This set includes:
- Training the Police and Military Working Dog Helper with Franco Angelini- Part 1 - The Foundation - Streaming
- Training the Police and Military Working Dog Helper with Franco Angelini- Part 2 - The Sleeve - Streaming
- Training the Police and Military Working Dog Helper with Franco Angelini- Part 3 – Bite Suit Mechanics - Streaming
- Training the Police and Military Working Dog Helper with Franco Angelini- Part 4 – Bite Suit Training - Streaming
Training the Police and Military Working Dog Helper with Franco Angelini- Part 1 - The Foundation
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 first, in the series of productions with Franco, we will introduce you to Franco’s detailed explanations of canine behavior; balanced drives, canine communication, body language and behavioral signals. We detail how the helper should utilize this information to improve every interaction with the professional K9. This “sparring partner “mindset sets the basis for interactions during sessions that will begin the progression of taking a novice dog to a truly powerful department asset.
Beginning with the information in a K9 handler briefing, this title will detail what the dog presents the helper, how to utilize this to create a full, powerful grips and communicate clearly back to both the dog and handler. Through the use of auditory signals and body language, a common language will be understood and integrated for the promotion of the dog as a powerful working partner. Through consistent promotion we begin the process of developing an “aura of invincibility” in the dog. Because the helper is a teacher and promoter of the grip, the ideal learning and drive state is discussed for the benefit of progression and stress reduction.
The role of equipment, both beneficial and not, is discussed so that every helper can understand the grip, it’s progression through a range of equipment and how to promote grip work. Because the professional service dog should progress through a variety of gear at the appropriate growth stages, Franco will detail the use of the body bite suit; it’s true purpose and the importance of fit and mobility. The use of hidden and traditional sleeves is discussed for the understanding of preparation for body bite suit work and the promotion of deep bites that utilize the premolars and molars as optimal. The use and benefit of a back-tie is discussed from a utilitarian standpoint but also as an instructional tool for bite placement, grip promotion and canine safety.
In addition, Franco details his simple concept of a “drive triangle” and the inputs that alter drive balance and how the helper can adjust incrementally and measurably to strengthen and modify behavior. Because the job of the helper is bite promotion, this information is critical for the service dog unit. Handler support, physical control of the dog and approach during bite work is detailed. Franco’s method for removal from equipment is demonstrated and the importance of non-competing behaviors is discussed for handler-helper harmony and clarity during sessions.
The broad category of “Environment” is discussed as a means to understanding stress, how to incrementally challenge the dog and create meaningful progressive wins. Teamwork between handler, helper and dog is emphasized throughout while fostering the “aura of invincibility” in the mind of the dog through clarity and feedback on the way to creating a truly powerful K9 partner.
This title is ideal for anyone that works with the service K9’s on either end of the leash; both handlers and helpers. Through understanding the communication and teamwork, training progression is greatly improved, accelerated and strengthened.
Chapters include:
The Pre-Requisites
- Understanding the Dog
- Canine Behaviors
- The Balanced Dog
- Canine Communication
- Behavioral Signals
Equipment
- What to Use
- Sleeves
- The Bite Suit
- The Harness and Back-Tie
- Detrimental Equipment
Teamwork: The Handler and Helper
Teaching
- The Back-Tie
- The Handler’s Role
- Environment
Conclusion
Copyright 2019 Canine Training Systems®, 16:9 Widescreen Hi-Definition, 1 hour 29 minutes, Podium View™ On Demand Streaming.
Training the Police and Military Working Dog Helper with Franco Angelini- Part 2 - The Sleeve
In this second production in this three 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.
Training the Police and Military Working Dog Helper with Franco Angelini- Part 3 – Bite Suit Mechanics
In this third production in our four part series with Franco, we expand upon the information in Part 1 and 2 and provide a framework for progression with the body bite suit. We continue on our path toward creating an “aura of invincibility” in the professional working dog through a strategic approach toward confident biting in core areas of the suit. In seminars on multiple continents, Franco has observed that biting in core areas is a skill lacking in many professional service dogs. Because the suit is regarded as en environmental change, it’s important that the dog already meets the behavioral milestones established in Part 2 which include full grips, ideal mind state, forward behavior and a social domination mindset.
Because the body bite suit is not a tool used to improve the quality of the bite itself, it is often utilized ineffectively, inefficiently and even incorrectly. The body bite suit, except in very specific training situations, is used to teach the dog to bite in areas a sleeve doesn’t protect. Through a logical, step-by-step progression, utilizing the back-tie and physics of the apex, we will create muscle memory for the mechanical skills required to provide ideal bite placement. Each step of bite suit presentation is taught in isolation and then chained together to form single movements. Franco uses this approach not only to introduce bite placement on the suit, but also when introducing new skills to the dog. Simplicity creates clarity and our goal is to prepare the helper to work towards tactical scenarios and real world success.
Because helper safety is always a concern, suit fit, mobility and handling skills are all emphasized. Where suit selection impacts work with the dog, proper fit is emphasized and examples of the limitations caused by poorly selected and fitting suits are demonstrated. Because the helper is becoming accustomed to the weight, fit and mobility of the suit, Franco reminds the helper to use authentic auditory signals for consistency. This is equally important because the body bite suit represents an environmental change and communication remains the pathway to reinforcement and clarity. In addition, we demonstrate and discuss the importance of “hooking in” on frontal body bites. This is critical for helper protection when working the dog on and off the back-tie. Common errors are demonstrated and the critical link to the fit of the suit is demonstrated.
