The best test for a PP dog is also the most imitated scenario in K9 PRO SPORTS, the Civil Agitation. Almost every person that starts their own dog sport seems to realize how important this is in PP training. Trouble is, so far, almost none of those folks seem to really understand what all is involved, and what the decoy should be doing to show the judges what they need to know about the dog on the field.

There are also the people in K9PS that try to decoy this themselves, without prior instruction. Over the years some have been bitten and not asked for a second helping, and some have put the dog, handler and judges, to sleep and been asked to never give us a second helping. So for all the future Sport inventors, and those that have already done it, and got it wrong, here is an explanation of the really broad spectrum evaluation you can get with this most copied K9PS scenario.

First, every one gets the 'Civil' part of the name, that it is about the firing up on command without the cue of training equipment in sight. After this it seems to get darker and darker. The four items listed on the score sheet are ALERT, AGRESSION, DISTRACTION and RETURN TO HEEL.

The Alert shows us the 'Civil' part. The decoy is standing on a field that could be anywhere. Other officials are also present. The decoy could be any one of those. There is no pattern, no place to start from, no bite gear, no nothing to indicate to the dog someone is about to be a threat. Once that dog has responded to the command by charging to the end of the leash and threatening the decoy we have satisfied the ALERT portion for the judges.

Next comes AGGRESSION, in order for the judges to fill out this portion of the score sheet the dog needs to be, well, Aggressive! As simple as that seems, it is from this point on we seem to have some, well, there is no, Uh, that is people don't. Oh Hell! Most people just don't know what their doing!

At this point the decoys seem to think this is about them. It is a challenge to see if they can “Tag” or get past the dog somehow. Most, that think they are PP trainers, do this by going passive. They will stop moving as the dog charges to the end of the leash demonstrating the ALERT. The decoy will just move very, very, veeerryyy, slowly. One person reportedly spent over two minutes putting the dog, handler, and judges to sleep, in an exercise that should be done in ten seconds. If the score sheet is asking for AGGRESSION, the judge cant see that if the decoys have put the dog to sleep.

So when the dog hits the end of the leash for its' Alert the decoy should react quickly, like a person being attacked on the street. Jump back, maybe scream, but get that dog pumped!!
Now the dog is confident, prey drive high, wants to bite, let's see that decoy roll their round rump past a pissed off dog and tag someone now. Yeah, right! And the judge can see if that dog could be a real deterrent on the street. Isn't that what it's all about?

Now the lest known reason for CA and the most telling for a real PP judge or trainer. Once the dog is at the end of the leash, as fired up as it seems possible, you will often see a knowledgeable decoy pause, even turn away, then suddenly, charge or attack the dog! That's right, go from the rabbit to the bear.
Why?

Experienced trainers understand the importance of training a dog with a good balance of Prey and Defense drive. Taking advantage of the best traits each drive brings to the dogs fighting ability.

Just as the original SchH trainers designed their program on these principles they also designed their Courage Test to reflect the dogs ability to switch from Prey to Defense and then choose the Fight side of Defense over the Flight option.

When designing PP specific scenarios for K9PS we used these same sound principles and added modern observation from actual street experienced trainers. The first thing we all agreed on was that the SchH Courage Test was a good evaluation, but we all felt there was a more accurate way of doing it.

The problem was that no matter how hard you drove the dog, after they had engaged the bite, they were then so locked in prey drive, that many or most would not switch to defense any way.

After talking with several KNPV trainers we decided that as they strike the dog before contact is made
this is a more accurate test. The dog is not “locked” on the bite and more mentally exposed to a threat, so the judge will better see the dogs choice of Fight or Flight.

Still, doing a Courage test this way allowed you to practice or “pattern” the dog past the defense threat. We decided to incorporate the courage test into the Civil Agitation. No equipment to help the dog “pattern” through, no bite to help them ignore the threat, in short a very, very, accurate test of the dogs drive, switch, and real courage in a practical street like manner. This give a truly complete picture of the score sheet term AGGRESSION.

But of course with no experience in PP, most of these sport trainers never understood what they were evaluating. When they decoyed this exercise they made it an ego thing. How many dogs could they bore to sleep, just so they could feel cool by tagging someone.

Maybe now sincere trainers will appreciate more what all can be exhibited in a training program with a good decoy and a qualified judge. Remember if you start at a level designed to make most dogs fail they will never show what they can do, whether that level is ridiculously high or amazingly boring.

Ponder that one Sport trainers!

As always questions welcome, comments with credentials appreciated.

Listen Well, Bite Hard!!!

First, let me say if a dog should ever fail in a trail, it is my belief that the decoy should do what they can to bring the dog BACK OUT to win as quickly as possible...HOWEVER,

As long a the dog is showing strong, I think in a trial why not let the decoy go through whatever avenue they feel will reveal a dog's weakness...then if it is exposed for judging purposes, go back into "training" to bring the dog back to win, and then move on. This way, the best dog wins by having their weaknesses revealed, but at the same time...a good decoy should bring the dog back forward so no damage is done to the dog's lasting training.

Your thoughts?

Good points and it seems to be the prevailing thoughts in all the Tuff dog trials today. If it was preferable to have the decoy expose the dogs weaknesses, do we really need judges? After all the judges score not only tells what the dog did right, but also what was wrong.

With experienced judges you don't need to take the chance the decoy will push someones dog too far. That is why K9PS is the only dog sport I'm aware of where all the current judges have actual street experience. They have the experience to draw a picture of the dog that will accurately reflect the training level at that point. Along with this in K9PS they have a written score sheet that indiates with specific symbols if the dog has a shallow bite, forging heel, etc. As well all judges are encouraged to note anything they see at the moment, that will help the owner in training.

The big reason you cant allow the decoy to "test" each dog and "find the weak spots" is the very competition. As most certifications are done in a competitive, trial setting, where every one has paid to have the judges pick the best, every one must have the same work from the decoys, to get a fair shake.

Also read back where I said "every one has paid to have the judges pick the best," if the decoys choose how to work each dog you have essentially taken the judges opinion out of the game. I prefer qualified judges with a good view of everything that is going on, consistantly with each dog.

In my opinion you need qualified judges and a well laid out score sheet and decoys that are athletic and clear headed enough to follow judges instructions to find out what your dog is really worth.

First, let me say if a dog should ever fail in a trail, it is my belief that the decoy should do what they can to bring the dog BACK OUT to win as quickly as possible...HOWEVER,

As long a the dog is showing strong, I think in a trial why not let the decoy go through whatever avenue they feel will reveal a dog's weakness...then if it is exposed for judging purposes, go back into "training" to bring the dog back to win, and then move on. This way, the best dog wins by having their weaknesses revealed, but at the same time...a good decoy should bring the dog back forward so no damage is done to the dog's lasting training.

Your thoughts?