A rant... from a helper... to novice handlers

[mycobraracr]

Originally Posted by hunterisgreat

Handlers... hold your freaking leash tight and *consistently* tight. I can't do my job if you don't do yours. Tonight I got a punch in the eye by a muzzle, and a crappy bite after crappy bite by another dog b/c the handler wouldn't just hold the leash firmly. Makes it very *very* hard to work a dog when they have 6 feet of wiggle room at the end of the leash. Nor do I like being charged and rammed by a dog b/c you let go of your lead by accident. me you!

Also, tonight one dog decided instead of the bark and hold we've been working on for months, he was just gonna fully on ram me in the crotchal region for reasons none of us understand. First time I wish I had a cup.

There, I'm done

I am a novice handler. I have not been able to get this post out of my head while working my dog. So first, thank you. Everytime I start to look at my dog I thing NO look at the helper. Second, today I started learning the helper side and got the chance to wear the sleeve. It is a very different perspective being of the bite side. I think by learning how to be a helper it will help me become a better handler.

[hunterisgreat]

Originally Posted by mycobraracr

I am a novice handler. I have not been able to get this post out of my head while working my dog. So first, thank you. Everytime I start to look at my dog I thing NO look at the helper. Second, today I started learning the helper side and got the chance to wear the sleeve. It is a very different perspective being of the bite side. I think by learning how to be a helper it will help me become a better handler.

My (selfish) motivation in being a helper, is to better understand my own dogs... and know what *I* want out of a given helper... and know when to pull my dog from working with a helper who's skill/methods I'm not comfortable with

[hunterisgreat]

Originally Posted by mycobraracr

It is a very different perspective being of the bite side. I think by learning how to be a helper it will help me become a better handler.

It is both thrilling, and nerve-racking, to catch a dog on a long bite. We have a few very hard hitting dogs, and my left arm is always bruised from catching dogs... and there is a rivet in one sleeve that keeps slicing my elbow open :-(

[mycobraracr]

Originally Posted by hunterisgreat

It is both thrilling, and nerve-racking, to catch a dog on a long bite. We have a few very hard hitting dogs, and my left arm is always bruised from catching dogs... and there is a rivet in one sleeve that keeps slicing my elbow open :-(

I did not get to catch a long bite (for safety of the dogs not me). I just stood there during a bark and hold, then bite. There is a lot more into being a helper than I could have ever imagined. Angles of the sleeve, hight, and much much more. Plus it changes for every dog. Since I liked it, my club is going to train me as a reserve helper just in case one of the other two can't make it. I also like it because it will give me something to do while I wait for my turn. Makes the time go by faster hahaha.

[onyx'girl]

I don't think long bites should be done very often...it is a risk for both dog and helper. I know our helper use to do this as basically a reward, the last bite in the session. Though as my dog is very large/powerful, he seldom gave him a long bite. And when he did a couple times it wrenched his back.
I love watching long bites, but do know it is a risk on both sides. Helpers are so valuable~I hope all handlers understand what their training would be like without them. We just lost ours as a group, and there is no one on our side of the state worthy of working with. So group is disbanding.
I agree, you see a truly different perspective doing the helper side, and all handlers should learn about the timing, etc to make them a better handler!

[GatorDog]

Originally Posted by onyx'girl

I agree, you see a truly different perspective doing the helper side, and all handlers should learn about the timing, etc to make them a better handler!

Very true. And that's why it is so important to properly explain what is expected of a handler, or don't give the full responsibility of the dog in protection work and use a back tie.

And I agree with the long bites. I know that my dog is going to bite regardless of distance, so it's something I do not practice very often at all. Waaaaaaay too risky, IMO.

[hunterisgreat]

Originally Posted by onyx'girl

I don't think long bites should be done very often...it is a risk for both dog and helper. I know our helper use to do this as basically a reward, the last bite in the session. Though as my dog is very large/powerful, he seldom gave him a long bite. And when he did a couple times it wrenched his back.
I love watching long bites, but do know it is a risk on both sides. Helpers are so valuable~I hope all handlers understand what their training would be like without them. We just lost ours as a group, and there is no one on our side of the state worthy of working with. So group is disbanding.
I agree, you see a truly different perspective doing the helper side, and all handlers should learn about the timing, etc to make them a better handler!

Long bites are always a bit sketchy... but as someone I respect told me.. if you're scared to catch a dog, or scared of hurting someones dog, then just put the sleeve away and don't be a helper. You will have a day where a dog gets hurt if you do it long enough. Dogs are weird. Most show you where they are gonna take you. Sometimes they shift at the last second. My male used to go one side, then shift just before he gathered. I'm sure whenever I sent him I always was grinding my teeth. Still, its part of the game..

I have the benefit of a jiujitsu background, so I'm pretty well versed in rolling with momentum, and I'm also about 138lbs, so a decent sized dog can toss me around a bit. When a bigger or faster dog hits me hard, I'm naturally able to bleed off the energy easier than the bigger helpers.

[hunterisgreat]

Originally Posted by mycobraracr

I did not get to catch a long bite (for safety of the dogs not me). I just stood there during a bark and hold, then bite. There is a lot more into being a helper than I could have ever imagined. Angles of the sleeve, hight, and much much more. Plus it changes for every dog. Since I liked it, my club is going to train me as a reserve helper just in case one of the other two can't make it. I also like it because it will give me something to do while I wait for my turn. Makes the time go by faster hahaha.

Once you get comfortable with just your sleeve presentation... then becomes the real part... learning to mark & reward at the right time... knowing when you're asking too much or not getting enough out of a dog. knowing when you're putting too much pressure on a dog, or not enough. knowing when you're too much in prey, or too much in defense. Knowing how to get more prey or defense out of a given dog.... just remembering what a given dog did last week? And then there are all the little tricks of the trade for fixing this or helping that. I'm *just* beginning. I figure I'll have a good idea what I'm doing by the time I'm 70. Hopefully they'll have a robot body for me by then.

[cliffson1]

LOL....We have this 125 pound Bouvier, his name is Samson....very prophetic name. He is faster than any of the GS, more powerful, and definitely stronger. A Beast. I have this love/hate thing working him.I love the exhileration of working this dog, especially of escape bites and short sends....lets me feel thirtyish again JUST to handle this dog. But even with apron or full suit, you are going to have hematomas, and deep scratches when you finish working him. Still, I love working him....kinda like my w.....nah I didn't say that!!

[dOg]

she don't read these boards does she?
LOL!