Training the Police and Military Working Dog Helper with Franco Angelini-
Part 2 - The Sleeve
Franco Angelini is in high-demand worldwide for his professional K9 seminars in the areas of police service, military and Special Forces applications. His sold out seminar schedule keeps him incredibly busy year round on multiple continents so that host agencies can better train, develop and understand the vital role of the helper in professional service. With over 900 K9 team certifications since 1989, Franco has garnered the nickname, The K9 Bite Doctor.
In this second production in this four part series with Franco, we expand upon the information in Part 1 and provide a framework for progression using the bite sleeve. This transpires on our path toward creating an “aura of invincibility” in the working dog. Through muscle memory, all of the helper’s attention can turn to actual behavior reinforcement and manipulation in the K9 partner. We help you develop an “eye” for working dogs by focusing your attention on auditory signals, exposed hand position, footwork, equipment presentation, body language, bite improvement, environmental changes and more.
Through incremental wins, the helper and handler will progress from work on the back-tie to open field bites on the sleeve. Because this progression is based on behavioral milestones that have bearing on the safety of both the helper and dog, a step-by-step approach is taken while adhering to Franco’s mantra of “Energy out, Check the bite”. An emphasis is placed on safe mechanics for equipment presentation, apex proximity, the order of agents on the back-tie, prey and defensive postures, auditory signals and more.
Progression is based on a sound game plan and the ability to provide safe, habitual work. This work includes both communication the dog can understand and safe, consistent mechanics. Through the correct repetition of mechanics, muscle-memory is achieved, which allows the helper to focus attention more purely on canine behavior. Muscle memory is emphasized as a critical milestone for both equipment presentation on the back-tie and where distance bites are concerned. Through this title, Franco demonstrates and details proper sleeve presentation, footwork, use of the stick and driving the dog correctly, the mantra of “energy out, check the bite” is put to use and fully understood.
Because the yardstick for measuring mindset in the dog is bite quality, Franco discusses what is widely referred to as “fighting drive” and his definition as it applies to the professional K9. We promote this mind state through understanding “social domination” and fostering forward behavior. This engages the handler as teammate in environmental manipulation and grip promotion. Both prey work and defensive body language in the helper are detailed and the mindset of social domination is explored and promoted through “the wrap”.
Once we move away from the back-tie, the muscle memory of “creating a lane” during entry to equipment is demonstrated. The importance of bite placement is highlighted through multiple examples and the balance between full grips and jamming a dog is discussed. Franco discusses bite distance and working the dog down a line as criteria for understanding dog approach into the bite and helper adjustment. Handler approach, avoiding “timers”, and breaking the anchor are discussed and demonstrated as handler inputs. Injury prevention, neutralizing handler interactions, communication and bite quality is all detailed as we progress toward Part 3 in this series, The Body Bite Suit.
Chapters include:
The Team
The Helper
- Goals
- Safety
- Rules for the Helper
- Energy Out, Check the Bite
Teaching Mechanics
- Sleeve Presentation and Muscle Memory
- Footwork and Creating a Lane
- The Stick and Driving a Dog
- Distance Work
Training
- Getting Started
- Social Domination and Forward Behavior - The Wrap
- Introducing the Helper and Dog
- Distance Bites
Conclusion
Copyright 2020 Canine Training Systems®, 16:9 Widescreen Hi-Definition, 1 hour 40 minutes, Podium View™ On Demand Streaming.
