What is "defense training"

Many people have misunderstandings about dogs receiving defense training. They believe that dogs that have undergone defense training are more ferocious and dangerous than dogs that have not been trained, or that dogs must undergo defense training. Defense training makes dogs more aggressive and dangerous, which is completely wrong. In fact, "defense" means to prevent and prevent attacks, which is exactly the opposite of being potentially attacked.

A defense-trained German Shepherd knows when to bite and when not to bite, and can tell the difference between an innocent pedestrian or child and a club-wielding gangster. This kind of dog can absolutely obey the owner's orders and obey the owner's orders under any circumstances. In addition, German Shepherd dog defense training is an important part of its breeding system.

The Importance of Defense Training

In Germany, it is unthinkable to breed a dog without defense training. The minimum requirement for a breeding dog is to pass the Defense Level 1 or It is a shepherding examination, plus some other basic requirements in the breeding regulations are met. At present, there is a widespread tendency in China to focus on breeding rather than training, and blindly breed to make money, which is very likely to lead to the degeneration of the German Shepherd breed. In short, only dogs that meet the breeding requirements after training and examination can be bred, thereby ensuring the healthy development of German Shepherd dogs.
The origin of defensive training. Defense training was formed in Germany around 1900. At that time, Mr. Stefanitz, the founder of the German Kennel Association, only wanted to optimize the breed, but soon he tried to formulate requirements suitable for the police. defense training program. In 1903, the German Kennel Federation officially carried out working dog training for the first time. These experiments soon became the evaluation standards for breeders of police dogs and other types of working dogs. Soon, a formal training system for German Shepherd dogs was formed on this basis, which is what people now call "defense training." Since then, other new dog sports clubs and related organizations have been derived from the concept of "defense training" in Germany and many parts of the world. Their purpose is to train dogs in special work subjects in order to identify and select those dogs. Breed to dogs with the best temperament.

Defense training is an essential ability for companion dogs

For thousands of years, dogs have been considered as models in the animal kingdom that can establish mutually supportive and loving relationships with people. Dogs have highly developed senses of hearing and smell, and can run at high speeds, capture prey, protect companions and alert the owner. Of course, people also provide selfless help to dogs, such as protecting dogs from attacks by large carnivores; taking care of injured dogs; human hugs satisfy dogs, etc. Defense training is the most prominent way to express a dog's working ability, and dogs that have been trained for defense are usually ideal family companions who can be trusted and relied on.

A well-trained German ShepherdIt can fully accept all its living environments, such as: heat, cold, noise, crowding, fear, etc., and the dog can show a fearless attitude and will never behave nervous, anxious, bellicose, wailing, etc. In short, defense training can give dog owners many ways to control their dogs, and at the same time give dogs a lot of free space, allowing dog owners and dogs to have more fun together. After defense training, on the one hand, it brings joy to the dog, on the other hand, it also allows the dog to know how to win the favor of the owner, and at the same time, it also strengthens the close relationship between the owner and the dog.

Three parts of defense training

Search by designated route

This is the first step in national defense training. If you don’t know much about the dog in advance, you must carefully check the dog’s ear number before training to see if the dog has been registered and has a normal breeding record. In addition, it is best to observe the dog's mental state from a distance to determine whether the dog's psychology is stable. Trainers are often able to loosen their leash and approach the dog naturally.
If the dog is not shy or aggressive, he can be trained. If the dog is over-aware, evasive or has strong aggressive tendencies, it means that the dog has a psychological problem or an unsatisfactory personality (temperament), and there is no basis for training.
Determining a dog's route is as simple as a person walking a certain distance on an ordinary patch of land or grass. But the person must set a certain number of turns and some special little things on the road, the latter can usually use cards such as credit cards, of course these cards must be placed on the road by the person himself. Once arrangements are made, the trainer can guide the dog on its way. The trainer can pull the dog with a 10-meter-long leash and loosen the leash as much as possible. Dogs can identify paths by smelling the former's footprints, and dogs can identify pre-set small objects. Recognition usually involves asking the dog to lie down and placing a small object between the dog's paws so that the dog can remember and officially walk. This kind of training mainly tests the dog's ability to accept training, its smelling ability, as well as the dog's psychological quality and physical endurance.

