SPORT DOG TRAINING AND REALITY PROTECTION TRAINING
Much has been said, argued, and debated regarding sport dog and reality dog training. You can read them on the internet or hear them in ordinary conversations among trainers. Here is our unsolicited opinion regarding the matter.
By sport dog training, we mean training the dog to do specific routines that may be insignificant to real life scenarios. Once fully trained, the dogs are entered into the trial and shall be judged based on the accuracy of their performance in relation to the standard being followed in the trial. Not all sport dogs can be reality dogs.
On the other hand. reality training is training the dog to attack the man inside the suit or the person behind the sleeve. Not all dogs can qualify for this kind of training; that is why character evaluation is very important before training.
Sport dog trials are events that are scheduled ahead of time and conducted in a regulated sorrounding in the presence of a judge. In real protection trial, there shall be no judge to rate the dog and no specific place to conduct the test. The dog shall be judged based on the outcome of the encounter.if he was able to preserve the life and property of his master from its attacker. There can be no room for mistake on this kind of trial.
Regarding training, I personally believe that sport dog training is much harder than reality training. My reason is; in sport, the dog must work with precision and with a minimal amount of command. Further, there are lots of "Unnatural" exercises that are required of the dog to do. For instance, it is not natural (from the dog's point of view) to jump the hurdle or Palisade (vertical wall) back and forth when there is an open space on the side where it could pass through. It is not natural for the dog to hold and bark at the decoy when he could have made an attack for which he is trained to do. Other exercises such as "Send-Away", 3-positions, call-off from attack are just some of the most difficult exercises that a trainer has to accomplish in sport dog training.
Excitement-wise, I think, sport is more exciting than reality because of the spirit of competition that goes with it at every trial time. Its a mixed feeling of excitement and nervuosness to stand at the middle of the trial field showing the public what you and your dog can do. More so, to stand up the platform to receive an award for a job well done. All of these, the handler can experience more than once a year. To fail the trial is not the end of everything. There will always be another trial to look forward to.
In real protection encouter, there may never be another chance. These opportunity rarely, or may never even occur in a dog's lifetime. Working dogs, whether trained or not has the intimidating factor to stop the bad guys from a possible encounter. In a worse scenario where an armed and fearless drug addict threatens an encounter, a handler may think twice and see all possibilities to avoid the clash, knowing that his dog's first performance may also be its last.
As an end, the choice as to which is better (sport or reality) depends on the personal preference of the handler and trainer. There's no need to debate. Individual preferences must be respected. What is more important for us, as handlers and trainers is; to give our 100 percent to achieve the dog's fullest potential, no matter what discipline it may be (sport, reality, SAR, scent detection, agility, obedience, etc.). After all, it is in giving our best, and the dog responding to its best ability, that would make two friends happy. If we have successfully done this, then, we can truly be considered a dog's best friend.
OUR OPINION REGARDING WORKING OR UTILITY DOGS...
When we talked of utility dogs, we think of dogs with a useful or working purpose. It may be a sniffing dog to detect narcotics or explosives; a patrol dog; a search and rescue dog; or a simple personal bodyguard to safekeep our lives, home and property.
Regardless of size, color, or pedigree registration, the character of the dog to suit its purpose is what matters most.
OUR OPINION ON DOG TRIALS...
Dog trials or competition are venues to showcase what the dog's stuff is made of. It speaks of the dog's character, physical structure, and reveals its strong and weak points.
Aside from the fun and excitement it brings, the trial also speaks of the handler's ability to handle, and the trainer's ability to train.
Trainers and handlers who use different styles and methods are encouraged to join, and let their dogs speak on their behalf.
