Dog Training World › Forums › Specialized Dog Training › Personal Protection and Guard Dog Training › Vetra’s first session › Reply To: Vetra’s first session
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OMG, she got so big and gorgeous!
I agree with your self critique regarding the safety issues. Even though I think you know her well and understand the risk factors, we obviously always need to consider liability and the worst case scenario.
I love everything about her confidence, and I think the best part of the session is her reaction to you being attacked.
My biggest critique is the way the peekaboo agitation is being done. It seems to be triggering more playful facial expressions and body language rather than making her feel that there is a threat. Since she is so stable, I would lose the clatter stick and not have the agitator talk, since anything aggressive the agitator says will not be understood by the dog anyway.
A slow stare down, with the agitator leaning forward and resembling an aggressive creature staring down Vetra in a way she has not encountered before, will be the best way to get the closed mouth and “woof” spark you are looking for.
Then, when the agitator attacks you, it will also have a greater effect. You did a great job socializing her and showing her that the world is a good place, which only makes her a more confident, stable, and capable dog. However, because of that, the agitator has to be on point.
On another note, if you have a whip and the agitator gives a single, sharp snap upon appearing, it tends to elicit more of a defensive reaction than the clatter stick.
I hope this helps.