The rotational back bite is the first mechanical skill taught. Because the dog can only bite what crosses the apex, the incremental steps in a successful presentation are demonstrated and practiced with an assistant. Because muscle memory is critical for precise movement and consistent bite placement, this skill is cemented prior to adding distance downfield. Because the fulcrum of balance is now shifted from the sleeve to the back of the suit, Franco teaches correct footwork while emphasizing “Energy Out, Check the Bite”. Franco discusses the “barrage” and “blade” and how these conceptual ideas couple with the pull and drive through the catch to produce an ideal bite target for the dog on downfield bites. These concepts are utilized with the handler as an assistant to assist with timing and to help ensure full grips and energy transfer back to the ground through smooth footwork.
The skills needed for online frontal body bites are taught while practicing bite placement, balance points and hooking in through the use of an assistant. The order of players on the back-tie is emphasized as well as how to safely perform falls and lifts which modify the environmental picture. This includes “hooking in”, rising from downed positions and preparing to work the dog on the open field. While working downfield, Franco again uses assistants and discusses the double arm up, it’s purpose and the progression to the standard presentation of both arms behind the back. A discussion about bite suit design, bite placement and natural bite bars in the suit is discussed as well.
This video is the precursor to Part 4 which has a primary focus on training the dog. Part 3 utilizes both assistants and dogs to demonstrate motor patterns, correct muscle memory and issues pertaining to faulty work. The goal of this title is to cement muscle memory so that in Part 4 of this series, the helper can focus on suit work strictly with the dog, grip work during placement on new areas of the suit, distance work, handler approach and the core body bites. In addition, we will fully introduce leg bites as an often missing core area.
Chapters include:
The Prerequisites
Part 1- The Helper
- Goals
- Safety
- Rules for the Helper
- The Body Bite Suite
Part 2 – Teaching Mechanics
- The Rotational Back Bite
- The Open Field Back Bite
- On Line Frontal Body Bites
Conclusion
Copyright 2020 Canine Training Systems®, 16:9 Widescreen Hi-Definition, 1 hour 16 minutes, Podium View™ On Demand Streaming.
Training the Police and Military Working Dog Helper with Franco Angelini- Part 4 – Bite Suit Training
In this last production in our four part series with Franco, we expand upon the information in Part 3, the creation of muscle memory. By introducing the dog in Part 4, we now address the issues that arise when presentation is faulty, how the dog is “worked” and the critique of performance throughout. Through a variety of examples, we demonstrate and detail the importance of each step of the muscle memory progression as Franco gives the viewer advice on what to look for on video.
Getting started, we finalize the Teaching Phase by introducing the mechanics of leg bites. Utilizing the biological principal of “prey-kill”, Franco discusses how to mimic the natural order of prey behaviors while discussing the dog’s alignment on the intended leg, hand position during execution of the bite and how to “fall” safely while addressing the physical limitations of the apex. Time is spent on leg bites because the majority of agencies train bites on the upper body and it’s important for the professional service K9 to avoid false engagements. The unwillingness to engage what’s presented presents a liability where reliability and handler safety are concerned.
Next, we turn to the Training Phase and address the rotational back bite. We again emphasize the steps involved and reinforce that correct form and timing will allow even a slow presentation to be successful in placing the dog well onto the suit. Our goal is to provide the helper an “eye” so that the multiple examples in this title can be scrutinized. Stance at the apex, hand position, body posture, rotation, footwork and more are emphasized as key components to success. The transition to downfield bites is covered as well, emphasizing energy transfer, footwork and dog placement. Through the “barrage” , “blade” and pull, a smooth downfield catch is detailed and demonstrated. Common errors are shown and discussed as well.
The frontal body bite is introduced on the back-tie and the modifications to body posture, presentation and timing are detailed. The structure of the suit and its relation to hand position produces a “bar” in the suit that the dog can target. Once on the suit, the first environmental change, “hooking in” is introduced and discussed in detail. Safety, control and issues with incorrect hand position are discussed. Examples of falls, lifts as well as safe recoveries from both are demonstrated. Once these are explained the transition to frontal core bites at a distance is introduced.
During distance bites, Franco explains different bite suit presentations based on the experience of the dog. Regardless of age, the “double arm up” is employed to introduce novice dogs to frontal bites and the quick transition to a standard presentation is shown. Hand position, footwork, the fulcrum of balance and the inevitable take down are discussed. The communication between handler and helper is emphasized at this point and helper safety is again discussed. Because distance bites are inherently high speed and can result in less than ideal initial grips, setting the grip and marking the bite is again emphasized.
Leg bites are demonstrated on the back-tie on a number of dogs. The steps in approach, presentation, handler position for helper safety and communication are discussed and detailed. Because many K9 units don’t approach this systematically, we detail the process with multiple examples that discuss dog behavior, auditory communication and body language as reinforcement and “blocking out” the dog through handler position to protect the helper. The proximity to the apex, safe fall to the ground and consideration of the physics of the apex are all discussed for success.
Finally, we additional interview footage with Franco where he discusses a number of topics of interest.
Chapters include:
Part 2 – Teaching Mechanics
Part 3 - Training
- The Rotational Back Bite
- The Rotational Back Bite – Adding Distance
- The Frontal Bite
- The Frontal Bite – Adding Distance
Leg Bites
Conclusion
Copyright 2020 Canine Training Systems®, 16:9 Widescreen Hi-Definition, 1 hour 20 minutes, Podium View™ On Demand Streaming.