Call obedience training

The training focus of this project is to let the dog perform a series of following training, mainly to let the dog approach and follow a group of people. During the following process, a person can intentionally burst out a gunshot. At this time, the dog should ensure that there is no excessive frightened reaction and no harsh barking. At the same time, command obedience training also includes a series of training on receiving commands in situ, including sit down, lie down, stand up, etc. In addition, if the dog does not stay where it is after the trainer changes the location, the dog should still follow the command given by the trainer as usual. The dog cannot refuse to execute a command due to a change in the trainer's position.
It should also be noted that when training, the trainer should ask the dog to lie down at a certain distance from the trainer. Even if the trainer is playing with other dogs on the other side of the training venue, this dog The dog should also remain in a prone position there. Of course, all this obedience training is a test of the dog's character (temperament), effectiveness of body structure, and desire to work.

BaseThis defense technique

Basic defense technique training focuses on testing the dog's courage, physical strength and agility, as well as the owner's control of the dog. These trainings include finding hidden objects, finding hidden people, and protecting the "target person" until the dog owner arrives; when the target person tries to escape, the dog must have the desire to chase and bite the "target" arm with a sheath until the "target person" "Escorted to the referee by the dog owner. If the "target person" tries to attack the owner again, the dog must not hesitate to bite the "target person" and resolutely prevent him from attacking the owner. Finally, there is a test of courage, when the main dog asks the "target person" to run out to the other end of the training field (usually 50 steps away), and the dog must quickly catch up with the "target person". Before the dog can catch up with the "target person", the referee signals the "target person". The "targeted person" immediately turned around and charged directly at the dog, yelling at the dog and threatening the dog with a stick. At this time, the dog should show fearless courage to attack the "target person" until it bites and subdues the "target person". In addition, defense training also emphasizes that once the "target person" stops running, the dog owner must immediately release his mouth and stop attacking the "target person". Therefore, the quality of the dog must be able to confirm whether the dog is timid and scared, and whether it can be unconditionally controlled by the trainer under any conditions.

Levels of defense training

Defense training is divided into three levels, including defense level one, level two and level three. Dogs undergoing Level 1 defense training must be at least 18 months old. Dogs participating in the Level 1 defense examination must first pass a full-time referee to test the dog's personality (temperament).
The first-level defense test mainly includes: walking with a leash, walking without a leash, sitting down while walking, lying down while walking, sitting and lying waiting, and free running and returning. In these tests, whether on flat ground or in a training area with obstacles, the dog must return immediately after hearing the command. At the same time, in the traveling search test, the dog must continue to walk on the prescribed route for at least 20 minutes.
To participate in defense level two training, dogs must be 19 months old and must pass the defense level one test. At the same time, they must again pass the command obedience and basic defense technology tests required by defense level one. In addition, defense level two dogs must pass the defense level one test. The test items are more difficult, more demanding, and of a higher level than the defense level one, and are mainly reflected in the dog's endurance, agility, sensitivity, and control. A sloping wall spanning 6 feet was added, and in the walking search test the dog must be able to search along a designated route for a minimum of 30 minutes, led by a stranger.
Participate in defense level threeFor training, the dog must be 20 months old and must obtain the qualifications of Defense Level 1 and Defense Level 2. The defense level three exam is much more difficult than the previous two levels.
During the Defense Level 3 test, the dog must be off the leash. At the same time, walking and running tests are added, especially in the walking search test, the dog must continue to walk along the prescribed route for more than 50 minutes under the leadership of a stranger. There should be 4 turns on the prescribed route, and three hidden objects must be placed, and the dog must find at least two.