This set includes:
- 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 3 – Bite Suit Mechanics
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 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.
