Let me start by respecting the decoy. A good sport decoy is one of the most skilled people in the dog world. He reads the dog, loads the bite, catches safely, manages pressure and builds confidence. Good decoys make good dogs.
Now here's the question. What is the decoy's job? His job is to help your dog succeed. He presents the target where the dog can hit it. He catches the dog so it doesn't get hurt. He adds pressure the dog is ready for, and backs off when it isn't. He lets the dog win at the end of the rep. That's correct, for building a dog. But it means your dog has spent its whole development against a human being who wants it to win. The attacker your dog meets for real wants the opposite.
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THE READING RECORD
Supporting References & Further Reading
This article records my findings, observations and professional standards. No external references are cited in this edition.
From my operational record
I have worked as an operational K9 handler since 2009 and have seen more than 44 dogs go through our unit's program. These articles draw on that work and the feedback I bring to our K9 specialists.
References support the specific subjects for which they are cited. My operational findings are presented in my own voice. Individual medical and legal questions require the appropriate professional.
