We get a lot of questions about Dog Sports & Protection Training.
In turn, we've outlined answers to some of the more commonly asked questions below.
Dog Sports are gaining more and more attention as we attain deeper information about how to best meet the needs of our canine companions. Chances are, the dog laying at your feet as you read this has genetics that stems from a dog of working-dog background, whether that be from genes keen on hunting, scenting, herding, biting, or even running and jumping.
The world of Dog Sports allows us to engage with our dogs in activities that meet their innate needs, instead of solely relying on them to adapt to the demands of our modern human lifestyle. Engaging in dog sports with our pets also allows us to live a more cohesive, peaceful life with the high-energy, high drive dog that many of us share our homes with.
Dog Sports require trust, teamwork, camaraderie, and communication between both dog and handler. This builds a deeply trusting relationship and partnership that is extremely rewarding for both parties involved.
At The Art of Dogs, we are huge advocates for making sure that both ends of the leash are having their needs met in their relationship with one another, and we know that the vast world of dogs sports is an incredible way to help get there!
Here are a few key reasons why we love promoting dog sports:
The world of Dog Sports allows us to engage with our dogs in activities that meet their innate needs, instead of solely relying on them to adapt to the demands of our modern human lifestyle. Engaging in dog sports with our pets also allows us to live a more cohesive, peaceful life with the high-energy, high drive dog that many of us share our homes with.
Dog Sports require trust, teamwork, camaraderie, and communication between both dog and handler. This builds a deeply trusting relationship and partnership that is extremely rewarding for both parties involved.
At The Art of Dogs, we are huge advocates for making sure that both ends of the leash are having their needs met in their relationship with one another, and we know that the vast world of dogs sports is an incredible way to help get there!
Here are a few key reasons why we love promoting dog sports:
- Provides appropriate mental & physical outlets and stimulation for your dog
- Strengthens the bond between you & your dog into a beautiful partnership
- Showcases natural breed abilities, talents & instincts
- Promotes community connection via shared experiences through challenges and successes
- Fosters a measurable way to structure goals and track progress with your dog
- It's fun, rewarding, & encourages skillful dog handling!
Sign me up! But, which sport is best?
There are a number of dog sports at our disposal, and we are thrilled to help direct you to the sports most suited to you and your dog!
You can explore many dog sports through training classes, lessons, and local clubs.
At The Art of Dogs, we are able to help our clients engage in a number of sports, including:
We offer regular private and group training opportunities for dog sports! Contact us to inquire!
You can explore many dog sports through training classes, lessons, and local clubs.
At The Art of Dogs, we are able to help our clients engage in a number of sports, including:
- Competition Obedience
- Rally
- Mondioring
- French Ring
- Nosework
- Foundational skills for agility, flyball, lure coursing, barn hunt, dock diving, & more!
We offer regular private and group training opportunities for dog sports! Contact us to inquire!
What is Protection Training?
"Protection Training" is a widely used term that can cover many components of a dog biting an item and/or person on cue. Simply put, the term "Protection Training" or "Bitework" are generally used as a sport or working term for teaching a dog to bite a specific target, typically equipment on a person referred to a "decoy" or "helper" in training contexts.
It is important to note that there is a distinct difference between protection sports and personal/property detection dogs. At The Art of Dogs, we can help you select a dog and train certain components of each of these categories, but it is very important to understand the difference between the two. A dog that is bred, raised, and trained for protection sports (such as Mondioring, French Ring, PSA, IGP, etc.) is often not going to be in the same camp as a dog who is raised and trained for real-life protection training. Sports are for dog owners who get a dog that has the right character and drive to train and/or compete in a sport beside their handler, while individuals seeking a dog for personal or estate/property protection are seeking a dog with he specific character and drive to typically work independently and assess situations accurately on their own terms, in addition to when their handler prompts them to take action. Both styles of dog require incredible control, composure, and clarity in their decision-making process in order to ethically do the work. They both must release and recall from biting reliably on cue, and sporting dogs can only bite on clear, specific cues.
Protection Dog training and sales can be found fairly easily these days via your favorite search engine, as there are no standardized requirements to provide dogs or training. This leads to a big problem for the unassuming public, as a high price tag definitely does not always lead to a quality dog or training, unfortunately. When looking for a Protection Dog, be very clear in why exactly you want a dog of this capacity-- is it for personal protection, or property deterrent? A proper Protection dog is very confident, and shows upstanding character without aggression or fear in any everyday, household scenario, and stand their ground independently when, and only when, there is a true threat. Ask any question that comes to mind when shopping for a protection dog! A reputable trainer who stands by their dogs will be happy to answer your questions honestly.
CAUTION: Protection training is NOT ethical for dogs showing signs of aggression or weak nerves/fearfulness. Protection training involves more of a liability than many people realize, and training with the wrong dog or trainer can have irreversible consequences for both you and your dog.
It is important to note that there is a distinct difference between protection sports and personal/property detection dogs. At The Art of Dogs, we can help you select a dog and train certain components of each of these categories, but it is very important to understand the difference between the two. A dog that is bred, raised, and trained for protection sports (such as Mondioring, French Ring, PSA, IGP, etc.) is often not going to be in the same camp as a dog who is raised and trained for real-life protection training. Sports are for dog owners who get a dog that has the right character and drive to train and/or compete in a sport beside their handler, while individuals seeking a dog for personal or estate/property protection are seeking a dog with he specific character and drive to typically work independently and assess situations accurately on their own terms, in addition to when their handler prompts them to take action. Both styles of dog require incredible control, composure, and clarity in their decision-making process in order to ethically do the work. They both must release and recall from biting reliably on cue, and sporting dogs can only bite on clear, specific cues.
Protection Dog training and sales can be found fairly easily these days via your favorite search engine, as there are no standardized requirements to provide dogs or training. This leads to a big problem for the unassuming public, as a high price tag definitely does not always lead to a quality dog or training, unfortunately. When looking for a Protection Dog, be very clear in why exactly you want a dog of this capacity-- is it for personal protection, or property deterrent? A proper Protection dog is very confident, and shows upstanding character without aggression or fear in any everyday, household scenario, and stand their ground independently when, and only when, there is a true threat. Ask any question that comes to mind when shopping for a protection dog! A reputable trainer who stands by their dogs will be happy to answer your questions honestly.
CAUTION: Protection training is NOT ethical for dogs showing signs of aggression or weak nerves/fearfulness. Protection training involves more of a liability than many people realize, and training with the wrong dog or trainer can have irreversible consequences for both you and your dog.
