posted by carmspack

we did this as part of the Campagne training -- tests the dogs courage and tenacity .

Campagne?

How does it test courage exactly?

Does the equipment not take a beating?

[carmspack]

Campagne is an extension of the french ring program . You never know what environment you will need to work in.

Same idea as slippery floors , ice , high gloss flooring, unstable footing , something shifting underneath them.

You are adding additional stress . See how the dog likes it when his "power" is taken away . Some dogs don't like water - period . Some dogs won't dive in without knowing the depth etc. Heck there are dogs that come to a screeching halt when the ball goes awry into the bushes or high grass. They don't have the courage to deal with the unkown.

See if you can recall , direct the dog in the water .

[hunterisgreat]

Originally Posted by carmspack

Campagne is an extension of the french ring program . You never know what environment you will need to work in.

Same idea as slippery floors , ice , high gloss flooring, unstable footing , something shifting underneath them.

You are adding additional stress . See how the dog likes it when his "power" is taken away . Some dogs don't like water - period . Some dogs won't dive in without knowing the depth etc. Heck there are dogs that come to a screeching halt when the ball goes awry into the bushes or high grass. They don't have the courage to deal with the unkown.

See if you can recall , direct the dog in the water .

Does it not trash the gear? seems a sleeve would be mighty stinky if I let it get soaking wet, but that might be a local humidity thing

I ask b/c the idea of putting $200 in the water concerns me

[Liesje]

Doesn't it get wet with rain, snow, and slobber?

[hunterisgreat]

Originally Posted by Liesje

Doesn't it get wet with rain, snow, and slobber?

yeah i suppose so but not through and through.. definitely not from snow lol, we gets none of that.

[carmspack]

the gear isn't in the water , you hold it above, not every work needs a bite . you'd be surprised how many dogs couldn't figure out what to do with the pool noodles used for flotation for kids . or a board which is used to smack the water with. The exercise to begin with is more of an understanding of the dog's courage with difficult and stimulating experiences . A lot of dogs don't like uncertainty of poor footing or no footing. Can't get away fast enough , so some go into avoidance , or make wide arcs . It is more of an opportunity to expose something about the dogs temperament. My dogs are water idiots , diving right to the bottom , swimming a length before hitting surface again as LSatov with Journey will atest to .

Carmen

[hunterisgreat]

Originally Posted by carmspack

the gear isn't in the water , you hold it above, not every work needs a bite . you'd be surprised how many dogs couldn't figure out what to do with the pool noodles used for flotation for kids . or a board which is used to smack the water with. The exercise to begin with is more of an understanding of the dog's courage with difficult and stimulating experiences . A lot of dogs don't like uncertainty of poor footing or no footing. Can't get away fast enough , so some go into avoidance , or make wide arcs . It is more of an opportunity to expose something about the dogs temperament. My dogs are water idiots , diving right to the bottom , swimming a length before hitting surface again as LSatov with Journey will atest to .

Carmen

Mine love the water too. They've actually been ~40 miles offshore with me in 3 foot seas.

Jager once went about 10 feet underwater when he was in a full run in about 6 inches of muddy water that dropped off abruptly to about 10feet. Not by choice though.